IIM Calcutta MBAEx 2027-28 round 1 shortlist out: interviews on October 31, November 1

IIM Calcutta has announced the Round 1 shortlist for its Post Graduate Programme for Executives (MBAEx) Batch 21 (2027-28) Personal Interview and Writing Ability Test (WAT) on October 22, 2026. Applicants for the one-year full-time residential program can access their status on the official admissions portal at application.iimcal.ac.in.

The Personal Interviews and WAT for Round 1 are scheduled for October 31 and November 1, 2026. These assessments are critical components of the final admission decision, with both carrying weightage. The MBAEx program, which has been running since 2006, is designed for executives with a minimum of five years of professional experience.

Interview and Assessment Details

Domestic candidates who have been shortlisted for Round 1 will participate in in-person interviews at designated venues across Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, and NCR. It is mandatory for Indian candidates to attend their interviews at the allotted physical location. Online interviews are exclusively reserved for overseas candidates.

The assessment process combines a Personal Interview with a Writing Ability Test. Both components are considered in the final admission decision for the MBAEx Batch 21. Candidates are required to have in-centre GMAT scores, as online GMAT scores will not be accepted for admissions to this batch.

Admission Timelines and Application Rounds

Following the interviews, the final admission results for Round 1 will be declared on November 16, 2026. Round 1 applications for the MBAEx program closed on October 12, 2026. For prospective candidates who did not apply in the first round, Round 2 applications are currently open.

The application window for Round 2 commenced on October 13, 2026, and will conclude on December 1, 2026. Personal Interviews and WAT for Round 2 applicants are scheduled for December 19 and 20, 2026, with the final admission results for Round 2 expected on January 11, 2027.

Programme Structure and Accreditation

The MBAEx is a one-year full-time residential program specifically designed for executives. IIM Calcutta holds triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS, and is also a member of the CEMS fraternity. The program has been offered by the institution since 2006, catering to professionals seeking advanced management education.

Regarding the certification, the final status of the certificate (Degree or Diploma) for the MBAEx program remains contingent on ongoing deliberations with the Ministry of Education (MoE). IIM Calcutta is engaged with the Ministry and other IIMs to address concerns related to the program’s certification.

Steps to Check Shortlist Status

Candidates who applied for Round 1 of the IIM Calcutta MBAEx Batch 21 (2027-28) can now check their shortlist status for the Personal Interview and Writing Ability Test (WAT). The official admissions portal, application.iimcal.ac.in, is where applicants can access this information. To view their status, candidates are required to enter their registered email ID and full name on the portal.

Upon verifying their shortlist status, candidates are advised to carefully note the allotted venue, date, and reporting time for their interviews. It is also crucial for shortlisted candidates to prepare necessary documents, including original academic proofs, work experience certificates, and a photo ID, as these will be required during the interview process.

Further reading

• IIM Calcutta MBAEx 2027 Round 2 applications open; apply by December 1
• SBI PO psychometric test on 31 October, interviews from 18 November for 1,500 vacancies
• STET 2026 November 4 exam postponed to November 21; download new admit cards on October 24
• JEECUP Pharmacy counselling 2026 round 4 result out: freeze/float by October 24
• MAH NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round 1 reporting extended to October 22

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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