IIM Bangalore has released the initial shortlisting criteria for the MBA batch of 2026-2028 as per the CAT 2024 score. After the CAT 2025 results institute will release the overall cut-off after completing the two stages of the admission process. As per the shortlisting criteria for OBC and EWS candidates, the required overall aggregate percentile is 75, while for SC candidates it is 70, and for ST candidates it is 65. If the candidates clear these cut-offs, then the candidate is eligible for WAT+ PI. but it does not ensure admission calls because actual shortlisting depends upon CAT Performance, academic record, work experience, and WAT+PI score.
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IIM Bangalore Shortlisting Criteria
IIMB has released the minimum qualifying cut-off for CAT 2025 test takers. This is the initial shortlisting criteria for students to be eligible for WAT + PI. This does not guarantee the final call for admission. The final score is calculated after calculating all the parameters.
| Category | VARC (Section-1) | DILR (Section-2) | QA (Section-3) | Overall (Aggregate) Percentile |
| General | 80 | 75 | 75 | 85 |
| NC-OBC | 70 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| EWS | 70 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| SC | 65 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| ST | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
| PwD | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
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IIM Bangalore CAT Cutoff (Expected)
Based on last year's trends, we have curated the expected CAT cutoff for PGP Batch 2026-28.
- For the general category, the minimum percentile of CAT reported for a WAT/PI call is 85. However, to be in a safer zone, the candidates should obtain a percentile ideally in the range of 95 to 99+.
- For EWS (Economically Weaker Section) Category the minimum percentile required for WAT/PI calls with a CAT percentile score of approximately 75. For a better chance in getting shortlisted, it is advisable to have a percentile between 85 and 90+.
- For the NC-OBC Category, the minimum percentile reported for short-listing in this category is 75. As such, to be safely considered, the candidates should aim at a percentile in the range of 85-92+.
- In the SC category, WAT/PI calls have been reported from a percentile of 70. The safer range to get a call would fall in a range of 75 to 85+.
- The minimum percentile for which the ST candidates received a WAT/PI call is 65. Normally, candidates from this category should aim for a percentile in the range of 70 to 80+, which will give them a good chance of shortlisting.
| Category | Minimum CAT Percentile for WAT/PI Shortlisting | Expected CAT Percentile (Safe Range) |
| General | 85 | 95 – 99+ |
| EWS | 75 | 85 – 90+ |
| NC-OBC | 75 | 85 – 92+ |
| SC | 70 | 75 – 85+ |
| ST | 65 | 70 – 80+ |
Is IIM Bangalore hard to get?
IIM Bangalore is one of the top business schools in India. Every year, around 3 lakh students appear for the CAT exam but only few hundred get admissions. For example, this year, 2.95 lakh students registered for the exam but IIM Bangalore seat intake for the 2026-28 batch for MBA is around 550 seats approx. To get admission into IIM Bangalore, usually a high percentile is needed, like the overall CAT cutoff in 2024 for IIM Bangalore was 85%. This is because the IIM Bangalore selection process is challenging. IIM Bangalore has an acceptance rate of 2%
IIM Bangalore Sectional Cutoff (Expected)
General category aspirants are likely to need 90–95+ percentile in each of the three sections: VARC (Verbal & Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability) to comfortably secure a WAT/PI call and remain competitive for final selection.
Candidates from NC‑OBC and EWS categories should target 80–88 percentile in each section to be safely considered for the interview stage, while SC candidates would typically need 65–75 percentile, and ST candidates should aim for 60–70 percentile.
| Category | VARC Percentile | DILR Percentile | QA Percentile |
| General | 90 – 95+ | 90 – 95+ | 90 – 95+ |
| NC‑OBC | 80 – 88 | 80 – 88 | 80 – 88 |
| EWS | 80 – 88 | 80 – 88 | 80 – 88 |
| SC | 65 – 75 | 65 – 75 | 65 – 75 |
| ST | 60 – 70 | 60 – 70 | 60 – 70 |
IIM Bangalore Selection Criteria 2025
IIM Bangalore offers admission to candidates who have successfully cleared both stages of the CAT admission process. The first stage is cracking the CAT exam and meeting the cutoff released by the institute. The second round is PI and WAT, whose scores are considered for admision. Apart from PI/WAT, academic performance, work experience, and gender diversity are also taken into consideration. The cumulative total of all these scores determines the final cutoff for candidate admission. Below is a table showing the weightage each parameter carries in a tabular form.
How can I calculate the CAT Percentile for IIM Bangalore?
CAT percentile basically tells the candidate how he performed compared to other test takers. For example, If a candidate scores 95th percentile it means he has performed better than 95% of the candidates. The overall percentile is calculated using the following formula :
Percentile = (Number of candidates who scored less than you/Total number of candidates who appeared)×100
For example
Suppose 2,58,000 candidates appeared for CAT. You scored more than 2,35,000 candidates.
Percentile=(2,35,000/2,58,000)×100=91.1
Hence, your overall CAT percentile would be 91.1
IIM Bangalore CAT Cutoff: What Last 5 Year trend tells us
| Year | General (Overall) | NC‑OBC | EWS | SC | ST |
| 2024 | 99+ | 94–97 | 90–94 | 75–80 | 70–75 |
| 2023 | 99.5 | 95 | 92 | 75 | 70 |
| 2022 | 99.4 | 94 | 91 | 76 | 72 |
| 2021 | 99.6 | 96 | 93 | 78 | 74 |
| 2020 | 99.3 | 95 | 92 | 77 | 73 |
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IIM Bangalore CAT Cutoffs 2025 FAQs
Does IIM Bangalore consider CAT for admission?
Yes, for the initial stage of admission, the minimum eligibility requirement is a CAT score, for which the institute releases cutoffs.
Does IIM Bangalore release category-wise cutoff?
Yes, IIMB releases category-wise cutoffs for CAT, specifically for General, EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST, and PWD categories, respectively.
What was the last CAT cutoff released by IIMB?
The last cutoff released by IIMB was in 2024, with a percentile of 85 for the General category.
What were the category-wise cutoffs for CAT released by IIM Bangalore?
In 2024, IIMB’s CAT cutoffs were 85th percentile for General, 75th percentile for EWS, 75th percentile for NC-OBC, 75th percentile for SC, 65th percentile for ST, and 60th percentile for PWD.
Does IIMB consider gender diversity?
Yes, gender diversity is considered and graded five by IIMB, but only while calculating the pre-PI score or the eligibility score. In the second round of the admission, Gender Diversity is reduced to 0.
What is the expected cutoff for CAT at IIMB?
IIMB has been releasing the 85th percentile as CAT cutoff for two consecutive years.
What is the highest package in IIM Bangalore?
The highest package at IIM Bangalore varies each year depending on placements and company offers. For the 2024 placements, the highest domestic package reported was around INR 56–60 LPA, while international offers can be higher.
Does IIM Bangalore have 100% placement?
Yes, IIM Bangalore generally achieves close to 100% placement for its flagship PGP batch, with nearly all students getting offers through campus recruitment.
What is the CAT score required for IIM Bangalore?
For a realistic chance at IIM Bangalore:
Is 27 too late for IIM?
No, 27 is not too late. Most IIMs accept candidates in their late 20s. Age is rarely a barrier, especially if you have relevant work experience and a strong profile for the PGP program.
