Understanding what happens in the IIFT interview room
New Delhi, Delhi
IIFT conducts trade-focused knowledge interview interviews. Rigorous assessment of international trade knowledge, current affairs, and global business acumen Interviews scheduled: PI rounds: February-March 2026 (dates TBA)
Prepare with AI mock interviews that simulate IIFT's unique trade-focused knowledge interview approach.
PI rounds: February-March 2026 (dates TBA)
• Avg work experience: 18 months
• Class size: 180 students
• Female students: 30%
Founded in 1963 by Government of India and Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This heritage shapes everything about the interview process.
IIFT is not just a business school — it is a government think tank on international trade. This dual identity shapes everything about the interview. Panelists expect you to understand India's trade policy, current account dynamics, export-import regulations, and global economic relationships. Questions about WTO, FTAs, and bilateral trade agreements are not just possible — they are probable.
IIFT panelists often reference alumni achievements to test awareness. Know these names and what they're known for.
Founder & Chairman, Bharti Enterprises (Airtel)
Built Airtel into one of the world's largest telecom companies with operations spanning India, Africa, and Asia. Relevant for discussions on international expansion, telecom policy, and building global Indian businesses.
Former Cabinet Secretary of India
Reached the highest bureaucratic position in India. Relevant for discussions on government and trade policy, public administration, and how policy shapes business.
Former Chairman, Shell India & Brookings India
Led Shell's India operations and now chairs Brookings India. Relevant for discussions on energy sector, MNCs in India, and policy research institutions.
Co-founder, Games2Win & Serial Entrepreneur
Built multiple successful digital ventures including Games2Win and Contests2Win. Relevant for discussions on digital entrepreneurship and building global products from India.
Chairman & CEO, Edelweiss Group
Built Edelweiss into a diversified financial services conglomerate. Relevant for discussions on financial services, asset management, and building financial institutions.
Rigorous assessment of international trade knowledge, current affairs, and global business acumen
IIFT interviews are uniquely focused on international trade and global business. Unlike other B-school interviews that broadly cover academics and personality, IIFT panelists expect you to understand concepts like balance of payments, trade deficits, WTO disputes, FTAs, and India's export-import dynamics.
IIFT's unique position as both a B-school and a government think tank on trade policy means they're training future trade professionals, not generic managers. Their graduates join trading companies, export houses, MNCs with international operations, and government trade bodies.
"A candidate with IT services background was asked: "What percentage of India's IT exports go to the US? How do rupee-dollar fluctuations affect your company's margins?" The candidate who could connect their daily work to trade dynamics demonstrated exactly what IIFT seeks."
We trained Rehearsal on IIFT's interview style. Now it trains you.
Try a free IIFT mock interviewDon't just memorize questions. Understand the categories, why they ask them, and how to prepare.
"What is India's current account deficit? Why do we have a trade deficit with China?"
IIFT's core identity is international trade. These questions test whether you have the foundation to study international business at depth.
"What is India's current account deficit? What are its components?"
IIFT expects you to understand macroeconomic trade concepts
Practice this question"Why does India have a trade deficit with China? How can we address it?"
Tests trade awareness and policy thinking
"How does rupee depreciation affect Indian exporters and importers differently?"
Connecting currency to trade dynamics
"What is RCEP? Why did India not join?" Or: "What are the main issues in India-EU FTA negotiations?"
IIFT functions as a think tank for the Ministry of Commerce. They want students who can engage with trade policy debates.
"What is RCEP? Why did India not join? Was it a good decision?"
Tests trade policy awareness and analytical thinking
Practice this question"What are PLI schemes? How do they promote exports?"
Current industrial and trade policy
"What are the contentious issues in India-UK FTA negotiations?"
Tests current affairs on trade agreements
"What is the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Indian trade?" Or: "How is the Red Sea crisis affecting global shipping?"
International business operates in a dynamic global environment. IIFT panelists test whether you follow global events and can analyze their trade implications.
"How has the Russia-Ukraine war affected Indian trade? Which sectors benefited?"
Connecting geopolitics to trade
Practice this question"What is the Red Sea crisis? How does it affect Indian exporters?"
Supply chain and logistics in trade
"What is de-dollarization? What does it mean for Indian trade?"
Currency and trade interconnections
"Your company operates in IT services. What percentage of revenue comes from exports?"
IIFT wants to see that you can think about your own industry through a trade lens.
"Your company is in pharmaceuticals. What are India's pharma exports?"
Connecting personal work to trade dynamics
Practice this question"You work in automotive. How do import duties on components affect your company?"
Industry-specific trade knowledge
"If your company wanted to expand to Africa, what trade factors would you consider?"
Applying trade thinking to business decisions
"Why International Business specifically? Why not a general MBA?"
IIFT offers a specialized MBA-IB, not a general MBA. They want candidates who specifically want international business.
"Why International Business? Why not a general MBA from an IIM?"
Tests specificity of interest in IB
Practice this question"What do you know about IIFT beyond the MBA program?"
Tests genuine research about IIFT
"Where do you see yourself 5 years after IIFT?"
Tests clarity of IB career goals
"You studied economics. Explain comparative advantage theory."
Academic background is probed to ensure conceptual foundations. GK questions often connect to international affairs.
"Explain Ricardo's theory of comparative advantage with an example."
Economics graduates face trade theory questions
Practice this question"What is the difference between IMF and World Bank?"
Tests knowledge of international institutions
"Name BRICS countries. What is the significance of this grouping?"
Geopolitical groupings and India's role
Context-specific topics that IIFT panelists often reference. Know these well.
IIFT functions as a think tank for the Ministry of Commerce. Understanding India's trade policy landscape is essential.
IIFT panelists expect you to know basic trade numbers.
IIFT is both a B-school and a government body. Understanding this shows you've researched beyond rankings.
What to expect at each stage.
Topics are typically related to international trade, economic policy, or global affairs. You write 300-400 words.
Understanding of trade and economic concepts, ability to structure arguments, awareness of global dynamics.
Take a clear stance supported by trade logic. Include India-specific examples and data if possible.
GD topics often relate to trade policy, international relations, or economic debates. Groups typically have 8-12 candidates.
Quality of trade/business arguments, ability to listen and build on others' points, leadership without domination.
Make 3-4 quality points with data or examples rather than frequent shallow interventions.
A panel of 2-3 members. Heavy focus on trade and economics. Your essay topic may be probed.
Trade and economic knowledge, current affairs with global perspective, clarity on why International Business.
IIFT PI is more knowledge-intensive than personality-intensive. Prepare trade concepts thoroughly.
IIFT is India's only premier B-school exclusively focused on international business. The curriculum, placements, and culture revolve around global trade.
Interview Implication: Panelists expect you to show genuine interest in international business, not treat IIFT as a general MBA backup.
IIFT functions as a research and advisory body for the Ministry of Commerce. Faculty conduct policy research on trade agreements.
Interview Implication: Understanding IIFT's policy role shows you've researched deeply. Be ready to discuss trade policy.
IIFT's curriculum includes practical components like export documentation, trade finance, and international logistics.
Interview Implication: Show interest in the practical aspects of international trade.
Hard moments will happen. Here's how to handle them.
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Our AI simulates the trade-focused knowledge interview style — including interruptions, challenges, and the pressure of thinking on your feet.