Introduction: Your Gateway to India’s Premier B-School
IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026 is one of the most coveted Indian business education accomplishments. Being among the leading business schools, IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026 is pursued by a number of thousands of potential students who are competing with each other over the limited number of places in the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). Cat 2025 will be the basis of IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026 and it will be among the most challenging selection processes in India.
This knowledge will be of great help to your preparation strategy provided you know the idea of IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026, IIM Ahmedabad eligibility criteria, and the whole IIM A selection process 2026. This is the reference that will cover all the essentials of the IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026, including IIM A WAT PI process, and IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage.
IIM Ahmedabad Courses Offered Through CAT 2025
| Program | Duration | Eligibility |
| PGP (MBA) | 2 Years | CAT 2025 + Graduation (50%) + Min Age 19 as on June 30, 2026 |
| PGP-FABM | 2 Years | CAT 2025 + Graduation + Min Age 19 as on June 30, 2026 |
| PGPX (Executive MBA) | 1 Years | GMAT/GRE + Graduation + Min 25 Years Age as on March 31, 2026 + Work Experience (Min 4 Years) |
IIM Ahmedabad Eligibility Criteria 2026
Before applying for IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026, ensure you meet the IIM Ahmedabad eligibility criteria:
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA for General/NC-OBC/EWS (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- The bachelor’s degree must entail a minimum of three years of education after completing higher secondary schooling (10+2) or equivalent.
- Final year students awaiting results can apply, but must submit a certificate confirming they are in the final year and have at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD) based on latest grades; provisional admission requires completion by June 30, 2026, and final marksheet/degree by December 31, 2026.
- Professional degrees (CA, CS, ICWA) with required percentage are eligible; for CA/ICWA/CMA/CS, use (Inter % + Final %)/2; for FIAI, use aggregate %.
- Percentage is based on institution/university practice; for CGPA/grades, equivalence must be certified by the institution or calculated as (obtained CGPA / max CGPA) × 100.
- For integrated Master’s/dual-degree after 12th, use equivalent to bachelor’s % or aggregate of available marksheets
CAT 2025 Registration:
- Valid CAT 2025 score is mandatory for IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026
- Must appear for all three sections
- No upper age limit, but minimum age of 19 as on June 30, 2026 (born on or before June 30, 2007)
The IIM Ahmedabad eligibility criteria emphasize strong academic foundations across all educational stages, making it crucial to maintain consistent performance from Class 10th onwards.
IIM Ahmedabad CAT Cutoff 2026: Expected Percentiles
The IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 serves as the first major filter in the IIM A selection process 2026. Based on historical trends, here are the expected cut-offs:
Overall Percentile Requirements:
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
| General | 85+ | 85+ | 85+ | 95+ |
| EWS | 85+ | 85+ | 85+ | 95+ |
| NC-OBC | 80+ | 80+ | 80+ | 90+ |
| SC | 75+ | 75+ | 75+ | 85+ |
| ST | 65+ | 65+ | 65+ | 75+ |
| PwD | 75+ | 75+ | 75+ | 85+ |
IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 can be changed depending on the level of difficulty of the exam and the strength of the applicant pool. Sectional and overall cut-offs are also required of candidates before they pass through to the IIM A selection process 2026.
IIM A Selection Process 2026: Step-by-Step Journey
The IIM A selection process 2026 follows a transparent, merit-based approach:
Stage 1: Clear CAT 2025 Cut-offs: Meet the stringent IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 requirements across all sections
Stage 2: Application Rating (AR) Score: Once candidates pass the IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 they will get an AR score which is determined by:
- 10th Std. rating (A: >90% = 10, down to <=55% = 1)
- 12th Std. rating (B: Stream-specific, e.g., Science >90% = 10)
- Bachelor’s rating (C: Discipline-specific by Academic Category AC1-6, e.g., >80% = 10)
- Work experience (D: <12 months = 0; 12-36 months = 0.20 × (months – 11); >36 months = 5; as on July 31, 2025)
- Gender diversity (E: 3 for non-male, 0 for male)
- Normalized AR = AR / average top 50 AR in pool
- Composite Score (CS) for shortlisting = 0.35 × Normalized AR + 0.65 × Normalized CAT overall
Stage 3: Shortlisting for AWT-PI: Two stages – exceptional performers across disciplines (top 5% per AC/reservation group, up to limits like 100 for General) based on CS if meeting additional % minima (e.g., average 10th/12th >=80 for General Science stream; bachelor’s >=80th percentile in group); then additional per category on CS.
