IIM Ahmedabad Cut-Off 2026: Category-wise & Sectional Cutoff

IIM Ahmedabad: Cut Off, CAT Percentile & Admission Insights (2026)

IIM Ahmedabad is India’s #1 management institute, and naturally, its cut-off levels remain the highest among all IIMs every year. Admission to IIM Ahmedabad is primarily based on CAT performance, along with academic consistency, sectional balance, and personal assessment scores. For the 2026 admission cycle, CAT 2025 cut-offs play a decisive role in shortlisting candidates for the interview stage. IIM Ahmedabad follows a strict shortlisting framework, which includes overall CAT percentile cut-offs, sectional cut-offs, and academic discipline–based thresholds. Past admission trends indicate that while 99 percentile and above remains the practical closing range for final admissions, the minimum qualifying cut-offs are lower and vary by category, section, and academic background. The sections below explain the overall cut-off, section-wise cut-off, category-wise cut-off, and previous year trends in detail.

IIM Ahmedabad was set up with support from Harvard Business School, which influenced its strong case-study–based pedagogy.

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
Established	1961
Location	Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Type	Autonomous Public Business School
Governing Body	Ministry of Education, Government of India
Global Reputation	Among top B-schools in Asia

IIM Ahmedabad Overall Cut-Off

Every IIM sets its own CAT cut-off to shortlist candidates from CAT qualifiers. However, compared to other IIMs, IIM Ahmedabad has the highest overall cut-offs due to its academic reputation, placement outcomes, and global standing.

The overall cut-off refers to the minimum CAT percentile required to be eligible for shortlisting. Clearing the overall cut-off does not guarantee an interview call, but failing to meet it leads to direct elimination.

For CAT 2025, IIM Ahmedabad has announced different overall cut-offs for PwD and Non-PwD candidates across categories.

Minimum IIM Ahmedabad Overall CAT Cut-Off (Percentile)

Category	Overall Cut-Off (Non-PwD)	Overall Cut-Off (PwD)
General	95	85
EWS	90	80
NC-OBC	85	75
SC	80	70
ST	75	65

Candidates must meet or exceed the applicable overall cut-off to be considered for the next stage.

CAT DAILY TARGETS

IIM Ahmedabad Section-Wise Cut-Off

In addition to the overall cut-off, IIM Ahmedabad applies mandatory sectional cut-offs for all three sections of CAT. This ensures balanced aptitude across verbal, logical, and quantitative areas.

Failing to clear the sectional cut-off in even one section results in disqualification, regardless of overall percentile.

Minimum Sectional Cut-Off for IIM Ahmedabad (Percentile)

Section	General	EWS	NC-OBC	SC	ST
VARC	70	65	60	55	50
DILR	70	65	60	55	50
Quantitative Aptitude	70	65	60	55	50

Sectional cut-offs are strictly enforced and play a critical role in the shortlisting process.

IIM Ahmedabad Category-Wise Cut-Off Insights

IIM Ahmedabad follows the Government of India reservation norms, but academic and sectional standards remain uncompromised.

Factor	Impact on Selection
Category Relaxation	Applies only to qualifying cut-offs
Sectional Balance	Mandatory for all categories
Academic Weightage	Same evaluation framework
Interview Performance	Final shortlisting determinant

Lower cut-offs provide eligibility, but profile strength and interview performance determine final selection.

Minimum Qualifying Sectional Cutoff for Top IIMs

Top IIMs follow a category-wise sectional cutoff system to ensure fair representation while maintaining academic standards. Candidates must clear the minimum percentile in each CAT section—VARC, DILR, and QA—along with the overall cutoff. These cutoffs differ for General, NC-OBC, SC, ST, and PwD categories, but the principle of balanced sectional performance applies to all. Falling short in even one section can result in elimination, regardless of overall score.

Category	VARC (%)	DILR (%)	QA (%)	Overall (%)
General	70–85	70–85	70–85	80–90
NC-OBC	65–75	65–75	65–75	75–85
SC	55–60	55–60	55–60	65–70
ST	45–50	45–50	45–50	55–60
PwD	45–50	45–50	45–50	55–60

IIM Ahmedabad Percentile Required for Interview Calls

Actual interview calls are issued well above the qualifying cut-off, depending on profile strength.

