The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has been granted approval to establish an off-campus centre at GIFT City in Gujarat. This move is in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to enhance India's trade education ecosystem by offering a flagship MBA International Business programme and conducting research in international trade. The centre will adhere to UGC regulations for deemed universities and is expected to support export-led growth through specialized short-term training courses and research activities. Located in GIFT Tower 2 on the 16th and 17th floors, this campus strengthens IIFT's commitment towards capacity building in global trade by leveraging its A grade accreditation from NAAC and AACSB recognition.
The approval under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 follows successful fulfillment of conditions such as submission of a development roadmap for multidisciplinary education with over 1,000 students, faculty qualifications, detailed academic programmes, permanent campus plans, and establishment of state-of-art facilities. This initiative marks an expansion of trade education capabilities in the country alongside IIFT's role in capacity building since its inception in 1963 as a premier institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The Centre is anticipated to contribute significantly to India's global financial hub ambitions and strategic goals towards becoming a leading exporter, leveraging the existing ecosystem at GIFT City that aligns with the objectives for promoting multidisciplinary education and enhancing educational quality in India.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce Industry: Indian government ministry overseeing commerce and industry.
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade: Premier Indian institution for international trade education and capacity building; abbreviated as IIFT.
GIFT City, Gujarat: Location of the new off-campus center of IIFT; a global financial hub in India.
NEP 2020: National Education Policy 2020, an Indian policy promoting multidisciplinary learning.
MBA International Business: Flagship MBA program offered by IIFT.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi; source of the posted information.
Ministry of Education, Government of India: Indian government ministry overseeing education.
IIFT, New Delhi: The main campus of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat: Specific location of the off-campus center. GIFT City is located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
UGC Institutions Deemed to be Universities Regulations, 2023: Regulations governing the establishment of the off-campus center.
UGC Act, 1956: Act under which the approval for the off-campus center was granted; specifically Section 3.
Letter of Intent LoI: Document issued to IIFT, outlining conditions for establishing the off-campus center.
Shri Piyush Goyal: Union Minister of Commerce Industry.
GIFT Tower 2: Building where the GIFT City campus will be located, specifically on the 16th and 17th floors.
IIFT: Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
NAAC: An accreditation body that has given IIFT an 'A' grade.
AACSB: An accreditation body that has accredited IIFT.
Abhishek Dayal: Name mentioned at the end of the notification.
Abhijith Narayanan: Name mentioned at the end of the notification.
Ishita Biswas: Name mentioned at the end of the notification.
Release ID: 2127199: Identifier for the press release.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade receives approval to
establish off-campus centre at GIFT City, Gujarat
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
Posted On: 06 MAY 2025 10:37AM by PIB Delhi
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.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas(Release ID: 2127199)