IIM Selection Process 2026 – The admission process of IIMs for the MBA 2026 batch has commenced. The CAT 2025 application form is currently open from August 1 to September 20, 2025.
Admission to the IIMs is a multi-stage process.
The 1st stage is the CAT 2025 entrance exam. CAT scores are used by IIMs to shortlist candidates for an next stage, which may include – Writing Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI).
Candidates who meet the CAT-cut off 2025 prepared by respective IIMs will be invited for the interview. Call Letters will be sent to the candidate’s email ID. The shortlist will also be published on the IIMs admission portal. The FINAL selection to the IIMs will be based on CAT score, interview performance, and other factors like academic performance, work experience, gender and academic diversity, etc.
The detailed and step-wise IIM admission process 2026 through CAT is explained below.
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Table of Contents
IIM Selection Process 2026 – Key Features
| Particulars | Description |
| Stages of IIM Admission-cum Selection Process | The IIM selection process 2026 will comprise the following stages: Step 1 – Conduct of CAT 2025 entrance exam Step 2 – Shortlisting of candidates for WAT/ GD/PI Step 3 – Preparation of Merit List based on composite score |
| When will the CAT 2025 exam be conducted? | November 30, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 exam portal | Click Here |
| Documents to be submitted during WAT/GD-PI Round | The candidate must submit original and self-attested copies of the following documents: Marksheets of Class X, XII, and Graduation Caste Certificate (if applicable) PwD Certificate (if applicable) Note: Candidates appearing in the final exam of bachelor’s degree or equivalent must obtain a certificate from the institute certifying the candidate has obtained 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates) in the preceding exams. |
| Deadline for submission of marksheets and pass certificate | December 31, 2025 |
| IIM Admission Parameters | CAT score Class X, XII, and Graduation Marks WAT/GD-PI Academic Diversity Gender Diversity Work Experience Note: The weight assigned to each of the above-mentioned parameters differs across IIMs, and each institute calculates the composite score independently. |
| IIM Joint Admission Process (JAP) 2026 for MBA Admissions | Joint Admission Process (JAP) 2026 is a combined counseling and seat allotment process for: IIM Kashipur IIM Raipur (Coordinator) IIM Ranchi IIM Tiruchirappalli Students now don’t have to apply separately to the above institutes, as JAP is a single application and seat-allotment portal. Note: It remains to be seen if more institutes join JAP. |
IIM Selection and Admission Process
Admission to the IIMs is based on CAT scores. But along with the CAT scores, the IIMs will also have further admission rounds like WAT, GD, PI, etc.
IIM admission process includes the following steps.
- Stage 1 – Declaration of CAT Result
- Stage 2 – Release of SHORTLIST by the IIMs
- Stage 3 – Interview Stage
- Stage 4 – FINAL selection and Eligibility Verification
Stage 1 – Declaration of CAT result
The results of the CAT exam will be declared within a few weeks of the exam. The results can be checked online at iimcat.ac.in. You can download the CAT scorecard by entering your application number and password.
The CAT scorecard will contain details like the candidate’s name, registration number, sectional score, overall score, sectional percentile, and overall percentile.
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Stage 2 – Release of SHORTLIST by the IIMs
The IIMs will shortlist candidates for the interview stage based on their own criteria, which may be independent of each other.
The IIMs will release institute-wise CAT cut-offs for the interview.
The list of shortlisted candidates will be published on the respective websites of the concerned IIMs. Interview Call Letters will also be sent to the registered email IDs of shortlisted candidates.
The invitation letter will include a registration link and deadline to complete the CAP registration. It will also contain the interview date, time, and venue.
Candidates who meet the CAT cut-off for an institute (or IIM), will have to apply for admission to that institute through their admission portals.
Stage 3 – Interview Stage
Next, shortlisted candidates have to appear in the interview.
The interview may include the following tests:
- Writing Ability Test (WAT)
- Group Discussion (GD)
- Personal Interviews (PI)
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Stage 4 – FINAL selection and Eligibility Verification
The final selection of candidates for admission to the IIMs will be based on the following factors:
- CAT merit rank
- Performance of the candidate in the INTERVIEW, which may include Writing Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI)
In addition, the IIMs may use other factors such as the previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience, gender and academic diversity.
Note that the processes, academic cut-offs and the weights allocated to the evaluation parameters may vary across IIMs.
So, the candidate is recommended to refer to the admissions policies of individual IIMs on their respective websites.
Finally, candidates who are shortlisted for interview by an IIM, must get the following documents verified:
- Marksheets
- Degree Certificate
How is composite score calculated for FINAL selection at IIMs?
The composite score for final selection to the MBA program will be based on the following parameters.
| IIM Admission Parameter | Description |
| CAT score | Overall CAT percentile. |
| Graduation Score | The aggregate percentage obtained in a three-year degree course or equivalent. |
| 10+2 score | Aggregate percentage obtained in Class 12 or equivalent |
| Class 10 Score | Aggregate percentage obtained in Class 10 or equivalent |
| WAT, GD, and PI | The performance of the candidate in each test component will be given specific weightage |
| Academic Diversity | Candidates from non-engineering backgrounds will be given extra points to ensure fair representation. The points awarded in this category may vary for each campus. |
| Gender Diversity | Extra points to be awarded to female and transgender candidates. Again, the points awarded may vary for each campus. |
| Work Experience | Extra points (from 1-5) to be allocated for prior work experience. |
Note: The weightage given to each of the above parameters may vary from one IIM to the other.
Read (Official) – IIM Ahmedabad Shortlisting and Selection Criteria for PGP
Where to check List of Shortlisted Candidates for Next Level of Selection
The list of candidates shortlisted for the next level of selection will be published on the admission portal of the respective IIMs.
The CAT 2026 participating IIM will send interview letters to the shortlisted candidates directly. But note that the criteria for shortlisting candidates may vary across IIMs. So, you are recommended to visit the admission websites of the respective IIMs for detailed information.
Documents required for IIM Interview & Admission
The candidate must originals of the following documents when reporting for the interview:
- Marksheet and Degree Certificates of all semesters/ years
- Eligibility Documents – including caste certificate, birth certificate, PwD certificate, etc.
- The candidate must also bring attested copies of these documents.
Further, if a candidate is selected for admission, he or she must submit the above documents at the time of joining the academic program.