The IIM 2026-2028 MBA/PGP admission process has begun, and as the CAT 2025 results are out, the IIMs will start shortlisting and opening their registrations through the CAT exam.
Candidates who meet the minimum CAT cutoffs, which vary by category and IIM, are shortlisted for the next stage of GD/WAT-PI, scheduled in Feb- Apr 2026.
At last, the IIMs calculate a final composite score combining CAT performance, academics, work experience, WAT/PI performance, and diversity to prepare the merit list.
Some of the IIMs have started shortlisting, with IIM Kozhikode releasing the PI Calls and IIM Rohtak opening registration through CAT 2025 till 9 Jan 2026; other IIMs will also announce their PI shortlists by the last week of January.
As per the recent admission criteria, show general category candidates need a 99+ percentile, with ~7,500–8,000 MBA/PGP seats across 22 IIMs, and top CAT scorers include engineers and non-engineers.
Related Links:
- Check Category-wise Cutoff for IIMs and Top MBA Colleges
- CAT 2025 Section and Slot-Wise Score vs Percentile
- Is 99 Percentile the Top 1% in CAT 2025?
- Is IIM Possible with Low CAT Marks?
- IIM PGP (Batch 2026‑28) Admission Timeline
- Institute‑Specific Key Dates
- IIM Admission 2026-2028: Eligibility Criteria
- What is the Admission Procedure at IIM?
- IIM Admission for Reserved Category
- IIM Admission Process: College-Wise Criteria
- IIM CAT Cut-Offs: Qualifying vs Final
- IIM Admission Process: Weightage of PI and CAT Scores
IIM PGP (Batch 2026‑28) Admission Timeline
| Typical Date or Window | Stage / Event |
|---|---|
| 19-20 December 2025 | CAT 2025 result window |
| Nov 2025 – Dec 2025 | IIM application opening |
| Late Dec 2025 – Jan 20, 2026 | IIM application deadline (CAT‑based) |
| Mid → Late Jan 2026 | Shortlist (Interview call) announcements |
| Feb – Mar 2026 | Interview (WAT / PI) rounds |
| Apr 2026 (1st wave) | Final admission offers |
| Apr – May 2026 | Offer acceptance/fee deadline |
| Jul – Aug 2026 | Programme commencement |
Institute‑Specific Key Dates
| Institute | Application Window | Shortlist / Interview | Final Selection / Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Bangalore (PGP) | 13 Oct 2025 – 20 Jan 2026 | Feb – Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 (1st week) |
| IIM Ahmedabad (PGP – AWT/PI) | 21 Oct 2025 – 7 Dec 2025 | 20–28 Dec 2025 | 2 Jan 2026 |
| IIM Kozhikode (PGP) | Jan 2026 registration window | Last week Jan – Feb/Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 (3rd week) |
| Other IIMs (tentative) | Nov/Dec 2025 – Jan 2026 | Mid‑Late Jan 2026 shortlist | Apr – May 2026 final result |
IIM Shortlisting Status 2026-2028
| IIMs | IIM shortlist link | Number of seats in MBA/PGP |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Registration Link | 398 |
| IIM Bangalore | Registration Link | 535–565 |
| IIM Calcutta | Registration Link | 462–475 |
| IIM Lucknow | Registration Link | 500 |
| IIM Kozhikode | Registration Link | 525 |
| IIM Indore | Registration Link | 450 |
| IIM Rohtak | Registration Link | 240 |
| IIM Shillong | Registration Link | 180 |
| IIM Udaipur | Registration Link | 260 |
| IIM Ranchi | Registration Link | 210 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | Registration Link | 120 |
| IIM Trichy | Registration Link | 240 |
| IIM Kashipur | Registration Link | 240 |
| IIM Raipur | Registration Link | 260 |
| IIM Amritsar | Registration Link | 160 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | Registration Link | 120 |
| IIM Nagpur | Registration Link | 240 |
| IIM Jammu | Registration Link | 240 |
| IIM Sambalpur | Registration Link | 120 |
| IIM Sirmaur | Registration Link | 120 |
| IIM Mumbai | Regsitration Link | 550 |
| IIM Guwahati | Registration Link | TBA |
IIM Admission Process 2026-2028
IIM Admission 2026-2028: Eligibility Criteria
To meet the eligibility criteria, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) from a recognised institution and qualify CAT 2025.
Final-year students are also eligible and constitute nearly 18–20% of CAT applicants, many of whom receive provisional offers.
