The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), set up by the Government of India in 1963 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is best known for its two-year MBA in International Business and ranks 17th in the NIRF 2025 Management ranking. It suits CAT takers interested in trade, global markets and international business careers, and it now admits through CAT scores followed by a group discussion and interview.
At a glance
| NIRF 2025 Management rank | 17 (score 62.93) |
| Established | 1963 |
| Type | Deemed to be University (since 2002), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India |
| Location | Qutub Institutional Area, New Delhi (main campus); also Kolkata, Kakinada and GIFT City |
| Flagship programme | MBA (International Business) |
| Duration | Two years, full-time |
| Sanctioned intake | 511 (2-year PG programmes, NIRF 2025 data for 2023-24) |
| Admission test | CAT (CAT 2026 for the 2027-29 batch) |
| Programme fee | Rs 19.73 lakh for the MBA (IB) 2026-28 batch, excluding hostel and mess (official 2027 brochure) |
| Median salary | Rs 25.00 lakh a year for the batch graduating in 2023-24 (NIRF 2025 data) |
| Website | iift.ac.in |
About IIFT Delhi
IIFT was established in 1963 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to build skills for India's external trade sector. It was granted "Deemed to be University" status in 2002, and the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) graded it A+ in 2023. The institute also states that it holds AACSB accreditation.
Unlike the IIMs, IIFT is a university with a specific focus: international business, trade policy and economics run through its research, training and teaching. It publishes academic journals including Foreign Trade Review and the IIFT International Business and Management Review.
IIFT now operates four campuses: Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh and GIFT City in Gujarat. In the NIRF 2025 Management ranking it placed 17th with a score of 62.93. The NIRF data it submitted shows 834 students across its two-year PG programmes in 2023-24.
Programmes
The 2027 brochure lists these long-term programmes:
- MBA (International Business), two years, at Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada and GIFT City (the flagship).
- MBA (Business Analytics), two years, at Delhi.
- MBA (International Business) for working professionals, two years and six months, at Delhi and Kolkata, and an online MBA (IB) at Delhi.
- MA (Economics), specialisation in trade and finance, two years, at Delhi and Kolkata.
- Integrated Programme in Management (BBA in Business Analytics and MBA in International Business), five years, at Kakinada.
- Ph.D. in Management and Ph.D. in Economics at Delhi and Kolkata.
- Weekend diplomas and certificates in international business, HR management and export-import management.
Admissions and eligibility
For the MBA (IB) 2027-29 batch, the official brochure sets these eligibility rules:
- A recognised bachelor's degree of at least three years in any discipline with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates).
- Completed professional qualifications such as CA, CS, ICWA (CMA) or FIAI with the same minimum marks are also accepted.
- Final-year students can apply, but must submit proof of the qualification by 31 October 2027.
- There is no age limit.
IIFT uses CAT 2026 scores for shortlisting and selection for both the MBA (IB) and MBA (BA) 2027-29. The brochure notes that the IIMs have no role in IIFT's selection process or in running the programme. You apply separately on IIFT's own application portal; the last date to apply is 25 November 2026, and CAT 2026 is on 29 November 2026.
Seats for the MBA (IB) are 240 each at Delhi and Kolkata and 120 each at Kakinada and GIFT City, reserved as per Government of India norms. The MBA (BA) has 60 seats at Delhi and asks for a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or a CGPA of 5.0 out of 10.
Selection process
According to the 2027-29 brochure, selection works in two rounds:
- Shortlisting using the CAT 2026 score and "other defined parameters".
- Group discussion and personal interview for shortlisted candidates, held in person at Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada, GIFT City, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow and Mumbai.
The brochure does not publish the shortlisting parameters, sectional cut-offs or final selection weights for the 2027-29 batch. Check the official admissions pages after CAT results for the exact formula. Category certificates must be uploaded with the application, and the category you choose cannot be changed later.
Fees and financial aid
The brochure states that the total fee for the MBA (IB) 2026-28 batch, at all campuses, is Rs 19.73 lakh. This covers tuition and charges for the library, computer and internet facilities, medical insurance, and the alumni and student bodies. The exact fee for the 2027-29 batch will be stated in offer letters.
Hostel and mess are extra. Current charges listed include Rs 1.35 lakh a year for double occupancy at Delhi, Kakinada and GIFT City (Rs 1.08 lakh for triple occupancy at Delhi), and Rs 1.06 lakh a year for single or Rs 91,000 for double occupancy at Kolkata, each with a Rs 10,000 refundable security deposit.
Financial support listed by the institute:
- Fee concession: SC, ST and PwD students receive a 50% concession on tuition fee.
