IIM Ahmedabad Selection Criteria: Getting into IIM Ahmedabad starts with understanding its selection criteria, and in 2026, the bar has moved significantly higher.
IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) has officially released its selection criteria for the PGP 2026–28 batch, and the most critical update is a sharp rise in CAT 2025 cutoffs. The minimum qualifying percentile for General/EWS candidates has increased to 95 overall and 85 in each section, up from the previous cycle. For a programme that produces some of India’s most sought-after MBA graduates, competition has never been stiffer.
This guide breaks down every component of the IIMA selection criteria 2026, from CAT cutoffs and Application Rating (AR) to the Composite Score (CS), Analytical Writing Test (AWT), and final selection weightages. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or a re-applicant, this blog will help you know everything about IIM Ahmedabad selection criteria.
Also read: Race to 99%ile: A High-performance preparation programme for CAT 2026
Table of Contents
What Changed in IIM Ahmedabad’s Selection Criteria for 2026?
The most significant update is the rise in CAT 2025 cutoffs across all categories, a 15-percentile increase compared to CAT 2024, raising the bar considerably for all applicants.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of key changes:
| Parameter | PGP 2025–27 (CAT 2024) | PGP 2026–28 (CAT 2025) |
| Overall percentile- General/EWS | 80-85 | 95 |
| Sectional percentile- General/EWS | 70 | 85 |
| Overall percentile- NC-OBC | 75 | 90 |
| Sectional percentile- NC-OBC | 65 | 80 |
| Gender diversity score (Female) | 2 | 3 |
| CS weightage: CAT | 65% | 65% |
| CS weightage: Application Rating | 35% | 35% |
Also read: IIM Ahmedabad CAT cutoff 2025
Eligibility Criteria for IIM Ahmedabad PGP 2026–28
Before diving into the scoring formula, every applicant must meet these baseline eligibility conditions:
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university
- Minimum 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates)
- Age: Must be at least 19 years as of June 30, 2026 (born on or before June 30, 2007)
- Final-year students may apply provisionally; a marksheet and a degree certificate must be submitted by December 31, 2026, for a June 30, 2026, completion deadline
- Valid CAT 2025 score (domestic applicants) or valid GMAT score (Overseas Indian and foreign nationals)
Also read: IIM Ahmedabad RTI Data 2025
Stage 1: Preliminary Screening CAT 2025 Minimum Cutoffs
The first gate in IIMA’s selection process is clearing the minimum CAT 2025 percentiles. These are non-negotiable; failing any one condition removes the candidate from further consideration.
CAT 2025 Cutoff Table (PGP 2026–28)
| Non-PwD CAT Cutoff | PwD CAT Cutoff | |||
| Category | Overall percentile rank (PT) | Sectionwise percentile rank (PVARC, PDILR, PQA) | Overall percentile rank (PT) | Sectionwise percentile rank (PVARC, PDILR, PQA) |
| General/ EWS | 95 | 85 | 85 | 75 |
| NC-OBC | 90 | 80 | 80 | 70 |
| SC | 85 | 75 | 75 | 65 |
| ST | 75 | 65 | 65 | 55 |
Condition: Candidates must be above the minimum sectional and overall percentiles AND must have a positive raw score (greater than zero) in each section. A zero or negative raw score in any section disqualifies the candidate, even if the percentiles are met.
Stage 2: Shortlisting for AWT & PI The Composite Score (CS)
Candidates who clear the CAT minimums move to shortlisting for the Analytical Writing Test and Personal Interview. Here, IIMA uses a Composite Score (CS) formula:
CS = 0.65 × Normalised CAT Overall Score + 0.35 × Normalised Application Rating (AR)
What is the Application Rating (AR)?
