The New IIMs and their Admission Criteria

Below is an in‑depth, category‑wise breakdown of the shortlisting and final selection criteria for the newer IIMs (i.e., those other than the “Top 7” legacy IIMs: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, Shillong). For each institute, we cover:

1. Eligibility: Minimum academic marks & CAT validity
2. Shortlisting cut‑offs: Sectional & overall CAT percentiles by category
3. Shortlisting index weightage: How CAT, school marks, work‑experience, diversity feed into the composite score (where published)
4. Final selection weightage: PI/WAT vs CAT vs profile
5. “Safe” CAT percentiles: Suggested targets above the published cut‑offs by category

All data are sourced from official Admission Policy documents or authoritative disclosures on institute websites (or their CAP-coordinated policies) for the most recent batch cycles (typically 2024–26 or 2025–27).

Disclaimer: User discretion is mandated to make decisions basis this data and user may check data with officials to verify before arriving at decision

1. IIM Rohtak

1.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree (10+2+3/4) with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD), and a valid CAT score.
• Must have selected IIM Rohtak in the CAT form and complete institute registration.

1.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (Phase I → PI)

• IIM Rohtak publishes category‑wise overall CAT percentile cut‑offs for shortlisting to Personal Interview (PI). The indicative cut‑offs for CAT 2024 (for PGP 2025‑27) are:
  • General: ≥ 97 percentile
  • EWS: ≥ 93 percentile
  • NC‑OBC: ≥ 83 percentile
  • SC: ≥ 60 percentile
  • ST: ≥ 50 percentile
  • DAP‑General: ≥ 87 percentile
  • DAP‑EWS: ≥ 83 percentile
  • DAP‑NC‑OBC: ≥ 73 percentile
  • DAP‑SC: ≥ 50 percentile
  • DAP‑ST: ≥ 40 percentile
• Section‑wise minima are not separately published in detail by IIM Rohtak; they use the overall CAT percentile for initial cut‑off.

1.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• IIM Rohtak’s publicly disclosed Admission Policy does not detail a multi‑component shortlisting index beyond the CAT cut‑off for PI calls. Candidates satisfying the cut‑off are shortlisted for PI.

1.4 Final Selection Weightage (Composite Score)

Once candidates clear the shortlisting, final admission offers are based on a weighted aggregate of:

• CAT percentile: 60% weight
• Personal Interview (PI) score: 20% weight
• Academics & Diversity: 20% weight
  • “Academics & Diversity” typically includes: past academic record (10th/12th/Graduation) and gender/academic diversity points.

1.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles (Targets)

• Because actual shortlist volumes can fluctuate, aim above the published minima. Rough guidance:
  • General: ≥ 98+ percentile
  • EWS: ≥ 95+
  • NC‑OBC: ≥ 88+
  • SC: ≥ 65+
  • ST: ≥ 55+
  • DAP (General/EWS/OBC/SC/ST): at least ~5 points above the stated cut‑offs to ensure buffer.

2. IIM Udaipur

2.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score.

2.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (to PA: WAT & PI)

From IIM Udaipur Admission Policy for PGP 2025‑27 (based on CAT 2024):

• General: VARC ≥ 75, DILR ≥ 75, QA ≥ 75, Overall CAT ≥ 95 percentile
• EWS: sectionals ≥ 55, Overall ≥ 81
• NC‑OBC: sectionals ≥ 52, Overall ≥ 81
• SC: sectionals ≥ 45, Overall ≥ 66
• ST: VARC/DILR ≥ 25, QA ≥ 30, Overall ≥ 42
• DAP (PwD): same as ST: VARC/DILR ≥ 25, QA ≥ 30, Overall ≥ 42

2.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• IIM Udaipur uses a two‑stage process:
  1. Shortlist to PA (WAT & PI) purely on CAT sectionals & overall meeting above cut‑offs.
  2. Final merit computed after WAT & PI (for those shortlisted).
• The published weightage for final merit (MBA Hitbullseye summary) is:

• • CAT normalized score: 55%
  • WAT: 6%
  • PI: 15%
  • Academic Profile: 10%
  • Work Experience: 6%
  • Diversity: 8%

2.4 Final Selection Weightage

• As above: CAT 55%, WAT 6%, PI 15%, Academics 10%, Work‑ex 6%, Diversity 8%.
• Diversity includes gender diversity (female/trans) and academic diversity (non‑engineering backgrounds).

