IIM Admission Process 2025: Check CAT Cutoff, College-Wise Selection Process & More

The admission/selection procedure for candidates for various programs provided by the Indian Institute of Management is also known as the IIM Admission Criteria. Students seeking admission to the IIM must first complete an online application form. The IIMs are management education and research institutes run by the Government of India's Ministry of Education. They primarily provide graduate, doctoral, and executive programs, as well as extra business administration courses.

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After the declaration of the CAT 2024 result, the 21 IIM campuses will start to screen the test takers based on their respective CAT scores and academic record (performance in Class 10, Class 12, and graduation). CAT cut-off percentiles will be fixed for each IIM, section-wise and category-wise. Cut-off percentiles and weight allotted to CAT (and other parameters) to get shortlisted for the WAT/GD-PI round will vary for each IIM.

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IIM Admission Process 2025: The first step towards getting into an IIM is to apply and appear for the CAT exam, followed by the WAT, GD-PI, and the final result. The CAT GD-PI rounds are conducted once the CAT result is announced. Those who clear the CAT qualifying Cutoff will be shortlisted and eligible to appear for the GD-PI, WAT round. The Final selection for IIM admission is based on the candidate's overall profile - CAT score, academic score, work experience, category, and WAT and PI score.

The CAT 2024 exam is scheduled for 24th November 2024 as an online computer-based-test. The IIM CAT result is likely to be released in the 3rd week of December and the IIMs will release the admission criteria and PI shortlist forms in January 2025. The aspirants should carefully go through the admission criteria and selection process, and the CAT cutoff so that they can plan and score accordingly in the CAT 2024 exam.

How to Get into IIM: Common Admission Process (CAP)

Following the CAT exam, each of the older IIMs has its own admissions process. However, nine new IIMs have a Common Admission Process (CAP), which standardizes the selection process.

Here are some key points to remember

• IIM Udaipur, IIM Kashipur, IIM Trichy, IIM Raipur, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sambalpur, and IIM Sirmaur are among the nine IIMs taking part in CAP.
• IIM Rohtak was a member of the CAP group until 2020 when it opted out.
• IIM Calcutta has been given the task of conducting CAP for 2024.
• The IIMs make admission offers independently after the CAP final processes have concluded.

IIM Colleges Accepting CAT 2024 Score

Stages of the IIM Admission & Selection Process

The IIM admission procedure is divided into 3 stages, each of which has been briefly explained below.

Stage 1: Shortlisting of candidates based on their CAT 2024 exam score

Once the CAT result is announced, the candidates have to apply for the WAT/GD-PI round by each IIM through official notification on its official website. Candidates who meet the shortlist cut-off have to log in through their CAT IDs to submit their name and CAT score.

Stage 2: Screening of candidates for WAT/GD-PI

In the second stage, the candidates who applied for WAT/GD-PI are shortlisted based on their CAT score and academic record after which interview letters are sent to selected candidates to participate in WAT-GD-PI round. The WAT-GD-PI round is conducted at designated cities between February to April. 

Documents to Present in WAT/GD-PI Round

• 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 50 percent aggregate or equivalent (45 percent in case of the candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD category) in the latest available grades/marks

The deadline for submission of the marksheet and passing certificate is December 31 of that year. Non-submission of these documents by the last date will automatically result in cancellation of admission

Stage 3: Calculation of Composite Score and Final Selection

In the third stage of IIM admission, the composite score of each candidate is calculated based on various parameters to finalize his/her selection. The following is a list of the eight key parameters and their definitions.

What is the CAT Composite Score?

The composite score refers to the total score (out of 100) a candidate obtains during the final selection process, calculated based on the above-mentioned parameters.

IIM Admission Process: Important Points to Remember

• Candidates will be selected for the second phase of the IIM admission process based on 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.

Current Admission Criteria Policy in IIMs

There are two significant changes to IIM approval as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and are as follows:

• Before students submit their final admission offers, several IIMs have canceled GD and WAT rounds and they only conduct PI rounds entirely online.
• In the academic year 2025-27, all IIMs - IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta, including the Top IIMs, will be able to provide both online and offline sessions.