The AR is a holistic score computed from five parameters:
| Component | Parameter | Label |
| A | Class 10 marks | Rating A |
| B | Class 12 marks (stream-wise) | Rating B |
| C | Bachelor’s degree marks (AC-wise) | Rating C |
| D | Work experience (months as of July 31, 2025) | Rating D |
| E | Gender diversity score | Rating E |
AR = A + B + C + D + E
Female candidates now receive 3 points for the gender diversity component (E), up from 2 points in the previous cycle. This change is expected to enhance opportunities for women applicants in the PGP 2026–28 batch. Male candidates receive 0 points for this component.
Work Experience Scoring (Rating D)
Work experience is scored as D = 0.20 × (months – 11) for 12–36 months of experience as of July 31, 2025; D = 0 if experience is less than 12 months; D = 5 if experience exceeds 36 months.
Academic Categories (AC-1 to AC-6)
IIMA classifies applicants into academic categories based on their bachelor’s degree discipline:
| Category | Discipline |
| AC-1 | Engineering / Technology |
| AC-2 | Sciences |
| AC-3 | Commerce / Economics |
| AC-4 | Humanities / Social Sciences / Law / Others |
| AC-5 | Medical / Pharmacy / Architecture |
| AC-6 | Any discipline not in AC-1 to AC-5 |
Note: Final classification rests with IIMA’s Admissions Committee.
P Thresholds and the 80th Percentile Graduation Condition
Beyond the CAT minima, IIMA applies two additional academic filters:
- P threshold: A minimum average of Class 10 and Class 12 marks, varying by stream and category (stream-wise and category-wise tables published on iima.ac.in)
- Graduation cutoff: Candidates must be at or above the 80th percentile of bachelor’s degree marks within their Academic Category (AC), computed separately within each category
These conditions ensure academic consistency is not offset by exceptional CAT performance alone.
Also read: IIM Ahmedabad Placement Report
Two-Stage Shortlisting Process: ACRC vs. Category Merit
IIMA uses a two-track shortlisting mechanism:
Stage 1: ACRC Route (Academic Category × Reservation Category)
For ACs with 100 or more applicants in reserved categories, IIMA shortlists the top 5% per ACRC, subject to upper-limit caps (e.g., 100 for General in AC-1/2/3/5, 150 for AC-4; proportional limits for NC-OBC/SC/ST/PwD), provided candidates meet C1–C3 conditions: CAT minima, P thresholds, and graduation ≥ 80th percentile within the ACRC.
Stage 2: Category Merit List
Additional candidates not picked in Stage 1 are drawn using the same CS formula, subject to C1–C2 conditions; where ACs without ACRC use C4–C6, i.e., overall percentile ≥ 95, each sectional ≥ 85, P thresholds, and graduation ≥ 80th percentile within AC.
This dual-track system ensures diversity across both academic backgrounds and reservation categories.
Final Selection: The Final Composite Score (FCS)
Candidates who clear AWT and PI enter the final selection stage. IIMA computes a Final Composite Score (FCS) as follows:
| Component | Weightage |
| Personal Interview (PI) | 50% |
| CAT 2025 Score | 25% |
| Application Rating (AR / Profile) | 15% |
| Analytical Writing Test (AWT) | 10% |
The final selection is based on a diverse set of attributes, which includes performance in CAT, performance in AWT & PI, academic, co-curricular and extracurricular achievements, and work experience.
The PI score itself accounts for performance in the personal interview, verifiable awards and recognitions, academic performance, exceptional achievements, extra-curricular activities, and post-degree work experience.
AWT & PI Process: What to Expect
Analytical Writing Test (AWT)
- Duration: 30 minutes (approximately)
- Tests the ability to structure arguments, present ideas clearly, and write under pressure
- Contributes 10% to the FCS
Personal Interview (PI)
- Conducted across 6 cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi
- Candidates need to opt for two cities for AWT & PI in the CAT application form. Candidates shortlisted for AWT and PI will be intimated by email, tentatively by the second week of January 2026.
