IIFT Shortlist 2026: Release Date, GD/PI Schedule, Final Merit List and Admission Process

IIFT Shortlist 2026: Release Date, GD/PI Schedule, Final Merit List and Admission Process

#IIFT
Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 24 Sep 2025, 10:30 AM IST

IIFT shortlist 2026 will be announced in online mode tentatively in the third week of May 2026. After the conclusion of the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI), the IIFT final shortlist for MBA admission will be announced. Going by past year trends, IIFT interview shortlist is expected to be released in the last week of April 2026. Last year, a total of 1435 number of candidates have been selected for the GD/PI rounds. IIFT shortlist will be prepared based on the CAT score, WAT-PI process, and group discussion (GD). Candidates who are in the IIFT PI shortlist PDF can confirm their seats by payment of IIFT MBA fees.

This Story also Contains

  1. IIFT Interview Shortlist 2026: Overview
  2. IIFT Shortlist Criteria 2026
  3. IIFT Interview Dates 2026
  4. IIFT Selection Process 2026
  5. IIFT Cutoff 2026
  6. IIFT Waitlist Movement 2026
  7. IIFT Final Shortlist 2026
  8. IIFT Merit List
  9. IIFT Course Fees 2026-28
  10. IIFT Placements
IIFT Shortlist 2026: Release Date, GD/PI Schedule, Final Merit List and Admission Process
iift shortlist

IIFT Interview Shortlist 2026: Overview

The authorities will release the IIFT shortlist for GD/PI round 1 tentatively in the first week of February and the same will be held in the first week of March to the third week of March 2026. The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) will also release the waitlist for MBA International Business and MBA Business Analytics for the academic batch of 2026-28. The IIFT EPGDIM 2026 shortlist list PDF will be available in online mode on the official website, iift.ac.in. Check out this article to know all the details about the IIFT final shortlist date, IIFT waitlist after the GD/PI round, admission process, and more.

How to Check the IIFT Final Shortlist 2026?

Candidates who meet all the IIFT selection criteria will be listed in the final IIFT PI shortlist PDF. Candidates can check the IIFT 2026 shortlist status by following the steps mentioned below.

  • Visit the IIFT official website.
  • Click on the IIFT PI shortlist link to view the status.
  • Enter the IIFT application number and registered email ID.
  • Candidates can view their IIFT waitlist 2026 status.
SDA Bocconi IMB Admissions 2026

Offers full-time PGP in International Master in business (IMB) Equivalent to MBA under following specializations Marketing, HR, Operations, and many more

SDMIMD-PGDM Admissions 2026

Average CTC 10 LPA | International Collaborations | Avail Merit Scholarships

Check out more on IIFT Selection Procedure

IIFT Shortlist Criteria 2026

Candidates are shortlisted for IIFT MBA programmes based on their performance in the previous academic levels, written test, personal interview, group discussion, work experience, and CAT entrance exam. IIFT-shortlisted candidates can accept the offer by visiting the institute directly with the relevant documents and payment of the IIFT admission fee. The second round of the IIFT admission process includes extempore and personal interview rounds.

Selection Criteria

ParametersWeightage
CAT 2024 Score

98 - {(CAT 2024 Score of the candidate / Maximum Score of CAT 2024) X 98}

Gender Diversity (M=0; F=2)2
Composite Score100
CAT 2024 Most Scoring Concepts- VARC, DILR & QUANT
Start your CAT journey today and download CAT 2024 most scoring concepts PDF, including study materials based on CAT previous year papers, CAT question papers, and CAT exam sample questions.
Download EBook

Instructions to Fill Out the CV Form for IIFT MBA Admission

The candidates selected for the second round of the IIFT MBA admission process can follow the below steps to fill out the CV form.

  • Step 1: IIFT shortlisted candidates can visit the IIFT website.
  • Step 2: Click on the link 'MBA 2026-28 Programmes - CV form of shortlisted candidates for the second round of the admission process' under the current admission tab.
  • Step 3: Enter IIFT registration number and DOB to login to fill out the CV form.
  • Step 4: Fill out 3 sections A, B and C.
  • Step 5: Click on the Save button to save the details.
Symbiosis MBA - SNAP 2025

1 Exam accepted by 17 Top Symbiosis Institutes for 29 MBA programmes.

XAT- Xavier Aptitude Test 2026

75+ years of legacy | #1 Entrance Exam | Score accepted by 250+ BSchools | Apply now

IIFT Interview Dates 2026

Candidates who will get their name on the IIFT shortlist 2026 will be called for IIFT PI rounds. Such candidates can keep track of the IIFT Delhi shortlist date 2026, IIFT interview dates 2026, and upcoming important events regarding the IIFT selection process from the table below.

