Introduction
In the near future, the IIFT Delhi admission 2026 cycle will commence and thousands of applicants will be competing over seats in the top international business school in India. To succeed in the IIFT MBA IB admission process, it is important to understand IIFT exam 2026, IIFT essay writing round and IIFT PI process. This is a guide that has been verified and current on the entire admission process.
About IIFT Delhi and MBA (IB) Program
IIFT Delhi is an educational institution that was founded in 1963 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is 15 th in NIRF 2024 ranking. MBA (International Business) program is a 2-year residential program and it is devoted to international trade, export-import management, and international business analytics.
Program Highlights:
- Total Seats: 240 at Delhi campus, 120 at Kolkata, 120 at Kakinada (480 total across three campuses)
- Duration: 2 years (6 trimesters)
- Specializations: Marketing, Finance, Operations, International Trade
- Global Focus: International exchange programs and exposure
IIFT Delhi Admission 2026: Eligibility Criteria
For IIFT Delhi admission 2026, candidates must meet:
- Academic Qualification: Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
- Final Year Students: Eligible to apply (must complete by June 2026)
- Age Limit: No upper age limit
- Entrance Exam: CAT 2025 scores (IIFT discontinued its own exam from 2024-25 batch onwards)
Important Update: IIFT exam 2026 will not be created in isolation as was the case in the past. IIFT Delhi admission 2026 is completely dependent on CAT 2025, which will be preceded by Essay Writing, Extempore as well as Personal Interview.
Does IIFT Accept CAT Scores? Understanding the Change
Critical Information: Critical Information: In case of IIFT MBA IB admission 2026-28 batch, IIFT accepts only CAT 2025 scores. The IIFT entrance examination is no longer independent. Candidates must:
- Appear for CAT 2025 (November 30, 2025)
- Apply separately on IIFT official website (iift.ac.in)
- Pass the IIFT cutoff 2026 based on CAT percentiles
IIFT Cutoff 2026: Expected CAT Percentiles
According to current trends, the following are the estimated IIFT cutoff 2026 percentiles:
| Category | Expected CAT Percentile |
| General | 90+ |
| EWS/OBC-NCL | 85+ |
| SC | 75+ |
| ST/PwD | 60+ |
Note: These are overall cutoffs. Sectional cutoffs also apply for VARC, DILR, and QA sections of CAT.
IIFT Delhi Admission 2026 Process: Complete Timeline
The IIFT Delhi admission 2026 follows this schedule:
| Stage | Timeline |
| IIFT Application Opens | October 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam | November 30, 2025 |
| CAT Results | January 2026 |
| IIFT Shortlist Announcement | January-February 2026 |
| Essay Writing & PI Rounds | February-March 2026 |
| Final Merit List | April-May 2026 |
| Program Commencement | June-July 2026 |
IIFT Essay Writing Round: Format and Preparation
The IIFT essay writing round is a critical component of the IIFT PI process. Here’s what you need to know:
Essay Writing Format
- Duration: 20-30 minutes
- Word Limit: 250-300 words
- Topics: Business ethics, international trade, current affairs, social issues
- Evaluation: Clarity (30%), Content (30%), Language (20%), Originality (20%)
Recent Essay Topics (2024-25)
- “India’s Role in Global Supply Chains”
- “Digital Trade and E-commerce in Emerging Markets”
- “Sustainability in International Business”
- “Impact of Geopolitical Tensions on Trade”
Essay Preparation Strategy for IIFT Essay Writing Round
- Practice Timed Writing: Write 300-word essays in 15 minutes daily
- Read Quality Sources: The Economist, Financial Times, WTO publications
- Structure: Follow Introduction-Body-Conclusion format strictly
- Current Affairs Focus: Prioritize international trade news and economic policies
- Business Context: Link topics to global business implications
Pro Tip: The IIFT essay writing round tests your ability to articulate thoughts on international business themes. Focus on balanced arguments with global perspectives.
Extempore Round in IIFT PI Process
A unique feature of the IIFT PI process is the Extempore speaking round:
- Duration: 20-30 minutes
- with 2-3 panelists focusing on international business knowledge, current affairs, and profile fit.
- Topics: Current affairs, business scenarios, abstract concepts
- Evaluation: Spontaneity, clarity, confidence, logical flow
Extempore Preparation Tips
- Practice 2-minute impromptu speeches daily
- Structure: Opening statement → 2-3 key points → Conclusion
- Stay calm and speak at moderate pace
- Use examples to support your points
IIFT PI Process: Personal Interview Details
The IIFT PI process is comprehensive and tests multiple dimensions:
Interview Format
- Duration: 20-25 minutes
- Panel: 2-3 panelists focusing on international business knowledge, current affairs, and profile fit.
- Focus Areas: Academics (30%), Work Experience (20%), General Awareness (25%), Personality (25%)
Key Areas Covered in IIFT PI Process
1. Academic Background
- In-depth questions on undergraduate subjects
- Conceptual clarity and application
2. International Business Awareness
- WTO policies and trade agreements
- India’s export-import scenario
- Global economic trends
3. Current Affairs
- Recent trade developments
- Economic policies and their effect
- Geopolitical problems to business
4. Personal Questions
- “Why IIFT and not other B-schools?”
- “Why MBA in International Business?”
- Career goals and aspirations
Common PI Questions in IIFT PI Process
- “What are India’s major exports and to which countries?”
- “Explain the difference between FDI and FII”
- “What is India’s current account deficit?”
- “How do tariffs affect international trade?”
- “What recent trade agreement has India signed?”
