IIFT’s MBA (International Business) Weekend Program 2026 runs at both New Delhi and Kolkata campuses, with a combined intake of 240 seats, three-year weekend delivery and distinct faculty, infrastructure and location strengths at each campus.
Both campuses award the same IIFT degree under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry but differ in batch size, faculty depth, available facilities and the professional networks accessible during the program. New Delhi is the flagship campus with larger infrastructure and proximity to national trade bodies, while Kolkata serves East and Northeast India professionals with a more compact and industry-focused setting.
- Total Intake (2026): 240 seats across both campuses combined; campus-wise allocation is published in the official IIFT Weekend MBA brochure.
- Program Duration: 3 years (9 trimesters) with classes on Saturdays 3:00 PM–7:15 PM and Sundays 9:00 AM–6:15 PM.
- Admission: CAT 2025 score accepted — IIFT discontinued its own entrance exam from 2024 onwards. A percentile of 98 or above is generally expected for General category applicants.
- Work Experience: Minimum 3 years in a managerial role after graduation is required to apply.
- Fees: New Delhi ₹21.92 lakhs and Kolkata ₹21.42 lakhs — confirm exact 2026 figures in the official IIFT brochure.
IIFT MBA IB Weekend Program 2026 — Overview
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Its MBA (International Business) Weekend Program is a three-year part-time degree designed for executives who want to build expertise in international trade, export management and global business without leaving their current jobs.
Classes run every weekend — Saturdays from 3:00 PM to 7:15 PM and Sundays from 9:00 AM to 6:15 PM — at both campuses. The curriculum covers international trade finance, export-import policy, supply chain management and global marketing, identical to the full-time MBA (IB). Admission to the 2026 batch is through CAT 2025 scores.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | MBA (International Business) Weekend Program — Working Professionals |
| Duration | 3 Years (9 Trimesters) |
| Class Schedule | Saturday 3:00 PM–7:15 PM and Sunday 9:00 AM–6:15 PM |
| Campuses | New Delhi and Kolkata |
| Governing Body | Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India |
| Entrance Exam | CAT 2025 (IIFT discontinued its own entrance exam from 2024) |
| Total Seats (2026) | 240 — both campuses combined |
Seat Intake: Delhi vs Kolkata
The total intake for the IIFT MBA IB Weekend Program 2026 is 240 seats across both campuses combined. The exact campus-wise split — how many seats go to Delhi and how many to Kolkata — is published in the official IIFT Weekend MBA brochure released each admissions cycle.
| Campus | 2026 Intake | Typical Batch Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Both Campuses (Combined) | 240 seats | Diverse industries and geographies |
| New Delhi (Flagship) | Larger share — refer official brochure | North, West and Central India professionals |
| Kolkata | Smaller share — refer official brochure | East and Northeast India professionals |
As the headquarters and larger facility, Delhi historically accommodates a greater number of seats per batch. A smaller Kolkata cohort means more personalised faculty interaction and a tighter peer group — a meaningful advantage for professional relationship-building during the program.
Eligibility and Admission Criteria
Eligibility conditions are uniform across both campuses. Students must satisfy all of the following to apply for the 2026 batch:
- Educational Qualification: Graduation with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST) from a recognised university.
- Work Experience: Minimum 3 years of full-time work experience in a managerial role after graduation.
- Entrance Score: Valid CAT 2025 score — IIFT no longer conducts its own entrance test. General category applicants generally need 98 percentile or above.
- Final selection involves a Group Discussion and Personal Interview held at the preferred campus.
Your campus preference is recorded at the application stage. Campus transfers are not permitted after admission, so select carefully. Check the official IIFT portal for the exact 2026 application schedule and score thresholds.
Faculty Comparison
Delhi is IIFT’s primary research campus, giving it a deeper permanent faculty pool. Kolkata’s faculty is smaller in number but brings specialised expertise in Eastern India trade sectors that the Delhi campus cannot easily replicate.
| Parameter | New Delhi Campus | Kolkata Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Core Faculty | Full permanent roster at the main campus | Smaller permanent team; supplemented by visiting faculty |
| Visiting Faculty | Extensive — drawn from Delhi NCR multinationals, embassies and national trade bodies | Active visiting faculty from Kolkata-based trade, manufacturing and logistics sectors |
| Research Output | Higher — most IIFT publications originate from Delhi | Growing; focused on Eastern India trade and commodity sectors |
| Policy Access | Direct proximity to DGFT headquarters and Ministry of Commerce offices | Indirect — virtual access and periodic Delhi visits arranged by the campus |
Students targeting trade policy, export-import regulation or government-sector transitions gain the most from Delhi’s faculty network. Kolkata faculty brings hands-on expertise in tea, jute, commodity exports and SAARC trade corridors — domain knowledge that is not available at the Delhi campus.