- New Scholarship Scheme (merit-cum-means): 20% of the tuition fee is paid to 10% of admitted students in full-time programmes; students with family income below Rs 8 lakh a year can apply.
- Exim Bank scholarship: for the top-ranked SC/ST student, equal to first-year tuition, up to Rs 3.50 lakh.
- Central government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal.
Placements
In the NIRF 2025 data, the median salary of placed graduates of the two-year PG programmes was Rs 25.00 lakh a year for the batch graduating in 2023-24, with all 399 graduates placed. The two previous years were Rs 26.50 lakh (2022-23) and Rs 24.00 lakh (2021-22).
For the MBA (IB) batch of 2023-25, IIFT's industry connect page reports:
- Median CTC: Rs 26 lakh a year
- Average CTC: Rs 31.30 lakh a year
- Highest domestic CTC: Rs 72 lakh a year
- Highest international CTC: Rs 1.23 crore a year
- 135 recruiters, including 45 new associations, and 7 international positions
The institute's highlights document also records the first MBA (BA) batch of 2023-25 with 25 recruiters. The published figures do not say whether they were externally audited. Placement figures vary by year and role; read the official report before drawing conclusions.
Campus and student life
The Delhi campus is in the Qutub Institutional Area, spread over 6.5 acres, with an auditorium seating 450, computer labs, indoor games, a sports ground and residential facilities. The Kolkata campus covers about 7 acres off the EM Bypass, the Kakinada campus about 25 acres, and the GIFT City facility occupies two floors of GIFT Tower-2.
IIFT has general agreements with 50 universities and business schools worldwide. In 2025-26, 52 students went abroad on its Student Exchange Programme, which has two-way mobility with 28 international schools, including Rennes School of Business, Grenoble School of Management, Hanken, IESEG and EM Normandie. The exchange programme is open to first-year full-time students.
Students run fests including Quo Vadis, a cultural and management fest; Advait, a cultural fest; and Riqueza, a business fest with competitions in marketing, finance and strategy.
How to prepare for IIFT Delhi
IIFT now uses CAT, so your preparation is the same as for the IIMs. Build a structured plan with our CAT 2026 preparation guide and cover each area of the CAT syllabus. The 2027-29 shortlisting parameters have not been published in the brochure, so aim for balanced performance across all three sections rather than relying on one strong section, and confirm the criteria on the official site.
Remember that IIFT is a separate application. Apply on its portal by 25 November 2026, and keep your CAT application copy, marksheets, any work experience documents and category certificate ready to upload.
For the group discussion and interview, read about international trade, India's trade agreements and global economic news, which fit the institute's focus. Be ready to explain why international business interests you. Practise group discussions with peers so you can make clear points without dominating.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fee for the IIFT MBA (IB)?
The total fee for the MBA (IB) 2026-28 batch is Rs 19.73 lakh, excluding hostel and mess. The fee for 2027-29 will be stated in offer letters, so confirm it on the official site.
Does IIFT accept CAT scores?
Yes. IIFT uses CAT 2026 scores to shortlist and select candidates for the MBA (IB) and MBA (BA) 2027-29, followed by a group discussion and personal interview. You must also apply on IIFT's own portal.
How are IIFT placements?
The NIRF 2025 data shows a median of Rs 25.00 lakh a year for the batch graduating in 2023-24. For the MBA (IB) batch of 2023-25, IIFT reports a median of Rs 26 lakh and an average of Rs 31.30 lakh a year.
What is the eligibility for the IIFT MBA?
A three-year bachelor's degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates), or a completed CA, CS, CMA or FIAI qualification with the same minimum. Final-year students can apply.
Which IIFT campus should I choose?
The MBA (IB) runs at Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada and GIFT City, and the brochure lists a common 2026-28 fee across campuses. Check seat numbers, hostel charges and the latest placement data for each campus on the official site.
Sources
- NIRF 2025 Management Ranking: rank and score (accessed 22 October 2026)
- NIRF 2025 data submitted by IIFT (IR-M-U-0102): sanctioned intake, total students, graduates placed and median salary (accessed 22 October 2026)
- IIFT MBA 2027 brochure: history, status, programmes, campuses, eligibility, seats, selection rounds, fees, scholarships, exchange and student activities (accessed 22 October 2026)
- IIFT Admissions 2027: current admission cycle (accessed 22 October 2026)
- IIFT online application portal, MBA 2027-29: registration deadline (accessed 22 October 2026)
- IIFT Industry Connect: final placement statistics for 2023-25 (accessed 22 October 2026)
- Final Placement Highlights 2025: MBA (IB) and MBA (BA) 2023-25 highlights (accessed 22 October 2026)
Researched from official sources on 22 October 2026. Admissions policies, fees and placement figures change every year: confirm them on the institute’s website before applying.