Sidra Fathima
Sidra Fathima

Many MBA candidates frequently include IIFT Delhi and MDI Gurgaon on their final shortlist when selecting a top institution in India. Both institutions are known for academic excellence, strong alumni networks, and robust placement opportunities. However, they differ significantly in terms of curriculum focus, admission process, and career direction. If you're preparing for MBA 2025 and confused between the two, this article will help you compare them clearly across all critical parameters—courses, fees, placements, and student life.

College Overview – IIFT Delhi vs MDI Gurgaon

IIFT Delhi and MDI Gurgaon are both iconic institutions in the Indian B-school space. The Ministry of Commerce founded IIFT, which is well-known for its International Business Master of Business program. However, MDI Gurgaon is a private university that is well-known for its PGDM courses and business connections.

Feature

IIFT Delhi

MDI Gurgaon

Location

New Delhi

Gurugram, Haryana

Established

1963

1973

Type

Government (Autonomous)

Private

NIRF Ranking 2023

27 (Management)

13 (Management)

Accreditation

NAAC ‘A’, AACSB

AMBA, SAQS, NBA

Courses Offered – IIFT Delhi vs MDI Gurgaon

Both B-schools offer high-quality management education but with distinct specializations. IIFT is more focused on international trade and economic policy, whereas MDI Gurgaon provides a broader portfolio of PGDM programs designed for corporate leadership and human resources.

Program Category

IIFT Delhi

MDI Gurgaon

Flagship Program

MBA (International Business)

PGDM (General Management)

Other Courses

MBA (Business Analytics), MBA (Economics & Trade)

PGDM-HRM, PGDM-IB, PGDM-Business Analytics

Special Focus

International Business & Trade

General Management & Industry Alignment

Admission Process – IIFT Delhi vs MDI Gurgaon

The admission process is one of the biggest differences between these two institutions. IIFT Delhi administers its entrance exam, which combines reasoning, GK, and quantitative skills. In contrast, MDI uses CAT scores to create a shortlist of students and then conducts additional rounds.

Criteria

IIFT Delhi

MDI Gurgaon

Entrance Exam

IIFT Exam (NTA)

CAT (Common Admission Test)

Admission Basis

Entrance + WAT + GD + PI

CAT + GD + PI

Cut-off Percentile

95+ (General)

94–95+ (General)

Eligibility

50% in graduation; final year students can apply

50% in graduation; final year students eligible

Fee Structure – IIFT Delhi vs MDI Gurgaon

When planning for an MBA, affordability also plays a major role. Although both schools are in the same elite league of management education, IIFT Delhi is a marginally more affordable choice.

IIFT     

Course

IIFT Delhi (Total Fee)

MDI Gurgaon (Total Fee)

MBA/PGDM

₹21.77 Lakhs

₹24.16 Lakhs

Placement Comparison – IIFT Delhi vs MDI Gurgaon

Both schools regularly draw top international and Indian recruiters due to their outstanding placement records. IIFT is known for its trade, analytics, and finance opportunities, whereas MDI is recognized for its connections with consulting and FMCG firms.

Metric

IIFT Delhi (2023)

MDI Gurgaon (2023)

Average CTC

₹29.1 LPA

₹27.67 LPA

Highest CTC

₹75.6 LPA

₹60+ LPA

Top Recruiters

Google, Deloitte, ITC, Flipkart

BCG, Bain, Nestle, Amazon

Campus Life & Facilities – IIFT Delhi vs MDI Gurgaon

Campus environment plays a major role in shaping the MBA experience. MDI Gurgaon has a bigger campus with more facilities and student involvement, but IIFT Delhi provides a more private environment.

MDI Gurgaon     

Feature

IIFT Delhi

MDI Gurgaon

Campus Size

6 acres

35 acres

Hostel

Available

Available

Clubs/Committees

TradeWinds, Brandwagon

MarQuity, FinClub, HR Direction

Library, WiFi, Sports

Yes

Yes

Which is Better? – IIFT Delhi vs MDI Gurgaon

IIFT Delhi is a great option if you're interested in global consulting, trade policy, or international business. Its goal is to get professionals ready for the world stage. On the other hand, MDI Gurgaon excels in building corporate leaders through its strong industry integration, diverse PGDM offerings, and higher NIRF ranking.

