When does the IIFT Delhi application form open and what is the admission procedure?
The IIFT Delhi application form typically opens in the third week of November, shortly after the CAT exam concludes but well before results are declared. IIFT runs its own entrance test, so the timeline moves faster than IIM processes.
Expect the portal to go live around November 18-22, with occasional administrative delays pushing it into early December.
Application Window and Fees
The portal stays open for roughly 3-4 weeks, closing in mid-to-late December. Missing this window means waiting a full year, so set a calendar reminder the moment CAT concludes.
The application fee is ₹2,500 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates and ₹1,250 for SC, ST, and PwD applicants. You'll need scanned copies of your photograph, signature, Class X and XII mark sheets, graduation certificate, and caste certificate if applicable.
IIFT does not accept CAT scores. It administers its own two-hour test, the IIFT exam, typically scheduled for the first Sunday of January.
The test covers Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation, Verbal Ability, and General Awareness. The General Awareness section trips up a surprising number of test-takers who underestimate it.
Cutoffs and Shortlist Criteria
Sectional cutoffs are enforced strictly. Scoring below threshold in even one section eliminates you regardless of overall percentile.
The composite shortlist score weighs IIFT exam performance at roughly 80-85%, academic record at 10-15%, and work experience at 0-5%.
| Category | Approx. Overall Cutoff | Section Floor |
|---|---|---|
| General | 99+ percentile | 90-92 percentile |
| OBC-NC | 95-97 percentile | 85-88 percentile |
| SC | 85-90 percentile | 75-80 percentile |
| ST | 75-80 percentile | 70-75 percentile |
These numbers shift slightly each year depending on paper difficulty. The General category cutoff is unforgiving. This is hard, and pretending otherwise wastes your preparation time.
WAT-PI Process
Shortlisted candidates attend Written Ability Test and Personal Interview rounds held across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai in February and March. The WAT lasts 20 minutes and demands a structured argument on current affairs or trade-related themes.
Vague opinions without structure score poorly.
The PI panel, usually two faculty members, probes academics, work experience, and awareness of international trade, global economics, and foreign policy. Given that IIFT feeds directly into roles at firms like Deloitte, KPMG, Amazon, McKinsey, and trading-focused companies like Olam International and Louis Dreyfus, expect questions connecting your profile to global commerce.
The average placement package at IIFT Delhi stands around ₹25-27 LPA, with top offers crossing ₹50 LPA in recent cycles.
Final Offer and Joining
After WAT-PI, IIFT releases a merit list typically in April or May. The final composite score factors in IIFT exam performance, WAT score, PI rating, academic consistency, and work experience.
The MBA (IB) program at IIFT Delhi admits roughly 220-240 students annually. Waitlist movement tends to be modest compared to IIMs, so treat a waitlist position realistically rather than as a near-certain seat.
International Business as a specialization is IIFT's core identity, not an afterthought. If your career goal is consulting or FMCG rather than trade or global supply chains, factor that into whether IIFT fits better than a generalist IIM.
Pro Tip: Start preparing a 200-word structured answer on India's current trade policy stance before your PI, as IIFT panels consistently probe knowledge of WTO agreements, bilateral trade deals, and export-import trends.