Top Non-IIM Colleges Accepting CAT 2024 Score

IIM Admission Criteria: College - Wise

Check the detailed IIM Admission Criteria for some of the top IIMs below.

IIM Ahmedabad Admission Criteria 2025

Candidates for admission to the PGP batch 2024-26 at IIM Ahmedabad will be selected in two stages as follows:

• A candidate who has a valid CAT 2024 score, has applied to the program, and satisfies the other program eligibility conditions is considered for WAT and PI.
• Additional applicants will be considered for WAT and PI in stage 2 based on their aggregate score after being shortlisted in stage 1 from each category.

IIM Bangalore Admission Criteria 2025

IIM Bangalore accepts students based on CAT scores and a variety of other factors. The selection procedure is divided into five stages:

IIM Bangalore accepts online applications for PGP admissions.

• PI and WAT
• Final selection based on the criteria
• Provisional acceptance into the PGP program
• PGP admission reporting

During the final selection stage for IIM Bangalore admission criteria, the CAT score is given the most weight. The candidate must have earned an 80 percentile in each of the three areas of the CAT. The three sections are Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension.

Note: Candidates in the general category will have to achieve a minimum 95% in the CAT. If a candidate fails to satisfy the minimum percentile criteria in the CAT, they will not be considered for the final selection step.

IIM Calcutta Admission Criteria

IIMC has changed its admission standards for a two-year full-time MBA (PGP) program starting in 2024.

The selection of applicants for admission to the PGP batch 2024-26 at IIM Calcutta involves three steps:

• PI and WAT cut-offs based on minimal CAT percentiles
• WAT and PI selection shortlisting.
• Final MBA Program Selection Criteria

IIM Lucknow Admission Criteria 

Shortlisted applicants will be examined based on their CAT 2024 score, academic achievement, and other aspects. Admission to IIM Lucknow is based on CAT 2024 results and personal interviews. In addition, selected applicants for WAT-PI will be notified by IIM Lucknow.

The following are the steps for IIML admission:

• Shortlisted candidates must submit the WAT-PI online form by the deadline in order to be considered for the WAT-PI stage.
• Stage two will be the final selection, in which the score for PGP program selection for batch 2024-26 will be determined using specified weightage.

IIM Rohtak Admission Criteria

IIM Rohtak will not participate in the CAP this year and will instead conduct its own selection procedure. Entering the candidate's application number and date of birth will get the IIM Rohtak PGP result. Candidates whose CAT 2024 scores are shortlisted must attend the selection process at IIM Rohtak.

PGP admission to IIM Rohtak 2024 will be available in five stages:

• Online registration for IIM Rohtak's PGP programs in 2024-26 is now open.
• Participate in Online Personal Interviews (PI)
• The final selection list based on CAT, PI, and diversity scores will be published.
• Admission proposals for the PGP class of 2024-26
• Reporting for the Postgraduate Programme (PGP)

IIM Kozhikode Admission Criteria

This year's admission criteria at IIM Kozhikode will include weightage for academic success and gender diversity, but not for bachelor's degree scores, as it did last year. For admission to its 2024-26 batch, IIM Kozhikode uses a three-phase selection process.

• Minimum eligibility is determined by the CAT score.
• Shortlisting of applications by PI and WAT

IIM Ranchi Admission Criteria 

Students will be accepted to IIM Ranchi based on their CAT 2024 result, Written Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI), and profile.

The following steps are included in the IIM Ranchi admission process:

• The WAT-PI shortlisting process begins with the CAT minimum percentile.
• Following the completion of the WAT and PI procedures, IIM Ranchi will make admission offers based on a merit list.
• Consolidated Merit List (CML) preparation based on CAT and profile scores.

IIM Udaipur Admission Criteria 

• The most essential element for admission to IIM Udaipur is the CAT score/percentile.
• Those who match the minimal qualifying criteria for the PI, i.e., CAT percentile overall and sectional, are shortlisted.
• The final merit list is generated using the CAT score, PI performance, and profile.

