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IIM Admission Criteria 2026
Securing admission to an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) requires more than just a high CAT score. Every IIM follows a multi-stage admission process that evaluates candidates based on CAT performance, academic consistency, work experience, diversity, Group Discussion (GD) & Personal Interview (PI).
While the basic eligibility criteria are common across all 21 IIMs offering flagship MBA/PGP programmes through CAT, the weight assigned to each component differs from one institute to another.
For instance, IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore place significant emphasis on the Personal Interview, whereas institutes such as IIM Ranchi and IIM Udaipur allocate relatively higher weight to the CAT score. Therefore, aspirants should not focus solely on CAT preparation but also work on building a strong overall profile.
IIM MBA Eligibility Criteria 2026
The basic eligibility criteria for MBA admission remain almost identical across all IIMs. Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree of at least three years' duration from a recognised university.
- General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates must secure at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA.
- SC, ST and PwD candidates require a minimum of 45% marks.
Candidates appearing in the final year of graduation are also eligible to apply, provided they complete all degree requirements within the timeline specified by the respective IIM.
Meeting the eligibility criteria only allows you to apply. It does not guarantee an interview call or final admission.
Eligibility Criteria:
Requirement | Eligibility |
Bachelor's Degree | Minimum 3 years |
General / EWS / NC-OBC | Minimum 50% marks |
SC / ST / PwD | Minimum 45% marks |
Final-Year Students | Eligible |
Valid CAT Score | Last 1 Year |
Final Selection Weightage of IIMs
Every IIM have it's own different and unique weightage for CAT, PI, GD, WAT score and CAT Profile.
Following is a list of all the IIMs with their weightage for different parameters:
IIM | CAT | PI | WAT/GD | Profile |
Ahmedabad | 25% | 50% | 10% | 15% |
Bangalore | 25% | 40% | 10% | 25% |
Calcutta | 30% | 48% | 8% | 14% |
Lucknow | 30% | 40% | 10% | 20% |
Kozhikode | 35% | 35% | 20% | 10% |
Indore | 40% | 45% | — | 15% |
Shillong | 40% | 40% | — | 20% |
Udaipur | 55% | 25% | — | 20% |
Trichy | 52% | 20% | — | 28% |
Raipur | 33.33% | 26.66% | — | 40% |
Ranchi | 65% | 12.5% | 2.5% | 20% |
Rohtak | 60% | 20% | — | 20% |
Kashipur | 41% | 25% | — | 34% |
Nagpur | 45% | 25% | — | 30% |
Amritsar | Pre-PI & Post-PI Composite Score | |||
Visakhapatnam | 25% | 48% | — | 27% |
Sambalpur | 40% | 25% | — | 35% |
Sirmaur | 35% | 20% | — | 45% |
Jammu | 42% | 30% | — | 28% |
Bodh Gaya | 50% | 25% | — | 25% |
Mumbai | 60% | 20% | — | 20%* |
Based on the official admission policies and selection criteria of the respective IIMs wherever applicable.
IIM Reservation Eligibility
All IIMs follow the reservation policy prescribed by the Government of India for Central Educational Institutions. Candidates claiming reservation must submit valid supporting documents in the prescribed format during the admission process.
Reservation Policy
Category | Reservation |
NC-OBC | 27% |
SC | 15% |
ST | 7.5% |
EWS | 10% |
PwD | 5% |
Candidates should carefully select their category while filling out the CAT application form, as category changes are generally not permitted after submission.
Also Read: IIM Reservation Policy 2025, List Of College-wise MBA Seats
CAT Eligibility for IIM 2026
A valid CAT score is compulsory for admission to every IIM MBA programme.
However, each institute specifies its own minimum sectional and overall CAT percentile for shortlisting candidates. These CAT cut-offs are only the minimum eligibility requirements. Actual interview calls usually go to candidates with stronger profiles, better academics, relevant work experience, and higher composite scores.
Indicative CAT Cut-offs:
IIM | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
Ahmedabad | 95+ | 95+ | 90+ | 85+ | 75+ |
Bangalore | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 70+ | 65+ |
Calcutta | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 70+ | 65+ |
Lucknow | 90+ | 82+ | 82+ | 65+ | 60+ |
Mumbai | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 70+ | 65+ |
Indore | 90+ | 90+ | 80+ | 60+ | 45+ |
Kozhikode | 85+ | 75+ | 75+ | 65+ | 55+ |
Udaipur | 94 | 81 | 81 | 66 | 42 |
Trichy | 95.25 | 89 | 88.5 | 75 | 44 |
Ranchi | 95.25 | 89 | 88.5 | 75 | 44 |
Rohtak | 97+ | 93+ | 83+ | 60+ | 50+ |
Note: These values are indicative and based on previous admission policies. Final CAT cut-offs may change every admission cycle.
Do All IIMs Have the Same Eligibility Criteria?
No. Although every IIM accepts CAT scores and follows similar graduation requirements, the admission process differs considerably. Each institute decides how much weight to assign to:
- CAT score
- Academic performance
- Work experience
- Academic and gender diversity
- Personal Interview (PI)
- Writing Ability Test (WAT), wherever applicable
For example, some IIMs give greater importance to CAT performance, while others reward candidates with strong academics or relevant work experience. This is why two students with the same CAT percentile may receive interview calls from different IIMs.
Aspirants should carefully review the admission policy of each target IIM before applying.
Minimum Educational Qualification Required for IIM Admission
To be eligible for MBA admission at any IIM, candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree of at least three years' duration from a recognized university. General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates must have at least 50% aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA, while the minimum requirement is 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates. Final-year students can also apply, provided they meet the eligibility conditions before the admission deadline.
Bachelor's Degree: Minimum 3-year degree from a recognized university
Minimum Marks (General/EWS/NC-OBC): 50% or equivalent CGPA
Minimum Marks (SC/ST/PwD): 45% or equivalent CGPA
Final-Year Students: Eligible (subject to completing graduation within the prescribed timeline)
Accepted Degrees: BCom, BSc, BBA, BCA, BE/BTech, MBBS, Integrated Degrees, and other UGC-recognized bachelor's degrees
Also Read: How To Get Admission In IIM Colleges? After 12th, Graduation
IIM Admission Criteria 2026: Conclusion
Choosing the right IIM is not just about clearing the CAT cut-off. Understanding each institute's admission criteria, profile requirements, and selection process can significantly improve your chances of receiving an interview call and ultimately securing admission.
Before applying, always refer to the latest admission policy of your preferred IIM, as selection criteria and weightages may change from year to year.
