MBA in International Business Syllabus & Subjects 2025: Download Semester-wise PDF, Important Books

Updated on May 20, 2025 05:58 IST

International business is described as the commercial transactions, both government and private, that take place between different countries. MBA in International Business is a very popular course in India. Global, as well as Indian MNCs like TATA Group, Aditya Birla Group, Mahindra Group, and IT giants like Microsoft, often look for MBA in International Business graduates who are well versed with the nuances of international business and markets. The syllabus for MBA in International Business program includes topics and subjects that teach different facets of global competition, understand the complexities of international business management, handle international finance, and documentation, among other things.

MBA in International Business programme can be studied both as a degree and a diploma course. People prefer to take International Business as a specialisation in MBA because of the opportunities and exposure it offers in the global economy. As the world transforms into a global village, the need for MBAs in International Business increases.

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List of Subjects in MBA in International Business

Here is an overview of subjects taught in an MBA in International Business course, though these may vary in different universities and institutions.

Subject title

Subject details

Finance and accounting

This subject basically  aims to give participants a thorough grounding in the key principles of accounting and finance as per the international standards.

Contents-

Financial Reporting and Analysis

Management Accounting

Financial Management

Human resources management

This course focuses on studying human management principles, as they reflect on the basic assumption of treating employees as investments benefiting a company in the long run from the international perspective.

Contents:

Behaviour in Organisation

Designing Work Organisation

Human Resource Management

Business Economics

This helps students understand the operation of a market system in an international setting, and to explore the nature and organisation of various societies, international business firms, and other decision-making entities through the study of the principles of international economics.

Contents:

Managerial Economics

Macroeconomic Environment

Indian Economy

International Business law and practice

This course provides comprehensive coverage of the legal, cultural, political, economic and ethical issues faced by global business managers. An understanding of these issues is enhanced with real-world examples, cutting-edge cases, managerial problems and ethical issues.

International Management

This course will focus on developing a deeper understanding of how and why the management practices and processes differ all around the world.

International marketing

This subject focuses on identifying and meeting the needs of specific international target markets through close interaction with managers from other functional areas.

Contents:

Promotion

Sales and advertisements

Corporate Ethics and Governance

This subject includes information and discussion on trends in sustainability and business ethics and the way businesses are governed all around the globe.

International Trade operations, Logistics & Sourcing

This course helps students understand the trade and operations of every firm, and the working of logistics and other aspects required.

Contents:

International trade

Logistics

Tariffs and controls

Supply chain management

This subject help students to understand the strategic importance of good supply chain design, planning and operations for every firm. It provides students with the use of key drivers on a conceptual and practical level to improve supply chain performance. It also gives students a solid understanding of analytic methodologies for supply chain analysis necessary to achieve a significant increase in performance.

MBA in International Business- Elective subjects

Given below is the table indicating list of elective subjects that are a part of MBA in International Business syllabus.

Subject Title

Subject Details

Business ethics and communication

It helps understand the underlying cultural aspects in managerial structures, conflicting complexities and their elimination using business communication practices.

International economics

This course deals with the theory and practice of trade, policies, the balance of payments, foreign exchange, and monetary systems at the international level.

Non-market environment

This subject builds an understanding to analyse the non-market environment and identify threats and opportunities, and also formulate a strategy for non-market stakeholders and integrate it with market strategy.

Econometrics tools for business managers

Students learn the basics of econometric methods and associated measurement issues, statistics, derivatives and diagnostic testing procedures of the fitted model.

Detailed Syllabus of MBA in International Business

The syllabus of MBA in International Business may differ from one university to the other but the subjects are more or less the same. Here is a general guide of the core or elective subjects that are taught throughout the semesters during MBA in IB.

Year

Semester

Core/Elective

Subject Title

Subject Details

1

I

Core

Management – Principles and Practices

Organisational Behaviour

Managerial Economics

Quantitative Techniques

Financial and Management Accounting

The first semester will give an introduction to the field of MBA. The aspects to be studied are related to management, accounting and finance, decision making, knowledge in statistics and their use in business decision making, consumer behaviour, Economics and problem-solving. The students will learn Financial and Management accounting applications.