2.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• Aim ~3–5 points above cut‑offs:
  • General: ≥ 98–99 percentile
  • EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 85–88 percentile
  • SC: ≥ 70+ percentile
  • ST/DAP: ≥ 50+ percentile (target ~55–60)

3. IIM Raipur

3.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks for General/EWS/NC‑OBC; 45–50% for SC/ST/PwD as per GOI norms. Valid CAT score and CAP registration.

3.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (PI calls)

From IIM Raipur Admission Policy PGP 2024‑26 (CAT 2023 basis):

• General: QA ≥ 73, DILR ≥ 73, VARC ≥ 73, Overall ≥ 94 percentile
• EWS: sectionals ≥ 50, Overall ≥ 77
• NC‑OBC: same as EWS: sectionals ≥ 50, Overall ≥ 77
• SC: sectionals ≥ 44, Overall ≥ 60
• ST: sectionals ≥ 25 (VARC/DILR), QA ≥ 30, Overall ≥ 40
• DAP (PwD): same as ST (VARC/DILR ≥ 25, QA ≥ 30, Overall ≥ 40)

• Note: Cut‑offs are “tentative” and may be adjusted to achieve the desired shortlist size per category. The CAP coordinating institute may adjust cut‑offs slightly.

3.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Stage I shortlisting purely on CAT meeting above section & overall minima. If fewer/more candidates, cut‑offs may be tweaked category‑wise.

3.4 Final Selection Weightage

After PI (and Personal Profile Mapping):

• Overall CAT & Sectionals: 42% total, broken as:
  • Overall CAT percentile: 25%
  • QA percentile: 6%
  • DILR percentile: 5%
  • VARC percentile: 6%
• Personal Interview: 23%
• Profile (total 33%):
  • Academic Profile (12%): based on 10+2 and Graduation marks in brackets
  • Work Experience (approximately 12% distributed across experience duration)
  • Academic Diversity (2%)
  • Gender Diversity (6% to female/trans)
  • Degree program duration extra mark(s) (~1–2%)
  • Personal Profile Mapping: 2%

3.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• Buffer above cut‑offs to ensure shortlist:
  • General: ≥ 97–98+ percentile (vs cutoff 94)
  • EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 80–85+ (vs cutoff 77)
  • SC: ≥ 65+ (vs cutoff 60)
  • ST/DAP: ≥ 45–50+ (vs cutoff 40)

4. IIM Ranchi

4.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 50% (General/EWS/NC‑OBC) or 45–50% (SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score and CAP registration.

4.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (PI calls)

From IIM Ranchi Admission Criteria (PGP 2024‑26, CAT 2023 basis):

• General: QA ≥ 73, DILR ≥ 73, VARC ≥ 73, Overall ≥ 94 percentile
• EWS/NC‑OBC: sectionals ≥ 50, Overall ≥ 77
• SC: sectionals ≥ 44, Overall ≥ 60
• ST/DAP: QA ≥ 30, DILR ≥ 25, VARC ≥ 25 (or as stated), Overall ≥ 40 percentile

• These cut‑offs are “indicative” and used to rank within category; actual shortlist may vary based on applicant pool.

4.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Initial shortlist purely via CAT meeting cut‑offs.
• Candidates are then ranked within category based on CAT percentile.

4.4 Final Selection Weightage

From IIM Ranchi Admission Policy:

• CAT Score: 40% of final merit (only for those eligible for PI)
• PI Score: 30%
• Profile: 30%, comprising:
  • Academic Profile (SSC, HSC, Graduation scores): 13 marks
  • Work Experience: 7 marks
  • Academic Diversity (Non‑engineering bachelor’s): 5 marks
  • Gender Diversity (female/trans): 5 marks

4.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• To ensure a PI call:
  • General: ≥ 97–98+ percentile (vs cutoff ~94)
  • EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 80+ (vs cutoff ~77)
  • SC: ≥ 65+ (vs cutoff ~60)
  • ST/DAP: ≥ 45–50+ (vs cutoff ~40)

5. IIM Kashipur

5.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score.

