IIFT 2026 offers admission to the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, a leading business school that offers two main programs: MBA in International Business (IB) and MBA in Business Analytics (BA).
IIFT no longer conducts its own entrance exam, and admissions to both programs are now based on CAT scores, followed by group discussions and personal interviews.
The registration and payment deadline are open and has been extended to 8 Dec 2025 (11:59 PM) for MBA (IB) and MBA (Business Analytics) admissions. Candidates can complete their applications online before the revised date.
For the 2026-28 academic session, the registration process began on October 17, 2025, and the deadline for application is November 28, 2025.
You can access all official updates, notifications, and application links directly on the IIFT official website: www.iift.ac.in
Key Summary
- The IIFT 2026 admission process is now open for two programs: MBA in International Business (IB) and MBA in Business Analytics (BA).
- The registration for online application started on October 17, 2025, and you can apply till November 28, 2025.
- For the 2026 admission cycle, IIFT is accepting CAT 2025 scores for admission, followed by Group Discussion and Personal Interview rounds.
- Eligibility check:
- For MBA (IB): A bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) in any discipline with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- For MBA (BA): A bachelor’s degree with Mathematics/Statistics at graduation or 10+2 level, or B.Tech/B.E. with at least 50% marks.
- There is no age limit for either program.
- Application fee: ₹3,000 (General/OBC/EWS) and ₹1,500 (SC/ST/PwD) for MBA (IB); ₹2,000 and ₹1,000 respectively for MBA (BA).
- The selection process has two stages in which first is shortlisting which is based on CAT 2025 performance, diversity, and work experience and second stage includes the GD and PI rounds held in offline mode.
- IIFT 2026 offers around 720 seats for the MBA in International Business program and 60 seats for the MBA in Business Analytics program.
- For the latest updates, notifications, and application links, check the official IIFT website: www.iift.ac.in
What is IIFT?
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), which was established in 1963 by the Government of India under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as one of the country’s leading business schools. It was started to help in building strong skills in international trade and business management.
The institute has three main campuses located in Delhi, Kolkata, and Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), and has recently expanded to GIFT City in Gandhinagar..
Until 2023, admission to the IIFT MBA programs was through the IIFT Entrance Test, which was conducted by the NTA. From 2024 onwards, IIFT accepts CAT scores for admission to its MBA (IB) and MBA (BA) program followed by WAT, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview rounds organized by IIFT.
Ques. Why is IIFT Unique?
Ans. What makes IIFT stand out is its strong focus on international trade and business analytics which is a blend only few B-schools offer. The curriculum connects management concepts with real-world learning in export-import management, trade finance, WTO studies, data science, and global market strategy.
Students get to explore more than just classrooms through:
- Global exchange programs and international collaborations
- Research projects in trade and policy
- Hands-on exposure to government and corporate initiatives shaping India’s foreign trade
IIFT 2026 Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade |
| Campuses | Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada, GIFT City |
| Flagship Programs | MBA (International Business), MBA (Business Analytics) |
| Former Entrance Exam | IIFT Entrance Test (conducted by NTA till 2023) |
| Current Admission Mode | CAT Scores (for MBA-IB and MBA-BA from 2024 onwards) |
| Official Website | https://www.iift.ac.in |
IIFT 2026 Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October 17, 2025 | Online application process begins |
| November 28, 2025 | Last date to apply and pay application fee |
| November 30, 2025 | CAT 2025 exam date (basis for IIFT admission) |
| Last week of January 2026 | List of Shortlisted candidates for second round of admission |
| March 2026 onwards | GD and PI (Group Discussion & Personal Interview) rounds |
| Last week of April 2026 | Final results declaration of selected candidates |
| June 2026 | Commencement of MBA (IB) and MBA (BA) programs |
IIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The IIFT eligibility criteria for MBA (International Business) and MBA (Business Analytics) are listed below for the aspiring candidates.
IIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: MBA (International Business)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Recognized Bachelor’s degree of minimum 3 years’ duration in any discipline. |
| Minimum Marks Required | 50% for General / OBC candidates; 45% for SC / ST / PwD candidates. |
| Final Year Candidates | Eligible to apply; must submit proof of qualification by October 31, 2026. |
| Age Limit | No age limit. |
| Provisional Admission Clause | Admission stands cancelled if minimum marks are not met or qualification proof is not submitted by the deadline. |
| Re-evaluation Policy | No request for re-evaluation or time extension will be entertained. |
IIFT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: MBA (Business Analytics)
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks or 5.0 CGPA (out of 10). |
| Subject Requirement | Must satisfy any one of the following:
|
| Final Year Candidates | Eligible to apply; must submit proof of qualification by October 31, 2026. |
| Age Limit | No age limit. |
| Re-evaluation Policy | No request for re-evaluation or result extension will be accepted. |
Ques. Do I need to appear for IIFT’s own written test?
Ans. No. For the 2026 admission cycle, IIFT uses the CAT (Common Admission Test) as the written entrance exam. There is no separate IIFT entrance exam.
Ques. Can I apply if I am in the final term of my UG degree?
Ans. Yes, final year students are eligible to apply, subject to providing proof of degree completion by the stipulated date (e.g. October 31, 2026).
IIFT 2026 Application Process
IIFT 2026 Application Process is completely online through the official website: www.iift.ac.in. Candidates interested in the MBA (International Business) or MBA (Business Analytics) programs must visit the site and fill out the online application form as per the instructions and steps provided on how to apply.
It’s important to review all details carefully before final submission, as the application fee once paid is non-refundable.
IIFT 2026 Application Fee
| Category | MBA (IB) | MBA (BA) |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹ 3,000 | ₹ 2,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Transgender | ₹ 1,500 | ₹ 1,000 |
IIFT 2026 Selection Process
The IIFT 2026 admission process is based on CAT 2025 scores and a set of other evaluation parameters.
Unlike previous years when IIFT conducted its own entrance exam, the selection now follows a two-stage process along with other parameters such as Gender Diversity, Academic Background, and Work Experience will also be considered.
Stage 1: Shortlisting Based on CAT 2025 Scores
IIFT will consider candidates’ CAT 2025 scores along with other predefined parameters (such as academic record, diversity, and work experience) including sectional cutoffs to shortlist candidates for the next stage of selection.
IIFT 2026 Shortlisting Criteria and Weightage
| Parameters | Weightage |
|---|---|
| CAT 2024 Score | (Candidate’s CAT 2025 Score / Maximum CAT 2025 Score) × 98 |
| Gender Diversity (M = 0; F = 2) | 02 |
| Total Score | 100 |
Source:
Stage 2: GD/PI Round
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. These will be held in physical mode at various centres across India.
| Selection Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Shortlisting based on CAT 2025 scores and other parameters |
| Stage 2 | Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) |
| Mode | Offline (Physical) |
| GD/PI Centre Locations | Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada, GIFT City,Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow and Mumbai.(IIFT may add or remove GD/PI centres if needed for administrative reasons.) |
| Evaluation Focus | Communication skills, analytical thinking, leadership qualities, and overall personality |
IIFT 2026 Final Selection Criteria and Weightage
Source:
IIFT 2026 Work Experience Evaluation Criteria
For candidates with prior work experience, IIFT assigns a rating score based on both the duration and quality of experience as evaluated by the interview panel.
The final work experience score is calculated as follows:
- The panel score (given by IIFT’s interview panel) ranges from 0 to 10 on a Likert scale, reflecting the quality and relevance of the candidate’s work experience.
- The score based on years of experience is determined as per IIFT’s predefined scale.
| Years of Experience | Score (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
| 0 to <1 year | 0 |
| 1 to <2 years | 2 |
| 2 to <3 years | 4 |
| 3 to <4 years | 6 |
| 4 to <5 years | 8 |
| 5 years and above | 10 |
Source:
Also Read:
IIFT Result 2026
The IIFT 2026 Result will be announced by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) on its official website: www.iift.ac.in. Since IIFT now accepts CAT scores for admission to its MBA (International Business) and MBA (Business Analytics) programs, there will be no separate IIFT exam result as earlier. Instead, the selection list will be released based on CAT 2025 performance.