Basic Eligibility (Common for All IIMs)
Nearly 18–20% of CAT applicants each year are final-year students, many of whom receive provisional offers from IIMs.
| Parameter | Eligibility Requirement (2026–28) |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Degree | Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) |
| Minimum Marks (General/EWS/NC-OBC) | 50% or equivalent CGPA |
| Minimum Marks (SC/ST/PwD) | 45% or equivalent CGPA |
| Final-Year Students | Eligible (provisional admission) |
| Degree Recognition | From a UGC/AICTE-recognized institution |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit |
| Mandatory Entrance Test | CAT 2025 |
CAT 2025 Minimum Percentile Cut-Offs (Shortlisting Stage)
Only 2–3% of CAT test-takers score 95+ percentile, making IIM Ahmedabad the most selective IIM.
| IIM | General | EWS | NC-OBC | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 | 95 | 90 | 85 | 75 | Relaxed |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 60 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 55 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 82 | 82 | 65 | 60 | 60 |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 55 |
| IIM Indore | 90 | 80 | 80 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
| CAP IIMs* | 60–70 | 55–65 | 55–65 | 45–55 | 40–50 | 40–50 |
*CAP IIMs include: IIM Trichy, Ranchi, Raipur, Kashipur, Udaipur, Nagpur, Bodh Gaya, Sambalpur, Jammu, Sirmaur.
Sectional Percentile Requirements
Around 30–35% of high-percentile CAT candidates fail to clear sectional cut-offs, especially in DILR.
| Institute | VARC | DILR | QA |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad (General) | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| IIM Bangalore (General) | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| IIM Calcutta (General) | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| CAP IIMs (General) | 60–70 | 60–70 | 60–70 |
Selection Components After CAT (Weightage Comparison)
| Component | IIM Ahmedabad (%) | IIM Bangalore (%) | IIM Calcutta (%) | CAP IIMs (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Score | 25 | 35 | 30 | 30 |
| Personal Interview (PI) | 50 | 40 | 48 | 40 |
| WAT/AWT | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| Academic Profile | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| Work Experience & Diversity | 5 | 5 | 6 | 10 |
Also Check:
What is the Admission Procedure at IIM?
The IIM admission process 2025 is usually divided into 3 stages:
- Eligibility & Shortlisting
- WAT / PI Rounds
- Composite Score Calculation & Final Selection
Stage 1: Eligibility and Shortlisting Based on CAT Scores and Other Parameters
To be eligible to apply for IIM PGP 2026–28, you should have
- A valid CAT 2025 scorecard
- A Bachelor’s degree (10+2+3) from a recognized university with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
- Final year students awaiting results can apply (subject to later verification)
There are other factors that IIM considers at the time of shortlisting the candidates apart from only CAT Results. Most IIMs maintain strict eligibility cut‑offs; failing to meet the basic criteria leads to instant rejection.
IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore explicitly state these requirements in their official admission briefs.
| Factors Considered | Typical Weight / Role |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Percentile | Major driver (often the largest factor for shortlist) |
| Sectional Minimums | Some IIMs enforce minimum percentiles in VARC, DILR, and QA |
| Academic Profile | Class 10, 12, Graduation scores |
| Work Experience | Months/years and relevance of experience |
| Diversity Factor | Gender – female/other/academic background/region |
Stage 2: WAT and PI Rounds
If you are shortlisted, you will undergo WAT and PI assessments. This stage will evaluate your interpersonal skills, personality traits, communication skills, critical thinking, and suitability for the MBA program at the IIM.
- WAT (Writing Ability Test)- Candidates are given a topic/issue and asked to write a timed essay assessing analytical thinking, structure, clarity, and communication.
- PI (Personal Interview)- A face‑to‑face (in‑person or hybrid) interview with faculty/industry professionals to assess personality, goals, and fit.
What They Evaluate
Most IIMs assign a higher weight to PI than CAT in the final merit calculation, meaning a strong CAT score alone usually cannot compensate for a weak PI., Some IIMs put PI at ~35–45% of the final score.
| Dimension | Assessed In |
|---|---|
| Communication skills | WAT & PI |
| Critical thinking | WAT & PI |
| Domain knowledge & CAT veracity | PI |
| Career clarity & ambition | PI |
| Leadership potential | PI |
| Current affairs & situational judgment | WAT & PI |
Stage 3: Composite Score Calculation and Final Selection
The final stage involves calculating the final aggregate composite score for each candidate. This score is based on various parameters, with CAT scores and WAT-PI scores accounting for the maximum weightage out of 100.