IIM Raipur Admission Criteria 

IIM Raipur will strive to enhance the number of women enrolled in the PGP 2024-26 batch by adding 8 points to the final selection, as it did last year. In the final selection, IIM Raipur assigns CAT 2022 35% weightage.

For admission to the 2024-26 batch, IIM Raipur conducts a three-phase screening process:

• CAT 2024 percentiles as a qualifying requirement
• Selection criteria for WAT and PI
• Criteria for final admission selection

IIM Visakhapatnam Admission Criteria 

Last year, IIM Visakhapatnam upped the weight of the academic profile to 50%.  Academic credentials, CAT scores, gender diversity, and job experience will be used to evaluate candidates.

The three-step admissions procedure at IIM Vizag for the 2024-26 batch

• Criteria for pre-shortlisting based on CAT 2024 
•  WAT & PI shortlisting criteria
• Final Selection

IIM Nagpur Admission Criteria 

IIM Nagpur will notify candidates who have been shortlisted for PGP admission 2024 by email. The admission procedure at IIM Nagpur for the class of 2024-25 will be as follows:

• Candidates will be evaluated initially based on their CAT scores.
• All such individuals will be requested to complete a thorough application form by a specific deadline.
• Only those who have completed the application form will be considered for the second shortlist.
• The second shortlist for PI will be based on Comprehensive Score (CS) and will be released in the first week of April.
• Candidates who are shortlisted in Stage 2 will be requested to confirm their attendance at the IIM Nagpur PI in the first/second week of April.
• Only applicants who affirm at this level will be booked for PI sessions.
• Candidates with acceptable PI scores will be considered for the Final Score (FS) round.
• Admission offers will be made to candidates based on their FS.

IIM Jammu Admission Criteria 

The admission process at IIM Jammu consists of three steps. First, IIM Jammu takes into account a variety of aspects in its final selection, such as academic profile, professional experience, diversity, and so on.

Admission to IIM Jammu for the academic year 2024-26 is divided into three stages:

• Procedure of shortlisting based on CAT 2024 percentiles
• To proceed to the next level a (EOI) will be necessary.
• Final selection based on merit lists.

IIM Sirmaur Admission Criteria 

Candidates who satisfy the criteria for each step get admitted to IIM Sirmaur. Admission to IIM Sirmaur is based on CAT 2024 results, personal presence, and grading of the major components.

Admission to IIM Sirmaur will be conducted in two stages in 2024-25.

• Candidate selection for the Personal Presence Process (WAT & PI) 
• Final merit list preparation

IIM Trichy Admission Criteria

The CAT score is given 50% weightage in the final selection, and other variables also play a considerable part. Female applicants are given an additional 5% weightage in the gender diversity category.

Three factors influence admission to IIM Trichy:

• Personal Appearance (PA) selection WAT and PI rounds 
• Final admission offers

IIM Sambalpur Admission Criteria 

The IIM Sambalpur admission criteria are divided into three levels. Here is a comprehensive guide to admission to IIM Sambalpur:

• CAT 2024 exam score
• Candidates for Personal Appearance are being shortlisted (PA)
• Personal Interviews and Written Analysis (PI)
• Final Selection List Formation

CAT 2024 Eligibility Criteria

Graduation is the minimum necessary for taking the CAT exam. Learn more about CAT eligibility considering the points listed below.

• An undergraduate degree from a recognized school with a minimum grade point average of 50%
• A professional degree is required with a specified percentage
• Students who have just completed or are awaiting for their results of their  bachelor's degree or an equivalent certification may also apply for the CAT exam.

Read in Detail: CAT Eligibility Criteria

CAT Result 2024

The CAT Exam results will be made public in January 2024. Candidates may get their CAT scorecard 2024 by entering their login ID and username. CAT results are available in online mode. Following the announcement of the results, candidates will be shortlisted for IIMs using CAT cut-offs. The CAT scorecard includes the following details

• Name
• Registration Number
• Category
• Photo
• Sectional Scores
• Overall Score
• Percentile

IIM CAT Cut-Offs: Qualifying vs Final

Check the table below for the 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 the 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 the 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.

Read More About the CAT Cutoff

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 percent of seats are kept aside for such candidates.