- PI evaluates analytical thinking, communication skills, leadership potential, self-awareness, and fit with IIMA’s programme
IIM Ahmedabad PGPX Selection Criteria 2026 (One-Year MBA)
The PGPX programme follows a different selection process, targeted at experienced professionals:
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (minimum 15 years of education); minimum age 25 years as on March 31, 2026
- Experience required: Minimum 4 years of full-time work experience after graduation as of March 31, 2026
- Exam accepted: GMAT or GRE (test-centre based only; online/take-home scores not valid; scores within the last 5 years)
- Online GMAT/GRE (take-home) exam scores are not valid; only test-centre-based GMAT/GRE scores are accepted for PGPX admission.
- Selection: Two rounds, each with a two-stage evaluation. Apply only once across both rounds.
What a Strong IIMA Profile Looks Like in 2026
Based on official selection weightages and historical shortlist data, here’s what competitive candidates typically bring:
- CAT 2025: 99+ percentile for General Engineering Male (GEM) category; 98+ for other General profiles
- Class 10: 90%+ marks
- Class 12: 90%+ marks (stream-dependent thresholds apply)
- Graduation: Above 80th percentile within their AC; typically 75%+ or equivalent CGPA
- Work experience: 12-36 months adds meaningful Rating D points; freshers are not penalised but miss out on D component
- Gender: Female candidates benefit from E = 3 vs. 0 for males, a meaningful advantage in a competitive shortlist
Conclusion
IIM Ahmedabad selection criteria for 2026 are built around a multi-dimensional assessment of academic merit, test performance, work experience, and personal potential. The significant rise in CAT 2025 cutoffs to 95 overall and 85 sectional for General/EWS makes strong CAT preparation non-negotiable. At the same time, the 35% weightage given to Application Rating means that consistent academic performance from Class 10 onward continues to matter. The path to IIMA demands excellence across every dimension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the minimum CAT percentile for IIM Ahmedabad 2026?
A: For General and EWS candidates, the minimum is 95 overall and 85 in each of the three sections (VARC, DILR, QA). Candidates must also have a positive raw score (greater than zero) in every section. These are non-negotiable screening thresholds. However, meeting them does not guarantee a shortlist call.
Q: How is the IIM Ahmedabad shortlist for AWT and PI calculated?
A: The shortlist uses a Composite Score: CS = 0.65 × Normalised CAT Score + 0.35 × Normalised Application Rating. The AR is built from Class 10, Class 12, graduation marks, work experience, and gender diversity score. Candidates are also screened via P thresholds and the 80th-percentile graduation condition.
Q: What is the weightage of Personal Interview in IIMA final selection?
A: The Personal Interview carries 50% weightage in the Final Composite Score. CAT score contributes 25%, the Application Rating (profile) contributes 15%, and the Analytical Writing Test contributes 10%.
Q: Does work experience help in getting an IIM Ahmedabad call?
A: Yes. Work experience of 12–36 months earns Rating D points (D = 0.20 × (months – 11)), contributing directly to the Application Rating. Experience beyond 36 months gets a fixed score of 5. Freshers with under 12 months receive D = 0 but are not disqualified.
Q: Can a female candidate with a lower CAT score still get an IIMA interview call?
The gender diversity component (E = 3 for female/non-male candidates) improves the Application Rating but does not override CAT minimums. All candidates must clear the minimum CAT cutoffs. The E score becomes meaningful once the cutoffs are cleared and helps in CS ranking.
Q: When does IIM Ahmedabad release the AWT and PI shortlist?
A: Details of shortlisted candidates will be made available on the IIMA website tentatively by the second week of February 2026, after CAT results are published. Shortlisted candidates are also notified by email.
Q: Can final-year students apply to IIM Ahmedabad 2026?
A: Yes. Final-year students may apply and receive provisional admission. They must submit their marksheet and degree certificate by December 31, 2026, for a bachelor’s degree completed by June 30, 2026.
