IIM Indore IPM Cut Off 2026
The IIM Indore IPM Cut Off 2026 is the single most critical metric for your admission strategy. Only if you clear the IIM Indore IPM Cut off 2026, can you move to the next stage, which is the personal interview (PI). The reality is you must clear sectional cutoffs for each section: Quantitative Ability (Short Answer), Quantitative Ability (MCQ), and Verbal Ability.
If you fail in any one of these three sections, you can’t move to the next round. It does not matter if your total score is very high. If you miss the sectional cutoff by a single mark, you cannot continue to the next round. The admission to IIM Indore 2026 relies on 65% Aptitude Test Score (ATS) and 35% Personal Interview (PI).
There are only around 150 seats for domestic candidates. You cannot simply aim to pass. You must aim to dominate.
What is the minimum cutoff for IPM Indore?
The minimum cutoff is the baseline score required in each section to remain eligible for the IPM Indore 2026. According to the 2025 cutoff, the General category required a 112 in Verbal Ability, for Quantitative Ability (Short Answer), the number was 24, and for Quantitative Ability (MCQ), the number was 28. These numbers give an idea.
- In the Quantitative Ability (SA) section, the scores are low. Because in this section, the questions are hard to solve. There are no options to guide you. You must solve the problem step by step.
- In the Quantitative Ability (MCQ) section, the scores are low. If you are fast at eliminating options in this section, you have an advantage. But if you choose the wrong answer, you would lose 1 mark you have gained due to negative marking.
- In the Verbal section, the scores are high. It demands near-perfection. A score of 111 in Verbal meant immediate disqualification.
Your preparation strategy must respect these individual sectional cutoffs. If you focus only on the sections in which you are strong, by leaving other sections. It is a serious mistake. Equal importance must be given to each section.
Many students fall into a specific trap. They spend months mastering higher mathematics. They neglect English. The result? They score 100% in Quant but fail the Verbal cutoff. The system filters them out.
IIM Indore IPM Category-wise Cut off
The cut-offs vary significantly by category. Government reservation norms dictate these distinct competitive pools. You must know your specific target.
The General category consistently sees the highest requirements. Categories like EWS and NC-OBC follow closely behind.
Minimum Cut-off Marks (2025):
Category | Quantitative Ability SA | Quantitative Ability MCQ | Verbal Ability | Female | Male | Total Candidates |
General | 24 | 28 | 112 | 78 | 223 | 301 |
EWS | 16 | 18 | 87 | 13 | 62 | 75 |
NC-OBC | 12 | 15 | 78 | 77 | 168 | 245 |
SC | 12 | 10 | 65 | 47 | 66 | 113 |
ST | 8 | 6 | 48 | 12 | 39 | 51 |
PwD | 8 | 5 | 47 | 13 | 20 | 33 |
Out of 12132 applicants with a positive raw score, only 301 students cleared all three sectional cutoffs. The competition is very high. Notice the Verbal Ability score of 112. It is the highest hurdle. If you are a General category student, you cannot afford mistakes in English.
In the General category, 223 males qualified compared to only 78 females. This highlights the intense competition within specific demographics. For NC-OBC, the gap is smaller (168 males vs 77 females). Understanding these numbers helps you gauge your relative position in the merit list.
Read More: IIM Indore IPM RTI Data 2025, Shortlist Candidates, Class Profile
Previous Year IPM Indore Cut Off Trends
Examining trends reveals the examiner's mindset. Verbal Ability remains the stable anchor. Quantitative Ability fluctuates wildly. This volatility determines your exam day strategy.
Trend Comparison: 2024 vs. 2025 (General Category)
Section | 2024 Cut-Off | 2025 Cut-Off | Trend |
Verbal Ability (VA) | 113 | 112 | Stable |
Quant Ability (MCQ) | 35 | 28 | Decreased |
Quant Ability (SA) | 24 | 24 | Stable |
Key takeaways:
- Verbal Consistency: The score dropped by a single point (113 to 112). What does this mean? The difficulty level of English is static. The competition is consistent. You can safely predict a target of 115+ for 2026. Do not expect this to drop.
- Quant Volatility: The MCQ cutoff dropped from 35 to 28. The paper became significantly harder in 2025. A harder paper scares unprepared students. But for you? It is an opportunity. A lower score is required to pass.
- Short Answer Stability: The cutoff stayed at 24. IIM Indore seems to have standardised the difficulty for Short Answers. This section is predictable.
