IIM Cutoffs 2026: Category-Wise Percentile Requirements for All IIMs
Every CAT aspirant dreams of seeing an interview call from an IIM in their inbox. However, one of the biggest questions students have is: "What CAT percentile do I actually need?" Understanding IIM cutoffs is essential because a good CAT score doesn't automatically guarantee admission. Each IIM has its own criteria, considering not only your overall percentile but also sectional performance, academics, work experience, and diversity factors.
In this guide, we'll break down the expected CAT 2026 cutoffs for various IIMs and explain what it takes to maximize your chances of receiving an interview call.
- A 99 percentile is often considered the benchmark for top IIMs.
- Sectional cutoffs generally range between 80–90+ percentiles.
- Meeting the cutoff only makes you eligible for further consideration; it does not guarantee admission.
- Indian Institute of Management Udaipur
- Indian Institute of Management Trichy
- Indian Institute of Management Raipur
- Indian Institute of Management Ranchi
- Indian Institute of Management Kashipur
- 90 Percentile: You scored higher than 90% of candidates.
- 95 Percentile: You scored higher than 95% of candidates.
- 99 Percentile: You scored higher than 99% of candidates.
- A 99 percentile means you're among the top ~3,000 candidates.
- A 95 percentile places you in roughly the top ~15,000 candidates.
- A 90 percentile places you in roughly the top ~30,000 candidates.
What are IIM Cutoffs?
An IIM cutoff is the minimum percentile required for a candidate to be considered for the next stage of the admission process. However, meeting the cutoff does not guarantee an interview call or admission.
Qualifying vs Final Cutoff
| Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Cutoff | Minimum percentile required |
| Final Selection Cutoff | Percentile of candidates actually admitted |
Example: IIM Ahmedabad may have a qualifying sectional cutoff of 80–85 percentile, while the candidates who ultimately receive admission offers often have overall CAT percentiles of 99+.
Old vs New vs Baby IIMs
| Category | Typical Percentile |
|---|---|
| Old IIMs | 98–99+ |
| New IIMs | 92–97 |
| Baby IIMs | 90–95 |
The "Old IIMs"
The six older IIMs—Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, and Kozhikode—are among the most competitive business schools in India.
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, Indian Institute of Management Indore, and Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode typically have the highest cutoff requirements.
Expected CAT Cutoffs (General Category)
| IIMs | Overall | VARC | DILR | QA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | 99+ | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| Bangalore | 99+ | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Calcutta | 99+ | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Lucknow | 97–98 | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| Kozhikode | 97–98 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| Indore | 97–98 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
Disclaimer: The figures above are based on recent CAT and admission trends. Actual cutoffs may vary by admission cycle and category.
Key Points
Candidates targeting the Old IIMs should focus on maximizing both their overall and sectional performance.
The New & Baby IIMs
Over the last decade, several newer IIMs have established strong reputations and excellent placement records.
Examples include:
Expected CAT Cutoffs
A CAT Percentile is your relative performance compared to all other test-takers.
For example:
Let's assume 3 lakh students appear for CAT:
This is why percentile is considered a ranking metric rather than a marks metric.
| Category | Expected Percentile Range |
|---|---|
| New IIMs | 92–97 |
| Baby IIMs | 90–95 |
- Strong industry connections
- Competitive placements
- Modern infrastructure
- Growing alumni networks
- VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
- DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
- QA (Quantitative Aptitude)
- Overall Percentile: 99.2
- VARC: 95
- DILR: 93
- QA: 72
- Class 10 marks
- Class 12 marks
- Graduation performance
- Work experience
- Gender diversity
- Academic diversity
- Performance in the Written Ability Test (WAT)
- Personal Interview (PI)
- Maintain consistency in academics.
- Gain meaningful work experience, if possible.
- Develop communication and interview skills.
- Participate in extracurricular activities and leadership roles.
These institutes are relatively more accessible while still offering:
For candidates scoring in the low-to-mid 90s, New and Baby IIMs remain excellent options.
Category-Wise Expected CAT Cutoffs
| Category | Approximate Range |
|---|---|
| General | 90–99+ |
| EWS | 85–95 |
| OBC | 80–95 |
| SC | 60–80 |
| ST | 50–75 |
| PwD | Varies |
Disclaimer: Category-wise cutoffs differ across institutes and may change every year depending on applicant volume, reservation policies, and the overall difficulty level of CAT.
Sectional vs. Overall Cutoffs
One of the most misunderstood aspects of the CAT admission process is the difference
between sectional and overall cutoffs.
Overall Cutoff
This refers to your combined percentile across all sections.
Sectional Cutoff
This refers to the minimum percentile required in each section:
Why Sectional Cutoffs Matter
Imagine a candidate with:
Despite an excellent overall score, many IIMs may reject the application because the Quant percentile does not meet the sectional cutoff.
Clearing all three sections is just as important as achieving a high overall percentile.
Profile Matters: Beyond the CAT Score
CAT scores are only one component of the admission process.
Most IIMs evaluate candidates holistically based on:
For example, a candidate with a 98 percentile and an excellent academic profile may receive an interview call over someone with a slightly higher CAT score but weaker academics.
Build a Strong Overall Profile
Remember, CAT gets you to the door—the rest of your profile helps you walk through it.
IIM cutoffs are an important milestone, but they are not the entire story. Whether you're targeting the Old IIMs with a 99+ percentile or aiming for New and Baby IIMs with a score in the 90–95 range, consistent preparation and a strong overall profile can significantly improve your chances.
Start your CAT preparation today, track your sectional performance regularly, and work toward becoming a well-rounded candidate—not just a high scorer.
Frequently Asked Questions
IIM Ahmedabad typically has a qualifying cutoff of around 80–85 percentile in each section, but candidates who receive interview calls and final offers usually have an overall percentile of 99+.
Yes. A 90 percentile can make you competitive for several Baby IIMs and some newer IIMs, depending on your category, academic profile, work experience, and interview performance.
Yes. Most IIMs have both overall and sectional cutoffs. Candidates must meet the minimum percentile requirements in VARC, DILR, and QA to be considered for admission.
The cutoff for OBC candidates varies by institute but generally falls in the 80–95 percentile range for most IIMs. Top IIMs may have higher requirements.
No. Meeting the cutoff only makes you eligible for consideration. Final admission depends on factors such as academics, work experience, diversity, WAT, and Personal Interview performance.
Among the IIMs, several Baby IIMs typically have lower cutoff requirements, often in the 90–95 percentile range for General category candidates. Category-specific cutoffs may be significantly lower.
A qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile required to be considered for the next stage of the admission process. A final cutoff refers to the percentile range of candidates who ultimately receive admission offers. The final cutoff is usually much higher than the qualifying cutoff.