How Composite Score Works
Most IIMs calculate a composite score using a weighted formula involving multiple elements:
| Component | Typical Weight (%) |
|---|---|
| CAT score (normalized) | 25–35% |
| Sectional scores / CAT subscores | Partial variations/institute dependent |
| Academic profile (10, 12, UG) | ~10% |
| Work Experience | ~3–7% |
| WAT (if applicable) | ~5–10% |
| PI (Personal Interview) | ~35–45% |
| Diversity factor | ~3–8% |
Must Read:
IIM Admission for Reserved Category
The IIM reservation policy shows a wider social allocation of the seats as per the categories, 27% seats to NC-OBC, 15% to SC, 7.5% to ST, and 10% to EWS candidates, while PwD candidates receive a 5% horizontal reservation across all categories.
| Category | IIM Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| NC-OBC | 27% |
| PwD | 5% |
| EWS | 10% |
Also Read: Minimum vs Actual CAT 2025 Cutoff for general candidates in top IIMs
Documents Required for the Admission Process in IIM
The following documents are required to bring to the Admission process at IIMs, as data from previous admission cycles shows that document-related discrepancies account for nearly 8–10% of candidate disqualifications, making early document readiness as crucial as CAT performance for securing final admission at IIMs.
| Document Category | Documents Required | Purpose in the Admission Process | Data Insights / Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Scorecard | CAT 2025 Scorecard | Primary screening and shortlisting | CAT score carries 40–60% weightage in initial shortlisting across most IIMs |
| Academic Records | Class 10 & 12 mark sheets | Evaluation of academic consistency | Around 70–80% of IIMs assign specific weightage to Class 10 & 12 scores |
| Graduation Documents | Degree certificate / provisional certificate & mark sheets | Eligibility verification | Minimum 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) required by all IIMs |
| Work Experience Proof (if applicable) | Experience letter, salary slips, offer letter | Assessment of professional exposure | Candidates with 12–36 months work experience show higher interview conversion rates |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) | SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS certificate | Reservation benefit verification | Nearly 50% of total IIM seats are filled under reserved categories |
| PWD Certificate (if applicable) | Government-issued disability certificate | Reservation and accommodation | PwD candidates receive up to 5% seat reservation |
| Identity Proof | Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID | Identity verification | Mandatory at every stage, including WAT/PI and final admission |
| Photographs & Signature | Passport-size photographs, scanned signature | Official records and verification | Incorrect photo/signature causes 10–15% form-related rejections |
| Application Form Printout | IIM application confirmation page | Cross-verification during interviews | Required by most IIMs during WAT/PI rounds |
| Migration / Transfer Certificate | Issued by previous institution (at admission stage) | Final enrollment documentation | Asked only after offer acceptance, not during interviews |
| Medical Certificate | Fitness certificate (as per IIM format) | Health compliance | Mandatory before programme commencement |
| Offer Letter & Fee Receipt | Provisional admission offer & payment proof | Seat confirmation | Nearly 20–30% waitlist movement occurs due to non-payment of fees |
IIM Shortlist and Admission Criteria
We have provided the list of IIMs that have released the admission criteria for the 2026-28 session. The details of the admission criteria are provided below.
Must Read:
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- Top Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT Scores for MBA
IIM CAT Cut-Offs: Qualifying vs Final
Check the table below for the previous year's qualifying CAT cut-offs vs expected final CAT cut-offs:
| IIM | Qualifying CAT cut-offs | Expected CAT cut-offs |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 | 99-100 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 99-100 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 99 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 97-99 |
| IIM Indore | 90 | 97-99 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 | 97-98 |
| IIM Amritsar | 85 | 95-96 |
| IIM Nagpur | 85 | 95-96 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 93 | 95-96 |
| IIM Trichy | 93 | 94-95 |
| IIM Raipur | 93 | 94-95 |
| IIM Ranchi | 93 | 94-95 |
| IIM Kashipur | 94 | 94-95 |
| IIM Vizag | 80 | 92-94 |
| IIM Udaipur | 93 | 92-94 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 93 | 92-94 |
| IIM Shillong | 75 | 90-94 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 93 | 90-94 |
| IIM Rohtak | 95 | 95-97 |
| IIM Nagpur | 85 | 90-94 |
| IIM Jammu | 93 | 90-94 |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 | 90-94 |
IIM Admission Process: Weightage of PI and CAT Scores
The admissions team has decided on various weightage of different sections like PI, CAT Score, etc.
| IIMs | Weightage of CAT Score | Weightage of PI | Weightage of WAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 25% | 50% | 10% |
| IIM Bangalore | 25% | 40% | 10% |
| IIM Kozhikode | 35% | 35% | 20% |
| IIM Calcutta | 30% | 48% | 8% |
| IIM Lucknow | 30% | 40% | 10% |
| IIM Indore | 20% | 40% | - |
| IIM Raipur | 40% | 25% | - |
| IIM Rohtak | 60% | 20% | - |
| IIM Udaipur | 60% | 15% | - |
| IIM Kashipur | 33% | 25% | - |
| IIM Trichy | 50% | 25% | - |
| IIM Ranchi | 40% | 30% | - |
| IIM Shillong | 30% | 40% | - |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 25% | 40% | - |
| IIM Jammu | 40% | 30% | - |
| IIM Nagpur | 50% | 25% | - |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 50% | 20% | - |
| IIM Sambalpur | 30% | 25% | - |
| IIM Sirmaur | 45% | 25% | - |
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