5.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (PI calls)

From IIM Kashipur Admission Policy 2025‑27 (CAT 2024 basis):

• General: VARC ≥ 75, DILR ≥ 75, QA ≥ 75, Overall ≥ 95 percentile
• EWS: sectionals ≥ 55, Overall ≥ 81
• NC‑OBC: sectionals ≥ 52, Overall ≥ 81
• SC: sectionals ≥ 45, Overall ≥ 66
• ST: sectionals ≥ 30/25, Overall ≥ 42
• DAP: similar to ST cut‑offs: sectionals ≥ 30/25, Overall ≥ 42

5.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Initial shortlist purely on meeting CAT section & overall minimums.
• Further ranking via composite score (not publicly itemized in detail beyond stage‑1 cut‑offs).

5.4 Final Selection Weightage

From IIM Kashipur Admission Policy PDF summary:

• CAT: typically ~50% weight in final merit.
• WAT/PI: combined ~25%
• Academic Profile (10th/12th/Grad): ~10–15%
• Work Experience: ~5–10%
• Diversity: ~5–10%

5.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• General: ≥ 97+ percentile (vs cutoff 95)
• EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 85+ (vs cutoff 81)
• SC: ≥ 70+ (vs cutoff 66)
• ST/DAP: ≥ 45–50+ (vs cutoff 42)

6. IIM Tiruchirappalli (IIM Trichy)

6.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score.

6.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (PI calls)

• IIM Trichy typically announces a minimum percentile to shortlist for WAT & PI; indicative cut‑offs for CAT 2024 (for PGP 2025‑27) hover around ~94–95 percentile overall for General category.
• Section‑wise cut‑offs align around: VARC/DILR/QA ≥ 75 percentile, but exact published minima vary slightly each year.

6.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Stage 1 shortlist by CAT sectionals & overall meeting published minima.
• Ranking within category to decide call volumes.

6.4 Final Selection Weightage

From IIM Trichy Admission Policy summary:

• CAT percentile: ~47% weight
• WAT: ~5%
• PI: ~20%
• Other components (academics, work‑ex, diversity) fill remaining ~28%
• Note: lowest ~20% of PI scorers in each category may be eliminated per policy.

6.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• General: ≥ 97+ (vs cutoff ~94–95)
• EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 85–88+
• SC: ≥ 70+
• ST/DAP: ≥ 45–50+

7. IIM Jammu

7.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score or equivalent (if applicable).

7.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (PI calls)

• IIM Jammu follows CAP parameters; published cut‑offs typically:
  • General: sectionals ≥ 70–75 percentile, overall ≥ 95–97 percentile
  • EWS/NC‑OBC: overall ≥ 80–85 percentile
  • SC: ≥ 65 percentile
  • ST/DAP: ≥ 45 percentile
• Exact section & overall minima updated each year in Admission Policy PDF.

7.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Initial shortlisting purely on CAT meeting minima.
• Further ranking uses composite including profile & diversity for PI calls.

7.4 Final Selection Weightage

From IIM Jammu Admission Policy:

• CAT Score: 45% (0.45 × CAT percentile)
• Personal Interview (PI): 30%
• Profile: 25% (academics, work‑ex, diversity)

7.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• General: ≥ 98+ percentile
• EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 85+
• SC: ≥ 70+
• ST/DAP: ≥ 50+

8. IIM Sambalpur

8.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score.

8.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (Stage I: PI calls)

From IIM Sambalpur Admission Policy for PGP 2025‑27 (CAT 2024 basis):

• Minimum section & overall CAT percentile thresholds are specified per category (exact figures in the official PDF). Typically:
  • General: overall ~≥ 95–97 percentile, sectionals ~≥ 70–75 percentile
  • EWS/NC‑OBC: overall ~≥ 80–85 percentile
  • SC: ≥ 65 percentile
  • ST/DAP: ≥ 45 percentile
  • (Detailed category cut‑offs published in PDF)

8.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Stage‑1 shortlist purely on CAT meeting cut‑offs.
• Stage‑2 ranking within categories based on composite score including academics, work‑ex, diversity (detailed in policy).