Also Read:
IIFT 2026: Seat Matrix
IIFT 2026 Seat Matrix follows the Government of India’s reservation norms, ensuring fair seat allocation across all categories. The detailed seat distribution is given below.
| Programme | Campus | No. of Seats |
|---|---|---|
| MBA (International Business) | Delhi | 240 |
| Kolkata | 240 | |
| GIFT City | 120 | |
| Kakinada | 120 | |
| MBA (Business Analytics) | Delhi | 60 |
Also Read:
IIFT 2026: Fees Structure
The fee structure for different campuses participating in IIFT 2026 admission process are as follows:
| Programme | Campus | Total Fee (for 2 Years) | Refundable Security Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA (International Business) | Delhi | ₹ 21.82 lakh | ₹ 10,000 |
| Kolkata | ₹ 21.32 lakh | ₹ 10,000 | |
| GIFT City | ₹ 19.68 lakh (Excluding Boarding & Lodging charges) | ₹ 10,000 | |
| Kakinada | ₹ 19.68 lakh (Excluding Boarding & Lodging charges) | ₹ 10,000 | |
| MBA (Business Analytics) | Delhi | ₹ 17.87 lakh | ₹ 5,000 |
IIFT 2026 FAQs
Ques. Is there a separate IIFT entrance exam in 2026?
Ans. No, IIFT no longer conducts its own entrance test. From 2024 onwards, admission to MBA (IB) and MBA (BA) programs is based on CAT scores, followed by Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds conducted by IIFT.
Ques. What is the last date to apply for IIFT 2026?
Ans. The last date to submit the IIFT 2026 application form is November 28, 2025. The application process started on October 17, 2025 through the official website - www.iift.ac.in.
Ques. What are the eligibility criteria for IIFT 2026?
Ans.
- For MBA (IB): A bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) in any discipline with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- For MBA (BA): A bachelor’s degree with Mathematics/Statistics at graduation or 10+2 level, or B.Tech/B.E. with at least 50% marks.
- There is no age limit for either program.
Ques. What CAT percentile is required for IIFT admission?
Ans. To be on the safe side, candidates must aim for a higher percentile range in CAT for IIFT admission.
- 98-99 percentile for MBA (International Business)
- 95-96 percentile for MBA (Business Analytics)
- Cutoffs may vary slightly depending on category and campus.
Ques. How is the final selection done at IIFT?
Ans. The selection process has two stages:
- Shortlisting based on CAT scores, academic performance, gender diversity, and work experience.
- GD/PI Round to assess communication, leadership, and analytical skills.
Ques. What are the campuses and available seats for IIFT 2026?
Ans. IIFT has campuses in Delhi, Kolkata, GIFT City, and Kakinada. It offers around 720 seats for MBA (IB) and 60 seats for MBA (BA).
| Program | Campus | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| MBA (IB) | Delhi | 240 |
| Kolkata | 240 | |
| GIFT City | 120 | |
| Kakinada | 120 | |
| MBA (BA) | Delhi | 60 |
| Total Seats | ~780 |
Ques. What is the fee structure for IIFT 2026?
Ans. The fee structure for IIFT ranges are as follows:
- MBA (IB): ₹19.68-₹21.82 lakh (depending on campus)
- MBA (BA): ₹17.87 lakh (Delhi campus)
- Each program also includes a small refundable security deposit.
Ques. When will the IIFT 2026 results be declared?
Ans. The final results are expected in the last week of April 2026, after the completion of GD and PI rounds.
Ques. How can I contact IIFT for admission-related queries?
Ans. You can easily get in touch with the team for queries:
| Query Type | Contact Details |
|---|---|
| Admissions | (011) 39147213, 39147200 / 201 / 202 / 203 / 204 (Mon-Fri, 9 AM-5:30 PM) |
| Helpline (General) | 9773698083 (9 AM-9 PM, all days) |
| Email for Admission Queries | admission@iift.edu |
| Technical Help (Application Process) | 9599024188 (Mon-Fri, 10 AM-5 PM) |
| Technical Support Email | iift@applyadmission.net |
| Website | www.iift.ac.in |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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Comments
Found 2 Comments
IIFT is a Computer Based Test. There are 4 sections in the IIFT paper namely Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning and General Awareness. The total mark for the paper is 300.
Students who have obtained the requried IIFT cut offs will be further called to take an Essay Writing test, Group Discussion and Personal Interview.