Your choice should be based on your exposure preferences, exam preferences (CAT vs. IIFT), and career interests, even though both offer great ROI and career support.

Conclusion – IIFT Delhi vs MDI Gurgaon

To summarize, both IIFT Delhi and MDI Gurgaon are leaders in management education. While MDI Gurgaon is excellent for students seeking leadership positions in both domestic and international corporations, IIFT Delhi is best suited for students who have a strong interest in international trade and economics. Finally, decide based on your long-term career goals, curriculum, and budget.

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) Popular Courses

MBA / PGDM
6 Programs 2 Years

Average Fees
₹14,64,500

Highest Package
₹82 LPA

Admission 2025

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Top Recruiters

ADM Agro ADM Agro
Al Ghurair Al Ghurair
Bajaj Auto Bajaj Auto
Bank of Baroda Bank of Baroda
Bharti Airtel Bharti Airtel
Bristle Cone Bristle Cone
Britannia Industries Britannia Industries
CBC CBC
CEB CEB
Citi Bank Citi Bank
Deutsche Bank Deutsche Bank
Duegro Duegro
FLIPKART FLIPKART
Gadhia Solar Gadhia Solar
Global eProcure Global eProcure
goldman sachs goldman sachs
HSBC. HSBC.
HT Media HT Media
Idea Cellular Idea Cellular
Indus Valley Partners Indus Valley Partners
InterGlobe Technologies InterGlobe Technologies
ITC ITC
JINDAL POWER AND STEEL JINDAL POWER AND STEEL
Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson
KPMG India KPMG India
L&T Ltd. L&T Ltd.
Madura Garments Madura Garments
Michael Page Michael Page
neilsoft. neilsoft.
Nomura Services India (P) Ltd. Nomura Services India (P) Ltd.
Novartis Novartis
Olam International Olam International
power finance corporation power finance corporation
Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble
Reckitt Benckiser (I) Pvt. Ltd Reckitt Benckiser (I) Pvt. Ltd
religare religare
Robert Bosch Robert Bosch
SABMILLER SABMILLER
Society for Technical Communication (STC) Society for Technical Communication (STC)
Sree Renuka Sugars Sree Renuka Sugars
Tata Housing Tata Housing
Tata Steel Tata Steel
TCS TCS
Technopak Advisors Pvt. Ltd Technopak Advisors Pvt. Ltd
TITAN TITAN
Tricon Energy Tricon Energy
Union Bank of India Union Bank of India
Valency International Valency International
Vodafone Vodafone
VVF VVF
Welspun Welspun
Wilson International Wilson International
Wipro Eco-Energy Wipro Eco-Energy
Yes Bank Yes Bank
Zycus Zycus
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more prestigious: IIFT Delhi or MDI Gurgaon?

Both have a high reputation, but MDI is ranked higher in NIRF. IIFT is more established and around the world centered.

Is CAT accepted at IIFT Delhi?

No, IIFT has its own entrance exam conducted by NTA.

Which has better ROI – IIFT or MDI?

Both offer excellent ROI, but IIFT has slightly lower fees with a high average CTC.

What percentile is needed for MDI Gurgaon?

In the CAT, candidates in the general category score in the 94–95+ percentile.

What’s the focus area of IIFT Delhi?

Its areas of knowledge include analytics, trade, and international business.

Do MDI and IIFT offer Business Analytics programs?

Yes, both provide MBA/PGDM programs with business statistics in focus.

Which institute has a larger campus – IIFT or MDI?

The campus of MDI Gurgaon is far bigger (35 acres as opposed to 6 acres).

How are placements at IIFT Delhi?

Excellent—with leading international recruiters, the average CTC is ₹29.1 LPA.

Is MDI Gurgaon better for consulting roles?

Yes, MDI provides services to a number of respected consulting firms, including BCG, Bain, and Deloitte.

Can final-year students apply to both?

Yes, both colleges accept final-year students for MBA admission.

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