IIFT Selection Criteria 2026: CAT Cutoff & Selection Process

Most top Indian B-schools require a bachelor's degree from a recognized university with no minimum percentage for eligibility. A valid CAT score is compulsory, and sectional cutoffs must also be cleared alongside the overall percentile.

IIFT follows a two-stage IIFT selection process — Stage 1 shortlists candidates based on CAT score, work experience, and gender diversity, while Stage 2 includes GD, PI, and academic consistency scoring. The entire process runs from CAT 2025 results to final merit list, typically concluding by April 2026.

CAT scores are the single biggest factor in the IIFT selection criteria, carrying up to 55 points out of 100 in the final selection stage. A strong CAT percentile with cleared sectional cutoffs is the minimum threshold to even enter the admission process.

A bachelor's degree from any recognized university in any discipline is the only academic requirement under the IIFT selection criteria. Final-year students can also apply, and IIFT considers marks up to the last completed semester if results are awaited.

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The expected CAT 2025 cutoff for the general category is 98+ percentile overall under the IIFT selection criteria, with mandatory sectional cutoffs in QA, VARC, and DILR. Reserved category cutoffs range from 75 to 97 percentile depending on the category.

IIFT does not conduct its own entrance exam — eligibility under the IIFT selection criteria 2026 is tied to CAT 2025. Any graduate from a recognized university, including final-year students, can apply as long as they have a valid CAT 2025 scorecard.

The official source for IIFT selection criteria guidelines is iift.ac.in, where shortlists, cutoffs, and interview schedules are published. For IIMs and other institutes, visit their respective official websites or the IIM CAT portal at iimcat.ac.in.

Under the IIFT selection criteria, CAT score carries 90 out of 100 points in Stage 1 shortlisting and 55 out of 100 points in the Stage 2 final selection. It is the most heavily weighted single factor across both stages of the IIFT selection process.

Under the IIFT selection criteria 2026, academic consistency (Class 10, 12, and graduation marks) carries 5 points out of 100 in the final selection stage. Most top Indian MBA programs including IIMs also factor in academics through their own composite scoring systems, typically ranging from 10 to 20% of the total selection weightage.