Vipra
Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content
Updated on Jan 8, 2026 22:45 IST
Check institute-wise IIM shortlist 2026 dates and status for MBA admission. Read to know all about IIM shortlist and final admission announcement. The final IIM admission lists will be released by the institutes by the end of May 2026. The IIM CAP participating institutes will released their final admission list by the last week of May.

IIM Shortlist 2026 announcements are underway. Most of the campuses sent out PI calls. Check institute-wise IIM shortlist and WAT-PI dates for MBA admission 2026. Read to know all about IIM shortlist and final admission announcements. 

Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) campuses have started shortlisting of candidates for PGP/MBA admission 2026. The IIM PI shortlisting process for Kozhikode started on January 1, 2026. IIM Rotak MBA applications 2026 are available till January 9, 2026. IIM Raipur has also released the IIM JAP 2026 application forms. IIM Vizag PI shortlist application form has been released. Candidates can apply till January 23, 2026. IIM Calcutta and IIM Ahmedabad released their PI calls on January 8, 2026, IIM Lucknow release PI shortlist on January 10. IIM Bangalore PI calls were released on January 13, 2026. IIM Indore announced PI shortlist on January 14, 2026.

Those who will meet the admission cut off percentiles of the particular IIM are selected for the WAT-PI round. The IIM shortlisting of candidates is based on their CAT score. For 2026 academic year, the qualifying CAT cut offs are usually between 80-90 percentile (General category). The final CAT cut offs will be much higher as always. The WAT-PI round will be held in March and April 2026 for all IIMs. While the top IIMs will conduct selection process individually, newer IIMs will shortlist candidates through IIM CAP and IIM JAP. The newest, IIM Guwahati will also start it's first batch of MBA in 2026. It will also conduct admission individually. Read all about IIM shortlist and admissions 2026 below.

Latest: 

Table of contents
  • 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 includes three stages.

Stage 1: Shortlisting of candidates on the basis of their CAT exam score

Once the CAT result is announced, the candidates are asked 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 shortlists the candidates who applied for WAT-GD-PI on the basis of their CAT score and academic record, and send then WAT-GD-PI invite.

Stage 3: Calculation of Composite Score and Final Selection

In the third stage, the composite score of each candidate is calculated on the basis of parameters such as CAT score, WAT-PI performance, academic history, work experience, diversity, etc. to finalise their selection.

Also Read:

What is IIM CAP 2026: Know dates and process?

What is IIM SAP 2026: Know dates and process?

What is IIM JAP 2026: Know dates and process?

IIM Waitlist Movement: Meaning and Past Trends

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can an average student get into an IIM?
A: 

The answer to this question of whether an average student can get into IIM can be both yes and no depending on the definition of an average student.

  • Based on Academics (Class 10/ Class 12/ Graduation): While a student with average scores in Class 10, Class 12 and graduation with a good CAT score certainly has good chances of getting a call from IIM-A, chances are less for someone with an average CAT score.
  • Based on student category (General or Reserved): While it is tough for a General category average student to grab a seat at IIM due to high score requirements, a reserved category student can get admission being at average scores as well.
  • Based on past work experience, diversity and other factors: Gender and academic diversity is also a factor on which students are shortlisted at IIM. IIMs judge the past academic category based on the degree obtained by the students before MBA and then a weightage is allotted based on that. For Engineers, the percentage for scoring the highest marks is higher as compared with other streams
  • Performance in selection rounds: Once you make it to the final selection rounds, i.e., AWT/PI process, it can be considered a fresh start. At this stage, students can forget their past average-ness but definitely require good grasp over the past subjects as academics-related questions are asked in the interview.

Based on the above factors, it can be considered that while getting into top Management institutes, such as IIM is extremely tough, the past performance, CAT performance, student category and a lot of factors can be the reasons for a student to receive that final call.

