The NMAT Cutoff 2026 will be announced by participating B-schools after the declaration of the NMAT result. Since there is no common cutoff for all institutes, each college will release its own qualifying score or percentile during the admission process.
- The NMAT cutoff is the minimum score required to qualify for the next admission rounds, such as PI, WAT, GD, or Case Discussion, depending on the institute.
- Candidates who meet the cutoff are shortlisted for further selection based on the admission process of their chosen B-school.
- The expected NMAT 2026 cutoff for top B-schools is likely to be between 210 and 235+ marks, depending on the institute and program.
- To stay competitive for the most sought-after MBA colleges, candidates should aim for a score of 230+ with balanced sectional performance.
In NMAT 2025, the highest MBA cutoff was around 233 marks, while several other leading B-schools considered candidates with scores between 210 and 225. Scoring 230+ marks remains a safe target for admission to the most competitive NMAT-accepting institutes in 2026.
Related Links:
- NMAT Score vs Percentile 2026: Score Calculator, Top Colleges Cutoff and Percentile Predictor
- NMAT Selection Process 2026: Check Dates, Admission Criteria, GD, WAT, PI Format, and Top Colleges

NMAT 2026 Cutoff: Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) |
| Exam Window | November 5 – December 19, 2025 |
| NMIMS Overall Cutoff 2026 | 209 (out of 360) |
| NMIMS Sectional Cutoff | 60–62 per section |
| MBA Pharmaceutical Management Cutoff | 190 overall |
| Safe/Merit Score (NMIMS Mumbai) | 232+ |
| PI Shortlist Announced | January 19–21, 2026 |
| Final Merit List | Expected around April 20, 2026 |
NMAT Cutoff 2026: College-wise Expected Cutoff
- NMIMS campuses dominate the top positions with the most accessible cutoff of 209 overall and 62 sectional, making them the primary target for 76-80 percentile scorers.
- In contrast, colleges ranked 3-6, like KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, and XIMB, expect 220+ (roughly 85+ percentile), reflecting higher competition and stronger placement records.
- Students scoring 230+ have an excellent chance of making the top 10.
| College / Institute | Expected Overall Cutoff | Sectional (Approx.) | Expected Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMIMS Mumbai (Core MBA Programs) | 209 | 62 | 76-80 |
| NMIMS Bangalore / Navi Mumbai | 209 | 62 | 76-80 |
| KJ Somaiya Institute of Management | 220+ | 55-60 | 85+ |
| TAPMI Manipal | 220+ | 55+ | 85+ |
| NMIMS Hyderabad | 206-209 | 60-62 | 74-78 |
| XIM University Bhubaneswar | 220-230 | 50-55 | 82+ |
| NMIMS Indore | 206 | 60 | 74+ |
| MISB Bocconi Mumbai | 220+ | 55+ | 85+ |
| IBS Hyderabad / Other IBS Campuses | 180-200 | 50+ | 65-75 |
| ITM Navi Mumbai / Similar Colleges | 160-190 | 45-50 | 60+ |
Also Check:
NMAT Cutoff 2026: NMIMS Campus-Wise Overall & Sectional Scores
NMIMS applies a common cutoff policy across most of its campuses for 2026 admissions, a change first introduced in the 2025 admission cycle to widen the shortlist pool and shift more weight onto the Competency Test and PI stage.
| NMIMS Campus / Program | Expected Overall Cutoff (NMAT 2026) | Expected Sectional Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| NMIMS Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai & Indore (Core MBA / MBA HR / Business Analytics / Digital Transformation) | 209 | 60–62 in Language Skills, Quantitative Skills & Logical Reasoning |
| NMIMS Mumbai – MBA Pharmaceutical Management | 190 | 55–60 per section (approx.) |
NMAT Cutoff 2026: The "209 vs 232" Reality Call Cutoff vs Safe Score
- A score of 209 is generally enough to receive a Competency Assessment and PI call, but it does not guarantee admission.
- The NMAT score has limited weightage in the final selection, while the Competency Test and PI play a bigger role.
