The expected IIFT cutoff for SC category in MBA 2026-28 is 30-33 marks and for ST category is 22-25 marks overall, based on 2024-25 admission trends. IIFT has not released the official 2026-28 cutoffs yet.
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) shortlists students for its MBA (International Business) program through a category-wise cutoff released after the IIFT entrance exam, which is conducted by NTA. For SC and ST students, IIFT sets both a section-wise minimum score and a lower overall threshold compared to the general category, in line with government reservation norms. The final cutoff for the 2026-28 batch will be announced alongside the first shortlist for Group Discussion, Essay Writing, and Personal Interview rounds.
- IIFT reserves 15% of seats for SC students and 7.5% of seats for ST students across all campuses.
- Expected overall cutoff for SC category is 30-33 marks and for ST category is 22-25 marks, based on 2024-25 trends.
- Students must clear both section-wise and overall cutoffs to be shortlisted for the GD-PI round.
- IIFT offers MBA (IB) seats at three campuses: Delhi, Kolkata, and Kakinada.
- Around 54 SC seats and 26 ST seats are expected across all IIFT campuses for the 2026-28 batch.
| Direct Link to IIFT MBA 2026-28 Admissions (Active) — Visit iift.ac.in Official Portal |
IIFT MBA 2026-28 Expected SC and ST Overall Cutoff
IIFT sets a minimum overall exam score that students must reach to be shortlisted for the second stage. The cutoff is a raw exam score, not a percentile. The table below shows expected overall cutoffs for SC and ST categories in MBA 2026-28, compared with actual cutoffs from the two previous cycles. All 2026-28 values are based on previous year trends and are not official.
| Category | Expected Cutoff 2026-28 (Marks) | Actual Cutoff 2024-26 (Marks) | Actual Cutoff 2023-25 (Marks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 47-50 (expected) | ~47 | ~45 |
| OBC-NCL | 40-43 (expected) | ~40 | ~38 |
| SC | 30-33 (expected) | ~30 | ~28 |
| ST | 22-25 (expected) | ~22 | ~20 |
| PwD | 20-24 (expected) | ~20 | ~18 |
SC or ST students who score above the general category cutoff may be considered in the open merit list. This frees up a reserved seat for the next eligible SC or ST student on the category merit list.
Section-Wise Cutoff for SC and ST Students
Beyond the overall score, IIFT also applies minimum marks in each section of the exam. Missing the section-wise cutoff in even one section disqualifies you from shortlisting, regardless of your total score. The table below shows expected section-wise cutoffs for SC and ST students for IIFT 2026.
| Section | General (Expected) | SC (Expected) | ST (Expected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 6-8 marks | 3-5 marks | 2-4 marks |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 8-10 marks | 4-6 marks | 3-5 marks |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 8-10 marks | 4-6 marks | 3-5 marks |
| General Knowledge and Awareness (GK) | 3-5 marks | 1-3 marks | 1-2 marks |
SC and ST students should not neglect any section, especially GK. Scoring very low in GK is a frequent reason for disqualification even when the overall score clears the threshold. All figures above are expected based on 2024-25 trends.
Campus-Wise Reserved Seats for SC and ST in IIFT MBA 2026-28
IIFT follows government reservation norms across all three campuses. 15% of total seats are reserved for SC students and 7.5% for ST students at each campus. The table below shows the expected seat breakdown for the 2026-28 batch.
| Campus | Total Seats (Expected) | SC Seats (15%) | ST Seats (7.5%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIFT Delhi | 180 | 27 | 13 |
| IIFT Kolkata | 120 | 18 | 9 |
| IIFT Kakinada | 60 | 9 | 4 |
| Total | 360 | 54 | 26 |
Seat counts are expected based on 2024-26 batch intake and are subject to official confirmation by IIFT. SC and ST students can indicate campus preferences during the counselling round after clearing the cutoff.
Factors Affecting the IIFT SC and ST Cutoff
The IIFT SC and ST cutoff shifts every year. Understanding these factors helps you estimate your chances more accurately:
- Number of SC and ST applicants: A larger pool of SC or ST students appearing for the exam generally pushes the category cutoff slightly higher.
- Exam difficulty: A tougher IIFT 2026 paper typically brings down cutoffs across all categories compared to previous years.
- Total seat intake: If IIFT expands the 2026-28 batch size, more students will be shortlisted from each category, effectively easing the threshold.
- Category cohort performance: The collective performance of SC and ST students that year determines where the line is drawn to fill all reserved seats.
- Reservation policy updates: Any government notification on EWS, supernumerary seats, or revised reservation percentages can shift the cutoff landscape for all categories.
What Happens After Clearing the IIFT SC or ST Cutoff
Clearing the written exam cutoff is the first gate. Students shortlisted from the SC or ST merit list are called for the second stage of IIFT selection, which includes three components:
- Essay Writing (EW): A short written task that tests communication, structure, and analytical thinking. Usually held on the same day as the personal interview.
- Group Discussion (GD): A structured group discussion on a current affairs or business topic. Evaluates communication skills, reasoning, and ability to work in a group.
- Personal Interview (PI): A face-to-face interview with IIFT faculty and industry professionals, covering academics, work experience, career goals, and current awareness.
The final merit list is prepared using a composite score that includes IIFT exam marks, Essay Writing, GD performance, and PI scores. Academic track record (Class 10, Class 12, and graduation marks) and work experience may also carry weightage in the final calculation. Students who do not make the general merit list but clear the SC or ST cutoff are ranked separately on the category merit list and offered seats against reserved vacancies.
IIFT MBA SC and ST Cutoff 2026-28 FAQs
Ques. What is the expected IIFT cutoff for SC students in MBA 2026-28?
Ans. The expected overall cutoff for SC students is 30-33 marks, based on 2024-25 IIFT admission trends. This is not an official figure and will be confirmed after the IIFT 2026 exam results are declared.
Ques. What is the expected IIFT cutoff for ST students in MBA 2026-28?
Ans. The expected overall cutoff for ST category students is 22-25 marks. ST students must also clear section-wise minimum scores in all four sections of the IIFT exam to be shortlisted.
Ques. How many seats are reserved for SC and ST students in IIFT MBA 2026-28?
Ans. Around 54 seats are expected for SC students and 26 for ST students across IIFT Delhi, Kolkata, and Kakinada campuses, based on 15% and 7.5% reservation norms respectively. These are expected figures pending official confirmation.
Ques. Does IIFT have a section-wise cutoff for SC and ST students?
Ans. Yes. IIFT sets minimum marks in each section for SC and ST students, lower than the general category. Students must clear both section-wise and overall cutoffs to qualify for the GD-PI round.
Ques. When will the official IIFT 2026-28 SC and ST cutoff be released?
Ans. IIFT announces the category-wise cutoff alongside the shortlist for GD-PI rounds, usually a few weeks after the exam result is declared. Students can check iift.ac.in for the official notification.
Ques. Can an SC or ST student be selected through the general merit list in IIFT?
Ans. Yes. If an SC or ST student scores above the general category cutoff and makes the open merit list, they are counted against the general category. This frees up their reserved seat for the next eligible SC or ST student on the category merit list.
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