IIM admission 2026 continues to be one of the most prestigious B-schools in India, which attracts more than 3.3 lakh CAT aspirants every year. For the 2026-28 MBA admission, IIMs have introduced several updates in their admission process. The introduction of the Joint Admission Process (JAP 2026) will bring together IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi and IIM Trichy, making the admission process more streamlined for MBA aspirants. At the same time, IIM Ahmedabad has also raised its shortlisting criteria, setting higher sectional and overall cutoffs. The CAT 2025 exam will be conducted on November 30, 2025 and will be the gateway to all flagship MBA programs. To find out more about the IIM 2026 admission process, eligibility criteria and cutoffs, keep reading this article.
This Story also Contains
- IIM Admission 2026 Latest Updates
- IIM 2026 Admission: Eligibility Criteria
- IIM Admission Criteria 2026-28
- IIM 2026 Admission & Selection Criteria
- IIM CAT Cutoff 2025 (Expected): Previous Year Cutoff, Fees & NIRF Ranking
- How to Get Admission in IIM After 12th in 2026?
- What After Clearing IIM Selection Process & CAT Cutoff?
How to Get into IIMs in 2026 | 10/12/UG/WorkEx Weightage, CAT 2025 Interview Call Cut Off
IIM Admission 2026 Latest Updates
Here is a consolidated overview of the IIM MBA admission 2026, for candidates aspiring to get admission to the MBA program at IIMs for the 2026-28.
Introduction of Joint Admission Process (JAP 2026): IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi and IIM Trichy will now run a joint MBA admission process for 2026-28 AY.
IIM Ahmedabad 2026 Shortlisting Criteria Increased: IIM Ahmedabad's admission criteria have raised the minimum CAT overall and sectional percentiles sharply for 2026-28 admissions.
Rising Competition & Higher Benchmarks: Overall, the bar has been raised for many top IIMs, particularly IIM A.
CAT 2025 registrations (last date) have been extended to September 20, 2025.
IIM 2026 Admission: Eligibility Criteria
MBA aspirants must note that getting admission into IIMs for the 2026-28 batch will primarily be done through the CAT 2025 score. Although the eligibility criteria are largely similar for all IIMs, there are some institutes with some variations. Take a look at the detailed breakdown of the IIM eligibility criteria 2026.
Educational Qualification
IIM 2026 admission interested candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) which must be recognised by the Ministry of Education, GOI. One must ensure that they have a minimum aggregate of 50% or equivalent CGPA for General, EWS and NC-OBC categories. While candidates from the reserved category (SC, ST and PwD category) have a relaxation of 5%, making it 45% or equivalent CGPA.
Students enrolled in the final year can also apply for IIM 2026 admission, provided they submit a certificate from their college/university confirming they are in their final year. They must also complete their graduation requirements by June 2026.
Entrance Exam Requirement
The CAT 2025 entrance exam is the primary requirement for MBA admission 2026-28 in IIMs. All candidates must achieve an overall CAT and sectional cutoff.
Age Limit
Interestingly, there is no age limit for appearing in the CAT exam or applying to IIMs. Both fresh graduates and working professionals are eligible to apply.
Category-Wise Relaxation
As mentioned above, candidates from the reserved category get a relaxation of 5% in the minimum graduation marks, which means (45% is required instead of 50%). All candidates will need to go through individual IIM eligibility criteria, as there might be some variations.
IIM Admission Criteria 2026-28
Check out the following IIM admission criteria of top IIMs - IIM A, IIM B, IIM C, IIM L, IIM K and IIM Indore. Make sure you keep an eye on this page to find the admission criteria for the rest of the IIMs.
IIM Ahmedabad Admission Criteria 2026
Check out the IIM Ahmedabad admission criteria 2026-28 which we have provided in short and will help you with admission.
IIM Ahmedabad Admission Stages | Admission Criteria | Weight/Cutoffs |
Minimum Qualifying Cuts (for Shortlisting to AWT/PI) |
|
Application Rating (AR) is computed based on 10th, 12th, graduation, work experience, gender diversity
|
Shortlisting (Stage 1) | Composite score (CS) combining CAT + AR for AWT/PI call | CS = 0.65 × Normalised CAT score + 0.35 × Normalised AR score Shortlisting per category & academic discipline (AC / ACRC groups)
Subject to upper caps on number of candidates per group |
Final Selection (Stage 2) | Final Composite Score (FCS) combining PI, AWT, CAT & AR | FCS = 0.50 × Normalised PI + 0.10 × Normalised AWT + 0.25 × Normalised CAT + 0.15 × AR
Offers made category-wise as per reservation norms |
Eligibility Criteria |
|
|
IIM Bangalore Admission Criteria 2026
The following is the IIM Bangalore Admission Criteria 2026-28, written in short, which will help you with the admission process.
IIM Bangalore Admission Stages | Components & Weights | Cutoffs |
Pre-PI Shortlisting |
| To be eligible for shortlisting, candidates must cross the minimum CAT cutoffs (both overall and sectional) |
Final Selection (post PI/WAT) |
| The highest weightage will be given to the PI round in the final composite score. |
IIM Calcutta Admission Criteria 2026
The following table mentions the expected IIM Calcutta admission criteria for 2026, which will soon be released by the institute.
