IIM Calcutta Admissions 2025-27: RTI-Based Cutoffs, Shortlists, Final Offers & Waitlist Insights

Are you dreaming of the hallowed halls of Joka? IIM Calcutta, the hub of management education in India, continues to be the top choice for students aspiring to pursue an MBA. For the 2025-27 admission cycle, it is important to understand the complex selection process. At Career Launcher Ghaziabad, we believe in empowering our students with transparent and actionable insights. That is why we have done an in-depth study of the RTI (Right to Information) data of IIM Calcutta’s previous batch (2024-26, in which admissions ended in April 2025) to give you a clear picture of what exactly it takes to get admission in your upcoming 2025-27 cycle.

This exclusive analysis will equip you with a data-backed understanding of cutoffs, shortlisting trends, final offers, and significant waitlist movements, giving you a competitive edge.

Decoding the IIM Calcutta Admissions Process for 2025-27

IIM Calcutta's admission journey is a multi-stage process designed to identify well-rounded individuals:

1. CAT Score-Based Shortlisting: Your CAT 2024 percentile plays a significant role in the initial screening for the WAT-PI round.

2. WAT-PI Round: Shortlisted candidates undergo a Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).

3. Final Selection: A composite score, factoring in your CAT percentile, academic profile (10th, 12th marks, academic diversity), gender diversity, work experience, and WAT-PI performance, determines the final admission offer.

Now, let's get down to the numbers, using the latest available RTI data for the 2024-26 batch, which is highly indicative of trends for 2025-27.

IIM Calcutta 2024–26 RTI Data (Indicative for 2025–27)

The RTI data provides a fascinating glimpse into the sheer competition and the conversion ratios at each stage.

1. Applicant Pool (CAT 2024): Thousands vie for a seat at IIM Calcutta. For the 2024-26 batch (which applied via CAT 2023), the number of applicants by category was:

· General: 1,77,009

· EWS: 14,108

· NC-OBC: 46,567

· SC: 21,447

· ST: 5,727

2. Shortlisted for WAT-PI Round (from CAT 2024 for 2025-27 admissions): The initial filter is tough. Here's how many candidates were shortlisted for the interview round from each category for the 2024-26 batch, using CAT 2023 scores. These numbers are a strong indicator for your CAT 2024 performance:

· General: 931

· EWS: 62

· NC-OBC: 417

· SC: 430

· ST: 230

Insight: Notice the significant drop from applicants to shortlists, especially in the General category. This underscores the paramount importance of a strong CAT score and a well-rounded profile to even get your foot in the door.

IIM Calcutta Minimum CAT 2024 Cutoffs for Shortlisting (for 2025-27 batch):

Based on official criteria for the 2025-27 batch, the minimum CAT 2024 percentiles required to be considered for shortlisting were:

Note: These are minimum qualifying cutoffs. The actual percentiles for those who received a shortlist call are typically much higher, often in the 98-99+ percentile range for the General category.

3. Final Admission Offers Made (for 2024-26, indicative for 2025-27): The competition doesn't end with the interview. Approximately 45% of those shortlisted ultimately received a final offer.

· General: 426

· EWS: 26

· NC-OBC: 271

· SC: 140

· ST: 92

4. Composite Score Cutoffs (for Final Admits of 2024-26, indicative for 2025-27): The composite score is the ultimate determinant. This score, out of 100, gives weightage to CAT, academics, and WAT-PI. Here are the minimum composite scores for final admission offers for the 2024-26 batch:

· General: 52.794

· EWS: 51

· NC-OBC: 42.33

· SC: 44.802

· ST: 36.091

Key Takeaway: A high CAT percentile is a prerequisite, but your performance in the WAT-PI, coupled with a strong academic profile (10th and 12th marks being considered, with specific points awarded as per IIM Calcutta's criteria), significantly influences your composite score and thus your final chances. Academic diversity and work experience also contribute.

Weightages for Final Selection (for 2025-27 batch):

IIM Calcutta's final selection composite score for the 2025-27 batch is based on the following weights:

Note: For shortlisting for WAT-PI, CAT 2024 score has a 56% weightage, Class 10 marks 10%, Class 12 marks 15%, and Gender Diversity 4%.

Understanding Waitlist Movement for 2025-27

The waitlist is a period of anticipation for many aspirants. IIM Calcutta, like other top B-schools, experiences waitlist movement as candidates accept offers from other institutions or decide to defer. For the 2025-27 cycle, IIM Calcutta's admission results were released around April 29, 2025, and waitlist movement has already commenced.

Factors Influencing Waitlist Movement:

· Acceptance Rate of Top Offers: When candidates with multiple offers from other top IIMs (like Ahmedabad or Bangalore) accept those, it creates vacancies at IIM Calcutta, leading to waitlist movement.

· Category-Specific Movement: Different categories (General, EWS, OBC, SC, ST) often have varying rates of waitlist movement based on the number of candidates and their preferences.

· Diversity Initiatives: IIM Calcutta strives for a diverse batch. If the initial batch is skewed towards certain profiles (e.g., engineers, males), there might be more movement for non-engineers or female candidates to balance representation.

· Withdrawals and Deferrals: Candidates might withdraw due to personal reasons, corporate commitments, or opting for other opportunities (including international universities or non-IIM top B-schools like FMS, XLRI, SPJIMR).

Expected Waitlist Movement (Based on 2024-26 trends, highly indicative for 2025-27):

While past trends are indicative and not guarantees, here's an approximate idea of waitlist movement observed in the 2024-26 cycle, which is a strong projection for the 2025-27 admissions:

· General: Around 172

· EWS: Around 8-9

· NC-OBC: Around 137

· SC: Around 90

· ST: Around 50

· PwD: Around 28

Note: The number of waitlist movements can fluctuate year-on-year. Candidates on the waitlist should remain hopeful, keep an eye on official notifications (which started around late April/early May 2025), and be prepared to make a quick decision if an offer comes their way. The waitlist movement typically continues through July.

Your Career Launcher Ghaziabad Advantage: What This Means for You

This RTI-based analysis provides invaluable insights for your CAT 2024 and IIM Calcutta 2025-27 preparation strategy:

· Target a High Composite Score: Don't just aim for a high CAT percentile. Understand that your 10th, 12th marks, academic background, and work experience (if any) all contribute significantly to your composite score.

· Master the WAT-PI: The Written Ability Test and Personal Interview collectively carry a massive 56% weight in the final selection. Practice rigorously with mock interviews and improve your writing skills.

· Strategic Preparation: At Career Launcher Ghaziabad, our expert mentors use such data to fine-tune your preparation strategy. We help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, tailor your approach to IIM Calcutta's specific selection criteria, and enhance your overall profile for the 2025-27 cycle.

· Waitlist Preparedness: If you find yourself on the waitlist, stay informed and prepared. Our guidance can help you understand the nuances of waitlist movement and make informed decisions.

Connect with Career Launcher Ghaziabad today to leverage these insights and craft a winning strategy for your IIM Calcutta dream. Our comprehensive programs and personalized mentorship are designed to help you navigate the competitive landscape of MBA admissions and turn your aspirations into reality. Don't just prepare, prepare smart with data-driven insights!