Up close with IIFT

It is one of the most prestigious colleges in the country under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It's the only college which allows you to specialize in Trade. A huge alumni network that can be leveraged further up while building a career. The admission process included an entrance test in CBT mode and clearing which people are shortlisted for WAT, GD and PI processes. WAT topics mostly include any current affair topics. GD mostly has a big group and all the students get a chance to put their points initially and then later opened for discussion. PI involves questions on opinions regarding recent news. It could be any topic and mostly revolves around the answers filled in the application form. The fact that its located in Delhi and has a good performance concerning placements. Also if someone wants to move into policymaking later or work closely with the government, it's one of the best colleges to build on it.

Currently, the course is all online. Every subject has around 15 lectures allotted in a tri semester. There are also presentations that are conducted and also end term reports that have to be submitted. There are around 2 quizzes, separated by a midterm and finally and end-term. The lectures include presentations by the faculties, case studies and discussions on the respective topics. Most faculties are very experienced with having expertise in the respective domain and also experience of working on policies closely with the GoI.

Just like final placements, summer placements are held for 1st-year students around October. The roles offered include Product Management, General Management, Sales and Marketing, Finance, Operations, Analyst roles. ITC, Godrej, Microsoft, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Tata Steel, Dabur, Tata Sky, Mahindra, Reliance, Wipro, Olam are some of the big names that come for placements. The average stipend is around 1.5 L for 2 months.

Students of 1st year sit for summer placements for internship roles at companies. While 2nd-year students sit for final placements in December. For the last couple of years, most students get PPOs from their intern companies themselves. The rest sit for final placements. The roles vary from Sales and Marketing to investment banking to analysts to operations roles. More than 100 companies participate in the placements. The median package is around 18 lakhs. And trade companies offer the highest. Companies like ITC, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan continue to hire candidates.

The fees structure is divided into different segments which include a library, computer, books, student body known as IMF fees, alumni contribution, tuition fees. All these make up the major chunk pf the fees. There are also monthly mess fees and contributions which is taken for all the events and fests that are held. All together for this year, it's around 18.5 lakhs for the full time two years program and the cost is likely to increase by 10% every 2 years or so.

Currently, the campus is closed. But there are a number of events to look forward to especially freshers, farewells. There are Trade winds the annual technical fest. The annual cultural fest Quo Vadis is a big hit which is held in January. Also to mention section wars is something when everyone is all pumped up. Apart from these, there are a number of impromptu events all through the year. There are a number of clubs like Marketing, Finance, Operations clubs who hold their own competitions.

The campus is small compared to other top B-schools. It's just 6 acres. There are 3 hostels NH, OH, C9. C9 is outside the premises while the others are inside. Most rooms are twin sharing except a few which are triple sharing. The rooms have separate beds for individuals, cupboards, table and chair. Regarding the mess food, the hostel and mess committee tries to ensure hygienic food and make variations to the menu considering there are students from all across. However, like any other B-school or college hostel mess in general, the food isn't top-notch.

The Written test mostly covers current affair topics. It's important to cover the important events related to economy, world politics and other relevant in detail for the last year at least. GD could be anything that is a hot topic or a burning issue or one where they would need your views. It's important you have solid points and backed by numbers if possible. That gives you brownie points. It's advisable also to maintain decorum during GD. Don't cut someone but also don't be too hesitant to speak and put forward your point. For PI, it's important to be thorough with the details filled in the application form. Also, it's important to know about your city of origin, the culture of your state, its history. There could be a lot of questions where they ask your opinions on certain recent or in general issues. Be prepared regarding the work you have done (in case of experienced), subjects (in case of freshers). Read editorials from Hindu, Mint.