IIM Admission Process and Eligibility Criteria 2026: Know How to get Admission in IIMs

IIM Admission Process and Eligibility Criteria 2026 - The first step towards getting into the IIMs is taking the CAT exam. The next steps are Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). The WAT and PI are the main selection criteria of IIM MBA admission. Candidates who meet the CAT cut off, are shortlisted for WAT and PI. Final selection for IIM admission is based on candidate's overall profile - CAT exam score, academic score, work experience, category and WAT and PI score. CAT 2025 result was announced on December 24, 2025. The PI shortlisting process has started. IIM Kozhikode, IIM Calcutta, IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Lucknow, IIM Bangalore, IIM Udaipur and IIM Sambalpur have released the PI call letters. IIM Rohtak and IIM Vizag have also started MBA registration and so has IIM Raipur for JAP institutes. Candidates who meet the IIM cut offs are eligible for the interview round. Candidates need to fill the PI shortlist form 2026 before the deadline to appear for it. Personal Interviews for 2026 batch admission will be held in February, March and April, 2026. Selected candidates will receive the final admission call in May 2026, via letter of admission offer (email). 

Latest: 

• IIM Bangalore PI calls out, check MBA 2026 status
• IIM Calcutta PI calls out, check MBA 2026 status
• IIM Ahmedabad PI calls 2026 out, check status here
• IIM Lucknow PI calls out, apply for PGP 2026
• IIM Udaipur PI shortlist 2026 out, apply now
• IIM Sambalpur PI shortlist 2026 out, apply by Jan 11
• IIM Vizag PI shortlist 2026 form out, apply now
• IIM Kozhikode releases PI shortlist 2026
• IIM Vizag releases MBA PI registration form 2026
• IIM Raipur releases IIM JAP 2026 cut offs
• IIM Bodhgaya release IIM CAP 2026 cut offs
• IIM Rohtak announces CAT 2025 cut off, starts registration for PI 2026

IIM eligibility criteria for MBA programmes is same as CAT eligibility criteria, i.e. minimum 50 per cent aggregate marks in graduation. Those who are eligible to appear in CAT are also eligible for admission to the IIMs. However, they have to meet a few other requirements for selection. Take a look at the IIM eligibility criteria below:

• The basic IIM eligibility criteria is graduation with minimum 50 per cent or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent for SC, ST and PwD category)
• Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor's degree or awaiting their results, are also eligible
• To be eligible for IIM interview call, the candidates must meet the IIM shortlist/qualifying cut off
• To expect interview call and participate in WAT/GD-PI, the candidates must meet the minimum IIM call cut off

Also read:

• CAT eligibility criteria and reservation policy 2026
• IIM eligibility criteria 2026

IIM CAT Cut Offs: Qualifying vs Final

Check the table below for previous year's qualifying CAT cut offs vs expected final CAT cut offs:

Candidates who make it to the final selection list are intimated through email. The most important aspect of IIM admission process is "confirmation of admission". Selected candidates are required to confirm their admission by filling up the offer acceptance form and paying the requisite admission acceptance fee (adjustable in the first installment of tuition fee). In case any candidate fails to submit the offer acceptance form and pay the fees within the given time duration, his/her seat will be offered to the next best candidate.

IIMs also have a provision to defer admission. Under this provision, candidates who wish to earn some work experience before pursuing the MBA course are allowed to postpone their admission for up to a maximum of two years. This system was introduced in 2015 and around 10 per cent of seats are kept aside for such candidates.

• Candidates will be selected for the second phase of IIM admission process on the basis of their CAT 2024 score and academic history.
• The shortlisting is done through an online process wherein the candidates have to apply for the interview call. If selected, the institutes will reach out to them through email.
• The candidates are required to participate in the WAT/GD-PI to be eligible for the final phase of admission, i.e. calculation of the composite score for final selection.  

Also Read: Interview and WAT-GD tips for MBA aspirants