Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur (IIM Sambalpur) is a public management institution established in 2015 under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is designated as an Institute of National Importance under the IIM Act 2017 and holds the power to grant degrees independently.
As per NIRF Management Rankings 2025, IIM Sambalpur is ranked 34th in India, a significant improvement from 50th in 2024.
The institute is located in Sambalpur, Odisha, with its permanent campus being developed at Basantpur, Sambalpur. The current campus provides a fully residential programme environment for the flagship MBA batch.
- MBA (Two-Year Flagship) - Residential, 150 seats, CAT-based
- BS Data Science and AI - 4 years, JEE Main-based
- BS Management and Public Policy - 4 years, IPMAT-based
- MBA Working Professionals - for experienced managers
- MBA Fintech - 2 years, sector-specialised
- Executive MBA (EMBA)
- Ph.D. and Executive Ph.D.
The total MBA fee is INR 21,13,000 for General/EWS category and INR 29,63,000 for NRI candidates over two years. BS programmes are priced at INR 25,97,000 each for four years.
In the 2023-25 placement season, 314 students were placed. The highest package was INR 48.60 LPA, the average was INR 15.65 LPA, and the top 25% average stood at INR 21.65 LPA. 216 recruiters participated across BFSI, IT/Analytics, and Consulting sectors.
IIM Sambalpur Admission Dates 2027
Admissions for the MBA 2027-29 batch are anchored by CAT 2026, which is currently open for registration. The 2026-28 MBA batch has already been admitted. BS programme admissions for the 2027 batch will use JEE Main 2027 and IPMAT 2027, details for which will be announced separately by IIM Sambalpur.
| Event | 2027-29 Cycle Dates |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Registration Opens | August 3, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Closes | September 15, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | November 29, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result (Tentative) | December 24, 2026 |
| IIM Sambalpur Shortlist and WAT-PI | January to March 2027 (Tentative) |
| Admission Offers | April 2027 (Tentative) |
| MBA 2027-29 Programme Commencement | June to July 2027 (Tentative) |
Executive MBA, MBA for Working Professionals, and MBA Fintech operate on rolling or separate admission cycles. Contact the IIM Sambalpur admissions office at iimsambalpur.ac.in for the current cycle schedule for these programmes.
| Programme | Exam Accepted | Batch Size |
|---|---|---|
| MBA (2-Year Flagship) | CAT | 150 seats |
| BS Data Science and AI | JEE Main | As announced |
| BS Management and Public Policy | IPMAT | As announced |
| Executive MBA / MBA Working Professionals | Rolling admission (no standardised exam) | As announced |
| MBA Fintech | CAT / As announced | As announced |
| Ph.D. | CAT / GATE / UGC NET + Research Proposal | As announced |
IIM Sambalpur Courses and Fees
IIM Sambalpur offers a range of management and technology-integrated programmes at the UG, PG, and doctoral levels. The flagship MBA remains the anchor programme, with fees in line with newer IIMs in the country.
| Programme | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA (2-Year Flagship) | 2 years | Any degree with min 50% + valid CAT score | INR 21,13,000 (General); INR 29,63,000 (NRI) |
| BS Data Science and AI | 4 years | 10+2 with PCM + JEE Main | INR 25,97,000 |
| BS Management and Public Policy | 4 years | 10+2 + IPMAT | INR 25,97,000 |
| MBA Working Professionals | 2 years | Degree + work experience | INR 14,20,000 |
| Executive MBA (EMBA) | 1 to 2 years | Degree + significant work experience | INR 12,50,000 |
| MBA Fintech | 2 years | Degree + CAT / as announced | INR 6,55,000 |
| Ph.D. (Regular) | 3 to 5 years | Master’s degree + CAT/GATE/UGC NET | INR 51,080 |
| Ph.D. (Executive) | Part-time | Degree + significant work experience | INR 26,15,000 |
The MBA fee of INR 21,13,000 is split across two years (Year 1: INR 10,64,000; Year 2: INR 10,49,000). SC/ST candidates receive a tuition fee concession as per Government of India guidelines for IIMs. MBA Fintech at INR 6,55,000 is the most affordable management programme at IIM Sambalpur.
IIM Sambalpur Admission Process
IIM Sambalpur MBA admission is entirely merit-based through CAT. There is no management quota or NRI quota seat allotment - all seats, including the NRI-fee category, are filled on merit through CAT score and the institute’s selection process.
MBA (Flagship) Admission
- Eligibility: Any bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution with a minimum 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
- Step 1: Appear in CAT and secure a valid percentile. IIM Sambalpur requires only an overall percentile - no hard sectional cutoffs, but candidates must score above zero in each of VARC, DILR, and QA.
- Step 2: IIM Sambalpur shortlists candidates based on a composite score incorporating CAT score, academic performance, work experience, and diversity factors.
- Step 3: Shortlisted candidates attend a Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) on the IIM Sambalpur campus.
