IIFT 2026: Waitlist Movement Ongoing, CAT Cutoff, Eligibility and Selection Criteria

IIFT 2026 admissions are based on CAT 2025 scores, with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade managing its own shortlisting, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview process. The institute, established in 1963 under India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has released the final merit list for the MBA International Business (IB) and MBA Business Analytics (BA) 2026-28 batch in June 2026, and waitlist movement is ongoing. Candidates interested in the MBA (IB) for Working Professionals programme still have a last opportunity: the application window for the 2026-29 batch closes on 1 July 2026, after a deadline extension announced on 25 June 2026.

• Working Professionals MBA (IB) — Final Deadline Tomorrow: The IIFT MBA (IB) for Working Professionals 2026-29 batch application closes on 1 July 2026 after an extension announced on 25 June 2026. The two-year online programme carries a total fee of INR 10.50 Lakhs and requires a minimum of one year of work experience. No CAT score is needed. Apply on the official IIFT portal before midnight tonight.
• IIFT 2026-28 Waitlist Movement: The IIFT 2026 final merit list for MBA IB and MBA BA was released in June 2026. Waitlist movement is ongoing across all four campuses — Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada, and GIFT City. In the 2025 cycle, IIFT ran three rounds of waitlist movement. Waitlisted candidates should monitor iift.ac.in daily and be ready to respond within 24-48 hours when an offer is made.
• CAT 2026 for IIFT 2027-29 Batch: Students targeting IIFT MBA 2027-29 must register for CAT 2026. The CAT 2026 notification is expected in August 2026 — last year, CAT 2025 registration opened on 31 July 2025. The exam will be held in November 2026. General category students should target 99+ overall percentile to be competitive for IIFT Delhi.
• IIFT MBA 2027-29 Applications: The registration window for the next IIFT MBA cycle is expected to open in October 2026, following last year’s schedule when the 2026-28 batch applications opened on 17 October 2025. Candidates must have a valid CAT 2026 score and at least 50% marks in graduation.

What is IIFT?

IIFT stands for Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. It is India’s premier management institute for international business and trade, established in 1963 by the Government of India. The institute operates as a Deemed University under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and has been training leaders in global trade, export management, international finance, and supply chain strategy for over six decades. IIFT holds NAAC A+ accreditation and AACSB international accreditation.

IIFT’s flagship programme is the two-year full-time MBA in International Business (MBA IB). It also offers an MBA in Business Analytics (MBA BA) at its Delhi campus, an MA in Economics, a Ph.D. programme, and an Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) at Kakinada. Starting from the 2024 admission cycle, IIFT discontinued its own entrance exam and now uses CAT scores for shortlisting — which means one CAT attempt qualifies you for both IIMs and IIFT.

IIFT operates four campuses: New Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), and GIFT City (Gujarat). The MBA IB programme covers international trade policy, foreign exchange management, WTO law, global supply chain, export-import regulation, and emerging market strategies — a specialisation that sets IIFT apart from general management schools. IIFT consistently ranks in the NIRF top 20 for management institutions.

IIFT 2026: Key Highlights

The table below covers the most important details about IIFT 2026 admission at a glance.

IIFT 2026 Important Dates

The table below lists all key IIFT 2026 events. Upcoming events appear first in chronological order, followed by past milestones. The most urgent upcoming deadline is the Working Professionals MBA application on 1 July 2026.

The IIFT MBA (IB) for Working Professionals 2026-29 application closes on 1 July 2026 — this is the last extended deadline. Apply on the official IIFT portal before midnight tonight.

Source: iift.ac.in — New Admissions

IIFT 2026 Application Process

The IIFT 2026 application window for the 2026-28 batch was open from 17 October 2025 to 12 December 2025. The steps below reflect the completed 2026-28 cycle and will follow a very similar pattern for the 2027-29 cycle, expected to open in October 2026.

How to Apply for IIFT MBA

1. Visit iift.ac.in and click on ’Apply for IIFT MBA’.
2. Select ’Fresh Candidate to Create Login’ and enter your name, email, and mobile number. Note the application number carefully.
3. Log in and fill in all personal, academic, work experience, and contact details. Indicate your campus preferences (first, second, third choice).
4. Upload a recent passport-size photograph, scanned signature, graduation marksheets, and any category or work experience certificates in the prescribed format.
5. Pay the application fee online via debit card, credit card, or net banking.
6. Download and save the confirmation page for your records.
7. After shortlist announcement, fill the separate CV and WAT-PI form within the deadline. This form collects detailed work experience, essay responses, and interview city preferences.

IIFT application fees are non-refundable. Make sure your CAT 2025 registration is complete before applying — IIFT links your application to your CAT roll number for score verification. Mismatched details may lead to rejection.

