IIM Visakhapatnam Selection Criteria 2026: Thinking about IIM Visakhapatnam for your MBA? Good choice! But here's the thing: Getting in isn't just about cracking the CAT. Candidates should know that the selection process is layered and nuanced, and they should understand how it all works. Let’s break down everything you need to know about IIM Visakhapatnam's selection criteria for the 2026-28 batch.
IIM Visakhapatnam Selection Criteria 2026
The selection process at IIM Visakhapatnam breaks down into three distinct phases that serve as filters to narrow down the pool of candidates to the ones that best fit into the program they are applying for.
Phase 1: Initial Shortlisting
Candidates who meet the minimum CAT 2025 percentile requirements and have selected IIM Visakhapatnam as one of their preferences are shortlisted, and these candidates must then submit a detailed online application.
Phase 2: Pre-Interview Shortlisting
A composite score is calculated using CAT scores, academic performance in Class 10, Class 12, bachelor's degree, work experience and gender diversity, and the Candidates with the highest composite scores receive personal interview calls.
Phase 3: Final Selection. After personal interviews are conducted, a final composite score is calculated with different weightages. The personal interview carries the highest weight at this stage and determines the final merit list.
The key differentiator in IIMV's process is the significant weightage given to consistent academic performance throughout a candidate's educational journey.
IIM Visakhapatnam Shortlisting Criteria
Let's talk about how you actually make it to the interview stage. This is where many candidates get confused, so pay attention!
Phase 1: The CAT Cut-off
Candidates must meet both sectional and overall percentile cut-offs to qualify for Phase 1. Here are the minimum CAT 2025 percentiles you need:
Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
General | 70 | 70 | 70 | 82 |
EWS | 63 | 63 | 63 | 72 |
NC-OBC | 63 | 63 | 63 | 72 |
SC | 40 | 40 | 40 | 50 |
ST | 30 | 30 | 30 | 40 |
PwD | 30 | 30 | 30 | 40 |
Component | Weight | Breakdown |
CAT Score | 50 | VARC: 18, DILR: 14, QA: 18 |
Class 10 Marks | 10 | Normalized to board's 90th percentile |
Class 12 Marks | 10 | Normalized to board's 90th percentile |
Bachelor's Degree | 10 | Normalized within stream |
Gender Diversity | 10 | For female and transgender candidates |
Work Experience | 10 | Calculated using specific formula |
Academic scores from Class 10 and Class 12 are normalised by dividing them by the 90th percentile score of the respective board. This ensures fair comparison across different educational boards across India.
Work Experience Calculation
Work experience is scored using a specific formula based on months of experience as of December 31, 2025:
Your Work Experience | Score You'll Get | What This Means |
Less than 12 months (0-11 months) | 0 points | |
12 to 24 months (1-2 years) | Increasing gradually | Score increases from 2.5 to 10 points using formula: 10 - 0.625(24-x) |
24 to 36 months (2-3 years) | 10 points (MAXIMUM) |
|
36 to 48 months (3-4 years) | Decreasing gradually | Score decreases from 10 to 2.5 points using formula: 10 - 0.625(x-36) |
More than 48 months (4+ years) * X is the months of work experience up to December 31, 2025 | 2.5 points |
Only full-time, paid work experience obtained after completing a bachelor's degree is considered. Part-time work, internships, articleships and pre-graduation experience are not counted.
IIM Visakhapatnam Eligibility Criteria 2025
Before you even think about selection criteria, make sure you're eligible! The basic requirements aren't complicated, but they're non-negotiable.
Academic Qualifications
Requirement | General/EWS/NC-OBC | SC/ST/PwD |
Bachelor's Degree (any discipline) | Minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA | Minimum 45% marks or equivalent CGPA |
Alternative: Professional Qualification | CA/CS/ICWA(CMA)/FIAI | CA/CS/ICWA(CMA)/FIAI |
Final year students can apply! You'll need a bona fide certificate initially, and must submit your degree certificate later.
The CAT Score Mandate
You must have a valid CAT 2025 score. Seems obvious, but it's worth stating.
Documents You'll Need
Get these ready before you start your application:
- Class 10 and 12 transcripts
- Bachelor's degree certificate (or provisional certificate)
- Professional degree documents (if applicable)
- Work experience proof: appointment letters, first and last two salary slips, relieving letters
- Category certificates (SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS) in the prescribed format
- PwD certificate and UDID card (if applicable)
Also Read, IIM Visakhapatnam Calls 2026 Out, Dates, Cut-off, PI Process
IIM Visakhapatnam Minimum Cut-off 2025
Let's address the elephant in the room: what percentile do you actually need?
CAT 2025 Sectional and Overall Cut-offs
These are the minimum percentiles for Phase 1 shortlisting:
Category | Sectional Cut-off (VARC, DILR, QA) | Overall Cut-off |
General | 70, 70, 70 | 82 |
EWS | 63, 63, 63 | 72 |
NC-OBC | 63, 63, 63 | 72 |
SC | 40, 40, 40 | 50 |
ST | 30, 30, 30 | 40 |
PwD | 30, 30, 30 | 40 |
Also Read, IIM Visakhapatnam RTI Data 2025, Candidates, Class Profile
IIM Visakhapatnam Final Selection Weightage
The final merit list is prepared using a different set of weightages after personal interviews are completed
Phase 3: Personal Interview and Final Merit
Component | Weight in Final Selection |
Personal Interview | 48 |
CAT Score | 25 |
Class 10 Marks | 4 |
Class 12 Marks | 4 |
Bachelor's Degree | 4 |
Gender Diversity | 5 |
Work Experience | 10 |
IIM Visakhapatnam Final Merit List 2026
The final merit list is prepared strictly on rank within each category.
Category-wise Final Composite Scores (expected)
Category | Composite Score for Final Admission | |
General | 70-75 | |
EWS | 60-65 | |
NC-OBC | 57-62 | |
SC | 50-55 | |
ST | 35-40 | |
PwD | 28-33 |
Is IIM Visakhapatnam Worth It?
IIM Visakhapatnam, established in 2015, is one of the newer IIM colleges but carries the institutional brand value associated with the IIM network.
The Case For IIMV
Strong Academic Credentials: IIMV is part of the IIM brand, which carries significant weight in India's corporate world. That three-letter prefix on your resume opens doors.
Holistic Selection Process: If you're someone with consistent academic performance and decent work experience but not a CAT topper, IIMV's multi-criteria approach works in your favour. They're actively looking for well-rounded candidates, not just test-taking machines.
Growing Network: While younger than legacy IIMs, IIMV's alumni network is expanding. The batch sizes are smaller than those of older IIMs, which means more personalised attention and closer peer connections.
Placement Trends: IIMV has shown steady improvement in placements. The median salaries are competitive, and top recruiters do visit campus.
Location Factor: Visakhapatnam is emerging as an important economic hub. The city offers a good quality of life at a lower cost than metros
IIM Visakhapatnam Selection Criteria 2026: Conclusion
IIM Visakhapatnam Selection Criteria 2026 follows a structured three-phase process where CAT score, academic consistency and profile play a decisive role. Meeting sectional and overall cut-offs is only the first step toward securing a PI call.
With 48% weightage to Personal Interview and strong emphasis on Class 10, 12 and graduation scores, aspirants must adopt a balanced preparation strategy. Understanding the composite score calculation will significantly improve your admission chances.
