IIM Admission 2026 and PI Shortlist: CAT 2025 Percentile, Criteria, Cutoffs & Process Explained

IIM Admission 2026 and PI Shortlist: CAT 2025 Percentile, Criteria, Cutoffs & Process Explained

Malvika ChawlaUpdated on 19 Jan 2026, 10:40 AM IST

IIM Admission 2026 and PI Shortlist: A crucial stage for MBA candidates, IIM admissions 2026, which will begin with the release of the CAT 2025 results. Reaching a high percentile is crucial, but it's just the beginning of a multi-phase selection process. Candidates are shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT) based on their CAT percentile, sectional scores, academic background, professional experience, and overall profile. Keep reading this article to find a comprehensive guide on the role of CAT 2025 percentile, IIM shortlisting criteria, PI shortlist significance, and next steps for aspirants. It also covers sectional cutoffs, factors affecting PI shortlisting, and differences between IIM CAP, JAP and SAP processes and more.

This Story also Contains

  1. Role of CAT 2025 Percentile in IIM Admission 2026
  2. IIM Admission 2026 Shortlisting Criteria
  3. Importance of PI Shortlist 2026 (Explained in Detail)
  4. CAT 2025 Percentile Required for PI Shortlisting for MBA Admission
  5. Factors Affecting PI Shortlisting
  6. IIM CAP vs IIM JAP vs IIM SAP
  7. What After PI Shortlist?
IIM Admission 2026 and PI Shortlist: CAT 2025 Percentile, Criteria, Cutoffs & Process Explained
IIM Admission 2026 and PI Shortlist

Role of CAT 2025 Percentile in IIM Admission 2026

The CAT 2025 percentile is the primary determinant for shortlisting candidates for IIM admissions 2026. While IIMs follow a holistic admission process, the percentile largely influences which candidates move to the next stage — the Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT). Through the following points, one will get to know its role, which helps aspirants plan college applications and preparation strategies effectively.

  • Each IIM sets minimum overall and sectional percentile cutoffs for shortlisting. Candidates scoring above the required percentile are eligible for PI/WAT.

  • VARC, DILR, and QA sectional percentiles are often as important as the overall percentile. Failing to meet the minimum sectional cutoff may result in no PI call, even if the overall percentile is high.

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IIM Admission 2026 Shortlisting Criteria

In the table below, we have mentioned the IIM admission 2026 shortlisting criteria for some of the prominent IIMs in India. Through this table, you will get a clear breakdown of the IIM CAT 2025 weightage.

Name of IIMS

CAT 2025 Weightage (2026-2028)

Interview Call

Final selection

CAT

Class 10

Class 12

Grads

Work Ex

Gender/Acad

CAT

WAT

PI

Acad

Work

Diversity

Resume

IIM Bangalore

55

10

10

10

10

5

25

10

40

15

10

-

-

IIM Lucknow

60

-

10

10

10

5+5

30

10

40

10

5

5

-

IIM Ahmedabad

65

35

25

10

50

-

-

-

15

IIM Calcutta

56

10

15

-

-

4

30

8

48

6

8

-

-

IIM Indore

55

10

25

-

3

7

40

-

45

10

-

5

-

IIM Mumbai

-

-

-

-

-

-

60


20

20

IIM Udaipur

-

--

-

-

-

-

55

-

25

6

6

8

-

IIM Jammu

100

-

-

-

-

-

42

-

30

10

10

8

-

IIM Kozhikode

50

15

20

-

5

10/5

35

20

35




10

IIM Sambalpur

40

3

3

4

20

5

40

-

25

10

20

5


IIM Amritsar

50

10

10

5

15

10

-


70

10

10

10

Pre PI * 60 + Post PI * 40

IIM Nagpur

-

--

-

-

--

-

45

5

20

6

9

10

Academic Diversity- 5%

Importance of PI Shortlist 2026 (Explained in Detail)

One of the most important steps in the IIM admissions process is the Personal Interview (PI) shortlist. The first step in turning your percentile into a real admissions offer following the CAT 2025 results is making the PI shortlist. Candidates are better able to strategically concentrate their efforts when they recognise its significance.

The PI shortlist determines which candidates are eligible for the next stage of selection at IIMs. Even if a candidate scores exceptionally high in CAT, failing to meet the overall or sectional cutoffs may result in no PI call. One must understand that being on the PI shortlist gives you the opportunity to compete for admission, making it a critical checkpoint in the selection journey.

CAT 2025 Percentile Required for PI Shortlisting for MBA Admission

To be shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI) stage at IIMs and other top MBA colleges, candidates must meet both overall and sectional CAT percentiles. Each institute sets its own minimum requirements, and clearing these cutoffs is the first step toward securing a PI call. Understanding these benchmarks helps aspirants realistically assess their chances and plan the next steps in the admission process.