- A score of 232+ offers a stronger chance of converting the call into a final admission, provided you perform well in the selection rounds.
NMAT Cutoff 2026: Sectional Cutoff Scores
NMIMS strictly enforces sectional cutoffs. Missing the minimum mark in even one section (Language Skills, Quantitative Skills, or Logical Reasoning) can disqualify a candidate regardless of a strong overall score.
| Section | Core MBA Programs | MBA Pharmaceutical Management |
|---|---|---|
| Language Skills (LS) | 60 | 55–60 |
| Quantitative Skills (QS) | 60–62 | 50–55 |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | 60–62 | 50–55 |
Tip: Aim for balanced scores across all three sections rather than over-preparing one area, since a single low sectional score can override a high overall total.
NMAT Cutoff 2026 for Other Top MBA Colleges
Candidates from reserved categories should note that NMIMS and most private NMAT-accepting colleges follow a strictly merit-based selection process with no caste-based reservation, except XIMB, which offers domicile-based reservation for select programs.
| College | Expected NMAT Cutoff 2026 |
|---|---|
| NMIMS Mumbai (Safe/Merit Score) | 232+ |
| XIMB (XIM Bhubaneswar) | 210–225 |
| TAPMI (T.A. Pai Management Institute) | 210–225 |
| KJ Somaiya Institute of Management | 210–225 |
| SDA Bocconi Asia Center | 210–225 |
| Mid-tier NMAT Colleges | 200–210 |
Also Check: NMAT 2026 Safe Score for NMIMS Mumbai: Sectional Cutoffs and Score Bands
NMAT Cutoff 2026: NMIMS Previous Years vs 2026
| Year | NMIMS Mumbai Overall Cutoff | Sectional Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 230 | ~70 |
| 2023 | 235 (98th percentile) | ~70 |
| 2025 | 209–232 range | 62 |
| 2026 | 209 (call) / 232+ (safe) (Expected) | 60–62 (expected) |
NMAT Cutoff 2026: Factors Affecting NMAT Cutoff 2026
Several variables influence how NMIMS and other institutes set their yearly cutoff:
- Total number of NMAT test-takers (60,000+ candidates annually)
- Overall difficulty level of the exam across testing windows
- Number of available seats per campus and program
- Previous year's cutoff trends and conversion ratios
- Institute-specific weightage given to NMAT score vs Competency Test and PI
NMAT Cutoff 2026: What is a Good Score in NMAT?
- 230+ marks is an excellent NMAT score and improves your chances of getting calls from top B-schools like NMIMS Mumbai, KJ Somaiya, and TAPMI.
- 210–229 marks is a good score for receiving shortlists from most NMIMS campuses.
- 209 marks is the minimum qualifying score for many NMIMS programs, but a strong performance in later admission rounds is usually needed for final selection.
| Score Range | Percentile (Approx.) | Good For (Colleges) | Chance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 230+ | 90+ | NMIMS Mumbai (Strong Call), KJ Somaiya, TAPMI, XIMB | Excellent |
| 220-229 | 85-90 | NMIMS All Campuses (Safe), Top Non-NMIMS | Very Good |
| 210-219 | 77-84 | NMIMS Mumbai/Bangalore (Borderline Safe) | Good |
| 209 | 76 | NMIMS Minimum Cutoff (All Major Programs) | Minimum |
| 190-208 | 65-75 | NMIMS Pharma, Lower Tier Colleges | Moderate |

Also Check: Is 250 a Safe Score in NMAT 2026 for NMIMS Bangalore
NMAT Cutoff 2026: Program-wise Expected Cutoff
For flagship programs like the MBA Core at Mumbai, a good score of 220-229 offers a safe shortlisting chance, while specialized programs such as Business Analytics require 225+ due to higher competition.
- Pharmaceutical Management remains the most accessible, with a good score starting from 205+.
- Aim for 230+ overall for excellent calls across top programs and campuses.
| Program / Specialization | Minimum Cutoff (Expected) | Excellent Score | Recommended Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA Core / General Management (Mumbai) | 209 | 230+ | 85-90+ |
| MBA Human Resources (HR) | 209 | 230+ | 84+ |
| MBA Business Analytics | 209 | 235+ | 88+ |
| MBA Digital Transformation | 209 | 230+ | 86+ |
| MBA Pharmaceutical Management | 190 | 220+ | 75+ |

