Old IIMs Cut Off 2026: Sectional & Category-wise Analysis

Old IIMs Cut Off 2026

The Old IIMs remain among the most sought-after destinations for MBA aspirants appearing for CAT 2026. These institutes include IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore, collectively known as the BLACKI IIMs. Getting shortlisted requires more than simply meeting the minimum CAT percentile, as academic performance, category, work experience and other selection criteria can influence the admission process.

For CAT 2026 aspirants, understanding category-wise cutoffs, sectional requirements and previous admission outcomes can help set realistic targets. The following tables provide an overview of expected overall and sectional percentiles, along with historical admission figures for IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta.

Old IIMs College-wise Cut Off 2026

The Old IIMs CAT cutoff 2026 depends on the institute, candidate category and admission stage. Each IIM follows its own selection policy, and the minimum percentile required for initial shortlisting may differ from the percentile of candidates who eventually receive admission offers.

The following table presents expected overall CAT percentile targets for the six Old IIMs. These figures are just the expected estimated percentile requirements to be considered for the PI Shortlisting phase, actual calls may depend on various other factors.

Candidates should use these figures as a starting point rather than a guarantee of an interview call. A higher percentile can improve competitiveness, but the outcome also depends on the institute's shortlisting formula, academic profile and other selection criteria.

Old IIMs Sectional Cutoff 2026

Meeting the overall CAT percentile requirement is not always sufficient to qualify for shortlisting. Old IIMs can also impose minimum sectional percentiles in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).

The following table presents indicative sectional cutoff estimates for General category candidates across the six Old IIMs. Candidates should consider both overall and sectional performance while preparing for CAT 2026.

Sectional cutoffs are particularly important for candidates who perform exceptionally well in one section but struggle in another. A strong overall percentile may not compensate for missing a mandatory sectional threshold. Aspirants should therefore maintain balanced preparation across VARC, DILR and QA.

Old IIMs Category-wise Cutoff 2026

The category-wise cutoff varies across the six Old IIMs because each institute determines its own eligibility and shortlisting criteria. Candidates belonging to General, EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST and PwD categories should check both overall and sectional requirements rather than relying on a single percentile figure.

The table below summarises the minimum overall CAT percentile requirements for different categories. Actual shortlisting thresholds are much higher as these are just minimum qualifying requirements.

Candidates should remember that category-wise cutoffs are not interchangeable across institutes. An aspirant who meets the minimum cutoff at one IIM may not qualify at another because institutions can apply different sectional thresholds, academic criteria and composite-score calculations.

Minimum CAT Percentile Required for Old IIMs 2026

Historical admission data provides a useful perspective because it can show the lowest CAT percentile among candidates shortlisted or admitted in a particular admission cycle. However, the minimum percentile of a candidate who joined is different from the minimum percentile needed for initial shortlisting.

The following tables present historical admission figures for IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta. They help explain how shortlisting and final admission outcomes can differ, but they should not be treated as guaranteed CAT 2026 cutoffs.

IIM Ahmedabad RTI Data 2026

The RTI response dated August 21, 2026, provides category-wise interview shortlisting figures, minimum CAT percentiles, candidates who joined, and waitlist movement. It does not provide the total number of admission offers made.

IIM Bangalore RTI Data 2026

The latest available RTI response provides PGP 2026 admission figures, including candidates shortlisted, minimum CAT percentiles, admission offers and CAT percentile ranges among candidates offered admission.

IIM Calcutta RTI Data 2026

The RTI response dated August 28, 2026, provides category-wise WAT/PI shortlisting counts, composite-score cutoffs, highest composite scores and final admission offers for the 2026–28 MBA batch. The institute did not provide CAT percentile cutoffs in this response.

IIM Kozhikode RTI Data 2026

IIM Kozhikode's RTI response provides category-wise admission data for the PGP programme for the 2026–28 batch. The table includes candidates shortlisted, minimum CAT percentiles, admission offers and candidates who joined.

IIM Lucknow RTI Data 2026

IIM Lucknow released its RTI response on August 21, 2026, covering MBA admissions for the 2026–28 batch. The data includes WAT-PI shortlisting, composite scores, admission offers and current class composition.

IIM Indore RTI Data 2026

The table below shows the number of admission offers issued in each category, along with the minimum and maximum final composite scores (FCS) reported by IIM Indore.

Also Read: Minimum Percentile Required for IIM Admission 2026, RTI Data

How Do Old IIMs Shortlist Candidates After CAT 2026?

Old IIMs generally use a multi-stage selection process rather than relying only on the overall CAT percentile. Depending on the institute, the process can include minimum sectional and overall cutoffs, academic performance, work experience, diversity factors, written assessments and personal interviews.

The exact weight assigned to each parameter differs by institute and admission year. Candidates should review the individual admission policy for their target IIM because clearing the minimum CAT cutoff does not automatically guarantee an interview call or admission offer.

Candidates should pay attention to their complete profile, including academic records and work experience where applicable. A strong CAT score can improve competitiveness, but the final outcome depends on the selection criteria of each institute.

Old IIMs Cut Off 2026: Conclusion

The Old IIMs CAT cutoff 2026 will depend on each institute's admission policy, candidate category, sectional performance and shortlisting criteria. Historical admission figures offer a useful reference, particularly for understanding the difference between initial shortlisting thresholds and the minimum percentiles among candidates who ultimately joined.

For CAT 2026, aspirants should aim to exceed the minimum eligibility thresholds wherever possible and maintain balanced performance across VARC, DILR and QA. A strong CAT percentile can improve competitiveness, but academic records, work experience and other selection parameters may also influence the final result.