- Step 4: Final selection based on composite score including WAT-PI performance.
Female candidates receive 5 marks weightage in the composite score calculation as part of the institute’s diversity policy. Work experience adds weightage - fresh graduates may apply but candidates with relevant experience have an advantage. The 2026-28 batch comprised 150 students. Reservation norms follow Government of India guidelines (SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC-NCL 27%, EWS 10%, PwD 5% horizontal).
CAT percentile cutoff for the MBA at IIM Sambalpur has typically been around the 90 to 95 percentile range for General category shortlisting, though the institute’s composite scoring means some candidates below this threshold are also shortlisted based on academic profile and diversity.
BS Data Science and AI / BS Management and Public Policy
- Eligibility: 10+2 from a recognised board. BS Data Science and AI requires PCM background and a valid JEE Main score. BS Management and Public Policy requires a valid IPMAT score.
- Selection: PI-based after initial shortlisting by score. Contact IIM Sambalpur for the 2027 batch schedule.
IIM Sambalpur Placements
IIM Sambalpur has shown consistent improvement in placement outcomes over successive batches. In the 2023-25 placement season, 314 students received offers from 216 recruiters, a 32.51% increase in recruiter participation over the previous year.
The highest package in the 2023-25 batch stood at INR 48.60 LPA, more than doubling from INR 23.5 LPA in the 2022-24 season. The overall average package was INR 15.65 LPA, with the top 10% of students averaging INR 27.28 LPA and the top 25% averaging INR 21.65 LPA.
| Metric | 2023-25 Batch | 2022-24 Batch | 2021-23 Batch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Package | INR 48.60 LPA | INR 23.5 LPA | INR 64.61 LPA (domestic) |
| Average Package | INR 15.65 LPA | INR 14.21 LPA | INR 16.64 LPA |
| Median Package | Data not published | Data not published | INR 16 LPA |
| Top 25% Average | INR 21.65 LPA | INR 18.71 LPA | Data not published |
| Students Placed | 314 | Data not published | Data not published |
| Recruiters | 216 | 50+ new pools | 130+ |
BFSI and NBFC roles accounted for over 40% of offers in the 2023-25 batch, reflecting IIM Sambalpur’s growing connect with banking and financial services firms. IT/Analytics and Consulting were the next largest sectors. Key recruiters include Accenture Technology, Axis Bank, Cognizant, ICICI Bank, NSE, and Deloitte USI. Female candidates averaged INR 15.43 LPA, marginally above the male average of INR 15.23 LPA - a positive gender parity signal for prospective applicants.
IIM Sambalpur Rankings
IIM Sambalpur has climbed significantly in the NIRF Management rankings, moving from 50th in 2024 to 34th in 2025, the fastest year-on-year rise among newer IIMs in the NIRF 2025 cycle.
| Ranking Body | Category | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIRF | Management | 34 | 50 |
As an Institute of National Importance, IIM Sambalpur participates in NIRF rankings. The improvement from 50 to 34 in one year is driven by better placement outcomes, research output, and stakeholder perception scores.
IIM Sambalpur Scholarships
IIM Sambalpur provides fee concessions and financial support through government-mandated programmes and institute-level assistance.
| Scholarship/Concession | Eligibility | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| SC/ST Tuition Fee Concession | SC and ST candidates admitted to the MBA | Tuition fee concession as per Government of India IIM guidelines |
| EWS Fee Concession | EWS candidates with valid EWS certificate | Fee concession as per Government of India norms |
| Institute Financial Aid | Students with financial difficulty during programme | Need-based assistance; contact IIM Sambalpur Student Services |
| Bank Loans (Education Loan) | All admitted students | IIM Sambalpur is eligible for education loans under the IBA model education loan scheme from all nationalised banks |
SC/ST students are entitled to a concession on the tuition component of the MBA fee. Other charges (hostel, mess, activity) are not covered by the concession. Eligible candidates should confirm the concession quantum and application process at the time of receiving the admission offer at iimsambalpur.ac.in.
IIM Sambalpur Campus and Infrastructure
IIM Sambalpur currently operates from its interim campus in Sambalpur, Odisha. The permanent campus is being developed at Basantpur, Sambalpur on land allotted by the Odisha government. The institute is fully residential - MBA students live and study on campus, consistent with the IIM model.
The interim campus includes classrooms, a library, computer labs, seminar halls, and student hostels for men and women. Sports and recreation facilities support the residential community. The Sambalpur location provides access to the Odisha industrial belt and proximity to steel, power, and mining sector firms - sectors that are growing as MBA recruiters at newer IIMs.