Campus Infrastructure
Both campuses are well-equipped for weekend executive delivery. Delhi is significantly larger in scale; Kolkata’s newer facilities are purpose-built and efficient for a smaller cohort.
| Infrastructure Feature | New Delhi Campus | Kolkata Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Library and Digital Resources | Extensive physical library and IIFT digital repository with international trade journals | Functional library with access to the IIFT central digital repository |
| Simulation Labs | Dedicated forex and commodity trading simulation lab | Computer labs with trading simulation software access |
| Classrooms | Multiple smart classrooms; dedicated weekend sections for WP batches | Smart classrooms well-suited to case discussions for smaller groups |
| Conference Facilities | Multiple halls; hosts national and international trade conferences | Conference rooms for regional seminars and industry networking events |
| Weekend Commute | Accessible by Delhi Metro (Qutab Minar and Chattarpur zones) | Located in New Town or Rajarhat; accessible by road and app-based cabs |
Delhi NCR-based professionals have the clearest commute advantage for weekend sessions. For Kolkata-based students, the campus location near the Rajarhat IT and business district keeps it close to major employers in Salt Lake Sector V — a practical benefit for East India working professionals.
Fee Structure
IIFT sets fees centrally as a government institution, keeping the gap between campuses minimal. Based on recent published data, the program fee is ₹21.92 lakhs at New Delhi and ₹21.42 lakhs at Kolkata — confirm the exact 2026 figures in the official Weekend MBA brochure on the IIFT portal before applying.
| Fee Component | New Delhi Campus | Kolkata Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Total Program Fee (indicative) | ₹21.92 lakhs (based on recent data) | ₹21.42 lakhs (based on recent data) |
| Accommodation | Not provided for WP students; self-arranged nearby | Not provided for WP students; self-arranged nearby |
| Living and Travel Costs | Higher in Delhi NCR for outstation students | Lower cost of living in Kolkata for outstation students |
The institutional fee difference between the two campuses is under ₹1 lakh. However, for outstation students commuting every weekend, Kolkata’s lower accommodation and living costs meaningfully reduce the net programme cost relative to Delhi NCR.
Which Campus Should You Choose?
Both campuses award the same IIFT degree, valued equally by employers. Your decision should rest on location, sector focus and how you plan to use the qualification after the program ends.
| Choose New Delhi If... | Choose Kolkata If... |
|---|---|
| You work in Delhi NCR and want to avoid weekend travel | You are based in Kolkata, West Bengal or Northeast India |
| Your target is trade policy, government sector or MNC roles | Your focus is commodity trade, manufacturing exports or SAARC-region markets |
| You want access to a larger alumni and peer network | You prefer a smaller cohort with closer faculty interaction |
| You want direct access to DGFT, WTO India desk and major trade body events | You want a lower net programme cost including weekend travel and living expenses |
Location convenience and your target sector are the primary deciding factors. Most Working Professionals students use this degree for upskilling or lateral promotion within their current organisations rather than a full career switch — and for that goal both campuses deliver equally well.
IIFT MBA IB Working Professionals 2026 FAQs
Ques. What is the total seat intake for IIFT MBA IB Weekend Program 2026?
Ans. The total intake across both New Delhi and Kolkata campuses is 240 seats for the 2026 batch. The campus-wise allocation between Delhi and Kolkata is specified in the official IIFT Weekend MBA brochure released each cycle.
Ques. Which entrance exam is accepted for IIFT MBA IB Working Professionals 2026?
Ans. IIFT accepts CAT 2025 scores for admission to the MBA (IB) Weekend Program. IIFT discontinued its own entrance exam from 2024 onwards. A CAT percentile of 98 or above is generally expected for General category applicants.
Ques. What work experience is required for IIFT MBA IB Working Professionals?
Ans. You need a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience in a managerial role after graduation to be eligible for the IIFT MBA (IB) Weekend Program at either campus.
Ques. Is the IIFT degree the same at the Delhi and Kolkata campuses?
Ans. Yes. Both campuses award an MBA (International Business) degree from IIFT, an institution of national importance under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The degree carries identical recognition with employers regardless of which campus you attend.
Ques. What are the fees for IIFT MBA IB Weekend Program 2026?
Ans. Based on recent published data, the program fee is approximately ₹21.92 lakhs at New Delhi and ₹21.42 lakhs at Kolkata. Confirm the exact 2026 fee structure in the official IIFT brochure before applying.
Ques. Can I change my campus preference after getting admission to IIFT MBA IB Weekend Program?
Ans. Campus transfers are generally not permitted after admission is confirmed. State your campus preference clearly in the application form as the choice is locked at that stage.
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