II

Core

Research Methods

Business Environment

Business Laws

Management Information System

Human Resource Management

In this semester, the course aims to provide students with a practical approach to management information systems, legal structure and provision, legislations, international rules and policies, research, and human resource management.

2

III

Core

Marketing Management

Financial Management

International Economics

International Marketing

Export Management and Documentation

The students will get to explore more about international business during the second year. It includes international economics, finance, marketing, export, foreign relations, etc.

IV

Core

International marketing logistics

Foreign exchange management

Management strategies of MNCs

WTO – Constitutions and Operations

Multinational financial management

Further, students will get to know about the logistics, foreign exchange, MNCs, and trading among the nations.

Specialisations offered in MBA in International Business

Though MBA in International Business itself is a specialisation, but there are some other specialisations that can be pursued along with MBA-IB. These specialised courses not only add to the knowledge of an individual, but also help in getting better job opportunities.

Specialisation

Subjects

Details

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

A degree in international business focusing on entrepreneurship will provide students with the international business expertise required to conduct business internationally, alongside the proficiency required to transform an idea into the reality of a properly operating business.

International Finance

Finance

Accounting

Economics

Individuals looking to work within finance for an international company should pursue a specialisation in international finance. Courses generally include in-depth study of foreign economies, international stock markets, varying accounting systems, and more.

Marketing/Sales

Marketing

Market research

Customer management

An international business degree with marketing specialisation will prepare you for the challenges occurring while dealing in global business matters.

International Trade

Trading

Import/Export

International trading requirements (WTO)

International trade has become an important aspect of international business over the past several years. The world’s major companies are finally coming to realise the importance of spending money on streamlining and properly maintaining their importing and exporting processes and procedures.

Global Management

Management

Here, you will learn all of the required skills necessary to be an effective leader on a global level and the different ways in which people interact in other cultures, productive management techniques, the fundamentals of all areas of international business and more.

MBA in International Business Syllabus- Books and Authors

A wide range of books are being published on the subjects related to MBA in International Business. Students are required to study specified books in graduate and postgraduate programmes. Following are some of the books on MBA in International Business.

Subject

Book Title

Author

Description

International management

Management- A Global Perspective

Harold Koontz and Heinz Weihrich

 

This classic management textbook features a new pronounced emphasis on global management. Attention is paid to Europe and the Pacific Rim, and to the United States.

International Economics

Managerial Economics in a Global Economy

Dominick Salvatore

 

Managerial Economics in a Global Economy synthesises economic theory, decision sciences, and business administration to help instructors train students on how managerial decisions are made in the modern, globalised world.

International Marketing

International Marketing- Strategy and Theory

Book by John J. Shaw and Sak Onkvisit

John J. Shaw and Sak Onkvisit

 

This book enables managers and scholars to meet the international challenges they face every day, and it provides the foundation required to understand the complexities of marketing on a global scale.

Financial management

International Financial Management

Rodriguez and Carter

 

The book covers international monetary agreements, international banking activities, the mechanics of trading activities in the foreign exchange, cash management, trade financing instrument, external and internal accounting issues, evaluation and control procedures for a foreign operation, foreign investment analysis, measurement of risk, budgeting, and more in the multinational firm.

Marketing Management

Fundamentals of Marketing

Etzel, Walker and Stanton

This text covers the managerial approach to marketing fundamentals, stressing on the importance and necessity of a customer-oriented approach. Each chapter features international and ethical references, as well as managerial perspectives.

FAQs on MBA International Business

Q: Is MBA International Business good after MBA?

A: Yes you can say that MBA International Business is good choice for you if you want to know about how to run and manage the business in internationally. The course include topics on global trade and it gives knowledge on international markets and also the clients.

Q: Which MBA is best for going outside India?

A: If you want to go outside India and want to pursue an MBA course then you should choose MBA International Business. This course is perfectly for the ones who want to know about the business in internationally. 

Q: Do international business graduates travel a lot?

A: To flourish in International Business, you must be open to learning new cultures and customs as this career entails a lot of travel and interaction with people of different culture.

Q: Why should students study international business?

A: Studying international business will allow you to understand global issues and prepare you for diverse business opportunities. It will provide you with an opportunity to find a job in any country to start your career.

Q: What are the best online courses for learning MBA in International Business?

