Introduction
IIM Indore’s Post Graduate Programme (PGP) follows a rigorous three-stage selection process for admission to its 2026-28 batch through CAT 2025. Understanding the IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 is crucial for aspirants aiming to convert their CAT calls into final admission offers. Unlike many IIMs, the IIM Indore admission process places exceptional emphasis on academic consistency—particularly 10th and 12th marks—alongside CAT performance and Personal Interview scores. With the IIM Indore cat cutoff set at 90 percentile for General category and the IIM Indore final shortlist 2026 expected in January, strategic preparation across all parameters determines success. This comprehensive guide decodes the IIM Indore WAT PI weightage (though IIM Indore conducts only PI, no WAT), official cutoffs, composite scoring formulas, and actionable IIM Indore interview tips to maximize your admission chances.
Quick Snapshot — IIM Indore Selection Criteria 2026
The IIM Indore admission process comprises three distinct stages: Stage I validates eligibility and CAT cutoffs, Stage II creates the PI shortlist using a composite score of academics and CAT, and Stage III generates the final merit list after Personal Interviews.
Selection Flow:
- Eligibility Check – Bachelor’s degree with minimum marks (50% General/45% SC/ST/PwD)
- CAT 2025 Cutoff – Sectional and overall percentile thresholds
- Shortlisting – Composite score: 10th (39%), 12th (20%), CAT (35% with VARC 10%, DILR 10%, QA 15%), Diversity (6%: Gender [female/transgender] OR Academic [non-engineering at bachelor’s level], max 6%)
- Personal Interview – No WAT round; only PI conducted
- Final Selection – Composite: CAT (40% with VARC 10%, DILR 10%, QA 20%), PI (45%), 10th & 12th (10% with 10th 5%, 12th 5%), Diversity (5%: Gender OR Academic, max 5%)
The IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 rewards consistent academic performers with strong interview skills.
Eligibility Criteria — Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the IIM Indore final shortlist 2026, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories) from a recognized university. Final-year students can apply provisionally.
Key Requirements:
- Minimum Marks: 50% (General/EWS/NC-OBC) | 45% (SC/ST/PwD)
- Degree: Any bachelor’s degree or professional qualification (CA/CS/CMA)
- Work Experience: Not mandatory but adds value
- Final-Year Students: Eligible; must submit completion proof by June 30, 2026, and final marksheet/degree certificate by December 31, 2026.
The IIM Indore admission process verifies eligibility at multiple stages; candidates must maintain valid email and phone contact throughout.
CAT 2025 Cut-offs — Official Percentile Thresholds
The IIM Indore cat cutoff for 2026 admission (CAT 2025 takers) follows the official thresholds set for PGP 2025-27 batch:
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
| General | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
| EWS | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
| NC-OBC | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 60 |
| ST | 40 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
| PwD | 40 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
Understanding the IIM I cat cutoff:
- Meeting cutoffs qualifies you for shortlisting, not admission
- Sectional cutoffs are mandatory—clearing overall alone won’t suffice
- CAT difficulty and competition affect year-to-year variations
- The IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 uses these as minimum thresholds
Stage II Shortlisting — Profile Score Formula
For IIM Indore final shortlist 2026, candidates are evaluated using a normalized Composite Score with unprecedented 59% weightage on academics (10th: 39%, 12th: 20%).
Shortlisting Composite Score Components:
| Parameter | Weightage | Calculation Method |
| 10th Marks | 39% | Z-score normalization |
| 12th Marks | 20% | Z-score normalization |
| CAT VARC | 10% | Scaled to section max |
| CAT DILR | 10% | Scaled to section max |
| CAT QA | 15% | Scaled to section max |
| Diversity: Gender (female/transgender) OR Academic (non-engineering at bachelor’s level) | 6% | Gender/Academic |
IIM Indore normalizes 10th and 12th marks across different boards using Z-scores (Z = (candidate score – minimum)/(maximum – minimum)), ensuring fair comparison regardless of board difficulty. This unique emphasis on academics makes the IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 particularly favorable for students with consistent 90%+ marks throughout school.
Diversity Factor (6%):
- Non-male candidates receive diversity points
- Non-engineering academic backgrounds rewarded
- Promotes gender and academic balance
Approximately 3,500-4,500 candidates are shortlisted for PI across categories—roughly 8-10 times the available seats. The IIM Indore admission process prioritizes academic consistency over just CAT scores at this stage.
Personal Interview Process — Format & Evaluation
IMPORTANT: The IIM Indore WAT PI weightage is a misnomer—IIM Indore does NOT conduct WAT (Written Ability Test); only Personal Interview (PI) is conducted.
PI Details:
- Duration: 20-30 minutes
- Panel: 2-3 faculty members/alumni
- Mode: Offline at 7 centers (Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolkata, Mumbai) or online
- Timeline: February-March 2026 (expected)
Question Categories:
- Academic Deep-Dive – Core concepts from your undergraduate major
- Work Experience – Role responsibilities, achievements, learnings
- General Awareness – Current affairs, business news, policy changes
- Motivation Questions – Why MBA? Why IIM Indore specifically?