Adaptability is the key. If the paper feels tough on exam day, do not panic. The cutoff will drop. If the questions seem too easy, be careful. The cutoff will increase. You must increase your attempts.
Read More: IPMAT Cut Off 2026, IIM Indore, Rohtak & Bodh Gaya Trends
Factors Affecting IPM Indore Cut Off
The main purpose of the cut-off is to recognise students who have performed extremely well in the exam. Four primary variables dictate the final number you see on the scorecard.
1. Exam Difficulty Level: This is the biggest factor. A tough paper, like the QA MCQ section in 2025, naturally drives the cutoffs down. An easier paper will spike the numbers. You must judge the difficulty in real-time. If you are struggling, chances are everyone else is too.
2. Total Number of Applicants: The competition is growing. With more students becoming aware of the IPM program, the number of students appearing for the exam has increased. More candidates fighting for the same 150 seats leads to higher cutoffs. But the pressure comes from the thousands who are seriously preparing for the exam.
3. Seat Availability: IIM Indore has a fixed intake. Approximately 150 domestic seats are available. The selection ratio is very small. The cutoff is the tool they use to trim the list down to a manageable number for interviews.
4. Reservation Norms: The cutoffs are calculated separately for each category. Government mandates allocate seats:
- 27% for NC-OBC
- 15% for SC
- 7.5% for ST
- 10% for EWS
- 5% for PWD
This ensures distinct competitive pools. You are only competing against others in your specific category.
How to Improve Your Chances if You Are Near the IPM Indore Cut Off
Looking into the previous year's question paper and cutoff data, we can get an overall picture of how the system works. The 65% weightage on your written score demands a buffer. The remaining 35% comes from the Personal Interview. If your written score is borderline (e.g., exactly 112 in Verbal), you must be very careful. You will need a spectacular interview to get admission.
Maximise your score with these strategies:
Short Answer (SA) Section: Many students fear this section. They see "No Options" and panic. But here is the secret: No Negative Marking. In the MCQ section, a wrong guess costs you -1 mark. In the SA section, a wrong answer costs you nothing. Guessing here is free. Leaving a question blank in the SA section is a wasted opportunity. Even if you are unsure, mark an answer.
Verbal Ability: It is easier to score high in English than in Math for most students. A score of 130+ in Verbal is possible. Since the final selection uses a Composite Score (ATS), marks are fungible. A massive lead in Verbal can cover up a weak performance in Quant. If you are weak in Math, aim to obliterate the Verbal cutoff.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ): Most students fail because of one specific section. Look at your mock tests. Are you constantly scoring above 28 in QA MCQ? That is too close to the edge. Identify your lowest-scoring area. Dedicate 70% of your remaining prep time to the area that you have not studied or need improvement. You do not need to be extraordinary in everything. You just need to be safe in everything.
Understand the ATS Calculation You must know how your score is calculated. The formula is:
- QA (MCQ): 25 × (Your Score - Min Score) / (Max Score - Min Score)
- QA (SA): 25 × (Your Score - Min Score) / (Max Score - Min Score)
- Verbal: 50 × (Your Score - Min Score) / (Max Score - Min Score)
Notice the weightage? Verbal is multiplied by 50. Quant sections are multiplied by 25.
Leverage Your Interview preparation. If you clear the cutoff by a small margin, your interview is your lifeline. IIM Indore values consistency. A high academic profile (90% in Class 10 and 12) creates an advantage. Interviewers view high grades as proof of discipline. If your entrance score is low, a strong interview performance can pull you up the merit list. Start preparing for the interview before the results are out. Read newspapers. Build opinions on current affairs. The goal is not just to clear the cutoff. The goal is to get the seat.
Read More: IPMAT Indore Exam 2026, Eligibility Criteria, Important Dates
IIM Indore IPM Cut Off 2026: Conclusion
The IIM Indore IPM Cut Off 2026 is not just about passing the exam. It is used to remove students who score well overall but fail in any one section. Seats are very limited, and the Verbal Ability cutoff is especially high. You must score safely above the cutoff and give equal importance to all three sections.
To succeed in IPMAT Indore, you need smart planning and flexibility. Study past cutoff trends to set clear targets, try to score extra marks in Verbal Ability, and attempt all Short Answer questions since there is no negative marking. Clearing the cutoff is only the first step—the final goal is securing a seat at IIM Indore.