A: There are many online and distance MBA Colleges that charge lower amounts of fees than regular colleges. Some of the Universities are:

  • Chandigarh University
  • University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES)
  • Welingkar Institute
  • Y. Patil Vidyapeeth
  • Annamalai University

Q: Who can study MBA in International Business?

A: The eligibility criteria to study MBA in IB are

  • A Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 50 or 60 per cent marks.
  • Registering and taking the MBA entrance exam – CAT/GMAT/XAT/SNAP or as required by the institute and scoring well to get shortlisted for admission.

Q: What is the scope of the MBA in International Business course?

A: The scope after course is wide and good for the candidates. After you have completed course you can get into so many job roles around the world. MBA is also the perfect course for your own business.

Q: Is International Business hard to study?

A: Business is not that difficult to study. Although the business courses are very expansive, they don't need advanced math skills, nor are the concepts too complicated. That being said, the challenge level of a subject will be based on the students’ skills, knowledge, aptitude, and experience.

Q: What are the benefits of an MBA in International Business?

A: There are many benefits of studying International Business Administration:

  • Gain an international perspective
  • Develop key management skills
  • Boost your employability
  • Solve commercial challenges
  • Build your business knowledge

Q: How do I start a career with an MBA in International Business?

A. Candidates can see the list of job profiles which they can go for after completing course below:
Administrative service manager
Chief executive officer
Consultant for an international organisation
Export and import management
Export coordinator
Foreign exchange management
International finance
International logistics

Q: Can science students do MBA in International Business?

A: Yes if you are from Science stream in Class 12 you can still go for MBA course. The basic eligibility is that candidates should pass Class 12 with 50%. But this eligibility can be different for every college and you should check it before choosing.

Q: What are the best specialisations in MBA in International Business?

A: Some of the most sought after specialisations in MBA in International Business are:

  • Entrepreneurship
  • International Finance
  • International Trade
  • Interpreter
  • Global Management
  • Market Research
  • Marketing/Sales
Table of content
  • Popular MBA in International Business Colleges in India
  • Popular Private MBA in International Business Colleges in India
  • Popular Exams
  • Popular MBA in International Business Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses

Popular MBA in International Business Colleges in India

Following are the most popular MBA in International Business Colleges in India. Learn more about these MBA in International Business colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
2 Courses
10.75 L
4.6

#97 Business Today

International Business Applications open. Apply Now

1 Course
10 L
8 LPA

#26 Business Today

3.08 L
3.9

#101-125 NIRF

Ranked #3 Private University in India. Placement with Fortune 500 Companies
1 Course
21.82 L
25 LPA

#17 NIRF

22 L
9.12 LPA

#57 NIRF

1 Course
10.45 L
4.1

#79 Business Today

International Business Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Private MBA in International Business Colleges in India

4.2 L - 8.75 L
5.0

#235 Business Today

2 Courses
10.75 L
4.6

#97 Business Today

International Business Applications open. Apply Now

12.45 L
3.8

#57 Business Today

International Business Applications open till Nov 10, 2025. Apply Now

1 Course
7.8 L
4.6

International Business Applications open. Apply Now

10.5 L - 12.5 L
4.2

International Business Applications open. Apply Now

8.15 L
Experience the Cutting-edge Curriculum with the right Blend of Technology and Management

Popular Exams

Following are the top exams for MBA in International Business. Students interested in pursuing a career on MBA in International Business, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

10 Oct ' 25

TG ICET Special Phase Counselling 2025: Seat Allo...

6 Oct ' 25

TG ICET Special Phase Counselling 2025: Certifica...

30 Oct ' 25

Last date to report at allotted college

25 Oct ' 25 - 29 Oct ' 25

Payment of fees & downloading confirmation slip (...

23 Oct ' 25 - 7 Dec ' 25

MAT PBT Registration 2025 (Dec )

23 Oct ' 25 - 15 Dec ' 25

MAT CBT Registration 2025 (Dec )

Popular MBA in International Business Specializations

Following are the most popular MBA in International Business Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

qna

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Answered 4 hours ago

Quantum university have more than 90% placement record and 100 plus companies visits for placement.