IIFT Admission 2026 schedule

Dates

CAT result 2025

Third week of December 2025

IIFT shortlist release date 2026

First week of February 2026

IIFT GD /WAT-PI Round Dates

First week of March to third week of March 2026

Round 2 IIFT GD/PI shortlist release dateLast week of March 2026

Final IIFT shortlist 2026 for MBA

Second week of May 2026
Commencement of IIFT MBA ProgrammeJune 2026

IIFT Selection Process 2026

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) offers MBA in International Business (IB) at its Delhi, Kolkata, and Kakinada campuses. The IIFT admission process 2026 will be based on the following steps:

  • Step 1: Apply online for IIFT 2026 with CAT 2025 score.
  • Step 2: Shortlist candidates based on IIFT call percentile and cutoff.
  • Step 3: Participate in written tests and personal interview (PI) rounds.
  • Step 4: Check the IIFT final list and admission offer.

The IIFT shortlist for MBA is a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s academic performance, work experience, communication skills, and general awareness. The IIFT merit list is prepared based on the cumulative score of different rounds with different weightages.

Also See:

IIFT Cutoff 2026

CAT cutoff for IIFT is different for taking admission at various IIFT campuses, such as IIFT Delhi, IIFT Kolkata, and IIFT Kakinada. The IIFT CAT cutoff 2026 expected percentile is about 95+ for the general category and for IIFT Kolkata, it can be 85+. Candidates who meet the IIFT call criteria for MBA admission are eligible to participate in the GD and PI.

IIFT MBA cutoff 2026

The cutoff required to seek IIFT MBA admission for various categories of candidates is mentioned below.

Category

Sectional-wise IIFT CAT cutoff

Overall IIFT CAT cutoff 2026

General

70 percentile

35

EWS / NC-OBC

50 percentile

25

SC /ST/PwD

25 percentile

15

Check IIFT Cut off (CAT, IPMAT): Delhi/Kolkata/Kakinada shortlist cut off

IIFT Waitlist Movement 2026

The IIFT waitlist comprises aspirants who successfully passed the selection stages but haven’t been allotted a seat due to limitations in capacity. The IIFT waitlist candidates are granted admission if any of the selected candidates deny their offer. The IIFT waitlist 2026 helps candidates occupy seats for the MBA programmes.

Question: Is IIFT better than IIM?

Answer: IIMs are generally considered top-tier for general management education, while IIFT excels in international business and trade, especially given its close ties to the Ministry of Commerce.

Question: How many seats are in IIFT?
Answer: IIFT, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, has a total of 480 seats for its MBA-IB (International Business) program across its three campuses: Delhi, Kolkata and Kakinada. Delhi has 240 seats, and Kolkata has 240 seats for the MBA-IB program. The IIFT Kakinada campus has 60 seats, which are available for admission through the IIFT exam.

Question: Does IIFT accept the XAT score?

Answer: No, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) does not accept XAT scores for its MBA program. IIFT used to conduct its own entrance exam for admission, but since 202,5 it only accepts CAT.

IIFT Final Shortlist 2026

Candidates who meet the IIFT CAT cutoff and score marks in various selection rounds can be shortlisted in the IIFT final shortlist. The institute will declare the IIFT result 2026 for PI by the last week of April 2026 through the official website.

IIFT Merit List

Candidates can check out the IIFT merit list on the official website without any credentials. Shortlisted candidates will receive IIFT calls by March or April 2026. The IIFT merit list contains details such as the candidate’s name, rank, and marks scored in the CAT entrance exam and other selection rounds.

How to check the IIFT merit list?

Candidates can obtain the IIFT merit list 2026 by following the steps outlined below.

Step 1: Candidates can visit the official website of IIFT.
Step 2: Under the announcements section, select the IIFT final shortlist.
Step 3: Aspirants can find out their rank on the merit list by searching their name or application number.

IIFT Course Fees 2026-28

As of now, IIFT has not released the latest fee structure for the academic year 2025-27. The candidates can expect the below IIFT course fee for the MBA programmes.

Check out: IIFT MBA fees

IIFT Placements

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) offers MBA in International Business. The institute has achieved remarkable IIFT placements for its 2022-24 batch, with an average stipend of Rs. 2.63 lakhs for the two-month internship period. The institute hosted 100 recruiters, including 36 new recruiters, across various sectors and domains. The IIFT highest package offered was Rs. 4 lakhs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: When will the IIFT shortlist 2026 be released?
A:

The IIFT shortlist will be announced tentatively in the first week of February 2026. 

Q: How many students are shortlisted for IIFT admission last year?
A:

Last year, as per IIFT shortlist PDF, a total of 6837 candidates are shortlisted for round 1, and 1435 candidates were shortlisted for the round 2 admission process.

