The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has granted formal approval for the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi, to establish an off-campus centre at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar. The new centre will be developed in line with the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023.
This development follows the successful completion of all requirements stipulated in the Letter of Intent (LoI) issued in January 2025. IIFT submitted a comprehensive proposal detailing its plans for a multidisciplinary institution accommodating over 1,000 students, the recruitment of qualified faculty, academic programmes, and the blueprint for a permanent campus. Additionally, provisions for a modern library and other infrastructural facilities were part of the compliance process.
The approval, granted under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, marks a significant step in expanding India’s capacity for specialised education in international trade. Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, congratulated the institution, stating, “Heartiest congratulations to IIFT on obtaining approval to establish its new off-campus centre in GIFT City, India’s global financial hub. This initiative will facilitate talent development through the flagship MBA (International Business) programme, as well as various short-term training programmes and research initiatives in international trade.”
The GIFT City centre will be housed on the 16th and 17th floors of GIFT Tower 2. It will offer IIFT’s renowned MBA (International Business) programme, along with a variety of specialised short-term training courses aimed at enhancing expertise in international trade and associated fields. The centre also plans to foster cutting-edge research to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the global trade landscape.
This move aligns closely with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to broaden access to high-quality education and promote multidisciplinary learning. By establishing its presence in GIFT City, IIFT aims to create a vibrant hub for trade education that not only benefits students but also contributes to India’s broader strategy of export-led growth.
Established in 1963 under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, IIFT has built a distinguished reputation in international trade education and capacity building. Recognised as a deemed-to-be University since 2002, the institution holds an A+ accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), placing it among an elite group of global business schools.
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The new campus at GIFT City is expected to bolster India’s trade education infrastructure and enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global market. It reflects a strategic effort to integrate academic excellence with the nation’s growing ambitions in international trade and finance.