Q:   What is the CAT cut off for IIM Lucknow?
A: 
The CAT cut offs for IIM Lucknow is usually around 97-99 percentile. The two courses - PGP Agri-Business Management (ABM) and PGP Sustainable Management (some) are extremely popular among MBA aspirants who wish to make a career in these areas. The institute also offers PGP programme. The qualifying CAT cut off for IIM Lucknow's Written Ability test (What) and Personal Interview PI is 90 percentile for General category students, whereas for SC candidates, it is 70 percentile. For ST and PwD candidates, it is 60 percentile. Given below are the sectional and overall qualifying CAT cut offs for IIM Lucknow PGP course. General category: 85 VARC 85 DILR 85 Quantitative Aptitude 90 (Overall) NC-OBC category: 77 VARC 77 DILR 77 Quantitative Aptitude 82 (Overall) EWS category: 77 VARC 77 DILR 77 Quantitative Aptitude 82 (Overall) SC category: 55 VARC 55 DILR 55 Quantitative Aptitude 70 (Overall) ST category: 50 VARC 50 DILR 50 Quantitative Aptitude 60 (Overall) PwD category: 50 VARC 50 DILR 50 Quantitative Aptitude 60 (Overall) Click here for detailed IIM Lucknow admission and selection criteria: https://www.shiksha.com/mba/articles/iim-lucknow-shortlist-admission-criteria-blogId-18509.
Q:   What is the selection criteria weightage for MBA in IIM Trichy?
A: 

The IIM Trichy MBA/ PGPM selection criteria is done based on various parameters. Hence, the candidates selection is done just based on CAT score. Mentioned below are the considered parameters along with the weightage:

  • CAT percentile: 50%
  • PI performance: 25%
  • Academic performance: 10%
  • Work experience: 5%
  • Female candidates: 5%
  • Verbal composition: 3%
  • Professional qualification: 2%

IIMs Shortlist 2026 Status

The IIM shortlisting process includes online application submission by candidates for Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) and selection of candidates for the same based on their CAT 2025 result and academic record. Candidates will have to fill the shortlist forms to participate in WAT-PI using their CAT login IDs. The WAT-PI round will be conducted in March-April. Given below are the links for IIM shortlists for WAT-GD-PI round for MBA admission 2026, for campuses who have started the process.

IIMs

IIM shortlist 2026 status

*Number of seats in MBA/PGP

IIM Ahmedabad

Apply Here

395

IIM Kozhikode

Apply Here

375

IIM Visakhapatnam

Apply Here

120

IIM Calcutta

Apply Here

460

IIM Lucknow

Apply Here

500

IIM Bangalore

Apply Here

483

IIM Indore

Apply Here

450

IIM Rohtak

Apply Here

240

IIM Shillong

To be updated

180

IIM Trichy

Apply Here

240

IIM Udaipur

Apply Here

260

IIM Ranchi

Apply Here

185

IIM Kashipur

Apply Here

240

IIM Raipur

Apply Here

260

IIM Amritsar

Apply Here

160

IIM Bodhgaya

Apply Here

120

IIM Nagpur

Apply Here

240

IIM Jammu

Apply Here

240

IIM Sambalpur

Apply Here

120

IIM Sirmaur

Apply Here

120

*Institute wise MBA/PGP seats data is based on previous batch. For the upcoming batch the seat intake may increase. 

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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 must 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)

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Who is eligible for IIM Kozhikode admission?
A: 

Students have to meet the IIMK course eligibility to get admission. The eligibility requirements may change depending on the programme and specialisation. The common eligibility is as below:

  • IIM Kozhikode UG eligibility – Class 12 with relevant subjects
  • IIM Kozhikode PG eligibility – UG degree in relevant field
  • IIM Kozhikode PhD eligibility – PG degree in relevant field
Q:   How can I get admission at IIM Indore for IPM course?
A: 

IPM course offered by IIM Indore is a five-year integrated Management programme that provides students a comprehensive understanding of the Business and Management industry. Designed to prepare students for a career in the corporate world in sectors, such as Consulting, and Entrepreneurship, the admission process for IPM at IIM Indore is highly competitive. For IIM Indore's IPM admission, candidates must visit the official website of the institute to apply online. Accredited by the Association of MBAs, AMBA London, IIM Indore IPM admission is based on candidates' performance in IPM Aptitude Test (IPMAT). Candidates are shortlisted after it is called for a Personal Interview (PI) round for final selection. Want to know more about the IIM Indore IPM course - click here.