IIM Sambalpur vs IIM Bodh Gaya vs IIM Raipur
Aspirants targeting newer IIMs in eastern and central India often compare IIM Sambalpur with IIM Bodh Gaya (Bihar) and IIM Raipur (Chhattisgarh), all of which use CAT for MBA admission and are Institutes of National Importance.
| Parameter | IIM Sambalpur | IIM Bodh Gaya | IIM Raipur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 2015 | 2015 | 2010 |
| NIRF Management Rank (2025) | 34 | Around 50 to 60 | Around 15 to 20 |
| MBA Fee (General) | INR 21,13,000 | INR 19 to 22 Lakhs (approx) | INR 20 to 22 Lakhs (approx) |
| Admission | CAT only (no management quota) | CAT only | CAT only |
| MBA Intake | 150 | 120 (approx) | 240 (approx) |
| Average Package (Latest Batch) | INR 15.65 LPA | INR 12 to 14 LPA (approx) | INR 15 to 18 LPA (approx) |
| BS Programme | Yes (Data Science and AI; Management and Public Policy) | No | No |
IIM Sambalpur’s NIRF jump from 50 to 34 in 2025 puts it ahead of IIM Bodh Gaya in the rankings. IIM Raipur, being a 2010-vintage IIM, has a larger batch, longer alumni network, and slightly stronger placement history. IIM Sambalpur’s differentiated BS programmes in Data Science and Management and Public Policy give it a unique programme portfolio among the three. All three follow the same Government of India fee concession norms for SC/ST/EWS students.
IIM Sambalpur FAQs
Ques. What is the CAT cutoff for IIM Sambalpur MBA?
Ans. IIM Sambalpur does not publish hard sectional cutoffs. The overall CAT percentile for General category shortlisting has typically been around the 90 to 95 percentile range. However, candidates below this threshold may also be shortlisted based on academic profile, work experience, and diversity factors. Candidates must score above zero in each of VARC, DILR, and QA to remain eligible.
Ques. What is the IIM Sambalpur MBA fee?
Ans. The total two-year MBA fee at IIM Sambalpur is INR 21,13,000 for General and EWS category candidates. NRI students pay INR 29,63,000. The fee is split across two years (Year 1: INR 10,64,000; Year 2: INR 10,49,000). SC/ST candidates receive a tuition fee concession as per Government of India IIM guidelines. Education loans from nationalised banks are available for all admitted students.
Ques. What is the average placement package at IIM Sambalpur?
Ans. In the 2023-25 placement season, the average package at IIM Sambalpur was INR 15.65 LPA. The highest package was INR 48.60 LPA. The top 25% of the batch averaged INR 21.65 LPA. A total of 314 students received offers from 216 recruiters, with BFSI, IT/Analytics, and Consulting as the leading sectors.
Ques. Is IIM Sambalpur a good IIM?
Ans. IIM Sambalpur is an Institute of National Importance under the IIM Act 2017. It is NIRF-ranked 34th in Management in 2025, up from 50th in 2024. As a newer IIM, it is still building its alumni network and recruiter base, but placement averages (INR 15.65 LPA) and NIRF improvement are positive signals. Compared to older IIMs like Ahmedabad or Calcutta, IIM Sambalpur is at a different stage of institutional maturity - but it carries the IIM brand and offers the same degree nomenclature.
Ques. Does IIM Sambalpur have management quota seats?
Ans. No. IIM Sambalpur does not offer management quota seats for the MBA programme. All seats are filled through CAT score and the institute’s merit-based selection process (WAT and PI). The NRI-category fee option exists, but seat allotment for NRI-category students is also merit-based through CAT.
Ques. What are the BS programmes at IIM Sambalpur?
Ans. IIM Sambalpur offers two 4-year BS programmes. The BS in Data Science and AI admits through JEE Main score. The BS in Management and Public Policy admits through IPMAT score. Both programmes cost INR 25,97,000 for the four-year course. Admission details for the 2027 batch will be announced by IIM Sambalpur at iimsambalpur.ac.in.
Ques. What is IIM Sambalpur’s NIRF rank?
Ans. IIM Sambalpur is ranked 34th in NIRF Management Rankings 2025, up from 50th in 2024. This makes it one of the fastest-improving newer IIMs in the NIRF cycle.
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MBA Executive students do their full time jobs and attend weekend classes or evening classes. While MBA students can apply for full time course or part time course in IIM Sambalpur.
IIM Sambalpur Aptitude Test is conducted as a standard test alternative for EMBA and Executive Ph.D admission process. The IIMSAT consists of three sections similar to the CAT entrance test. IIMSAT score is mandatory for candidates without valid CAT/GMAT/GATE/GRE/JRF (as applicable) score to be eligible. The total number of questions in the test is 120 with 1 mark for each right answer. The total test duration is 120 minutes divided into each section. The maximum score for each section is 40 marks. The three sections of IIMSAT are:
IIM Sambalpur Executive MBA Admission is ongoing now and the college has concluded the PI process. The final admission result is expected to published by June 30, 2022 along with shortlisted candidates.
The permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur is under development. The temporary campus of IIM Sambalpur is functioning in a state of The art buildings at the Jyoti Vihar, Burla which is part of sambalpur university.