IIM Shortlists 2026 for all campuses was announced in January and the interviews were conducted in February-March. The final results for MBA 2026 batch admission was announced in May for all campuses. Read to know all about IIM shortlist and final admission announcements.
All about PI shortlisting process for IIMs
Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) campuses completed the shortlisting process for the Personal Interview round of PGP/MBA admission 2026, in January and conducted the WAT-PI round on February-March. Each campus released the final merit list in May and sent out admission offer letters to selected candidates via email. A few IIMs also released the MBA waitlist to fill up the seats. MBA classes will commence in July, so the admission process is to be completed by June 2026.
The IIM shortlisting of candidates was based on their CAT 2025 result. For 2026 academic year, the qualifying CAT cut offs were between 80-90 percentile (General category). The final CAT cut offs were much higher (98-100 percentile ) as always. While the top IIMs conducted the selection process individually, newer IIMs shortlisted candidates through IIM CAP and IIM JAP. Read all about IIM shortlist and admissions 2026 in this article.
- IIM Shortlisting and Selection Process 2026
- IIMs Shortlist 2026 Status
- IIMs WAT-GD-PI: Documents to Carry
- IIM Admission Status 2026-2028 (Final)
- IIM Admission: WAT/GD/PI experience shared by students
IIM Shortlisting and Selection Process 2026
The IIM shortlisting and selection process for MBA admission 2026 included three stages.
Stage 1: Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of their CAT exam score
Candidates had to apply for WAT/GD-PI round by each IIM on its official website basis their CAT score vs CAT cut offs.
Stage 2: Screening of candidates for WAT-GD-PI
In the second stage, the institute shortlisted the candidates who applied for WAT-GD-PI and send them invite.
Stage 3: Calculation of Composite Score and Final Selection
In the third stage, the composite score of each candidate was calculated on the basis of parameters such as CAT score, WAT-PI performance, academic history, work experience, diversity, etc. to finalise their selection for MBA admission.
Also Read:
What is IIM SAP 2026: Know dates and process?
IIM Waitlist Movement: Meaning and Past Trends
IIMs Shortlist 2026 Status
Candidates had to fill the shortlist forms to participate in WAT-PI using their CAT login IDs. The shortlist application window is usually opened for a week only. Check below IIM campus wise seat intake for MBA.
| IIMs |
IIM shortlist 2026 |
*Number of seats in MBA/PGP |
|---|---|---|
| Closed |
395 |
|
| Closed | 375 |
|
| Closed | 120 |
|
| Closed | 460 |
|
| Closed | 500 |
|
| Closed | 483 |
|
| Closed | 450 |
|
| Closed | 240 |
|
| Closed | 180 |
|
| Closed |
240 |
|
| Closed |
260 |
|
| Closed |
185 |
|
| Closed | 240 |
|
| Closed | 260 |
|
| Closed | 160 |
|
| Closed | 120 |
|
| Closed | 240 |
|
| Closed | 240 |
|
| Closed | 120 |
|
| Closed | 120 |
*Institute wise MBA/PGP seats data is based on previous batch. For the upcoming batch the seat intake may increase.
IIMs WAT-GD-PI: Documents to Carry
- Marksheets of Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation (original and self-attested photocopies).
- Caste/class and/or disability certificate in case of SC, ST, NC-OBC and PwD candidates (original and self-attested photocopies).
- Candidates appearing for the final year bachelor's degree (or equivalent) examination had to show a certificate from the Principal/Registrar/Director of the university/institution certifying that he/she has obtained a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent (45 per cent in case of the candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD category) in the latest available grades/marks.
Also Read:
CAT 2025 toppers names, scores and percentiles
All About IIM Shortlisting and Selection Process
Check institute-wise IIM cut offs (qualifying and final)
IIM Admission Status 2026-2028 (Final)
Check the table below for institute-wise IIM admission status for MBA/PGP batch 2026-2028.
| IIM |
Admission Status |
|---|---|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
|
| Out |
Commonly asked questions
The CAT cut offs for IIM Bangalore hovers between 97-100 percentile. The qualifying CAT cut off required for being eligible for IIM Bangalore's Written Ability test (What) and Personal Interview PI is 85 percentile for General category students, whereas for SC candidates, it is 70 percentile. For ST candidates, it is 65 percentile and for PwD candidates it is 60 percentile. Given below are the sectional and overall qualifying CAT cut offs for IIM Bangalore.
- General category: 80 VARC 75 DILR 75 Quantitative Aptitude 85 (Overall)
- NC-OBC category: 75 VARC 65 DILR 65 Quantitative Aptitude 75 (Overall)
- EWS category: 70 VARC 65 DILR 65 Quantitative Aptitude 75 (Overall)
- SC category: 65 VARC 60 DILR 60 Quantitative Aptitude 70 (Overall)
- ST category: 55 VARC 55 DILR 55 Quantitative Aptitude 65 (Overall)
- PwD category: 50 VARC 50 DILR 50 Quantitative Aptitude 60 (Overall)
Having a good academic profile for IIM admission is very critical. The top 6 IIMs lay a lot of emphasis on Class 10 and Class 12 score for selection of candidates for WAT-PI round. The academic profile is evaluated again at the time of preparation of final merit list. It has been seen in the past that some candidates despite having 99+ percentile, were not selected for PI round due to low score in Class 12.
