IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff 2025 – Overview
About IIM Sambalpur
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur is a newly opened branch of IIM. It was established in 2015, it has made quite a name for itself in these years. It is located in Odisha. IIM Sambalpur made its name because of the innovative teaching methods, like emphasis on experiential learning, and strong focus on entrepreneurship and inclusiveness. It offers a full-time MBA program. Despite being a relatively new branch of IIM, its rising placement records and academic excellence make it a compelling choice for MBA aspirants.
Importance of CAT Score for IIM Sambalpur Admission
IIM Sambalpur gives importance to the Common Admission Test (CAT) for its MBA admission process, just like the other branches of IIM. The CAT score is used to shortlist candidates for the next rounds. These candidates have to give the written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). While a good CAT percentile increases your chances, the final selection is a holistic process that includes various other criteria such as academic history, work experience, and gender diversity.
IIM Sambalpur Courses Accepting CAT 2025 Score
The flagship program that accepts the CAT score in IIM Sambalpur is the Postgraduate Programme in Management (PGPM), which is similar to an MBA. The CAT score may also be used to shortlist candidates for the institute's doctoral-level programs in management, subject to fulfilling other eligibility criteria.
Expected IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff 2025 for MBA Admission
General Category Cutoff
For the General category, IIM Sambalpur typically maintains a respectable but accessible CAT cutoff. Based on recent trends, the expected CAT 2025 cutoff for General category candidates is around 92 percentile. However, this is just the qualifying cutoff for being considered for shortlisting. The actual percentile of candidates who make it to the final list tends to be higher, often crossing 95 percentile, depending on the applicant pool.
SC/ST/OBC Category Expected Cutoff
For candidates belonging to reserved categories, the expected CAT cutoffs are:
These numbers serve as the minimum eligibility criteria. Candidates scoring higher, especially with good academic records and work experience, stand a better chance during the selection process.
Cutoff for EWS and PwD Candidates
The cutoffs for EWS and PwD are as follows:
The institute provides relaxed cutoffs to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity for all deserving candidates.
Previous Year IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff Trends
2024, 2023 IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff
In 2024 and 2023, the minimum CAT percentile required for General category candidates hovered around 92 percentile, with actual shortlisting happening around 95+. Reserved category cutoffs were consistent with the expected range.
2022 IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff
The 2022 cutoffs were fairly similar:
Year-on-Year Cutoff Comparison Table
Below is a table comparing the previous year's cutoffs:
Factors Affecting IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff
Number of Applicants
The number of candidates applying to IIM Sambalpur directly impacts its CAT cutoff. An increase in applications typically drives the cutoff higher, while a lower application volume may lead to slightly relaxed cutoffs.
Difficulty Level of CAT 2025
Another critical factor is the overall toughness of the CAT exam. If CAT 2025 turns out to be more challenging than usual, cutoffs across IIMs, including Sambalpur, may see a downward revision.
Seat Intake and Reservation Policy
IIM Sambalpur has an intake of around 180–240 students for its flagship MBA program. Out of these, seats are reserved for various categories as per government norms. The distribution and competition within each category play a significant role in shaping the final cutoff figures.
IIM Sambalpur Admission Process After CAT 2025
Shortlisting Criteria for GD-PI
Post-CAT, candidates are shortlisted for the WAT-GD-PI rounds based on their percentile and profile. IIM Sambalpur follows a multi-criteria selection model that considers academic background, work experience, and diversity aspects along with the CAT score.
Final Selection Parameters
The final merit list is prepared by assigning weights to multiple factors:
Documents Required at the Time of Admission
Candidates must furnish the following documents during admission:
- CAT 2024 Scorecard
- Class 10- and 12-mark sheets
- Graduation mark sheets and degree
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Work experience certificate(s)
- Identity proof (Aadhar/PAN/Passport)
IIM Sambalpur Selection Criteria 2025
CAT Weightage
While CAT remains the most significant shortlisting tool, IIM Sambalpur has reduced its dominance in the final selection. The expected weightage of the CAT score is around 30-40%.
Academic Performance Weightage
Past academic scores in Class 10, 12, and graduation hold weight in the selection process. Consistency and strong grades across all levels can significantly boost a candidate’s chances.
GD/PI and Other Components
Performance in the Group Discussion, Written Ability Test, and Personal Interview plays a decisive role. These stages assess a candidate’s communication skills, clarity of thought, leadership qualities, and overall personality.
Top MBA Specializations at IIM Sambalpur
MBA in General Management
This remains the most sought-after specialization, covering core business areas such as marketing, finance, operations, and strategy.
MBA in Human Resource Management
HRM is gaining popularity with a sharp focus on leadership, talent management, and organizational behavior.
MBA in Operations and Analytics
Given IIM Sambalpur's tech-driven approach, this specialization is becoming increasingly relevant for students targeting careers in data science, supply chain, and operations management.