IIFT 2026 Application Fee

IIFT WAT, GD and Personal Interview

IIFT’s Stage 2 selection includes three components on the same day: Writing Skills Assessment (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). For the 2026 cycle, these rounds were held in March 2026 at 9 cities: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, and GIFT City.

Writing Skills Assessment (WAT)

The WAT tests your ability to express structured ideas on international business and current affairs in written form. IIFT values clarity, structure, depth of content, and balanced argumentation.

• Duration: 20 minutes
• Word Limit: 250 to 300 words
• Topic Type: International trade, global economics, current affairs, and business policy
• Sample Past Topics: "US-China Trade War and India’s Opportunity," "India as a Global Manufacturing Hub," "Should India Re-join RCEP?"

Group Discussion (GD)

The GD round evaluates communication skills, global awareness, and the ability to listen, lead, and summarize. IIFT selects topics with an international business or geopolitical angle.

• Duration: 15 to 20 minutes
• Group Size: 10 to 12 candidates per group
• Assessed On: Content quality, communication clarity, initiative, listening skills, and group behaviour

Personal Interview (PI)

The PI carries 20 out of 100 points in the final merit list — the second-largest component after the CAT score. It typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes. Panels ask about your academic background, work experience, global awareness, and career goals in international business.

• Know India’s current export trends, active FTAs (India-UAE CEPA, India-Australia ECTA, India-UK FTA status), and WTO basics before entering the room.
• Prepare a specific Why IIFT answer — connect it to IIFT’s international business identity, not a generic B-school response.
• If you have work experience, link it to international trade themes: export clients, supply chain exposure, cross-border finance, or regulatory work.
• Be ready to discuss your graduation subjects, especially if they relate to economics, commerce, finance, or engineering with trade applications.

IIFT Campuses and Seat Intake 2026

IIFT has four campuses for the 2026-28 batch. The MBA IB programme is available at all four campuses. The MBA BA programme is offered only at Delhi with 60 seats.

Campus-wise Seat Intake: MBA IB and MBA BA (2026-28)

Seats at all campuses are filled as per Government of India reservation norms: 27% for NC-OBC, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, and 10% for EWS. PwD candidates receive a 5% horizontal reservation across all categories.

About the Four IIFT Campuses

• IIFT Delhi: The original and most established campus, located in Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi. Offers both MBA IB and MBA BA. Has direct access to the capital’s corporate, government, and trade ministry ecosystem. Most preferred campus by students.
• IIFT Kolkata: Located in Kolkata, West Bengal. Offers MBA IB. Well-regarded for its industry connections in eastern India and proximity to major port-linked trade businesses.
• IIFT Kakinada: Located in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. Offers MBA IB and also the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) for students after 10+2. Newer campus but carries the same degree and brand.
• IIFT GIFT City: Located in GIFT City, Gujarat. Offers MBA IB. GIFT City’s status as India’s first operational smart city and international financial services centre creates unique networking opportunities in trade finance and global business.

All campuses follow the same curriculum and placement process. The IIFT degree does not specify the campus name — all graduates receive the same qualification. Campus allotment is based on composite score rank and declared preference.

Source: iift.ac.in — New Admissions

IIFT MBA for Working Professionals 2026

IIFT offers an MBA (IB) for Working Professionals — a two-year programme for candidates already in the workforce who want an IIFT MBA without leaving their jobs. The 2026-29 batch application closes on 1 July 2026. This is the last extended deadline after a revision announced on 25 June 2026.

Candidates interested in the Working Professionals programme must apply before midnight on 1 July 2026. This is a firm deadline — no further extensions have been announced.

Programme Highlights: MBA (IB) for Working Professionals

Eligibility for Working Professionals MBA

• Minimum 50% marks in graduation for General/OBC/EWS; 45% for SC/ST/PwD.
• At least one year of full-time work experience after completing graduation.
• Professionals from any industry or sector are eligible to apply.
• No CAT score is required — this programme has its own selection process conducted by IIFT.

How to Apply Before 1 July 2026

1. Visit iift.ac.in/iift/new-admissions.php.
2. Navigate to the Working Professionals MBA (IB) section.
3. Create an account or log in with existing credentials.
4. Fill in the application form with academic and work experience details.
5. Pay the non-refundable registration fee of INR 2,500 online.
6. Submit the application before midnight on 1 July 2026.

This programme lets working professionals earn an IIFT MBA in International Business with the same brand value and curriculum depth as the full-time residential programme, while continuing in their current role.

IIFT MBA Fee Structure 2026-28

IIFT MBA fees cover tuition, boarding and lodging, library access, computer and internet facilities, medical insurance, and other campus charges. The fee varies by campus and programme.

