Will the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade's Off-campus Centre Transform GIFT City?

Synopsis
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) is set to establish an off-campus centre at GIFT City, Gujarat, following government approval. This initiative aims to enhance education and training in international trade, positioning India as a global export leader. The state-of-the-art facility will offer an MBA in International Business and specialized courses.
Key Takeaways
- IIFT's new off-campus centre will promote international trade education.
- The facility will offer an MBA in International Business.
- GIFT City is positioned as a global financial hub.
- The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- IIFT has a strong reputation, holding an A+ grade from NAAC.
New Delhi, May 6 (NationPress) The government has announced its approval for an off-campus facility of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in GIFT City, located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This initiative adheres to the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023, as stated by the Ministry of Education.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, expressed his congratulations to IIFT on this significant milestone.
“My heartfelt congratulations to IIFT on securing the green light for its new off-campus centre in GIFT City, which is recognized as India's global financial hub. This development will facilitate the training of talent in the institute's renowned programme, MBA (International Business), as well as short-term training courses and research in the field of International Trade,” the minister shared on the X social media platform.
The approval, granted under Section 3 of the UGC Act of 1956, follows IIFT's successful adherence to the requirements detailed in the Letter of Intent (LoI) issued in January 2025.
These stipulations included the submission of a development strategy to create a multidisciplinary institution accommodating over 1,000 students, the hiring of qualified faculty, comprehensive academic programmes, plans for a permanent campus, and the establishment of a cutting-edge library, as indicated by the ministry.
The forthcoming GIFT City campus will be situated on the 16th and 17th floors of GIFT Tower 2.
It will offer IIFT’s flagship MBA (International Business) programme, alongside specialized short-term training sessions and research in international trade and related domains.
This initiative is in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to foster multidisciplinary education and broaden access to high-quality learning.
IIFT stands as a premier institution focused on enhancing capacity in international trade. It was designated as a Deemed to be University in 2002, received an A+ grade from NAAC, and is accredited by AACSB, placing it among a select group of globally recognized business schools.
The GIFT City campus is anticipated to significantly enhance India’s trade education landscape and bolster the nation’s goal of becoming a global export leader.