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    No CAT Needed for IIM: This New IIT-IIM Programme Lets JEE Advanced Students Get Into IIM For MBA After Class

    No CAT Needed for IIM: This New IIT-IIM Programme Lets JEE Advanced Students Get Into IIM For MBA After Class

    Gursimran KaurUpdated on 24 Jul 2026, 02:38 PM IST

    For lakhs of MBA aspirants, the path to an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) is almost synonymous with one exam: the Common Admission Test (CAT). But what if there was another route? The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bodh Gaya have announced a five-year integrated dual degree programme that combines a BTech or BSc degree with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). The programme has been formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two institutes. Students who don’t wish to take the CAT 2026 exam but want to get into an IIM, this is one of the paths for them. This MBA after 12th from IIM is possible for engineering students who have JEE Advanced score and are appearing for JoSAA Counselling. This opportunity is available only to a limited number of candidates, as this MBA after 12th program in 2026 offers just 60 seats.

    This Story also Contains

    1. MBA After 12th From IIM: Key Highlights of IIT Patna-IIM Bodh Gaya Integrated MBA
    2. Program Structure of MBA After 12th From IIT Patna and IIM Bodh Gaya
    3. Other Key Points to Note For this Dual-Degree MBA program at IIT-IIM
    4. NO CAT for IIM Bodh Gaya?
    5. No CAT needed: What is the Admission Process for IIT- IIM Integrated MBA
    No CAT Needed for IIM: This New IIT-IIM Programme Lets JEE Advanced Students Get Into IIM For MBA After Class
    No CAT Needed for IIM: This New IIT-IIM Programme Lets JEE Advanced Students Get Into IIM For MBA After Class 12

    MBA After 12th From IIM: Key Highlights of IIT Patna-IIM Bodh Gaya Integrated MBA

    JEE Advanced students can opt for this route to study at two of the prestigious institutes of the country and avoid giving CAT exam also. Check out the key highlights of the integrated MBA program offered by IIT-IIM combined.

    Particulars

    Details

    Course Name

    Five-Year Integrated- BTech/BSc (3 yrs) + MBA (2 yrs)

    Institutes

    IIT Patna and IIM Bodh Gaya

    Total Seats

    60

    Admission Mode

    JoSAA Counselling through JEE Advanced

    CAT Requirement

    Not required for students admitted to this programme

    Duration

    5 Years

    Programme Type

    Full-time Residential

    Degrees Awarded

    BTech/BSc from IIT Patna and MBA from IIM Bodh Gaya

    Program Structure of MBA After 12th From IIT Patna and IIM Bodh Gaya

    The five-year integrated IIT- IIM MBA program has been curated to give the best of both worlds to MBA aspirants. Rather than going for BTech or BS first and then preparing for a 2-year MBA course, candidates can take the 5-year integrated course that will gradually transform the candidate from technology to business management. The Integrated program offered by IIT Patna and IIM Bodh Gaya has been divided into two phases.

    MBA after 12th: First Three Years at IIT Patna

    Candidates who take the integrated course will spend the first three years at IIT Patna studying for either a BTech or BSc degree. In these three years, students will develop strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills designed for them throughout the course. The curriculum during the IIT phase will include topics such as:

    • Core engineering and science subjects

    • Quantitative methods and analytical techniques

    • Interdisciplinary courses

    • Problem-solving and innovation-focused learning

    MBA After 12th From IIM: Two years at IIM Bodh Gaya

    Once the candidates complete the three years, they will move to IIM Bodh Gaya for the final two years of the IIT-IIM MBA program. The focus of this phase shifts from technical learning to business decision-making, leadership, and organisational management. Students will study key management disciplines while learning through case studies, group discussions, simulations, live projects, and industry interactions.

    Other Key Points to Note For this Dual-Degree MBA program at IIT-IIM

    • The students who will be admitted to the program will attend their induction ceremony at IIT Patna; they will be awarded the joint degree certificate in the convocation ceremony to be held at IIM Bodh Gaya.

    • The combination of the two degrees into one integrated course will enable graduates to develop a unique blend of technical expertise and managerial capabilities, making them well-suited for careers in consulting, business analytics, and many more.

    • Moreover, as the dual program comes to an end, joint placement support will be provided by the placement cells of both the Institutes, ensuring robust techno-functional career opportunities to the students.

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    NO CAT for IIM Bodh Gaya?

    For the IIT-IIM MBA integrated course, the CAT exam will not be necessary. CAT exam is mandatory for admission to the MBA program at IIM Bodh Gaya, but not for the IIT-IIM program. The CAT exemption applies only to students admitted through this specific integrated programme. Since there are only 60 seats, it represents an alternative pathway rather than a replacement for the country's largest MBA entrance exam.

    No CAT needed: What is the Admission Process for IIT- IIM Integrated MBA

    The admission process is one of the most unique features of the IIT - IIM Combined program. Admission to the IIT-IIM MBA integrated program will be based solely on the JEE Advanced rank through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling process.
    Students who wish to take admission to this program will have to appear for the JEE Exam and will be granted admission based on their JEE rank.


    Selected students will directly move on to IIM Bodh Gaya after the completion of the first three years. Students admitted under the IIT-IIM integrated MBA course won't have to compete again for an MBA seat through CAT after completing their undergraduate studies.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: Who should consider this integrated MBA program by IIT Patna and IIM Bodh Gaya?
    A:

    The program will be beneficial for students who are sure they wish to pursue both engineering and management.

    Q: What score is required for the IIT-IIM Integrated MBA program?
    A:

    Admission will be based on the JEE Advanced rank of the candidates. The actual required score is expected to be announced later.

    Q: What are the benefits of the IIT-IIM integrated MBA program?
    A:

    Candidates admitted to the program will benefit from the key learnings with strong technical foundations and management skills early in their careers.

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