Q: Is IIFT 2026 cancelled?
A:

Yes, the IIFT entrance exam has been cancelled. Now, IIFT considers the CAT score as a selection criterion for admission into its various MBA programmes.

Q: What is the cutoff for IIFT CAT exam 2026?
A:

The percentile cutoff for the IIFT CAT 2026 is projected to be above 95 for the general category. For IIFT Kolkata, the cutoff is expected to be above 85.

Q: What is the selection process for IIFT 2026?
A:

Candidates who meet the CAT cutoff will receive the IIFT call to attend the group discussion, written test, and personal interview.

Q: When will the IIFT shortlist 2026 be released?
A:

The IIFT shortlist for round 1 will be released tentatively in the first week of February 2026. For round 2, the GD/PI shortlist will be released tentatively in the last week of March 2026.

Q: Is IIFT 2026 cancelled?
A:

Yes, the IIFT entrance exam has been cancelled. Now, IIFT considers the CAT score as a selection criterion for admission into its various MBA programmes.

Q: What is the cutoff for IIFT CAT exam 2026?
A:

The percentile cutoff for the IIFT CAT 2026 is projected to be above 95 for the general category. For IIFT Kolkata, the cutoff is expected to be above 85.

Q: What is the criteria for IIFT shortlisting 2026
A:

Candidates are shortlisted for IIFT MBA programme based on their performance in the previous academic levels, written tests, personal interview, group discussion, work experience and CAT entrance exam. 

Q: Does IIFT accept GMAT score 2026
A:

Yes, IIFT does accept the 2026 GMAT score, and the candidate should have produced the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) score latest by March 2026.

Articles
|
Certifications By Top Providers
Online MBA Business Analytics
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
The Science and Business of Biotechnology
Via Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
Online MBA
Via Centre for Distance and Online Education, Anna University, Chennai
Management of Commercial Banking
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Strategic Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Udemy
 703 courses
Edx
 467 courses
Swayam
 236 courses
Emeritus
 231 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
University of Essex, Colchester
Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
University of Reading, Reading
Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to IIFT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to IIFT ?

IIFT CAT Cutoff 2024


IIFT Delhi

General: 95–98 percentile

OBC: 90+

SC: 85–95

ST/PwD: 75–93


IIFT Kolkata

General: 85–95 percentile

OBC/SC/ST: 50–95 (varies)

Note: Final selection also includes WAT, GD, PI, academics, and work experience.


Greetings! Here's a detailed response to your query

Okay, so you're a bit confused about what to put in those CAT, FMS, DSE, and IIFT forms regarding your 12th scores. Since you did CBSE, they usually only consider your final 12th standard marks.

Even though you did great in 11th, scoring 495 out of 500, for these entrance exam forms, they're specifically asking about your 12th board exam marks .You mentioned you got 400 out of 500 in 12th, which comes out to 80%.

Therefore, when filling out the forms for CAT, FMS, DSE, and IIFT, you should enter 80% as your 12th percentage. The aggregate of 11th and 12th isn't typically what they're looking for in these sections. They want to know how you performed in your final board exams. So, stick with the 80% from your 12th results. Good luck with your applications!

Hello aspirant,

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi, sets the syllabus for the IIFT exam, which covers subjects like Quantitative Aptitude (QA), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC). One of the few MBA entry exams that assesses applicants' general knowledge is the IIFT. The subjects covered in the IIFT entrance exam syllabus assess candidates' aptitude for analysis, math, and English comprehension. The fundamental prerequisites for an MBA education are these competencies.

To know complete syllabus you can visit our site by clicking on the link given below.

https://bschool.careers360.com/articles/iift-syllabus

Thank you.

Hello aspirant,

On behalf of the institute, the National Testing Agency (NTA) administers the IIFT exam. NTA's only responsibility is to administer the test and prepare the results. The admissions committee chooses which prospects to admit. The exam is comparable to other MBA admission examinations offered in India. The Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, and General Awareness sections comprise the IIFT question paper. The IIFT exam lasts for two hours. Foreign, NRI, and PIO candidates are accepted for admission to IIFT based on their GMAT results.

Thank you


Hello aspirant,

In order to support the development of skills for India's external trade sector, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry founded the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) as an independent organization in 1963. It has effectively evolved into a distinctive establishment that disseminates information via research and training in global trade and business. In 2002, the Institute received the designation of "Deemed to be University." IIFT was designated as a Grade "A" institution by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in both 2005 and 2015.

For complete information, please visit the following link:

https://www.careers360.com/colleges/indian-institute-of-foreign-trade-kakinada-campus

Thank you

Hope it helps you