According to history, out of the applicants who pass the IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026, about 1,200-1,500 applicants are shortlisted.
Stage 4: Analytical Writing Test & Personal Interview: This is the most critical stage of the IIM A WAT PI process since personality, communication, and analytical ability are tested at this stage.
Stage 5: Final Merit List Composite scores determine final selections in the IIM A selection process 2026.
Final Composite Score (FCS) = 0.50 × Normalized PI + 0.10 × Normalized AWT + 0.25 × Normalized CAT + 0.15 × Normalized AR; selections per category proportions (reservations apply)
IIM Ahmedabad Shortlisting Weightage: The Formula
Understanding IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage is crucial for targeting the right preparation areas:
For Shortlisting (Application Rating):
- Normalized CAT Score: 65%
- Normalized Application Rating (10th + 12th + Graduation + Work Experience + Gender Diversity): 35%
Final Selection Weightage:
| Component | Weightage |
| CAT 2025 Score | 25% |
| AWT Score | 10% |
| Personal Interview | 50% |
| Application Rating (Academic + Diversity + Work Experience) | 15% |
The IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage clearly shows that the Personal Interview carries maximum importance (50%) in the IIM A selection process 2026, making it the most critical component after clearing the IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026.
IIM A WAT PI Process: The Final Frontier
The IIM A WAT PI process is the decisive stage where your personality and analytical abilities are evaluated.
Analytical Writing Test (AWT):
- Duration: 20-30 minutes
- Focus: Analytical reasoning, structured arguments, clarity
- Evaluation: Coherence, logic, grammar, evidence-based writing
Recent AWT topics include:
- Impact of AI on employment
- Sustainable development challenges
- Ethics in modern business
- Work-life balance dynamics
Personal Interview (PI): The IIM A WAT PI process includes a 15-25 minute interview with 2-3 panelists covering:
- Academic background deep-dive
- Work experience discussion
- Current affairs and economic policies
- Personal motivations and career goals
- Domain-specific knowledge
Preparation Tips for IIM A WAT PI Process:
- Master your academic subjects thoroughly
- Stay updated with current affairs
- Practice structured writing within time limits
- Develop authentic, defendable narratives
- Research IIM Ahmedabad’s culture and values
- Prepare for stress interview scenarios
- Work on clear, confident communication
The IIM A WAT PI process values authenticity over rehearsed responses, so focus on genuine engagement rather than memorized answers.
Final Merit List Preparation
After the IIM A WAT PI process, the final merit list integrates all components based on IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage:
- CAT 2025: 25%
- AWT: 10%
- Personal Interview: 50%
- Academics: 15%
- Academics/Gender Diversity/Work Experience (AR): 15%
Preference for Freshers vs. Experienced Candidates
Does IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026 prefer experienced candidates? The answer is nuanced.
For Freshers:
- Focus on exceptional academics (crucial for IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage)
- Demonstrate leadership through college activities
- Compensate with outstanding CAT scores
For Experienced Candidates:
- 2-4 years of quality work experience adds value
- Showcase tangible impact and achievements
- Work experience contributes 5% in final IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage
Recent batches comprise 60-70% experienced candidates and 30-40% freshers, showing balanced representation in IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026.
Expected Percentiles for General Category Students
The competitive admissions probability of IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026 is at 99.5+ percentile that general category candidates should aim to achieve. The base line i.e. IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 is 99+ percentile; however, competitive candidates are portrayed to score higher.
Realistic Targets:
- Qualifying: 95 overall/ 85 sectional
- Competitive: 99.5+ percentile
- Safe Zone: 99.7+ percentile
- Strong Candidacy: 99.8+ percentile
It is important to remember that this IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 is only the beginning. Good performance and high academics in the IIM A WAT PI process is also vital in the final selection.
Important Dates for IIM Ahmedabad Admission 2026
| Event | Tentative Timeline |
| CAT 2025 Notification | July-August 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam | Late November 2025 |
| CAT Results | December 2025/January 2026 |
| IIM-A Shortlist Release | Second week of January 2026 |
| AWT-PI Rounds | February-March 2026 |
| Final Admission Offers | Second week of April 2026 |
| Admission Confirmation | First/Second week of May 2026 |
| Session Begins | June 2026 |
Always check the official IIM Ahmedabad website (www.iima.ac.in) for confirmed dates regarding IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026.
