FMS Delhi vs IIFT Delhi 2026 — Which is Better?
FMS Delhi vs IIFT Delhi 2026 MBA comparison: fees (₹20K vs ₹15L), CAT vs IIFT exam, average placement (₹27 LPA vs ₹24 LPA), specialisations, campus. Honest verdict for MBA aspirants.
Quick Verdict (2026)
FMS Delhi wins overall — NIRF #4 vs IIFT #23, higher average placement (₹27 LPA vs ₹24 LPA), and India's best ROI (total fees ₹55K vs ₹15L at IIFT). However, FMS requires 99+ CAT percentile — the hardest cut in India. IIFT is the right choice if your CAT score is 95–98 percentile, or if you want to specialise in International Business, Forex, and Global Trade (where IIFT is unmatched).
FMS Delhi vs IIFT Delhi — Full Comparison Table
| Parameter | FMS Delhi | IIFT Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Faculty of Management Studies, DU | Indian Institute of Foreign Trade |
| Program | MBA (2 years) | MBA (International Business) — 2 yrs |
| Established | 1954 | 1963 |
| NIRF 2024 Rank | #4 (Management) | #23 (Management) |
| Admission Exam | CAT (99+ percentile) | IIFT Entrance Test / CAT |
| Annual Fees | ~₹27.5K total (₹55K for 2 yrs) | ₹15L total |
| Avg Placement (2024) | ₹27 LPA | ₹24 LPA |
| Highest Package | ₹72 LPA | ₹60 LPA |
| Specialisation | General MBA (Finance, Marketing, HR) | International Business (Trade, Forex, Logistics) |
| Batch Size | ~235 students | ~500 students (Delhi + Kolkata) |
| Campus | Delhi University, North Campus | Vasant Kunj, South Delhi (new campus) |
| Hostel | Limited DU hostel | On-campus hostel available |
| Top Recruiters | Mckinsey, Bain, BCG, Goldman Sachs | HSBC, ICICI, Deloitte, Amazon, ITC |
FMS Delhi vs IIFT Delhi — CAT Cutoff & Admission Requirements 2026
| Category / Program | FMS Delhi | IIFT Delhi | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Percentile (General) | 99+ percentile | 95+ percentile (IIFT exam) or 98+ CAT | IIFT (more accessible) |
| GD-PI Process | Group Discussion + Personal Interview | Group Discussion + Essay + Interview | Similar |
| Work Experience | Preferred but not mandatory | Preferred but not mandatory | Similar |
| Total Fees | ₹55K (2 years total) | ₹15L (2 years total) | FMS (275x cheaper) |
| ROI (Salary / Fees) | Highest in India | Very good ROI | FMS (unbeatable ROI) |
FMS Delhi vs IIFT Delhi — Placement Statistics 2024
FMS Delhi Placements
IIFT Delhi Placements
When to Choose FMS Delhi vs IIFT Delhi
Choose FMS Delhi if...
- + Your CAT percentile is 99+ and you want India's best MBA ROI (₹55K fees, ₹27 LPA avg)
- + You want general management — consulting, BFSI, FMCG, strategy roles
- + You want the McKinsey / BCG / Bain consulting track — FMS is heavily targeted by top firms
- + You want DU brand + central university credibility
Choose IIFT Delhi if...
- + Your CAT percentile is 95–98 — IIFT is more accessible than FMS
- + You want to specialise in International Business, Export-Import, Forex Management, or Global Supply Chain
- + You want a structured on-campus experience with hostel — IIFT has better residential facilities
- + You're interested in careers at WTO, EXIM Bank, International Trade departments of MNCs
FMS Delhi vs IIFT Delhi — FAQs
Is FMS Delhi better than IIFT?+
Yes, overall FMS Delhi is better — NIRF #4 vs IIFT #23, ₹27 LPA avg vs ₹24 LPA, and legendary ROI (₹55K total fees). But FMS is harder to get into (99+ CAT vs 95+ IIFT). If you want International Business as a specialisation, IIFT is actually the better choice — it's Asia's #1 in International Business and no other Indian MBA college matches its depth in global trade.
What is the CAT cutoff for FMS and IIFT?+
FMS Delhi: 99+ percentile CAT (General, for a shortlist). Actual call typically goes to 99.5+ for top students with good academics and work experience. IIFT: either 95+ percentile on IIFT's own entrance exam, or 98+ CAT percentile. IIFT's own exam covers English, GK, Quant, and Reasoning — a different format from CAT.
Which has better placements — FMS or IIFT?+
FMS has higher placements: ₹27 LPA average vs IIFT's ₹24 LPA, highest ₹72 LPA vs ₹60 LPA. FMS attracts McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Goldman Sachs. IIFT attracts HSBC, ITC, Amazon, Deloitte, and international trade companies. If you want consulting or investment banking, FMS leads. If you want international trade, supply chain, or global business roles, IIFT is the market leader.
Is IIFT Delhi worth it if I don't get FMS?+
Absolutely yes. IIFT Delhi is a NIRF #23 ranked management institute with ₹24 LPA average placements and a highly specialised International Business program. The ROI is strong despite ₹15L fees — payback in under 1 year for most graduates. IIFT alumni dominate international trade, EXIM, forex, and global MNC roles in ways no other Indian MBA does.
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