Move aligns with NEP 2020; will offer flagship MBA (International Business) and promote trade research

IIFT GIFT City centre to strengthen India’s trade education ecosystem and support export-led growth

The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has approved the establishment of an off-campus centre of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi, at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The centre will be set up in accordance with the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023.

The approval under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, comes after IIFT’s successful compliance with the conditions laid out in the Letter of Intent (LoI) issued in January 2025. These included submission of a development roadmap to establish a multidisciplinary institution with over 1,000 students, availability of qualified faculty, detailed academic programmes, plans for a permanent campus, and creation of a state-of-the-art library.

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, congratulated IIFT on receiving the approval, stating: “Heartiest congratulations to @IIFT_Official on getting approval to open its new off-campus centre in @GIFTCity_, India's global financial hub. This paves the way for training talent in the institute's flagship programme, MBA (International Business), besides short-term training programmes and research in the area of International Trade.”

The upcoming GIFT City campus will be located on the 16th and 17th floors of GIFT Tower 2. It will offer IIFT’s flagship MBA (International Business) programme, along with specialised short-term training courses and research in international trade and related fields.

The initiative aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to promote multidisciplinary learning and expand access to high-quality education.

Established in 1963 under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, IIFT is a premier institution dedicated to capacity building in international trade. It was declared a Deemed to be University in 2002, holds an A+ grade from NAAC, and is accredited by AACSB, making it part of a select group of globally recognised business schools.

The GIFT City campus is expected to significantly contribute to India’s trade education ecosystem and support the nation's aspiration of becoming a global export powerhouse.

Deemed university approval enables an off campus centre to offer MBA International Business and trade research under UGC regulations. Approval was granted for IIFT to establish an off campus centre at GIFT City under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023 after satisfying Letter of Intent conditions, including a multidisciplinary development roadmap, faculty availability, academic programmes, permanent campus planning, and library provisions. The centre will offer the MBA (International Business), short courses, and international trade research, aligning with the National Education Policy's multidisciplinary objectives.