IIFT Eligibility Criteria, Reservation Policy and Admission Process 2026

IIFT MBA admission is done through CAT score. Check out IIFT eligibility criteria for MBA-International Business and MBA Business Analytics for both domestic and international candidates. Also know, reservation policy for SC/ST/OBC and PwD candidates applying for IIFT 2026 admission. 

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi offers various PG programmes in Management like MBA, Executive MBA along with doctoral and certificate programmes. The minimum eligibility criteria of all IIFT courses is Graduation, but there are a few key aspects of the requirements that are specific to each course. In this article you will know, IIFT eligibility criteria for all courses for admission.

Until 2022, IIFT used to conduct a written test for admission to IIFT’s flagship MBA programme – MBA in International Business and MBA in Business Analytics. This entrance exam was held once a year in online mode. From 2023 onwards, the institute accepts CAT exam score for admission to MBA IB and MBA BA courses. Along with having av valdi CAT 2025 score, candidates have to fulfill certain academic requirements too. Read below eligibility criteria for IIFT admission, MBA-IB course, EPGP, Diploma and Certificate courses.

IIFT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for MBA International Business

IIFT Eligibility Criteria for Domestic Candidates

• The aspirant must have completed Bachelor's degree programme in any discipline with minimum 50 per cent aggregate (45 per cent for SC/ST and PwD candidates) from a recognised university
• Candidates appearing for their final year graduation examination can also apply for IIFT 2026. However, they will have to submit the passing certificate by October 7, 2026
• There is no age limit to apply for IIFT MBA programme

IIFT Eligibility Criteria Foreign nationals and NRI candidates

• Candidates must have a bachelor's degree of minimum three years' duration with minimum 50 per cent aggregate from a recognized university
• Candidates appearing for final year bachelor's degree exam can also apply subject to submission of proof of requisite qualification by October 7, 2026
• Candidates should have been resident outside India for a period of not less than 18 months as on December 31, 2025 and be outside India during the CAT exam window
• Candidates should produce a certificate from the Indian Embassy/High Commission /Consulate of the country they are currently based in, stating that they have been living in the country for the said period
• Foreign Nationals must have a valid passport/travel document from a country other than India
• Foreign National candidates must have taken GMAT exam between January 1, 2024 and February 15, 2026
• NRI-sponsored candidates and children of NRIs are not considered under this category

Documents to be Submitted Along with IIFT Application Form 2026

NRIs and Foreign Nationals have to submit the following documents along with the IIFT application form 2026.

• Filled in CV form
• Copy of latest GMAT score certificate
• Attested copy of all academic mark-sheets/certificates (Class 10, 12 & Graduation)
• Copy of all passport pages having official entries
• Two letters of recommendation(s), preferably, one of these should be written by a current supervisor or manager. The second one should be from someone (other than family members) who is in a position to evaluate the applicant’s professional performance as well as his/her managerial and leadership potential.
• Indian nationals who are living, working, studying abroad should produce with application a certificate from the Indian Embassy/High Commission/Consulate of the country where they are currently based, stating their residency in that country continuously for a period of not less than 18 months as on December 31, 2024.

IIFT Admission 2026: Reservation Policy

Candidates belonging to SC/ST and PwD category can apply for admission to IIFT's MBA programme under the reservation criteria defined by the Government of India. Take a look at the table below for percentage of seats reserved for such students:

MBA International Business Admission Process

Domestic Students: On the basis of CAT score, Essay Writing, Group Discussion and Personal Interview.

Foreign Nationals and NRI Students: On the basis of GMAT.

Candidates fulfilling the above-mentioned eligibility criteria can apply for admission. Those who meet the entrance exam score requirment have to go through personality assessment round.

Essay Writing/ Personal Interview – Students shortlisted on the basis of entrance exam score will be then called for Essay Writing and Personal Interview. For MBA admisison 2026, this round was conducted in February and March 2026 in cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kolkata and Mumbai. Final merit list is expected to be released in May 2026. 

IIFT MBA Eligibility Crietria: Final Cut Offs

Check the table below for minimum cut off scores at which the candidates were selected for admission to MBA IB batch of 2025-2027. 

Check the table below for minimum cut off scores at which the candidates were selected for admission to MBA BA batch of 2025-2027. 

Read more: IIFT admission process through CAT