PI Preparation Strategy for IIFT PI Process
- Undergraduate Revision: Thoroughly revise core subjects
- Read Daily: Follow The Hindu, Indian Express, Business Line
- Mock Interviews: Practice with mentors at least 5-7 times
- IIFT-Specific Prep: Focus on international trade, forex, WTO
- Confidence Building: Work on communication and body language
IIFT Delhi Admission 2026: Selection Weightage
For IIFT MBA IB admission, the final merit score comprises:
| Component | Weightage |
| CAT 2025 Score | 50% |
| GD/WAT/PI | 35% |
| Academic Diversity | 5% |
| Gender Diversity | 5% |
| Work Experience & Diversity | 5% |
Key Insight: While CAT scores are crucial for IIFT Delhi admission 2026, strong performance in the IIFT essay writing round and IIFT PI process can significantly improve your final ranking.
IIFT Delhi Fees 2026-28
The IIFT MBA IB admission fee structure for 2026-28 batch:
- Total Program Fee: ₹21.77 Lakhs (Delhi campus)
- Kolkata Campus: ₹21.32 Lakhs
- MBA (Business Analytics): ₹17.87 Lakhs (Delhi only)
- Refundable Deposit: ₹10,000
SC/ST/PwD Benefits: 50% relaxation in tuition fees only
IIFT Delhi Placements 2024
The IIFT Delhi admission 2026 leads to excellent placement outcomes:
- Average CTC: ₹25.82 LPA
- Median CTC: ₹25 LPA
- Highest Domestic: ₹85.5 LPA
- Highest International: ₹85.4 LPA
- Placement Rate: 100%
Top Recruiters: Deloitte, EY, KPMG, JP Morgan, HUL, Maersk, Axis Bank
Tips for Cracking IIFT Delhi Admission 2026
For CAT 2025 Preparation
- Strong performance in CAT 2025 is the gateway
- Focus on all three sections—no section should be weak
- Target 90+ percentile for General category
For IIFT Essay Writing Round
- Practice business-themed essays regularly
- Develop a structured writing approach
- Stay updated on international trade news
For IIFT PI Process
- Prepare thoroughly on international business concepts
- Revise undergraduate subjects comprehensively
- Practice mock interviews focused on trade and economics
- Build confidence in discussing global affairs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the eligibility for IIFT Delhi admission 2026?
Candidates need a bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university. Final year students can also apply. A valid CAT 2025 score is mandatory for IIFT Delhi admission 2026.
2. What is the expected cutoff for IIFT 2026?
The expected IIFT cutoff 2026 based on CAT percentiles is 95+ for General category, 85+ for OBC/EWS, 75+ for SC, and 60+ for ST/PwD candidates.
3. What is the structure of the IIFT exam?
Important Update: IIFT no longer conducts its own entrance exam. For IIFT Delhi admission 2026, candidates must take CAT 2025 (November 30, 2025), which has three sections: VARC, DILR, and QA with 66 questions in 120 minutes.
4. How is the essay writing round conducted?
The IIFT essay writing round requires writing a 250-300 word essay in 15-20 minutes on topics related to business, international trade, or current affairs. It’s evaluated on clarity, content quality, language, and originality.
5. What are the parameters for PI evaluation?
The IIFT PI process evaluates candidates on communication skills (clarity and confidence), academic knowledge, awareness of international business and current affairs, work experience relevance, and overall personality fit for the MBA (IB) program.
6. Does IIFT accept CAT or only IIFT exam scores?
For the IIFT Delhi admission 2026 cycle, IIFT accepts only CAT 2025 scores. The independent IIFT entrance exam has been discontinued from the 2024-25 batch onwards. All IIFT MBA IB admission decisions are based on CAT performance.
7. When will the admission process start?
The IIFT Delhi admission 2026 process will begin with application registration in October 2025, followed by CAT 2025 on November 30, 2025. The IIFT essay writing round and IIFT PI process will be conducted in February-March 2026.
8. How much weightage does the interview carry?
In the IIFT PI process, theWAT: 10%; PI: 15% weightage. Combined, these post-CAT evaluation stages account for 35% of the selection decision.
9. What is the total intake for the MBA (IB) program?
The total intake for IIFT MBA IB admission is 480 seats across both campuses—240 Delhi, 120 Kolkata, 120 Kakinada. Additionally, reservations apply as per government norms for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD categories.
10. What is the fee structure for IIFT Delhi?
The fee structure for IIFT Delhi admission 2026 is ₹21.77 lakhs for the two-year MBA (IB) program, including tuition, hostel, and other charges. SC/ST/PwD candidates receive a 50% tuition fee waiver. A refundable security deposit of ₹10,000 is also required.
Conclusion
The process of IIFT Delhi admission 2026 is very competitive as it demands performance of excellence in CAT 2025 after which one needs to perform very well in the essay writing round in IIFT and PI process. It is imperative to comprehend the entire process of selection, such as the IIFT cutoff 2026, the evaluation pattern in the IIFT PI process, to succeed.
Preparation should begin at an early stage with your goals being CAT 2025 but also develop familiarity with the international business, trade policies as well as current affairs. The IIFT essay writing round and IIFT PI process is unique in focusing on the global business and thus needs special preparation on top of the qualified MBA entrance examinations.
To be updated on the latest developments on IIFT Delhi admission 2026 and on the actual dates of admission together with all eventualities involving the IIFT MBA IB admission procedure, it is always a good idea to keep visiting the official IIFT site at iift.ac.in.
Disclaimer: All information regarding IIFT Delhi admission 2026, including cutoffs, fees, timelines, and selection weightages, is based on official sources and recent trends as of October 2025. These details are subject to change. Candidates must verify all information from the official IIFT website (iift.ac.in) for confirmed details.