The programme provides wide range of management education, interdisciplinary programs, entrepreneurship skill, communication skills etc.this year will be 12th batch of MBA and 10 batches have passed ou

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Siya Routhan

Beginner-Level 2

Answered 9 hours ago

My friend from school used to be a student of Quantum University. She completed her MBA in finance and secured a lucrative job at Yes Bank with a package of 10 LPA. 

Students even get placed in companies like Mahindra, Emson, Genpact, Oracle, Vivo, and Flipkart with packages even higher.

The campus is

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Ritika YAdav

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 9 hours ago

Yes, you can apply to GIBS Business School using more than one entrance exam score, like CAT, MAT, CMAT, etc. You know the college usually considered your best score. If you have given multiple exams, you can submit all your the highest scores that will help you in increasing your chances of getting

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Mamta Bankoti

Beginner-Level 2

Answered 21 hours ago

Candidates must have valid results from national entrance exams like the CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, ATMA, or GMAT in order to be admitted to the GIBS Business School's PGDM program. For the majority of exams, the minimum percentile requirement typically begins at about 60 percentile, though it may vary sl

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Amrita D jaiswal

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 22 hours ago

Candidates must have earned a minimum of 50% in their 10+2 (PUC or equivalent) in any of the following subjects from an accredited board: science, commerce, or the arts in order to be eligible for the GIBS Business School's BBA program. Provisional applications are also accepted from students taking

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Amrita D jaiswal

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 22 hours ago

Students from all over India, with a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, make up the class profile at GIBS Business School. A balanced and inclusive learning environment is promoted by the PGDM batches, which normally comprise students from about 24 different states, with nearly 40%

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Amrita D jaiswal

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 22 hours ago

The campus vibe at GIBS is honestly amazing. It's full of energy, positivity, and creativity. You'll always find something happening — events, workshops, club activities, or just students chilling and sharing ideas.

The culture here is very open and friendly; everyone, from faculty to seniors, is sup

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Ahmedbasha

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 22 hours ago

Group discussions (GD) and personal interviews (PI) are essential components of the GIBS Business School's final selection procedure for the PGDM and MBA programs. Beyond academic achievement, these phases are intended to evaluate a candidate's critical thinking, leadership abilities, communication

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Amrita D jaiswal

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 22 hours ago

At GIBS, both freshers and experienced students are treated equally. Having some work experience can help a little, but it's not at all mandatory. Even I'm a fresher, and I don't have any prior experience — still, I got selected and am doing really well here. GIBS mainly looks at your interest, comm

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Ahmedbasha

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 22 hours ago

The distinctive and useful approach to management education at GIBS Business School, which goes beyond conventional classroom instruction, is why I want to enroll. GIBS's emphasis on experiential learning through its Finishing School and IRE (Innovation, Research & Entrepreneurship) School, which em

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Amrita D jaiswal

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 22 hours ago

At GIBS, there are so many clubs and committees students can be part of — like the Marketing Club, Finance Club, HR Club, Cultural Committee, Sports Club, and even the Entrepreneurship Cell. Being part of these clubs is honestly a lot of fun because you get to learn new things outside of classes — l

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Ahmedbasha

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Answered Yesterday

The annual tuition fees at Abertay University for MBA course is GBP 17,000 (Around INR 20 lakh) for international students for the academic year 2025/26. On the other hand, for the academic year 2026/27, the annual tuition fees is GBP 19,950. Apart from the tuition fees, students are also required t

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Chandra Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

hi

Yes, there are provisions for admission outside the standard merit-based selection which typically involves entrance exam scores and a rigorous GD/PI process. This is often the de facto management quota.

regular process- Primarily merit-based, considering academic scores, entrance exam results, GD/

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heena agrawal

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The campus of GIBS Business School thrives on modern infrastructure, a holistic learning atmosphere, and innovation focusing on personal growth. Situated in Bangalore, this campus encompasses the latest in class infrastructure, integrated digital learning tools with dedicated spaces for research, en

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Amrita D jaiswal

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GIBS Business School integrates strong industry exposure into its programs through a blend of practical learning, live projects, and corporate interaction. The institute collaborates with industry experts, leading companies, and entrepreneurs to provide students with real-world business insights. Re

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Amrita D jaiswal

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Yes, GIBS Business School, Bangalore actively organizes Faculty Development Programs (FDPs) and encourages research and case study writing among its faculty members. Through its Executive Education division, GIBS conducts FDPs focused on modern teaching methodologies, case-based learning, and resear