List of IIMs

IIM 2025 Cutoff for General Category

CAT 2025 Cutoff for IIM for EWS

CAT 2025 Cutoff for IIM for NC-OBC

CAT 2025 Cutoff for IIM for SC

CAT 2025 Cutoff for IIM for ST

CAT 2025 Cutoff for IIM for PWD

IIM Ahmedabad

95

VARC: 85

DILR: 85

QA: 85

95

VARC: 85

DILR: 85

QA: 75


90

VARC: 80

DILR: 80

QA: 80


85

VARC: 75

DILR: 75

QA: 65

75

VARC: 65

DILR: 65

QA: 55


85-65

VARC: 75-55

DILR: 75-55

QA: 75-55


IIM Bangalore

85


VARC: 80

DILR: 75

QA: 75


75


VARC: 70

DILR: 70

QA: 65


75


VARC: 70

DILR: 70

QA: 70


70


VARC: 60

DILR: 60

QA: 60


65


VARC: 55

DILR: 55

QA: 55


60


VARC: 50

DILR: 50

QA: 50


IIM Calcutta

85


VARC: 80

DILR: 80

QA: 75


75


VARC: 70

DILR: 65

QA: 65


>75


VARC: 70

DILR: 65

QA: 65


>70


VARC: 65

DILR: 60

QA: 60


>65


VARC: 50

DILR: 55

QA: 55


>55


VARC: 45

DILR: 45

QA: 45


IIM Lucknow

90


VARC: 85

DILR: 85

QA: 85


82


VARC: 77

DILR: 77

QA: 77


82


VARC: 77

DILR: 77

QA: 77


65


VARC: 55

DILR: 55

QA: 55


60


VARC: 50

DILR: 50

QA: 50


60


VARC: 50

DILR: 50

QA: 50


IIM Kozhikode

85


VARC: 75

DILR: 75

QA: 75


75+


VARC: >70

DILR: >65

QA: >65


75


VARC: 65

DILR: 65

QA: 65


65


VARC: 55

DILR: 55

QA: 55


55


VARC: 45

DILR: 45

QA: 45


55


VARC: 45

DILR: 45

QA: 45


IIM Mumbai

85


VARC: 80

DILR: 80

QA: 75


75


VARC: 65

DILR: 65

QA: 65


>75


VARC: 70

DILR: 70

QA: 70


>70


VARC: 65

DILR: 60

QA: 60


>65


VARC: 50

DILR: 55

QA: 55


>55


VARC: 45

DILR: 45

QA: 45


IIM Indore

90


VARC: 80

DILR: 80

QA: 80


90


VARC: 80

DILR: 80

QA: 80


80


VARC: 70

DILR: 70

QA: 70


60


VARC: 55

DILR: 55

QA: 55


45


VARC: 40

DILR: 40

QA: 40


45


VARC: 40

DILR: 40

QA: 40


IIM Shillong





80


VARC: 60

DILR: 60

QA: 60








IIM Rohtak

97




88


VARC: 75

DILR: 75

QA: 80


83

60


50


87-40

IIM Raipur

90


VARC: 75

DILR: 75

QA: 75



VARC: 75

DILR: 75

QA: 75


80


VARC: 65

DILR: 65

QA: 65


65


VARC: 60

DILR: 60

QA: 60


55


VARC: 55

DILR: 55

QA: 55


45


VARC: 30

DILR: 30

QA: 30


IIM Ranchi

95


VARC: 75

DILR: 75

QA: 75


72


VARC: 63

DILR: 63

QA: 63


81


VARC: 55

DILR: 55

QA: 55


66


VARC: 45

DILR: 45

QA: 45


42


VARC: 25

DILR: 25

QA: 30


42


VARC: 25

DILR: 25

QA: 30


IIM Trichy

95


VARC: 75

DILR: 75

QA: 75


93




81


VARC: 55

DILR: 55

QA: 55


66


VARC: 45

DILR: 45

QA: 45


42


VARC: 25

DILR: 25

QA: 30


42


VARC: 25

DILR: 25

QA: 25


IIM Amritsar

77

VARC: 50

DILR: 50

QA: 50





IIM Bodhgaya (Part of IIM CAP)


77


VARC: 50

DILR: 50

QA: 50






IIM Nagpur

(Part of IIM CAP)

77


VARC: 50

DILR: 50

QA: 50



IIM Jammu

(Part of IIM CAP)


77


VARC: 50

DILR: 50

QA: 50





IIM Vishakhapatnam


77


VARC: 50

DILR: 50

QA: 50





Factors Affecting PI Shortlisting

The candidates who advance in the IIM admissions process are chosen from the Personal Interview (PI) shortlist following the CAT 2025 results. A high CAT percentile is crucial, but the shortlisting process is also influenced by a number of other factors. By being aware of these, candidates can more accurately evaluate their possibilities and concentrate on improving their profiles.

