The Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur has announced major changes to its undergraduate admission process for the 2026 academic session. Students seeking admission to its undergraduate programs, i.e., the Bachelor of Science in Management and Public Policy program and the Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence program, the following year, must keep in mind the following changes to ensure a smooth admission process.
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What has Changed in IIM Sambalpur UG Admission?
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the changes in IIM Sambalpur UG Admission process for aspirants targeting this esteemed institution. The most notable change is that from now, CUET UG scores won’t be grounds for admission, rather, IIM Sambalpur will accept IPMAT Indore 2026 Score for admission to its Bachelor of Science in Management and Public Policy program.
Additionally, the institute has also made the Personal Interview Round a compulsory part of the admission process for both the programs. This move reflects the institute’s focus on selecting students based on their aptitude, communication skills, and overall suitability for the programme. These changes will be applicable from the 2026 admissions cycle onwards.
Eligibility Criteria
Before you start preparing, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria for the programmes.
IIM Sambalpur Eligibility Criteria for B.S. in Management and Public Policy
The following is the eligibility criteria for B.S in Management and Public Policy. Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria.
- Must have passed Class 12 (HSC) or equivalent, or be appearing in Class 12, with results expected by June 2026
- Minimum marks required:
- 60% in Class 10 and Class 12 for General category
- 55% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS categories
(A 5% relaxation in Class 10 and 12 marks is applicable for reserved categories.)
- Must have passed English in both Class 10 and Class 12
- Must have a valid IPMAT Indore 2026 score
- Age limit: Maximum 20 years as on July 31, 2026
- Age relaxation available and seats for reserved categories as per Government of India norms
IIM Sambalpur Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
The following is the eligibility criteria for B.S in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria.
- Must have passed Class 12 (HSC) or equivalent, or be appearing in Class 12, with results expected by June 2026
- Minimum marks required:
- 60% in Class 10 and Class 12 for General category
- 55% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD/EWS categories
(A 5% relaxation in Class 10 and 12 marks is applicable for reserved categories.)
- Must have passed English and Mathematics examinations in both Class 10 and Class 12
- Must have a valid JEE (Mains) 2026 score
- Age limit: Maximum 20 years as on July 31, 2026
- Age relaxation available and seats for reserved categories as per Government of India norms
Admission Process
The admission process for IIM Sambalpur B.S. programs consists of the following stages:
Stage 1: Application and Eligibility.
- Candidates must apply through the IIM Sambalpur Online Admission Portal.
- All relevant and valid documents must be submitted through the time of admission through the online portal.
Stage 2: Shortlisting and Personal Interview
Candidates will be shortlisted based on their scores of IPMAT Indore 2026 and JEE Mains for B.S. in Management and Public Policy, and B.S. in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence respectively. The Interview panel will assess the candidates on various parameters and call them for a Personal Interview. The personal interview tests the candidates clarity of thought, motivation and communication skills- beyond just academic performance.
Stage 3: Merit List Creation
The final merit list will be created on the basis of candidates’ scores in JEE Mains/ IPMAT Indore, and their performance in the Personal Interview round.
Admission Timeline for 2026 Admission (Tentative)
Students sleeping admissions to these courses should keep the following timeline in mind. Applicants are advised to regularly check official notifications to avoid missing deadlines.
| Event | B.S. in Management and Public Policy: Timeline | Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence: Timeline |
| Application Start | May 2026 | May 2026 |
| Application Deadline | June 2026 | June 2026 |
| Personal Interview | June/July 2026 | June/July 2026 |
| Publication of Results/ Offer Letters | Jul 2026 | June/July 2026 |
| Programme Commencement | August 2026 | August/September 2026 |
Application Fee
The application fees for the following programs are as follows.
- General Category Fees: ₹2000 + applicable taxes
- SC / ST / PwD / OBC-NCL / EWS: ₹1000 + applicable taxes
Please note that the application fee is non-refundable and must be paid online.
Admission Confirmation
Selected Candidates will be informed of their selection via email, where they will receive a provisional admission offer. To confirm their acceptance, candidates must pay the first instalment of the programme fee within the given deadline. Failure to do so will result in cancellation of the offer, and the seat will be offered to the next eligible candidate
Conclusion
With the removal of CUET UG scores, and the introduction of IPMAT Indore and JEE based admissions, plus interviews, IIM Sambalpur seems to be moving towards a holistic selection process. Aspirants should now shift their focus to preparing for the right entrance exam, strengthening their fundamentals and interview skills, and tracking the targeted exam timeline, and college admissions timeline carefully to avoid missing any important deadlines.
