IIM Ahmedabad selection criteria changed: IIMA has revised its admission criteria for the PGP 2027–29 batch through CAT 2026, bringing changes to its academic discipline classification, rating scores, shortlisting process and Final Composite Score. The latest policy also retains some key components, including the CAT percentile cut-offs.
For CAT 2026 aspirants targeting IIM Ahmedabad, these changes can affect how their academic profile and CAT performance are evaluated during the admission process. Here’s a closer look at the old IIM Ahmedabad Selection Criteria 2026, what has changed from the previous cycle, and what remains the same.
IIM Ahmedabad Selection Criteria 2027
IIM Ahmedabad has made several changes to its selection criteria for the PGP 2027–29 batch, applicable to candidates appearing for CAT 2026. While the broad selection process remains centred around CAT, academics, PI and AWT, the institute has revised how academic backgrounds are classified, how academic scores are rated and how candidates are shortlisted.
1. Undergraduate Classification to 20 Disciplines
For the PGP 2026–28 batch, IIM Ahmedabad classified undergraduate programmes into six broad Academic Categories (AC-1 to AC-6). For PGP 2027–29, these have been replaced with 20 specific undergraduate disciplines.
| Undergraduate Discipline | Undergraduate Discipline |
| Fashion & Design | Computer Science & IT |
| Commerce, Accounting & Finance | Medical & Health Sciences |
| Statistics & Actuarial Science | Economics |
| Agriculture & Allied Sciences | Social Sciences |
| Arts & Humanities | Hospitality & Food Sciences |
| Architecture & Planning | Journalism & Media |
| Life Sciences | Law |
| Engineering & Technology | Mathematics |
| Management | Others |
| Pure Sciences | Professional (CA/CS/ICWA/FIAI) |
IIMA’s Admissions Committee has the final authority to classify a particular undergraduate programme into the relevant discipline. The discipline is important under the new policy because the candidate’s Raw Composite Score is normalized against the performance of candidates within the same undergraduate discipline.
2. Introduces a Common Rating Score for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation
For PGP 2026–28, IIM Ahmedabad used different rating score tables for Class 12 and the bachelor’s degree based on the candidate’s stream or Academic Category. For PGP 2027–29, a single rating score table applies to Class 10 (Rating Score A), Class 12 (Rating Score B) and the bachelor’s degree (Rating Score C).
| Percentage Scored | Rating Score (A, B & C) |
| ≤ 55% | 1 |
| > 55% to ≤ 60% | 2 |
| > 60% to ≤ 70% | 3 |
| > 70% to ≤ 80% | 5 |
| > 80% to ≤ 90% | 8 |
| > 90% | 10 |
This common scale removes the stream-wise and academic-category-wise differentiation used in the previous admission policy.
Also Read: BLACKI IIMs Summer Placement
3. IIM Ahmedabad Removes the Two-Stage ACRC Shortlisting Process
The PGP 2026–28 admission policy followed a two-stage shortlisting process based on Academic Category–Reservation Category (ACRC) groups. For PGP 2027–29, this mechanism has been replaced by a discipline-wise normalisation process.
| PGP 2026–28 | PGP 2027–29 |
| Two-stage ACRC-based shortlisting | ACRC Stage 1 and Stage 2 removed |
| Stage 1 shortlisted the top 5% of each ACRC group, subject to category-wise limits | Raw Composite Score normalised within the undergraduate discipline |
| Composite Score, average of Class 10 and Class 12 percentages (P), and bachelor’s degree cut-off were considered | Top 1% Raw Composite Scores within the discipline used for normalisation |
| Stage 2 filled the remaining slots from the candidate pool | CAT percentile cut-offs used for shortlisting |
| Separate ACRC-wise criteria and limits applied | Reservation-category representation maintained |
How the New Shortlisting Process Works
Under the revised process:
- The Raw Composite Score combines Application Rating and CAT 2026 performance.
- It is normalised using the average of the top 1% Raw Composite Scores in the candidate’s undergraduate discipline.
- A minimum of 5 and a maximum of 100 scores are considered for calculating this benchmark.
- The resulting normalised score is used along with the applicable CAT percentile cut-offs for shortlisting.
- Reservation-category representation continues to be considered during the shortlisting process.
4. Final Composite Score Now Has Three Components
For PGP 2026–28, the Final Composite Score (FCS) consisted of four separately weighted components. For PGP 2027–29, these have been consolidated into three components, with CAT performance and Application Rating combined into a Normalised Composite Score.
| PGP 2026–28 | PGP 2027–29 |
| Normalised PI Score – 50% | Normalised PI Score – 50% |
| Normalised AWT Score – 10% | Normalised AWT Score – 10% |
| Normalised CAT Score – 25% | Normalised Composite Score – 40% |
| Normalised AR Score – 15% | CAT + AR combined |
How the Normalised Composite Score Is Calculated
- Application Rating: The Normalised Application Rating contributes 35% to the Raw Composite Score.
- CAT 2026: The normalised CAT-2026 total percentile contributes 65%.
- Raw Composite Score:
0.35 × Normalized Application Rating + 0.65 × (Normalized CAT-2026 Total Percentile / 100) - Normalisation: The Raw Composite Score is divided by the average of the top 1% Raw Composite Scores within the candidate’s undergraduate discipline.
- Normalised Composite Score:
Raw Composite Score ÷ Average of the Top 1% Raw Composite Scores in the Discipline.
5. New Rule for Candidates With Multiple Undergraduate Degrees
The PGP 2027–29 policy provides a specific method for candidates who have more than one undergraduate degree across different disciplines:
- A separate Raw Composite Score is calculated for each applicable undergraduate discipline.