- Situational/Ethical – Decision-making under constraints
- Profile-Specific – Extracurriculars, hobbies, unique experiences
Evaluation Parameters:
- Communication clarity and confidence
- Analytical and logical thinking
- Subject matter knowledge
- Honesty and self-awareness
- Leadership potential and maturity
IIM Indore expects consistent minimum performance across PI parameters; candidates failing to meet minimum thresholds won’t advance to Stage III.
10 Proven IIM Indore Interview Tips
Master the IIM Indore interview tips below to ace your PI:
- Master Your Resume: Every line should have a 2-minute story with Situation-Task-Action-Result structure
- Revise Core Academics: Expect 5-7 technical questions from your major; revisit fundamental concepts
- Read Daily: Follow The Hindu, Economic Times, Livemint for 60 days before PI
- Practice Mock PIs: Minimum 5 mock interviews with alumni/mentors giving harsh feedback
- Prepare Your “Why MBA” Narrative: Connect past experiences → MBA skills needed → career goals (3-minute arc)
- Know IIM Indore: Research faculty, specializations, clubs, recent achievements—show genuine interest
- Structure Responses: Use frameworks (STAR, pros-cons-conclusion) to organize thoughts clearly
- Admit Knowledge Gaps Gracefully: “I haven’t studied X, but I’d approach it by…” shows maturity
- Demonstrate Curiosity: Ask 2-3 thoughtful questions about the program at the end
- Stay Calm Under Pressure: Treat it like a professional conversation, not an interrogation—breathe, pause, think
Pro Tip: Since the IIM Indore interview tips emphasize academics, create a 1-page cheat sheet of formulas/concepts from your major and review it the night before.
Final Selection — Composite Score Breakdown
The IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 for final admission uses a dramatically different weightage than shortlisting, with PI carrying the maximum weight at 45%:
| Component | Weightage | Notes |
| Personal Interview | 45% | Normalized Z-score |
| CAT VARC | 20% | Scaled to max score |
| CAT DILR | 10% | Scaled to max score |
| CAT QA | 10% | Scaled to max score |
| 10th Marks | 5% | Z-score normalization |
| 12th Marks | 5% | Z-score normalization |
| Diversity Factor | 5% | Gender/Academic |
Total CAT Weightage: 40% (VARC 20% + DILR 10% + QA 10%)
Total Academic Weightage: 10% (10th 5% + 12th 5%)
PI Weightage: 45%
Sample Calculation:
Candidate Profile:
- 10th: 92% → Z-score: 0.85 → 5 × 0.85 = 4.25
- 12th: 88% → Z-score: 0.78 → 5 × 0.78 = 3.90
- CAT VARC: 45/60 → (45/60) × 20 = 15.00
- CAT DILR: 38/48 → (38/48) × 10 = 7.92
- CAT QA: 52/66 → (52/66) × 10 = 7.88
- PI: Scored 75/100 → Z-score: 0.72 → 45 × 0.72 = 32.40
- Diversity: Female, non-engineer → 5.00
Final Composite Score: 4.25 + 3.90 + 15.00 + 7.92 + 7.88 + 32.40 + 5.00 = 76.35/100
Category-wise merit lists determine final offers. The IIM Indore final shortlist 2026 converts to admission based on these composite scores.
Academic Performance — What Really Matters
The IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 gives academics 59% weightage during shortlisting and 10% during final selection.
10th & 12th Marks Strategy:
- Consistency Wins: 85-85-85 beats 95-75-85 due to normalization
- Board Doesn’t Matter: Z-score normalization levels CBSE, ICSE, State boards
- All Subjects Count: Aggregate of all subjects on marksheet, regardless of board’s core calculation
- COVID-19 Provisions: Students without 10th/12th marks due to pandemic get pro-rata redistribution to other components
Work Experience (Not Separately Weighted):
- Strengthens PI narrative and profile uniqueness
- 12-36 months optimal; freshers not disadvantaged
- Quality trumps duration—leadership roles valued
Diversity Factors — Maximizing Your Advantage
The IIM Indore admission process awards 6% at shortlisting and 5% at final selection for diversity.
Who Gets Diversity Points:
- Gender Diversity: Non-male candidates (female/transgender)
- Academic Diversity: Non-engineering backgrounds (Commerce, Science, Arts, Law, Medicine)
- Promotes balanced classroom perspectives
Impact: Can push borderline candidates into shortlist/admission zones—significant for close competitions.
Key Dates — IIM Indore Admission Timeline 2026
| Event | Tentative Date |
| CAT 2025 Exam | November 30, 2025 |
| CAT Results | January 2026 |
| IIM Indore Final Shortlist 2026 | Mid-January 2026 |
| Personal Interviews | February-March 2026 |
| Final Admission Offers | April 2026 |
| Classes Commence | June 2026 |
Monitor iimidr.ac.in and your registered email for official IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 notifications.
