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 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 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 Lucknow Admission Criteria 2026

Below mentioned is the IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 2026-28 in short, which will help you.

IIM Kozhikode Admission Criteria 2026

IIM Indore Admission Criteria 2026

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.

1. Reviewing Admission Offers

2. Accepting the Offer & Paying Admission Fee

3. Withdrawal Policy

4. Document Verification

5. Pre-Joining Prep

6. Commencement of the Academic Session