IIFT MBA(IB) Entrance

“IIFT MBA(IB) Entrance” is best understood as the admissions route to the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade’s full-time MBA (International Business), rather than as a current standalone IIFT examination. For the 2026–28 intake, IIFT specified CAT 2025 as the score used for shortlisting and selection, with later Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) stages. Therefore, the node’s older description that labels it an NTA-conducted examination is not current for this intake.

The destination programme is a two-year, six-trimester general-management MBA with an international-business focus. IIFT describes it as preparing candidates for international-business operations and covering areas relevant to international business activity.

• Use the official IIFT MBA(IB) admission notice and prospectus for the applicable intake; do not rely on legacy IIFT/NTA exam notices for current admissions.
• CAT is an input to IIFT’s selection process; IIFT states that the IIMs have no role in IIFT’s selection process or in conducting the IIFT programme.

IIFT’s 2026–28 prospectus requires a recognised bachelor’s degree of minimum three years’ duration in any discipline. The stated minimum is 50% marks, reduced to 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates. There is no stated age limit.

Candidates appearing in the qualifying examination could apply provisionally, but had to submit evidence of the required qualification by October 31, 2026. A candidate who ultimately did not meet the minimum bachelor’s-degree percentage would have admission cancelled.

• Academic stream: any discipline, subject to the degree and marks requirements.
• Final-year status: permitted for the 2026–28 intake subject to the stated documentation deadline.
• Category documentation: applicants claiming SC/ST/PwD/OBC-NCL/EWS/Kashmiri Migrant status were required to upload the relevant certificate with the application.

For MBA (IB) 2026–28, IIFT’s selection pathway had two broad stages: shortlisting using CAT 2025 score and other defined parameters, then a second round comprising GD and PI for shortlisted candidates. IIFT’s separate selection-criteria notice says the shortlisting assessment included CAT score/percentile including sectional cut-offs, work experience and gender diversity.

For that cycle, IIFT published physical GD/PI locations at Delhi, Kolkata, Kakinada, GIFT City, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow and Mumbai, while reserving the right to change centres for administrative reasons. Future cycles can alter the test year accepted, cut-offs, weights, interview format and locations.

• Stage 1: CAT-based shortlisting plus IIFT-defined parameters.
• Stage 2: Group Discussion and Personal Interview for shortlisted applicants.
• Check the intake-specific selection criteria rather than assuming that prior IIFT-exam patterns, NTA procedures, or CAT cut-offs remain applicable.

IIFT directed applicants to apply online through its designated admissions portal. The published workflow was: create a login with a valid email address; complete personal and education details; upload photograph, signature and supporting documents; make online payment; submit; and retain a printed application for records. IIFT required a separate application for MBA (IB) and MBA (BA) where an applicant sought both programmes.

The published document list included Class 10 and 12 marksheets, graduation degree/provisional certificate/consolidated marksheet, work-experience documents where applicable, and category certificates where applicable. The application guidance says applicants did not need to post a printout or documents to IIFT, but documents would be scrutinised during verification.

• Keep the CAT registration number available: IIFT instructed applicants to quote it, along with the IIFT application number and registered email, in admission-related communications.
• For the 2026–28 MBA (IB) intake, payment options listed were debit card, credit card, net banking and UPI.
• The published application fee was non-refundable; confirm fee, required documents and dates from the live official intake page before applying.

Because IIFT used CAT performance as the primary shortlisting input for the 2026–28 MBA (IB) intake, preparation should first prioritise the applicable CAT attempt and both overall and sectional performance. This follows from IIFT’s published selection criteria, which explicitly refer to CAT score, percentile and sectional cut-offs; applicants should wait for the next intake’s official criteria before treating any particular weight or cut-off as binding.

Applicants who expect to be shortlisted should also prepare for the later GD and PI. A sensible evidence-based approach is to organise accurate academics and work-experience records early, be ready to explain professional experience and career goals, and ensure that all claims in the application can be documented. IIFT’s guidance warns that ineligibility, incorrect information or suppression of material facts can result in cancellation of candidature or admission.

• Build the application file early: academic records, identity/contact details, work-experience evidence and category certificate if applicable.
• Prepare a clear account of interest in international business, because the MBA (IB) is specifically focused on international business and IIFT’s second stage includes GD/PI.
• Use only the official IIFT notice for the relevant intake to determine the accepted CAT year, shortlist methodology and GD/PI requirements.

Successful candidates enter IIFT’s full-time MBA (IB), a two-year programme with six trimesters and a focus on international business. The current programme page lists a summer internship project, a port visit, a social-awareness assignment and a final research project among programme components, alongside core and elective coursework.

For the 2026–28 prospectus, IIFT listed MBA (IB) seats as 240 each at Delhi and Kolkata and 120 each at GIFT City and Kakinada, with reservations under Government of India norms. Seat counts, campuses and programme arrangements are admission-cycle-specific and should be verified against the prospectus for the cycle being pursued.

• Academic outcome: an MBA (International Business) from IIFT on completion of programme requirements.
• Experiential components listed by IIFT include summer internship, port visit and research project.
• The full-time MBA (IB) is described by IIFT as residential; the prospectus states that students are required to stay in the hostel.