IIM Calcutta Announces MBA Admission Policy for 2027–29 Batch

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta has officially unveiled its admission policy for the two-year full-time MBA programme for the 2027–29 academic session. The newly released document provides a comprehensive breakdown of the selection process, including the mandatory CAT 2026 percentile requirements and the multi-stage evaluation criteria used to determine final admission.

Prospective students are advised that the admission process is divided into distinct stages. The initial phase focuses on shortlisting candidates for the Personal Interview (PI) and Writing Ability Test (WAT) rounds, while the subsequent phase involves the calculation of a final merit list based on performance across various academic and professional parameters.

CAT 2026 Requirements and Shortlisting Criteria

To be eligible for consideration in the first stage, candidates must achieve a non-negative raw score in every section of the CAT 2026 examination. Furthermore, applicants must meet specific category-wise percentile thresholds. For candidates in the Open category, the institute has set a minimum requirement of 80 percentile in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), 80 percentile in Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and 75 percentile in Quantitative Ability (QA), with an overall aggregate of 85 percentile.

The institute clarified that these figures represent minimum eligibility, and the actual cut-offs for receiving interview invitations may be significantly higher, depending on the total volume of applications received. Once candidates clear these initial hurdles, they are evaluated for the PI and WAT rounds using an 85-point composite score. This score is derived from the CAT 2026 scaled score (56 points), Class 10 marks (10 points), Class 12 marks (15 points), and a gender diversity factor (4 points) allocated to female and transgender applicants.

Final Selection and Weightage Distribution

The final selection process is determined by a 100-point composite score. This final calculation places significant weight on the Personal Interview, which accounts for 48 points. The CAT 2026 score contributes 30 points, while the Writing Ability Test and work experience are each assigned 8 points. Additionally, 6 points are allocated for academic diversity.

Regarding academic diversity, the policy specifies that candidates holding non-engineering bachelor's degrees are eligible for 4 points, whereas those with engineering backgrounds receive 0 points. The remaining 2 points within the diversity category are awarded based on specific undergraduate, postgraduate, or professional qualifications. For candidates with professional work experience, the institute will evaluate roles held after the completion of a bachelor's degree, with a cut-off date for experience calculation set for January 31, 2027.