The academic profile is assessed for academic as well as gender diversity. Which means a candidate who studied Arts in Class 12 may be selected for PI with lower marks than a candidate who studied Science in Class 12.
Candidates aiming for IIMs must know that while the importance of academic profile is very important for top IIMs, it is moderately important for rest of the IIMs. For, other top MBA colleges, overall profile matters more than academic score. So, if you do not have superlative scores in Class 10 and 12, build a good profile with work experience and extra curricular activities to increase your chances of selection.
CAT cutoffs are usually not announced with the CAT result. The CAT cutoffs are also not released to the public.
They are published after a few days of the result announcement when the IIMs and other colleges start their shortlisting process. The IIMs opens their shortlisting window based on the CAT cut-offs two to three days after the result announcement. The CAT percentile of candidates shortlisted for the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) can be considered the cut-off for that IIM. For example, if a candidate with a CAT percentile of 99 belonging to the General category is selected for the WAT/GD-PI of IIM Calcutta, then the CAT cut-off for IIM Calcutta is 99 percentile. Only those candidates who make it to the WAT/GD-PI round of IIMs will get to know the cut-offs.
IIM Admission: WAT/GD/PI experience shared by students
- Abhishek Roy shares his WAT-PI experience at IIM Lucknow
- Sai Prabhu shares his WAT-PI experience at IIM Calcutta
- Rupesh Gupta shares his IIM Ahmedabad WAT-PI experience
- Abhinav Paigwar shares his IIM Bangalore WAT-PI experience
- Mayank shares his IIM Bangalore WAT-PI experience
- Ahsaas Sharma recalls his WAT-PI experience at IIM Ahmedabad
- Somansh Chordia shares his WAT-PI experience at IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta
- Devesh Bansal recalls PI experience at IIM Kozhikode
- Kislay Jha recalls PI experience at IIM Ahmedabad
- Isha Nisar shares WAT-PI Experience at IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
Yes, candidates can get admission in IIM Indore without CAT for two programmes: Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) and Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management (EPGP). Admission into IPM is based on the IPMAT (Integrated Program in Management Aptitude Test), followed by a Written Abilit
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 days ago
Yes, candidates can get admission in CGC University, Mohali without taking CAT based on valid score in CGCUET which is conducted by the university if they also fulfill the eligibility criteria.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes. CUSAT has two main campuses offering B.Tech: the main campus in Kochi (School of Engineering) and the Kuttanad campus (CUCEK). The main campus cutoffs are significantly tighter than those for CUCEK.
V
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in MBA at SVNIT Surat. The college considers a valid score in entrance exams such as: CAT/GMAT/GRE/XAT/CMAT/MAT for admission into MBA. Other than this, the institute also conducts its own exam for MBA admissions.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
Yes, CAT is one of the compulsory exams to be eligible for MBA course at Assam Institute of Management. The institute offers admission to MBA programme based on score of national-level entrance exam (CAT/CMAT/MAT/XAT/ATMA). CAT exam being one of it becomes essential to take admission in the same col
a
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 5 days ago
Christ Delhi NCR does accepts CAT scores for admission in MBA programme. However, aspirants with MAT, CMAT, ATMA or any other Management entrance exam scores can also get admission. Selected candidates also need to pass GDPI, written assessment and micro-presentation rounds.
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 5 days ago
No, CAT is not compulsory to get admission in MBA at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University. Applicanta are given admission based on their performance in CMAT entrance exam. It is followed by personal interview to get shortlisted.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Yes, you can get admission to the MBA programme at Manipal University Jaipur, but not through direct admission without meeting the admission criteria.
For the regular MBA, you generally need:
A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks.
A valid CAT/MAT/CMAT/XAT/GMAT score.
Selection is based on your aca
C
Beginner-Level 3
Answered a week ago
As a current student at DBS Global University, I can say that yes, the university accepts a valid CAT score for MBA admissions. If you meet the eligibility criteria, then you can apply through your CAT score, and you do not have to take the universities entrance exam. The best thing about DBS, is t
C
Beginner-Level 5
Answered a week ago
SAGE University, Indore has not mentioned any other accepted entrance exams other than SEE for MBA courses. Generally, CAT is an accepted entrance exam for MBA courses. Therefore, candidate should get confirmation by asking this from admission desk.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Vipra Shrivastava is MA in English Literature from Delhi University with extensive experience in content writing of over 14 years. She has been handling content for Management, Accounting and Commerce streams for 8
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