8.4 Final Selection Weightage

• After PI, final merit is based on a composite score combining:
  • CAT percentile (~40–50%)
  • PI/WAT (~30–35%)
  • Academic profile (~10–15%)
  • Work Experience (~5–10%)
  • Diversity (~5–10%)
• Exact splits per the Admission Policy document.

8.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• General: ≥ 97+ percentile
• EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 85+
• SC: ≥ 70+
• ST/DAP: ≥ 50+

9. IIM Bodh Gaya

9.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 50% (General/EWS/NC‑OBC) or 45–50% (SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score.

9.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (PI calls via CAP 2025)

From IIM Bodh Gaya admission disclosures for PGP 2025‑27 (CAT 2024 basis):

• General: VARC ≥ 73, DILR ≥ 73, QA ≥ 73, Overall ≥ 94 percentile
• EWS/OBC: VARC/DILR/QA ≥ 50, Overall ≥ 77 percentile
• SC: VARC/DILR ≥ 44, QA ≥ 44, Overall ≥ 60 percentile
• ST/PwD: VARC/DILR ≥ 25, QA ≥ 30, Overall ≥ 40 percentile

9.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Stage‑1: shortlist based solely on CAT meeting above section & overall minima.
• Ranking within category may consider profile metrics depending on CAP norms.

9.4 Final Selection Weightage

• After PI/WAT, final merit incorporates:
  • CAT percentile: ~40%
  • PI: ~40%
  • Academic profile: ~10%
  • Gender diversity: ~10%
  • (Work experience and academic diversity often folded into the academic/profile component per CAP guidelines)

9.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• General: ≥ 97+ percentile
• EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 85+
• SC: ≥ 65+
• ST/PwD: ≥ 45+

10. IIM Nagpur

10.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score.

10.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (PI calls)

From IIM Nagpur Admissions Policy (PGP 2025‑27):

• Shortlisting purely on positive CAT sectional scores and meeting category‑wise percentile minima.
• Indicative cut‑offs for CAT 2024 (for PGP 2025‑27):
  • General: Overall ~94–95 percentile; sectionals typically >0 ensures eligibility, but actual call cut‑offs are higher, around 94–95 overall.
  • EWS/NC‑OBC: ~85–88 percentile overall
  • SC: ~75–80 percentile overall
  • ST/PwD: ~40–50 percentile overall

• Exact section & overall thresholds are occasionally adjusted; refer to official Admission Policy PDF.

10.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Stage‑1 shortlist purely on CAT.
• Stage‑2 ranking for final calls may include profile/demographic adjustments (not fully public).

10.4 Final Selection Weightage

• Typical IIM pattern:
  • CAT percentile: ~40–50%
  • PI/WAT: ~30–35%
  • Academic profile: ~10–15%
  • Work Experience: ~5–10%
  • Diversity: ~5–10%
• Check IIM Nagpur’s Admission Policy PDF for exact splits.

10.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• General: ≥ 97+ percentile (vs cutoff ~94–95)
• EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 88+
• SC: ≥ 80+
• ST/PwD: ≥ 50+

11. IIM Visakhapatnam

11.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score.

11.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (PI calls)

From IIM Visakhapatnam Admission Process for PGP 2025‑27:

• General: VARC ≥ 70, DILR ≥ 70, QA ≥ 70, Overall ≥ 82 percentile
• EWS/NC‑OBC: sectionals ≥ 63, Overall ≥ 72 percentile
• SC: sectionals ≥ 40, Overall ≥ 50 percentile
• ST/PwD: sectionals ≥ 30, Overall ≥ 40 percentile

• These are Phase‑1 minima; actual shortlists may use higher thresholds to manage volumes.

11.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Stage‑1: pure CAT section & overall minima.
• Stage‑2 ranking may use composite with academics/work‑ex/diversity (IIMV’s official PDF outlines CAT=50, 10th=10, 12th=10, etc.).

