CAT Cutoff For IIM Category Wise: Percentile Ranks, Admission Criteria & Selection Process
The following table outlines the key dates for the CAT 2025 examination, which forms the basis for IIM admissions in the 2026-28 academic session.
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 24 |
| Application Start | August 1 |
| Application Close | September 20 |
| Admit Card Release | November 12 |
| Exam Date | November 30 |
| Result Announcement | December 24 |
IIMs CAT 2025 Category-wise Qualifying Cutoff: General, OBC, SC, ST & EWS Percentiles (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The table below presents the minimum overall qualifying CAT percentiles for various IIMs across different categories for the 2025 exam, relevant for 2026-28 admissions.
| IIM | General | NC-OBC | EWS | SC | ST | PwD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 | 90 | 95 | 85 | 75 | 75 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 60 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 75 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 55 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 82 | 82 | 65 | 60 | 60 |
| New/Baby IIMs (Range) | 90-95 | 70-85 | 70-85 | 50-70 | 30-55 | 30-60 |
IIMs CAT Cutoff Trends: Qualifying Percentiles 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 by Category
Here are the year-on-year trends for the minimum qualifying CAT percentiles for select IIMs across different categories.
| IIM & Category | 2023 Percentile | 2024 Percentile | 2025 Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad (General) | 80 | 80 | 95 |
| IIM Ahmedabad (NC-OBC) | 65 | 65 | 90 |
| IIM Ahmedabad (SC) | 60 | 60 | 85 |
| IIM Ahmedabad (ST) | 50 | 50 | 75 |
| IIM Lucknow (General) | 90 | 90 | 90 |
| IIM Lucknow (NC-OBC) | 82 | 82 | 82 |
| IIM Lucknow (SC) | 65 | 65 | 65 |
| IIM Lucknow (ST) | 60 | 60 | 60 |
CAT Cutoff For IIM Category Wise 2026 Counselling Schedule: Shortlisting, Interview & Final Offer Dates
The expected timeline for the IIM admission and counselling process for the 2026-28 batch, based on CAT 2025 scores, is detailed below.
| Event | Date (Expected 2026) |
|---|---|
| IIM Shortlist Release | January |
| WAT/GD/PI Rounds | February – April |
| Final Admission Offer Letters | May |
| Academic Session Begins | June – July |
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between qualifying and final CAT cutoff for IIMs?
A: The qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile required to be eligible for the next stages of the admission process (WAT/PI rounds), as released in the IIMs’ admission policies. The final cutoff, or actual call percentile, is typically much higher and represents the percentile at which candidates actually receive interview invitations due to intense competition.
Q: When will the CAT 2026 cutoff be officially released?
A: The official CAT 2026 cutoffs are expected to be released after the CAT 2026 results are declared in December 2026, and after IIMs publish their 2027-29 admission policies, usually around July 2026.
Q: Do all IIMs have the same CAT cutoff for the General category?
A: No, CAT cutoffs vary significantly across different IIMs. Top-tier IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta generally have higher cutoffs (often 99+ percentile for final calls), while newer or baby IIMs may have slightly lower cutoffs.
Q: Are there sectional cutoffs in CAT for IIM admissions?
A: Yes, most IIMs require candidates to clear minimum sectional cutoffs in addition to the overall percentile in each of the three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Q: How much relaxation do reserved categories get in CAT cutoffs for IIMs?
A: Reserved categories like NC-OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD receive significant relaxation in both overall and sectional CAT cutoffs compared to the General category. For instance, OBC/EWS candidates typically need 10-15 percentiles lower, while SC/ST candidates may have cutoffs ranging from 35-70 percentile depending on the institute.
Q: What is a good CAT percentile to aim for IIM admissions in 2026?
A: For top IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta), a 99+ percentile is generally considered competitive for General category candidates. For other older IIMs, 97+ percentile, and for newer IIMs, 90-95+ percentile is often a good target.
