IIT Madras MBA Selection Criteria 2026: MBA in IIT Madras is among the prestigious management programs in India, combining good analytical training with practical business skills. It also provides a high-quality and strictly followed 2-year full-time MBA program under its Department of Management Studies (DoMS).
In the 2026 intake, the selection is based on the results of entrance tests such as CAT (or GMAT in the case of international/NRI students). Integrated analysis of the previous performance, oral interview and written work, and general performance.
This blog covers the IIT Mdras MBA selection criteria 2026, eligibility norms, cutoffs, and fee structure. Let’s get into more details.
IIT Madras MBA Selection Criteria 2026
IIT Madras has given certain conditions that one must meet to be eligible for its MBA programme. These regulations are fair and, at the same time, uphold the standards of academics. The criteria differ a little regarding the type of applicant.
Download IIT Madras MBA Selection Criteria 2026 PDF
| Category | Entrance Score | Education Requirement |
| Regular Indian Candidates | CAT (2025) | Bachelor’s degree with 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Final Year Students | CAT (2025, provisional) | Same as above, with provisional admission |
| IIT Graduates | Exempt from CAT | CGPA ≥ 8.0 (out of 10) |
| Sponsored Candidates | CAT (2025) | Bachelor’s + 2 yrs work experience |
| Defense Personnel | Exempt from CAT | Bachelor’s with 55% marks |
| NRI/Foreign Nationals | GMAT | Bachelor’s degree, 60% marks |
Notes:
- Final-year degree students can apply, but must submit their final certificates by the programme start.
- Sponsored candidates must apply through official employer channels.
IIT Madras MBA Admission Process 2026
A step-by-step explanation of how candidates are evaluated.
Getting a valid CAT or GMAT score doesn’t automatically guarantee a seat. IIT Madras uses a composite evaluation to shortlist and then select students.
IIT Madras shortlists candidates for the Personal Interview (PI) based on a Composite Score, which includes the following components:
- CAT Score
Your CAT performance is a key factor in shortlisting. Higher sectional and overall percentiles improve your chances. - Past Academic Performance
Marks scored in Class 10, Class 12, and graduation are considered to assess academic consistency. - Work Experience
Relevant full-time work experience is given weightage, as it reflects practical exposure and professional maturity. - Academic Diversity
Candidates from non-engineering or diverse academic backgrounds are given additional weight to maintain classroom diversity. - Gender Diversity
Female candidates are awarded extra weightage to promote gender balance in the MBA batch. - Composite Score-Based Shortlisting
Candidates from all categories (General, EWS, OBC, SC, ST, PwD) are shortlisted strictly based on their composite scores.
IIT Madras MBA Final Selection Process
The final selection is done after the Personal Interview stage, considering the following components with due weightage:
- Reflective Writing and Personal Interview (PI)
This evaluates communication skills, clarity of thought, leadership potential, ethical reasoning, and overall personality fit for the programme. - Composite Score
The composite score used during shortlisting continues to play a role in the final merit list. - Other Achievements
Extra weightage may be given for achievements in academics, sports, leadership roles, entrepreneurship, social work, or other significant accomplishments.
Interview Centre Cities (Mar 2026):
| Interview City | Interview Dates |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | 6th, 7th and 8th March, 2026 |
| Delhi | 13th, 14th and 15th March, 2026 |
| Chennai | 20th, 21st and 22nd March, 2026 |
| Hyderabad | 28th and 29th March, 2026 |
| Kolkata | 28th and 29th March, 2026 |
IIT Madras MBA Eligibility Criteria 2026
Eligibility is the first filter in admissions. You should know these clearly before applying.
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
- Minimum 60% marks (55% for SC/ST/PwD).
- Final-year students can apply provisionally if they produce certificates before classes begin.
Entrance Requirements
- CAT 2025 score for Indian nationals.
- GMAT score for NRI and foreign nationals.
- IIT graduates with 8.0+ CGPA may not need CAT.
Other Categories
- Work Experience: Required only for sponsored candidates.
- Defence Personnel: Exempt from CAT.
IIT Madras MBA Cut Off 2026
What are your test scores supposed to be to have a chance? There are no official cutoffs yet in 2026, though one can get a reasonable insight into them based on the trends in 2025 admissions.
| Category | Overall Cutoff (Percentile) | Sectional Cutoff (Percentile) |
| General | 92+ | 60+ |
| OBC | 85+ | 50+ |
| SC | 60+ | 50+ |
| ST | 60+ | 50+ |
| EWS | 75+ | 50+ |
This means that candidates generally need around an 90+ percentile in CAT 2025 to even start getting shortlisted. Actual interview calls often require a higher percentile depending on competition and composite score strength.
Many applicants in discussion communities suggest that the effective percentiles for calls could be higher due to competition, especially for general category candidates.
IIT Madras MBA Fees 2026
A look at what you will pay for the two-year programme. Fee details can vary year by year and by category (such as NRI). Based on recently published figures for the MBA at DoMS:
Estimated Fees Structure
| Fee Component | Amount (Approx) |
| Tuition + Other Fees (Indian students) | ₹13.5 Lakh* |
| Total Programme Fee | ₹13.5 L–₹15 L* |
| NRI/Foreign Nationals | ₹39.95 L* |
*Fees are indicative and can change. Hostel and dining charges may be extra and depend on student choice.
Also, the application fee paid through online only. You can use UPI/debit/credit/net banking.
Let’s see the IIT Madras MBA application fee details also:
| Category | Application Fee (₹) | Payment Mode |
| General / OBC / NRI | ₹1600 | Net Banking / UPI / Credit Card / Debit Card |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹800 | Net Banking / UPI / Credit Card / Debit Card |
IIT Madras MBA Selection Criteria 2026: Conclusion
Admission to the IIT Madras MBA 2026 programme is competitive but fair. The key steps are:
- Meeting the eligibility criteria (good academics + valid test score),
- Getting shortlisted through a composite evaluation,
- Performing well in reflective writing and personal interviews,
- Securing your final place based on overall performance and achievements.
Early preparation, well-organized documents, and interview practice help you confidently navigate the IIT Madras MBA selection process. For more details, follow our social media handles.
