IIM Jammu Revises MBA Selection Criteria for Batch 2026-28, CAT Score Weightage Reduced to 42%; Check Details here

Content Curator | Updated On - Nov 11, 2025

In a move for gender parity, IIM Jammu will now award a maximum of 8 marks to female and transgender applicants within the Profile Score.

IIM Jammu MBA Selection Criteria 2026 Revised

The Indian Institute of Management Jammu (IIM Jammu) has announced revised selection criteria for its two-year flagship MBA program for the 2026–28 batch. The institute has reduced the weightage of the CAT score from 45% to 42%, while increasing the importance of candidate profiles from 25% to 28%. The Personal Interview (PI) component remains unchanged at 30%.

The batch size for MBA at IIM Jammu is likely to be around 300. The updated policy, published on the IIM Jammu official website, aims to create a more balanced and diverse applicant pool. The changes are expected to impact thousands of CAT 2025 aspirants ahead of the exam scheduled for November 30, 2025.

IIM Jammu MBA Revised Selection Criteria 2026

The weightage for the CAT entrance examination has been reduced from 45% to 42%. This 3% drop is compensated by an equivalent increase in the weightage for the candidate's comprehensive Profile, which now stands at 28%, up from the previous 25%.

Component	Batch 2026-28	Batch 2025-27
CAT Score	42% (Reduced)	45%
Personal Interview (PI)	30%	30%
Profile Score	28% (Increased)	25%

This shift in the admission criteria for MBA at IIM Jammu highlights the institute’s growing focus on overall academic consistency, work experience, and diversity.

The CAT 2025 score weightage is based on the student's exam percentile (0.42 × percentile). No internal sectional splits, but candidates need minimum cutoffs to qualify for PI. This 3% drop eases exam stress, letting profiles shine brighter.

Also Read CAT 2025 Admit Card Release Date Postponed to November 12

Profile Score prioritises consistency across education levels. It now carries 28% weightage, up from 25%, encompassing academic records (10th, 12th, and graduation marks), work experience (up to 10 marks for 24-36 months of full-time roles), and diversity factors like gender. This shift could favour candidates with consistent academic streaks or real-world stints like a summer internship at a startup or a year of corporate grind post-graduation.

Female and transgender candidates will receive a full 8 marks under this criterion, while male candidates receive 0. This measure is crucial, as the institute reported a 15% rise in female enrollees in the current 2025-27 cycle following similar diversity-focused tweaks.

Component	Batch 2026-28	Batch 2025-27
Academic Profile	10%	10%
Work Experience	10%	10%
Gender Diversity	8% (Increased)	5%

The PI, at 30%, remains the anchor, testing communication, clarity of thought, and that elusive 'fit' with IIM Jammu's collaborative ethos. Conducted online or in-person, it checks the candidates' clarity, enthusiasm, and fit for team-based learning.

For students currently preparing for the CAT, this revision serves as a timely reminder not to neglect their overall candidature. A strong CAT score remains foundational, but a stellar academic background and quality work experience are increasingly vital to leverage the higher profile weight.

Also Read IIM Jammu Admission 2026: Dates, Fees, Eligibility, Cutoff, Selection Criteria

IIM Jammu Interview Shortlisting Cutoff 2026

IIM Jammu CAT Cutoff for shortlisting candidates for the PI round are generally lower than that of the older IIMs, aiming for broader access. For the general category, the expected overall CAT 2025 percentile cutoff is set at 91 for males and 89 for females/transgenders, with sectional cutoffs at 72 and 71, respectively. Cutoffs are further relaxed for reserved categories, ensuring a robust and diverse pool of candidates for the interview process.

Category	Gender	VARC Percentile	DILR Percentile	QA Percentile	Overall Percentile
General	Male	72	72	72	91
General	Female/ Transgender	71	71	71	89
EWS	Male	48	48	48	74
EWS	Female/ Transgender	47	47	47	72
NC-OBC	Male	48	48	48	74
NC-OBC	Female/ Transgender	47	47	47	72
SC	Male	42	42	42	54
SC	Female/ Transgender	41	41	41	52
ST	Male	24	24	29	32
ST	Female/ Transgender	23	23	28	30
PwD	Male	24	24	29	32
PwD	Female	23	23	28	30

*The cut-off can be higher/lower than the tabulated numbers after the declaration of the CAT 2025 result.

The admissions process adheres strictly to Government of India reservation mandates (15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% NC-OBC, 10% EWS, and 5% PwD).

IIM Jammu saw a 15% rise in female enrolment during the 2025–27 cycle following diversity initiatives, suggesting positive early outcomes.

With the CAT exam still holding the highest share at 42%, test preparation remains crucial. However, candidates with strong academic consistency, relevant work experience, and diversity advantages may find a clearer pathway into IIM Jammu. Applicants are advised to keep an eye on official updates at iimj.ac.in.

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