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Amrita D jaiswal

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Answered Yesterday

GIBS Business School, Bangalore, strongly supports internships and industry exposure through its Experiential Learning Model with the on-campus placement cell. The college is in liaison with more than 600 corporate partners for offering internships, live projects, industrial visits, corporate worksh

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Amrita D jaiswal

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 2 days ago

The CAT and MAT scores are usually valid for one year at GIBS. So, if you gave the exam in the recent session, you can use that score for the current admission cycle. For example, if you wrote MAT or CAT last year, you can still apply this year with that score as long as it's from the latest session

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Ahmedbasha

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 3 days ago

GIBS accepts a bunch of entrance exams for admission. You can get in through exams like CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, GMAT, or even ATMA. They also consider the GIBS Entrance Test if you haven't written any of those. So, there are plenty of options to apply through whichever exam you've given.

 
 

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Ahmedbasha

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 6 days ago

At GIBS Bangalore, industry exposure and practical training are an important part of our studies. The college includes live projects, internships, industrial visits, and corporate workshops in the curriculum so that we can connect classroom learning with real business situations.

We also have IRE Tal

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Deepthi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Yes, candidates can apply to GIBS with multiple entrance exam scores. The college accepts scores from exams like CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, ATMA, and GMAT. So, if a student has appeared for more than one exam, they can submit the best score while applying.

 GIBS gives students the flexibility to use any va

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Deepthi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

Ask yourself this. Do you want to do MBA? or is the sole aspect of pursuit of MBA is getting skills related to Digital Marketing. If it's the latter, then perhaps you should focus on getting yourself a job oriented course that will propel your digital marketing career. 

Search for a programme that in

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R

Rohan

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a week ago

At GIBS Bangalore, students can choose from programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Undergraduate (BBA)

  • BBA Program – a 3-year course giving basic knowledge of business and management.

  • Specializations: Marketing, Finance, HR, Data Analytics, and International Business.

  • Highlights: Intern

...Read more

D

Deepthi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 weeks ago

GIBS Bangalore offers both PGDM, MBA and BBA programs with a variety of specializations. In PGDM, students can choose dual specializations like Marketing, Finance, HR, Data Analytics, Supply Chain, or Retail Management to gain skills in two areas at the same time.

The BBA programme also offers specia

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D

Deepthi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 weeks ago

Dear, Lovely professional university offers 200+ programmes and MBA is one of them. The eligibility to apply for an MBA at Lovely Professional University (LPU) requires a bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum aggregate score of 55%. There is some relaxation of 5% in marks for candidates

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31734869
shikha verma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 weeks ago

Well, Some of the unique features set GIBS apart from other business schools are:

  • GIBS focuses on practical learning through live projects and workshops.

  • It has unique programs like the IRE Lab and Finishing School for skill development.

  • Students get regular exposure to corporate guest lectures and ind

...Read more

D

Deepthi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 weeks ago

GIBS' unique features include an industry-aligned curriculum, a Finishing School (CPMP), and the IRE School (Innovation, Research, and Entrepreneurship) for both PGDM and BBA programs. The BBA programme also offers dual specialisation options, while the PGDM programme uses models like Learning by Do

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D

DILSHAD AHMED

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 2 weeks ago

For the BBA program, you must have completed 10+2 (or equivalent) from a recognised board with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for reserved categories). For the PGDM program, you need a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks and a valid score from an approved entrance exam like CAT, XAT

...Read more

D

DILSHAD AHMED

Beginner-Level 4

Answered 2 weeks ago

At GIBS Bangalore, students can apply for the PGDM or MBA programs through different entrance exams. The college accepts scores from exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, CMAT, ATMA, GMAT, and also state-level entrance exams. This gives every student a fair chance to join GIBS. Based on the exam score, candidat

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D

Deepthi

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 weeks ago

Here are the eligibility criteria for PGDM / MBA at GIBS Bangalore, in a simple and generic way:

  • You need a Bachelor's degree (3- or 4-year) with at least 50% marks from a university recognised by AICTE / UGC / AIU.

  • Final year graduation students can also apply (provisionally). 

  • You must have a valid e

...Read more

D

Deepthi

Contributor-Level 8

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