Here are a few factors that differentiate IIFT Delhi and IIFT Kolkata campuses. Location is certainly a differentiating factor between the Delhi campus and the Kolkata campus. Students of Delhi campus get more exposure due to the proximity to the mainstem industry and to Gurgaon’s Cybercity. But the student body of IIFT Kolkata goes the extra mile to make sure this is changing. Although the faculty of the Delhi campus is more diverse, the environment on Kolkata campus is more conducive for research.  The Delhi campus has the WTO center, while there is a Center for North Eastern Studies (CeNEST) on the Kolkata campus. Although it’s not often talked about, there is a differentiation between placements at both campuses. However, IIFT Kolkata is catching up quickly in terms of placement numbers.  As established earlier, the Delhi campus has its advantages, but IIFT Kolkata is striving hard to bridge the gap. 

Life at IIFT Delhi and IIFT Kolkata isn’t much different than any other B-Schools in the country. The first trimester will go by in a blur with multiple assignments, guest lectures, summer placement prep,  etc. IIFT follows a regular schedule. There may be days with classes from 9 am to 9 pm. You will need to do your assignments, prepare case studies, study for quizzes, and also do extra-curricular activities.  Life outside academics is more fun in Delhi. There are more places to explore nearby the campus.

It is true that IIFT Delhi has a strong reputation and a good placement record. Over the past three years, students have consistently earned an average salary package of INR 20 LPA or higher. In the latest placement drive for the 2020-22 batch of the MBA (IB) program, IIFT Delhi achieved 100% placements with 82 companies participating. The highest international CTC was INR 80 LPA, the highest domestic CTC was INR 46.5 LPA, and the average CTC was INR 25.16 LPA. Approximately 25% of the students were placed in the consulting domain. When choosing a business school, it's important to consider factors such as placements, alumni support, exposure to the industry, and available resources like libraries and research papers. Location can also be a factor, as being in Delhi may provide more opportunities for exploration and connection with potential employers compared to Shillong. Ultimately, it's important to weigh all of these factors and choose the school that best meets your needs and goals.

All three of the institutions, MDI, IIFT, and IIM Indore, are comparable, so admission shouldn't be based solely on the IIM moniker. Both IIFT and MDI have excellent lists of recruiters visiting campuses and smaller batch sizes. The IIFT is the best of the three if one is interested in trading or is fine working in general management roles in emerging economies. MDI is the best of the three for consulting-related jobs and a great campus life. Unfortunately, due to its enormous batch size, IIM Indore is no longer regarded as being in the same league as other old IIMs. At all three institutions, the faculty and teaching methods are comparable.  It would be MDI>IIFT>IIM I if you took into account things like placements, faculty, brand value, campus life, and location.

It is worth noting that the brand value of "IIM" may vary among the different institutes. IIM Ahmedabad may have a different brand perception than IIM Lucknow, which may differ from IIM Kozhikode, and so on. With plans to establish an IIM in every state, getting admitted to one may not necessarily hold as much weight as it once did. Older business schools may have more opportunities available to their students due to their more extensive alumni networks and long history of the establishment. Additionally, business schools located in metropolitan areas may have better access to recruiters, leading to potentially better job placements for their students. Ultimately, it is up to you to consider these factors and make the final decision that best suits your needs and goals.