IIM Eligibility Criteria and Selection Process 2026

Eligibility criteria for IIM admission includes 50 per cent in graduation, CAT exam score. Selection is based on WAT-PI. Read all about IIM eligibility criteria for 2026 admissions below.

IIM Eligibility Criteria for full time MBA programme is graduation. Infact, for every PG programme offered by the IIMs, minimum eligibility criteria is graduation. However, the selection criteria for IIM is very stringent and merely meeting the eligibility criteria is not enough. To get admission into the IIMs candidates need to score atleast 95 + percentile in CAT and have graduation marks in higher range (70 percent and above).

Both CAT exam and WAT-PI round of IIMs are not easy to crack. Candidate have to aim to score above minimum cut off percentile score fixed for that year to be eligible for IIM admission. 

IIM Eligibility Criteria: CAT Score

Having a valid CAT score is mandatory for IIM admission. None of the IIMs will accept candidature of an Indian candidate for full-time MBA without the required CAT score. Thus, IIM aspirants must make sure that they appear and clear the CAT exam with 95 percentile (for SC/ST/PwD categories, the cut off is lower). The CAT exam is conducted on the last Sunday of November every year. CAT 2025 was held on November 30 for admission to 2026 batch. For admission to 2027 MBA batch, CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026. Aspirant must try to score 98+ percentile for having a chance at the IIMs. 

Also Read: CAT cut offs

IIM Eligibility Criteria for MBA/PGP Admission 2026

• Candidate must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent in case of the candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories), awarded by a recognised university. The graduation degree can be in any stream.
• Candidate must have completed professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)) with 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent in case of the candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories)
• In case a candidate is awarded grades/CGPA instead of marks, they would be coverted to marks as per the guidelines of the university
• In case the University/Institution does not have any scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the candidate’s CGPA by 10 and multiplying the resultant with 100, to arrive at a percentage.

In case of unavailability of Graduation certificate

• Candidates who have appeared for the final year bachelor’s degree exam and awaiting result are also eligible to apply for IIM MBA course. If selected, such candidates will be allowed to join the course but they will have to submit a certificate latest by June 30, 2026 from the Principal/Registrar of his/her University/College/Institute (issued on or before June 30, 2026) assuring that they have completed all the requirements for obtaining the bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification.
• A candidate who did not receive his/her graduation results at the time of CAT registration can produce certificates and mark sheets in original along with the photocopies at the time of admission.
• Additionally, the candidate will be required to produce a provisional certificate from the University stating that the affiliated College/Institute is authorised to issue such a certificate on behalf of the University.

Also Read:

• CAT score vs percentile: How to calculate?
• CAT Exam- How Scaled CAT Score will be Calculated for Three Slots?
• CAT Score Normalisation Process
• 100 percentile in CAT exam? what does CAT 100 percentile mean

IIM Selection Criteria for MBA/PGP 2026 

IIM admission is broadly based on three parameters. These include:

1. CAT score
2. WAT and PI
3. Academic record

Firstly, each CAT test taker is shortlisted on the basis of his/her CAT score viz-a-viz CAT cut-offs  for that year. Minimum CAT cutoffs of the top 5 IIMs, namely IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode is generally 90-95 percentile, which means, those who have scored above 90-95 percentile in CAT are eligible for shortlisting for PI-WAT round. On the other hand, cut-offs of newer IIMs range between 70-80 percentile. This eligibility score however does not guarantee shortlisting for WAT/PI. Candidates are shortlisted on higher scores or the final CAT cut offs which ranges between 95 too 99.99/100 percentile.

After crossing the first hurdle of IIM eligibility, candidates have to face WAT/PI. This stage is decisive as the selection panel makes up their mind about a candidate. In the third stage, candidates are rated CAT score, academic profile, work profile and WAT-PI performance. 

Also Read:

• IIM Shortlist, Selection and Admission Criteria 2026

• What is IIM CAP 2026? Know process, criteria and participating IIMs

• IIM SAP 2026: Know Details, Process and Dates 
• IIM JAP 2026: Know Details, Process and Dates
• IIM Waitlist Movement: Meaning and Past Trends

Weightage for IIM Admission: MBA/PGP

Check the table below for weights assigned to different parameters during final selection in IIMs. CAT scores account for almost 40 per cent while the performance at school and college level accounts for nearly 50 per cent in the final selection. Here’s a break up of parameters on which candidates are selected:

*The above table contains parameters and weight of IIM Bangalore for CAT 2025. Weights of each parameter varies for each IIM year on year. Check: IIM admission and selection criteria.

Scores of aspirants take the CAT every year to pursue MBA/PGDM courses from the IIMs. Although the final selection is not known until one receives the call letter, the test-takers do find ways to check their eligibility for the institutes beforehand. To help CAT test takers check IIM eligibility, Shiksha offers a tool called IIM Call Predictor. This online tool helps you assess your IIM chances.

Read More:

• Courses offered by Indian Institute of Management (IIMs)
• IIM Fees and Scholarships 2026
• IIM Placements 2025: Highest Salary Packages & Top Recruiters