- Each score is normalised within its respective discipline.
- The highest normalised score among the disciplines is considered for shortlisting.
IIM Ahmedabad Selection Criteria 2027: Key Changes at a Glance
This table highlights the key changes in IIM Ahmedabad’s selection criteria for the PGP 2027–29 batch compared with the previous admission cycle.
| Criteria | PGP 2026–28 | PGP 2027–29 |
| Undergraduate classification | 6 Academic Categories | 20 undergraduate disciplines |
| Academic rating scores | Stream/category-wise tables | One common table for Class 10, Class 12 and graduation |
| Shortlisting | Two-stage ACRC-based process | Discipline-wise normalisation |
| Final Composite Score | 4 components | 3 components |
| Multiple undergraduate degrees | No explicit separate normalisation rule | Highest normalised score across disciplines considered |
Also Read: IIM Ahmedabad Placement report 2026 | IIM Bangalore Placement Report 2026
What Has Not Changed?
While the admission process has been revised, the CAT cut-offs, eligibility requirements and a few key admission components remain unchanged for the PGP 2027–29 batch.
CAT Percentile Cut-offs Remain Unchanged
| Category | Overall Percentile | Sectional Percentile |
| General, EWS | 95 | 85 |
| NC-OBC | 90 | 80 |
| SC | 85 | 75 |
| ST | 75 | 65 |
PwD candidates receive a 10-point relaxation in both overall and sectional cut-offs within their respective categories.
Other Unchanged Components
- Eligibility: A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA is required, with 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
- Gender Diversity: Non-Male candidates receive 3 points under Rating Score E, while Male candidates receive 0.
- Reservation: 27% NC-OBC, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, 5% PwD and up to 10% EWS.
- AWT & PI Cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi remain the designated cities.
Also Read: IIM Ahmedabad MBA Batch Profile | IIM Ahmedabad Admission Process
Shortlisting Criteria vs Final Selection Criteria: Don’t Confuse the Two
Shortlisting and final selection are separate stages, with different components carrying weight at each stage.
- Shortlisting: Based on the Raw Composite Score, which combines the Application Rating and CAT 2026 performance, followed by discipline-wise normalization and application of the minimum CAT cut-offs.
- Final Selection: Based on the Final Composite Score, which gives 50% weight to PI, 10% to AWT and 40% to the Normalized Composite Score.
In short, CAT and academics help you reach the AWT & PI stage, while your PI and AWT performance plays a major role in the final selection.
How the Changes Affect CAT 2026 Aspirants
The revised policy changes how academic profiles are evaluated, making the candidate’s undergraduate discipline and overall academic performance more important in the shortlisting process.
- Your undergraduate discipline matters more: With 20 specific disciplines replacing six broad Academic Categories, your academic performance is now compared within a narrower peer group. For example, Engineering & Technology is treated separately from Mathematics and Pure Sciences.
- The common academic rating scale removes stream-wise differentiation: Class 12 scores are now evaluated using the same percentage slabs across all streams, rather than separate tables based on the candidate’s academic background.
- The earlier ACRC-based shortlisting structure has been removed: The PGP 2027–29 policy does not carry forward the Stage 1 and Stage 2 ACRC process, including its associated P cut-off and category-wise limits.
- Final selection still depends heavily on AWT and PI: Getting shortlisted does not guarantee admission, as PI and AWT together account for 60% of the Final Composite Score.
Conclusion
IIM Ahmedabad’s PGP 2027–29 admission policy brings a significant change in how candidates’ academic profiles are evaluated, particularly through the introduction of 20 undergraduate disciplines and the removal of the earlier ACRC-based shortlisting process. At the same time, the CAT percentile cut-offs and the importance of AWT and PI remain unchanged.
For CAT 2026 aspirants, the key takeaway is that a strong CAT score alone is not enough. Your academic performance, undergraduate discipline, Application Rating and performance in the AWT and PI will all contribute to your chances of securing admission. Understanding these changes early can help you assess your profile and prepare more strategically for the IIM Ahmedabad selection process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the IIM Ahmedabad selection criteria for PGP 2027–29?
The IIM Ahmedabad selection criteria for PGP 2027–29, applicable through CAT 2026, consider CAT performance, academic profile, work experience, gender diversity, AWT and PI. The revised policy also introduces 20 undergraduate disciplines and a new discipline-wise normalisation process.
2. Has IIM Ahmedabad changed its CAT cut-off for CAT 2026?
No. The minimum CAT percentile cut-offs remain unchanged from the previous admission cycle. The cut-off is 95 overall and 85 sectional for General/EWS candidates, 90/80 for NC-OBC, 85/75 for SC and 75/65 for ST candidates. PwD candidates receive a 10-point relaxation.
3. What has changed in IIM Ahmedabad’s selection criteria for CAT 2026?
The major changes include the introduction of 20 undergraduate disciplines, a common academic rating scale for Class 10, Class 12 and graduation, removal of the two-stage ACRC shortlisting process, and a revised Final Composite Score structure.
4. How is the Final Composite Score calculated for IIM Ahmedabad PGP 2027–29?
The Final Composite Score comprises 50% Normalised PI Score, 10% Normalised AWT Score and 40% Normalised Composite Score. The Normalised Composite Score combines the candidate’s Application Rating and CAT 2026 performance.
5. Does IIM Ahmedabad consider multiple undergraduate degrees?
Yes. Candidates with multiple undergraduate degrees across different disciplines can have a separate Raw Composite Score calculated for each applicable discipline. Each score is normalised within its respective discipline, and the highest normalised score is considered for shortlisting.