Also Check:
NMAT Cutoff 2026: Marks vs Rank
A score of 230+ (90+ percentile, top 10,000 rank) is highly competitive for top NMAT colleges
- While 209 meets the minimum cutoff for NMIMS but corresponds to a mid-tier rank.
- Students should aim for 220+ for safer shortlists across premier institutes.
| NMAT Marks (Overall) | Expected Percentile | Approximate Rank Range (Out of ~80,000 test-takers) | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250+ | 98+ | Top 1,000 - 2,000 | Top Calls (NMIMS Mumbai Top Waitlist) |
| 240-249 | 95-98 | Top 2,000 - 5,000 | Excellent (All Top Colleges) |
| 230-239 | 90-95 | Top 5,000 - 10,000 | Very Good (NMIMS + KJ Somaiya, TAPMI) |
| 220-229 | 85-90 | Top 10,000 - 20,000 | Good (Safe for Most NMIMS Campuses) |
| 210-219 | 77-84 | Top 20,000 - 35,000 | Borderline Safe (NMIMS) |
| 209 | ~76 | Top 35,000 - 40,000 | Minimum for NMIMS Cutoff |
| 200-208 | 70-75 | Top 40,000 - 55,000 | Pharma & Lower Colleges |
| Below 190 | Below 65 | 55,000+ | Limited Options |

NMAT Cutoff 2026: NMIMS Selection Process After Clearing the Cutoff
Meeting the NMAT Cutoff 2026 is only the first step in the admission process at leading B-schools.
- Candidates must also perform well in the Competency Assessment and PI to improve their final selection chances.
- Since the Competency Test typically carries the highest weightage (around 50–60%) compared to NMAT's 10–20%, candidates should treat clearing the cutoff as only the first milestone, not the finish line.
| Admission Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: NMAT Cutoff | Meet the overall and sectional NMAT Cutoff 2026 to receive a shortlist for the next round. |
| Stage 2: Competency Assessment & PI | Appear for the Competency Assessment Test and Personal Interview conducted by the institute. |
| Final Merit List | Final selection is based on a combination of NMAT score, Competency Test, PI performance, academic record, and work experience (where applicable). |

NMAT Cutoff 2026: Reddit Discussions

Source: Reddit
UST graduates with an NMAT percentile below 85 may still be considered, depending on the admission cycle and available seats. A strong academic record and overall profile can improve your chances.

Source: Reddit
If your NMAT score is below the cutoff, your application may still be processed, but admission is not guaranteed. Keep checking your application status, as the final decision depends on seat availability and the admissions committee.
NMAT Cutoff 2026 FAQs
Ques. What is the NMAT Cutoff 2026 for NMIMS Mumbai?
Ans. The official call cutoff is 209 overall, with 60–62 in each section, though a "safe" conversion score for NMIMS Mumbai remains 232 and above.
Ques. Is there a separate NMAT cutoff for MBA Pharmaceutical Management?
Ans. Yes, MBA Pharmaceutical Management has a lower overall cutoff of 190, with reduced sectional requirements compared to core MBA programs.
Ques. Do all NMIMS campuses have the same cutoff?
Ans. Yes, NMIMS follows a unified/common cutoff policy for Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, and Indore for most core programs.
Ques. What happens if I miss the sectional cutoff but clear the overall score?
Ans. You will be disqualified. NMIMS requires candidates to clear both the overall and sectional cutoffs simultaneously.
Ques. Which other colleges accept NMAT scores besides NMIMS?
Ans. XIMB, TAPMI, KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, and SDA Bocconi Asia Center are among the top institutes accepting NMAT scores for MBA/PGDM admissions.
Ques. Is the NMAT score the only factor for NMIMS admission?
Ans. No. NMAT contributes only a small percentage to the final merit list; the Competency Test, Personal Interview, academics, and work experience carry greater weightage.



Comments