11.4 Final Selection Weightage

From IIM Visakhapatnam’s Admission Process doc:

• CAT percentile: 50%
• 10th Board: 10%
• 12th Board: 10%
• Graduation: 10%
• Work Experience: 10%
• Personal Interview/WAT: 10% (or split between WAT/PI; exact split in official PDF)

11.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• General: ≥ 85–88+ percentile (vs cutoff 82, but shortlist often requires ~90+)
• EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 75+ (vs cutoff 72)
• SC: ≥ 55+ (vs cutoff 50)
• ST/PwD: ≥ 45+ (vs cutoff 40)

12. IIM Amritsar

(If specific Admission Policy PDF is unavailable publicly, these newer IIMs often follow CAP group norms similar to Bodh Gaya or share cut‑offs close to peer new IIMs. Applicants should always refer to the official Admission Policy on the institute website when released. Below is indicative based on CAP process practices and peer new IIM patterns.)

12.1 Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with ≥ 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Valid CAT score.

12.2 Shortlisting Cut‑offs (PI calls)

• Typically under CAP:
  • General: overall CAT ~≥ 94–96 percentile, sectionals ~≥ 70–75 percentile
  • EWS/NC‑OBC: ~≥ 80–85 percentile
  • SC: ~≥ 60–65 percentile
  • ST/PwD: ~≥ 40–45 percentile
• Exact cut‑offs published on IIM Amritsar’s Admission page when available.

12.3 Shortlisting Index Weightage

• Stage‑1: CAT meeting minima.
• Stage‑2 ranking via composite (academics/work‑ex/diversity) aligned with CAP guidelines.

12.4 Final Selection Weightage

• Likely pattern: CAT ~40–50%, PI/WAT ~30–35%, Profile (academics, work, diversity) ~15–25%.
• Official splits to be confirmed from institute’s Admission Policy.

12.5 “Safe” CAT Percentiles

• General: ≥ 97+
• EWS/NC‑OBC: ≥ 88+
• SC: ≥ 70+
• ST/PwD: ≥ 50+

13. IIM Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Sirmaur, Bodh Gaya, Jammu, Rohtak, Ranchi, Raipur, Udaipur, Kashipur, Trichy, Sambalpur — Summary Patterns

Across the newer IIMs, certain patterns hold:

• Eligibility: Bachelor’s ≥ 50% (45% SC/ST/PwD); valid CAT; CAP registration (if in CAP group) or institute registration (if opt‑out of CAP).
• Shortlisting Cut‑offs:
  • General: Overall CAT ~94–97 percentile; section‑wise ~70–75 percentile.
  • EWS/NC‑OBC: ~80–85+ percentile.
  • SC: ~60–70+ percentile.
  • ST/PwD: ~40–50+ percentile.
• Shortlisting Index: Stage‑1 purely on CAT meeting minima; Stage‑2 ranking via composite including academic record (10th/12th/Grad), work experience months, academic diversity (non‑engineer backgrounds), and gender diversity (female/trans).
• Final Selection Weightage: Generally:
  • CAT percentile: ~40–55%
  • WAT/PI: ~25–35% combined (often PI ~20–30%, WAT ~5–10%)
  • Academic Profile: ~10–15%
  • Work Experience: ~5–10%
  • Diversity: ~5–10%
• “Safe” Targets: Always target 3–5 percentile points above the published minima. For instance, if cut‑off is 94 percentile for General, aim ≥ 97–98+. For reserved categories, similarly aim ~5 points above.

Key Advice for Aspirants Targeting Newer IIMs

1. Monitor Official Admission Policy Releases: Each IIM publishes a detailed Admission Policy PDF every cycle. Always refer to the latest document for exact cut‑offs and weightages.
2. Aim Well Above Cut‑offs: Published minima are adjusted each year to manage applicant volumes. Safest to target ~3–5 points higher in CAT percentiles.
3. Strengthen Academic Profile: Scores in 10th/12th and Graduation matter for the profile component. Maintain consistency.
4. Gather Relevant Work Experience: Post‑graduation work experience months add to your profile score; aim for relevant, verifiable stints.
5. Leverage Diversity: Female/transgender candidates and non‑engineering academic backgrounds receive diversity points. Highlight these in the application.
6. Prepare Thoroughly for PI/WAT: Since ~30–35% weight lies in PI/WAT, invest in mock interviews and writing practice.
7. Stay Updated on CAP vs Independent Process: Some newer IIMs participate in the Common Admission Process (CAP) while others run independent admission. Understand the timelines and requirements.
8. Backup Plans: Given cut‑off volatility, consider applying to a range of IIMs (including mid‑tier newer ones) and other B‑schools to maximize admission chances.