  • CAT Score vs Percentile

  • Candidate academic performance

  • Work experience of the candidate

  • Overall profile and achievement of the candidate

  • Diversity factors (Gender diversity, academic background, regional representation, industry diversity & more)

  • Reservation

  • Institute-specific criteria

CAT 2025 College Predictor
Use CAT 2025 College Predictor to check your chances for IIM and top MBA calls based on CAT percentile, profile, work experience and cut-off trends.
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IIM CAP vs IIM JAP vs IIM SAP

Here’s a comparison table for IIM CAP vs IIM JAP vs IIM SAP, which will help you get an understanding of how these three admission processes work.

Feature

IIM CAP (Common Admission Process)

IIM JAP (Joint Admission Process)

IIM SAP (Single Admission Process)

Participating IIMs

Older IIMs: Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, etc.

Newer IIMs: Kashipur, Raipur, Ranchi, Trichy, Udaipur, Bodh Gaya

Specific IIMs for niche programs

Purpose

Centralized shortlisting for multiple IIMs

Joint shortlisting & interviews for several IIMs

Single-institute admission process

CAT Cutoff

High (97–99+ percentile)

Moderate (85–95 percentile)

Varies per institute

Selection Criteria

CAT score, academics, work experience, diversity

CAT score, academics, profile

CAT score, academics, profile

PI/WAT

Centralized PI/WAT for all participating IIMs

Joint PI/WAT for all participating IIMs

Individual PI/WAT by that IIM

Best For

Aspirants targeting multiple top IIMs

Aspirants targeting newer IIMs

Aspirants targeting one specific IIM program

Application Process

Single application for all CAP IIMs

Single application for all JAP IIMs

Individual application for that IIM

What After PI Shortlist?

Although passing the PI shortlist is an important stage in the IIM admissions process, it is not the last one. Candidates must concentrate on preparation and strategic planning after being shortlisted in order to turn the PI call into a final offer of admission. What to do next is as follows:

  1. Prepare for WAT-GD-PI Process: Expect questions on academics, work experience, leadership, current affairs, and career goals. Practice essay writing on business, current affairs, or abstract topics. Mock interviews and WAT practice are crucial. Start immediately after the shortlist.

  2. Organise Required Documents: All candidates must ensure that they keep all the required documents, such as, CAT scorecard, academic certificates, work experience letters, category certificates, ready to be presented. Some IIMs may ask for self-attested copies before PI.

  3. Schedule & Confirm Interview Dates: All candidates must check official communication for PI/WAT schedules. Keep in mind that missing the PI call may lead to automatic disqualification.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello,

Here are some top colleges accepting XAT and CAT exams :

Top colleges accepting CAT:

  • IIMs (All Indian Institutes of Management)

  • FMS Delhi

  • SPJIMR Mumbai

  • MDI Gurgaon

  • IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)

  • IIT Delhi (DMS)

  • IIFT

  • IMT Ghaziabad

  • JBIMS Mumbai

Top colleges accepting XAT:

  • XLRI Jamshedpur

  • XIMB Bhubaneswar

  • IMT Ghaziabad

  • Great

Hi there,

A female candidate with a CAT percentile of 67.97 and low sectional scores should target private and tier-2/3 B-schools that accept overall CAT scores in the 60–70 percentile range and have flexible sectional criteria.

Some suitable options include AIMS Institute Bangalore, Doon Business School Dehradun, Christ Institute of

Hi there,

Yes, you are eligible for XISS Ranchi with a CAT percentile of 67.60.

According to recent admission trends, the CAT cutoff for the PGDM in Human Resource Management for the general category has been around 60 percentile. For other programs such as Marketing, Finance, and Rural Management, the

Hi there,

Careers360 offers a wide range of eBooks and study materials to assist with CAT preparation. You can access past CAT question papers with solutions to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level. Additionally, there are quantitative aptitude handbooks, cheat sheets, and section-specific practice sets for arithmetic, algebra, and

Hi there,

The minimum eligibility criteria for a general candidate to receive a call from IIM Sambalpur are as follows:
VARC: 65%ile
QUANTS: 65%ile
LRDI: 65%ile
Overall: 90%tile
Keep practising and aim to improve your score. You can also focus on other management exams where you may secure a strong