IIFT to Establish Off-Campus Centre at GIFT City, Gandhinagar
The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has granted approval for the establishment of an off-campus centre for the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This development, as per the UGC (Institutions Deemed to be Universities) Regulations, 2023, was announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The approval, issued under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, follows IIFT’s successful compliance with the conditions set forth in the Letter of Intent (LoI) issued in January 2025. These conditions included presenting a roadmap for the development of a multidisciplinary institution with more than 1,000 students, ensuring the availability of qualified faculty, offering detailed academic programmes, outlining plans for a permanent campus, and establishing a state-of-the-art library.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, extended his congratulations to IIFT, noting, "Heartiest congratulations to @IIFT_Official on getting approval to open its new off-campus centre in @GIFTCity_, India's global financial hub. This will enhance talent training through the institute’s MBA (International Business) programme, short-term courses, and research in international trade".
The GIFT City campus will be located on the 16th and 17th floors of GIFT Tower Two, and will offer IIFT's flagship MBA in International Business, along with specialized short-term training programmes and research opportunities in international trade. This new initiative is in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to promote multidisciplinary learning and broaden access to high-quality education.
Founded in 1963 under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, IIFT has played a crucial role in capacity building for international trade. Declared a Deemed to be University in 2002, it holds an A+ grade from NAAC and is accredited by AACSB, placing it among the top global business schools. The GIFT City campus is expected to make a significant contribution to India’s trade education landscape and further India’s ambitions of becoming a global export powerhouse.