Q:   How many candidates scored 100 percentile in CAT 2025?
A: 

In CAT 2025, the number of 100 percentilers was 12. Check state wise data:

Overall Percentile

Total

Gender and Discipline

State wise distribution

100

12

Female - 2 Male - 10 Engineering - 3 Non-Engineering - 9

Uttar Pradesh 1

Karnataka 1

Maharashtra 1

Delhi 3

Haryana 2

Gujarat 2

Jharkhand 1

Odisha 1

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IIM Admission Status 2026-2028 (Final)

The IIMs will announce final result of MBA/PGP admission online in May 2026. Check the table below for institute-wise IIM admission status for MBA/PGP batch 2026-2028.

IIM

Admission Status

IIM Ahmedabad

To be updated

IIM Bangalore

To be updated

IIM Calcutta

To be updated

IIM Lucknow

To be updated

IIM Kozhikode

To be updated

IIM Indore

To be updated

IIM Shillong

To be updated

IIM Raipur

To be updated

IIM Nagpur

To be updated

IIM Ranchi

To be updated

IIM Udaipur

To be updated

IIM Amritsar

To be updated

IIM Kashipur

To be updated

IIM Sambalpur

To be updated

IIM Bodhgaya

To be updated

IIM Sirmaur

To be updated

IIM Jammu

To be updated

IIM Trichy

To be updated

IIM Visakhapatnam

To be updated

IIM Rohtak

To be updated

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About the Author
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Vipra Shrivastava
Senior Manager - Content

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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Answered 2 hours ago

No, candidates who apply for Sharda University admissions to MBA course with any one of CAT, MAT or XAT results are not required to appear in the GD and PI rounds.

These candidates skip SUAT entirely including the GD and PI rounds however, candidates can only skip SUAT with CAT, MAT or XAT if they se

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Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 hours ago

BMS College of Commerce and Management accepts CAT scores for admission to Weekedn Executive PGDM programme. Aspirants with score below 50% need to have CAT, MAT, XAT or ATMA scores for admission. Candidates with score above 50% in graduation are exempted from entrance test.

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Nishtha Shukla

Guide-Level 15

Answered Yesterday

Yes, students can get admission in Manav Rachna University without CAT. The university considers scores obtained in MAT/ GMAT as well. Alternatively, students can appear for the MRNAT test too.

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Pallavi Karan

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Candidates who are applying for the Jain University MBA admissions with CAT must score above 50% to apply. The aforementioned score will allow candidates to directly apply for the next selection rounds after JET for MBA admissions.

Candidates who do not have a score above the aforementioned limit nee

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Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, students can get admission in KG Reddy College of Engineering and Technology MBA without CAT. The college instead accepts TSICET scores. Students do not have to appear for CAT or other management exams.

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Manashjyoti Srivastava

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

No, CAT is not a compulsory entrance exam in order to apply for BITSoM Mumbai MBA admission. Other than CAT, candidates also have the option of applying through a valid score of GMAT, GMAT-GRE or GRE for MBA at BITSoM Mumbai.

Appearing for one of the aforementioned entrance exams is a mandatory requi

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Saurabh Khanduri

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

GIBS Business School's PGDM cutoff is moderate and generally does not reach the high levels of an IIM. The main factors impacting cutoff are your entrance test scores and other criteria.

Cutoff Recent Data:

  • CAT: 60-70 Percentile approximately
  • XAT: 60-70 Percentile approximately
  •  MAT: 60-65 Percentile ap

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Mohammed Maqsood

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 5 days ago

The minimum marks or CAT cut off to appear for IIM selection round is different for every institute. Tier 1 colleges select candidates with CAT score above 95 percentile, Tier 2 colleges select candidates with score between 80-90 percentile and Tier 2 colleges select candidates with score lower than

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Pallavi Gupta

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 5 days ago

There is no CAT PI shortlist for IIMs. Candidates have to simply login with their CAT credentials and fill the PI shortlist form.

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Sreetama Tyagi

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 5 days ago

There is no minimum qualifying marks for CAT. Anybody scoring above 0 in the exam is eligible for admission, however the B-Schools select candidates on the basis of cut offs which are 60 and above percentile.

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Nitesh Vimal

Contributor-Level 7