Program Fees & Placement Highlights
PGP Fees (2025-27 Batch):
₹21.17 Lakh for two years (Indian residents) | ₹31.17 Lakh (NRI candidates)
Placement Statistics (2024):
Average Package: ₹25.68 LPA
Median Package: ₹24.50 LPA
Highest Package: ₹1 Crore (100 LPA)
Top Recruiters: Accenture, Amazon, BCG, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Google, McKinsey
Key Sectors: Consulting (35%), BFSI (25%), Technology (20%), FMCG (10%)
IIM Indore vs Other IIMs — Quick Comparison
| Parameter | IIM Indore | IIM Kozhikode | IIM Lucknow |
| CAT Cutoff (Gen) | 90 | 85 | 90 |
| Academic Weight | 59% (shortlist) | 40% | 20% |
| PI Weightage | 45% | 35% | 40% |
| WAT Round | No | Yes | Yes |
| 10th/12th Focus | Very High | Medium | Low |
The IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 uniquely favors consistent academic performers over other top IIMs.
FAQs on IIM Indore Selection Criteria 2026
1. What is the CAT 2026 cutoff for IIM Indore?
The IIM Indore cat cutoff for General category is 90 overall percentile with 80 sectional in VARC, DILR, and QA. NC-OBC requires 80 overall, SC needs 60, and ST/PwD need 45 percentile. These are official thresholds for the IIM Indore selection criteria 2026.
2. What are the eligibility criteria for IIM Indore admission?
Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) is required under the IIM Indore admission process. Final-year students can apply provisionally. All disciplines are eligible; work experience is not mandatory.
3. How is the profile score calculated?
For IIM Indore final shortlist 2026, the composite score comprises 10th marks (39%), 12th marks (20%), CAT sectional scores (35% with VARC 10%, DILR 10%, QA 15%), and diversity (6%: Gender OR Academic, max 6%) using Z-score normalization. This makes academics crucial in the IIM Indore selection criteria 2026.
4. How much weightage is given to academics vs CAT score?
At shortlisting: Academics 59% vs CAT 35%. At final selection: CAT 40% vs Academics 10%. The IIM Indore admission process front-loads academics early, then emphasizes CAT and PI for final admission.
5. How important is the PI round at IIM Indore?
PI carries maximum 45% weightage in final selection under the IIM Indore selection criteria 2026—higher than any other component. Strong PI performance can compensate for lower CAT or academic scores. Follow proven IIM Indore interview tips to excel.
6. What are some tips to prepare for the PI round?
Key IIM Indore interview tips include: Master your resume stories, revise undergraduate core concepts, read business newspapers daily for 60 days, practice 5+ mock interviews, structure responses using frameworks, and demonstrate genuine curiosity about IIM Indore’s programs. Since there’s no WAT, focus 100% on PI preparation.
7. When will the shortlist be declared?
The IIM Indore final shortlist 2026 is expected in mid-January 2026, approximately 6-7 weeks after CAT results. Candidates are notified via registered email; no individual regret letters are sent. Monitor iimidr.ac.in regularly.
8. How is the composite score calculated?
The IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 uses normalized scores: PI (45%), CAT sections (40% with VARC 10%, DILR 10%, QA 20%), academics (10% with 10th 5%, 12th 5%), and diversity (5%: Gender OR Academic, max 5%). All components are Z-score normalized or scaled to maximum, ensuring fair comparison across candidates.
9. What is the minimum score for the General category?
The IIM I cat cutoff minimum is 90 overall with 80 sectional. However, final admission depends on composite score ranking—there’s no fixed minimum composite score as it varies by competition intensity each year under the IIM Indore admission process.
10. Does IIM Indore prefer certain academic backgrounds?
The IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 awards 5-6% diversity points to non-engineering backgrounds. While 60-70% admits are typically engineers due to applicant pool composition, Commerce, Science, Arts, and other backgrounds are actively encouraged and rewarded.
Call to Action
Master the IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 by starting your preparation today. Focus on maximizing your IIM I cat cutoff scores while understanding how the IIM Indore admission process evaluates academics and PI performance. Review the official IIM Indore WAT PI weightage (remember: no WAT, only PI!) and apply proven IIM Indore interview tips during mock practice. Stay updated on IIM Indore final shortlist 2026 announcements at iimidr.ac.in. Download our free 15-point interview preparation checklist and CAT strategy guide. Your dream MBA at IIM Indore awaits—prepare strategically, perform authentically, and convert that call!
Verification Note: This article is based on the official IIM Indore PGP 2025-27 Admission Policy and historical trends based on PGP 2025-27 Admission Policy (no 2026-28 policy released as of October 15, 2025). For the latest IIM Indore selection criteria 2026 updates, visit iimidr.ac.in/admissions.