IIM Calcutta Admission Stages | Components & Weights | Cutoffs |
Shortlisting of candidates for PI based on CAT score | Composite score will be calculated based on
| Academic discipline groups (Science, Commerce, Arts) will be considered separately. |
Conduct of PI round | PI shortlisting parameters
CAT score - 58 points Class 10 marks - 10 marks Class 12 marks - 15 marks Gender Diversity - 4 Points
Total - 85 Points | PI and WAT scores will have a significant influence |
Calculation of Composite Score for final selection | Components CAT Score - 30 points
Personal Interview (PI) - 48 Points
Written Ability Test (WAT) - 8 Points
Work Experience - 8 Points
Academic Diversity at Grad level for Non-engineering degree - 6 Points
Total - 100 points | Ensure you have balanced weightage |
Other | GMAT score will be accepted for foreign/international applicants | Will need proof of degree/final marksheet will be required before program starts |
IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 2026
Below mentioned is the IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 2026-28 in short, which will help you.
IIM Lucknow Admission Stages | Components | Weightage | Details |
Stage 1: Shortlisting | CAT 2025 score Academic Performance Diversity Factor Work Experience
Total: 80% |
|
General: 80-90 EWS/NC-OBC: 72-82 SC: 55-65 ST/PwD: 50-60
Based on |
Stage 2: Final Selection |
Total: 100% | |
|
IIM Kozhikode Admission Criteria 2026
IIM Kozhikode Admission Stages | Components | Weightage | Details |
Stage 1: Shortlisting | CAT 2025 score Class 10 marks Class 12 marks Gender Diversity
Total: 75% |
| Minimum overall and sectional percentile required (eg. 85 percentile for General category) |
Stage 2: Final Selection |
Total: 100% | |
|
IIM Indore Admission Criteria 2026
IIM Indore Admission Stages 2026 | Components | Weightage | Conditions |
Stage 1: Shortlisting for PI/WAT | | | Candidates must meet overall and sectional cutoffs |
Stage 2: Final Selection | | | Contribute to final composite score |
IIM 2026 Admission & Selection Criteria
Every year, IIMs announce their admission and selection process, which helps candidates to know the shortlist, cut-off, selection criteria and several other parameters for shortlisting candidates. Take a look at the following IIM selection process for 2026, which includes all the stages for admission that the candidate will need to go through to get into an IIM.
Stage 1: CAT Exam (Nov 30, 2025): One of the most crucial exams for IIM 2026 admission. All candidates must meet both sectional and overall cutoffs to be eligible for the same. The exam assesses Quantitative Ability, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning.
Stage 2: IIM Shortlist 2026 Based on Profile Evaluation: Once the candidate has cleared the first stage, they will then be evaluated based on their academic records (Class 10 & 12), graduation marks, extracurricular activities and work experience.
Stage 3: WAT-GD-PI Round: All shortlisted candidates will be called in to participate in the Written Ability Test (WAT) to assess their writing skills and clarity of thought, and a Personal Interview (PI) to evaluate personality and communication skills.
Stage 4: Final Selection: Will be based on one’s composite score, which includes the CAT score, academic performance, work experience and WAT/PI scores.
Question: What is the CAT composite score?
Answer: A CAT composite score is a comprehensive score which is calculated by each IIM to shortlist candidates for MBA admission.
IIM CAT Cutoff 2025 (Expected): Previous Year Cutoff, Fees & NIRF Ranking
Check out the following table, which lists the expected CAT 2025 cutoff, previous year cutoff, admission fees and NIRF 2025 ranking.
How to Get Admission in IIM After 12th in 2026?
If you wish to get admission in IIM after completing your 12th, then we have got you. Read the following ways through which you will get admission.
How to Get Admission in IIM After 12th in 2026?
To get admission into an IIM right after completing your 12th in 2026, you will have to qualify for the IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management) entrance exam. Once you clear it, you will have to undergo a Written Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI).
All those candidates who clear these rounds will be successfully admitted to IIMs’ IPM programs, which is a five-year integrated program which leads to a management degree.
How to Get Admission in IIM After Graduation in 2026?
If you have completed your graduation and aspire to study MBA in an IIM, then you will need to take the Common Admission Test (CAT). Once the CAT results are released, IIMs will shortlist all candidates based on their CAT score, academic profile and several other factors.
All shortlisted candidates will then have to participate in further rounds such as the Written Ability Test (WAT) and a Personal Interview (PI). The final selection will be based on the composite score that considers the CAT score, academic performance, WAT performance and PI performance.
What After Clearing IIM Selection Process & CAT Cutoff?
Cracking the CAT cutoff and clearing the IIM selection process (WAT/GD/PI) is just the beginning. Once the candidate reaches the final merit list, there are a few important steps which they will need to take before they officially become an IIM student.
Reviewing Admission Offers
Accepting the Offer & Paying Admission Fee
Withdrawal Policy
Document Verification
Pre-Joining Prep
Commencement of the Academic Session
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