IIFT - Insider Opinion

The admission process basically consists of a national level entrance test, followed by the GD-PI-WAT process for shortlisted candidates. The admission test includes quantitative aptitude, reading comprehension, grammar & DI/LR questions, a GK section, which is based on knowledge of global country alliances, current affairs, trade-related issues etc. IIFT as a college is known as one of Asia's best colleges in the trade domain. The two year MBA(IB) program gives students exposure to normal management subjects, but the curriculum also includes subjects like International Economics, International Marketing, Trade Analytics etc. which provides an international perspective to students with the necessary knowledge of trade policy and procedures. The college has a rich alumni base leading major trade companies like Olam, LDC. However, any candidate with an interest in conventional Marketing/Finance roles gets an equal opportunity in terms of placement to start a career in relevant companies.

IIFT boasts of one of the toughest MBA course curricula in the country. In the first year, students get exposed to basic subjects related to Finance/Marketing/Trade & HR. In the second year, students need to choose their majors/minors (total of 15 subjects) from a range of subjects. Most of IIFT's faculties are consultants to the Government of India, especially the Ministry of Commerce, and are part of advisory groups, trade agreement negotiations etc. The students do get an opportunity to work with these faculties on live projects. The faculty-student ratio in class remains approximately 1:50. Subject wise grading happens based on 2-3 quizzes, midterm exam, end term project, class presentation and participation (10% weightage), and finally the end-term exam (40% weightage). The academic schedule is jam-packed throughout the course, however with active participation, one can manage to sail through the exams.

Summer internship placement happens in the first/second trimester. 100+ companies including JPMC, Mckinsey, GS, Loreal, Google, Microsoft, Bajaj, ITC, GSK, Godrej, Bajaj, Tata Steel, Tata Consumer Products, HUL come for placements. The highest stipend is around 3.2 Lacs, with 1.68 Lacs as an average stipend, and 1.7 Lacs median stipend. The projects generally include Investment Banking, Equity Analyst, Treasury Analyst, Market Research, Strategy based analysis etc.

Placements in IIFT are equally comparable to any other top B-School in India. Final placements held in the second year include participation from 105+ companies, with the highest offer of Rs 75 Lacs, and an average CTC of Rs20.5 Lacs for the placement season held in 2020. Students also receive international offers, mostly in the trade domain. The range of companies includes JPMC, Goldman Sachs, Mckinsey & Company, GE, Crisil, L&T, Olam, LDC, Tata Steel, Shell, Maersk, Google, Microsoft, L&T, Mahindra, Cognizant, Reliance, RPG, Flipkart, Bajaj etc. Profiles range from Banking, IT & Analytics, Consulting to Marketing and Operations. IIFT records 100% placement in every cycle. I particularly plan on getting into a Marketing/Operations role after finishing my degree from IIFT.

The tuition fee for the Batch of 20-22 was Rs 8,85,000 per year for the General category and a 50% concession for the SC/ST/PWD category. There is an additional cost of the library, computer, alumni etc. which amounts to 53,000 for two years. Apart from this, hostel fees are charged around Rs 55-60,000 per year on a triple sharing basis. The institute has a need-based Scholarship scheme for students with less than Rs6.5Lac annual family income. Under this scheme, the interest subsidy is provided for 27 months from the time the loan has been taken. Apart from this, there is a central government scholarship for SC/ST students which would cover their entire expenses for 2 years. Other private scholarships (OP Jindal Scholarship) is available to selected students who top the entrance exam.

IIFT includes a range of different Clubs, committees and cells which conduct year-round activities. For an average student in the first year, there will be a minimum of 60-70 guest lectures by industry leaders and esteemed alumni of the institution. Our annual festivals include Quo Vadis, which includes industry interactions, competitions, and cultural events like stand up shows, singing concerts etc. TradeWinds, another festival, focuses on Trade-Based events. Other events like Grand Alumni Reunion are celebrated with much fanfare. IIFT has excellent library resources with access to foreign journals, WTO data & Bloomberg terminals. Cultural & fun events like Section Wars, Akhri Dangal, Freshers, Reverse Freshers, and festivals are celebrated by the cultural & sports committees of IIFT. Every club, committee and cell of IIFT has its own online presence across platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, and we also have blogs like IIFTInsider.com run by students.

After clearing the entrance test, students need to fill a questionnaire form that includes few HR questions and other background information that appears for GD-WAT-PI rounds. The process begins with a WAT round of 10-15 minutes. The topics mostly include current trends like "Data is the new oil", "Trade Protectionism", "Electric Vehicle Policy", and the GD could either be abstract( Zero, Blue Colour, The sky is black) etc or factually based (Electric Vehicles, First Mover's Advantage vs Second Mover's Advantage) etc. All candidates then appear for an interview, mostly conducted by professors from IIFT. The topic would include our background, education, work experience, why IIFT, why International Business, and few HR based questions revolving around our response in the questionnaire. The interview lasts mostly for 10-15 minutes. I referred to videos released by the Media Committee of IIFT, InsideIIM videos, IMS mock PI interviews to prepare for my process. Media Committee's videos were the most reliable.