IIM Ahmedabad Fees & Placement Highlights
Program Fees: ₹27.5 Lakh ((PGP 2025-27; 2026-28 to be announced, expected similar)
Placement Statistics (2024-25):
- Mean Package: ₹35 LPA
- Median Package: ₹34.59 LPA
- Highest Package: ₹1.46 Cr
- Top Recruiters: Accenture Strategy (highest offers), BCG, Goldman Sachs, PwC, McKinsey & Co., Amazon, Microsoft, Aditya Birla Group
Tips to Secure IIM Ahmedabad Admission 2026
- Target 99.5+ in CAT 2025 to comfortably clear IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026
- Maintain strong academic consistency across 10th, 12th, and Graduation
- Master analytical writing skills for the IIM A WAT PI process
- Stay updated with current affairs, news and business world.
- Prepare authentic stories showcasing leadership and influence.
- Understand the IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage to focus on what needs to be prepared.
Conclusion
The IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026 requirement of holistic excellence requires not only passing the IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 but also good academic performance, analytical skills and communication during the IIM A selection process 2026. Realizing the IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage and making an effective preparation on how to go about the IIM A WAT PI process greatly helps.
IIM Ahmedabad eligibility criteria is simple and the selection is tough. Timely is good, plan and get ready because IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026 is looking towards all roundness candidates who would add value to the leading business school in India.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the CAT 2026 cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad?
The IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 is 95 overall percentile for General/EWS category with sectional cut-offs of 85 percentile. The IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 varies by category, with NC-OBC at 90/80, SC at 85/75, and ST at 75/65 percentile. Meeting the IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 is essential for shortlisting in the IIM A selection process 2026.
2. What are the eligibility criteria for IIM Ahmedabad admission?
The IIM Ahmedabad eligibility criteria require a bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for reserved categories), valid CAT 2025 score, positive raw score in all sections, minimum age 19 as on June 30, 2026, and no upper age limit. The IIM Ahmedabad eligibility criteria allow final-year students to apply, with work experience being optional but beneficial.
3. How does IIM Ahmedabad shortlist candidates for WAT–PI?
IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage considers normalized CAT score (65%), normalized academic performance/work experience/gender diversity (35%) to calculate Composite Score. Only top-ranked candidates based on IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage proceed to the IIM A WAT PI process.
4. What is the selection weightage for academics and work experience?
In the IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage, academics/work experience/gender diversity carry 15% in final selection (as part of AR), while work experience contributes up to 5 points in AR. The complete IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage includes normalized CAT (25%), normalized AWT (10%), and normalized PI (50%).
5. What is the minimum sectional cutoff for CAT 2026?
The minimum sectional IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 for General/EWS category is 85 percentile across VARC, DILR, and QA. Reserved categories have proportionally lower sectional IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 requirements.
6. How is the final merit list prepared?
The final merit list in the IIM A selection process 2026 uses Final Composite Scores integrating normalized CAT performance (25%), AWT (10%), PI (50%), academics/gender diversity/work experience (15%) based on IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting weightage.
7. Does IIM Ahmedabad give preference to freshers?
IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026 doesn’t explicitly prefer freshers or experienced candidates. Work experience adds up to 5 points in AR, with recent batches comprising a mix and significant proportion with >6 months experience.
8. What is the expected percentile for General category students?
General category students should target 99+ percentile for competitive IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026 chances. While the baseline IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2026 is 95 overall/85 sectional percentile, successful candidates typically score higher with strong academics and excellent IIM A WAT PI process performance.
9. What are the important dates for IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026?
Key dates for IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026: CAT 2025 exam (November 30, 2025), results (January 2026), shortlist announcement (second week January 2026), IIM A WAT PI process rounds (February-March 2026), and final offers (second week April 2026). Check www.iima.ac.in for official updates.
10. How is the WAT–PI round conducted at IIM Ahmedabad?
The IIM A WAT PI process includes an Analytical Writing Test evaluating structured thinking and a Personal Interview with faculty. The IIM A WAT PI process carries 60% combined weightage in final selection, making it the most critical stage of IIM Ahmedabad admission 2026.