Hostel Charges (Per Year)

Fee Concessions and Other Charges

• SC, ST, and PwD students get a 50% relaxation on the tuition fee component only — hostel, mess, and other charges are not waived.
• Refundable security deposit: INR 10,000 for MBA IB; INR 5,000 for MBA BA.
• Hostel security deposit: INR 5,000 (refundable at programme end).
• Waitlist retention fee: INR 20,000 (refundable if no seat is offered; forfeited if an offer is declined or ignored).
• NRI and foreign national fee for MBA IB: USD 60,000 plus INR 3,36,514.

Fee figures are based on 2026-28 offer letters and official notifications. IIFT revises the fee structure each year. Always confirm the exact amount in your official offer letter before making payments.

IIFT Placements 2025

IIFT Delhi reported 100% placement for the 2025 graduating batch across both MBA IB and MBA BA programmes. More than 160 companies participated in the placement season spanning consulting, FMCG, banking, technology, and international trade sectors.

IIFT Placement Highlights 2025

Top Sectors and Roles

• Consulting: McKinsey, Bain, Accenture Strategy, Deloitte, EY — Management Consultant and Strategy Associate roles
• FMCG and Consumer Goods: HUL, ITC, L’Oreal, Godrej, Marico — Category Manager, Trade Marketing, and Supply Chain roles
• Banking and Finance: Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, HSBC, Axis Bank, DE Shaw — Trade Finance Analyst, Investment Banking Analyst
• Technology: Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Flipkart — Business Development and International Operations roles
• International Trade: Trafigura, Cargill, Louis Dreyfus — Commodity Trading and Global Trade Management roles

The MBA IB median package has grown from INR 22 LPA in 2022 to INR 26 LPA in 2025, driven by rising demand from consulting and FMCG sectors. MBA BA students see strong demand from analytics, fintech, and e-commerce firms. Placement data for the 2026-28 batch will be available after they complete their programme in 2028.

Preparation Tips for IIFT 2027-29

Since IIFT now uses CAT scores as the primary filter, your preparation must centre on achieving 99+ overall CAT percentile for Delhi. But IIFT gives significant weight to the GD-PI — 30 points out of 100 in the final selection. So your prep needs two tracks running in parallel: CAT excellence and international business awareness.

CAT Section-wise Strategy

• VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension): Read editorials from business and international trade publications daily — this builds both reading speed for CAT and the global knowledge base you need for IIFT’s GD-PI topics. Practise RC passages with a timer: aim to answer a 600-word passage in 8 to 10 minutes. Use process of elimination on para-jumbles rather than relying on intuition.
• DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning): Practise complete sets from the last five CAT papers. DILR has shifted toward complex, multi-variable interconnected sets. Focus on scheduling puzzles, seating arrangements, and data-heavy caselets. Aim for accuracy over speed — two complete sets at 95% accuracy beats three sets at 60%.
• QA (Quantitative Ability): Start with NCERT Class 9 and 10 Maths to build clean fundamentals. High-priority topics: Number Systems, Algebra, Geometry, and Arithmetic (Percentages, Ratio, Profit and Loss). Supplement with a weekly mock test series. Aim for at least 50 full-length mocks with detailed post-test analysis.

Target CAT Score by Campus

• For IIFT Delhi MBA IB: Target 99+ percentile overall, with no section below 90 percentile.
• For IIFT Kolkata: 97 to 98+ percentile is competitive for General category.
• For Kakinada or GIFT City: 94 to 96+ percentile is competitive for General category.
• Work experience of 24 to 36 months adds up to 4 bonus points at shortlisting — at the 97-percentile boundary, this can determine whether you get a GD-PI call.

GD, WAT and PI Preparation

• Keep a weekly trade news journal: track India’s monthly export-import data, active FTAs, and WTO developments. This directly feeds your WAT and PI responses at IIFT.
• Practise writing: write one 250-word essay on a trade or policy topic every week within 20 minutes, without stopping to edit mid-way.
• For your PI, prepare a specific Why IIFT answer tied to international business goals. A commerce graduate should connect to India’s trade balance or export sector growth; an engineer should link to manufacturing exports or trade logistics.
• Read IIFT’s official prospectus for its research areas, industry tie-ups, and alumni achievements. These give you the building blocks for a credible and specific answer about why you chose IIFT over IIMs.

Timeline for IIFT 2027-29 Aspirants

• July–August 2026: Register for CAT 2026. Build your study schedule covering VARC and QA fundamentals.
• August–October 2026: Complete the full CAT syllabus. Start sectional mocks. Apply to IIFT once the window opens (expected October 2026).
• October–November 2026: Intensify full-length CAT mocks. Maintain a trade news reading habit for GD-PI prep.
• November 2026: Appear for CAT 2026.
• February 2027: Fill the WAT-PI form after the shortlist is announced.
• March 2027: Attend GD-PI rounds at your chosen city.