Candidate Profile	Typical Percentile Range
General Engineer Male (GEM)	99.8+
General Non-Engineer Male	99.6+
Female Candidates	99.4+
Reserved Category	Category cut-off + strong academics

Academic performance across Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation plays a decisive role.

CAT Score vs Percentile for IIM Ahmedabad

Understanding the relationship between raw CAT score and percentile is crucial for realistic target setting.

CAT Score (Approx.)	Percentile
95–100	99.9
85–90	99.7
75–80	99.3
65–70	98.5

A small score difference can result in a large percentile shift, especially at the top end.

Important Points to Remember

IIM Ahmedabad has both overall and sectional cut-offs
Clearing cut-offs does not guarantee admission
Academic consistency significantly affects shortlisting
Sectional weakness is a major reason for rejection
Final admission depends on CAT + academics + PI performance

IIM Ahmedabad Admission Process

The IIM Ahmedabad admission process is designed to evaluate candidates on multiple dimensions rather than relying only on CAT scores. The institute follows a two-stage selection framework, where CAT performance is used strictly for shortlisting, and the final admission decision is based on a holistic assessment of the candidate.

Stage 1: CAT-Based Shortlisting

CAT performance acts as the first eligibility filter, and candidates must clear both the overall CAT percentile cut-off and the minimum sectional cut-offs prescribed by IIM Ahmedabad.
Sectional cut-offs are mandatory for all three sections—VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude—and failure to meet the cut-off in even one section leads to automatic elimination, irrespective of the overall percentile.
IIM Ahmedabad calculates an Application Rating (AR) to evaluate academic consistency across Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation, ensuring that candidates with strong and stable academic records receive appropriate weightage.
Academic discipline-based normalization is applied, which allows fair comparison between candidates from different educational backgrounds such as engineering, commerce, science, and humanities.
Only candidates who satisfy all three conditions—overall percentile, sectional percentile, and minimum AR score—are shortlisted for the interview stage.

Parameters Considered in Stage 1

Parameter	Explanation
Overall CAT Percentile	Minimum qualifying percentile for eligibility
Sectional Percentiles	Mandatory cut-offs in VARC, DILR, and QA
Application Rating (AR)	Academic score based on Class 10, 12, and Graduation
Academic Discipline	Stream-wise normalization for fairness

Stage 2: Final Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates are invited for the Personal Interview (PI), which is the most critical component of the final selection process at IIM Ahmedabad.
The Personal Interview evaluates clarity of thought, analytical ability, communication skills, and decision-making capability, rather than factual knowledge alone.
CAT scores are not directly considered in the final merit list, once the interview stage is reached, highlighting the importance of performance beyond the entrance exam.
Academic profile continues to play a significant role, with consistent performance across educational stages strengthening a candidate’s final evaluation.
Work experience is assessed qualitatively, focusing on role relevance, responsibility level, and learning outcomes rather than only duration.
Diversity factors such as academic background and gender are considered, in line with IIM Ahmedabad’s objective of maintaining a balanced and diverse classroom.

Parameters Considered in Stage 2

Parameter	Explanation
Personal Interview (PI)	Primary determinant of final selection
Academic Profile	Consistency and quality of past academics
Work Experience	Role quality and professional exposure
Diversity Factors	Academic and gender diversity

Overview of the IIM Ahmedabad Admission Stages

Stage	Focus Area	Outcome
Stage 1	CAT score + academic screening	Interview shortlisting
Stage 2	Interview + profile evaluation	Final admission offer

IIM Ahmedabad Previous Year Cutoff Analysis

The previous year cut-off trends of IIM Ahmedabad indicate a strong emphasis on academic consistency and competitive CAT performance. From 2022 to 2024, the institute maintained stable academic cut-off benchmarks, reflecting consistency in its shortlisting philosophy. However, in the 2025 admission cycle, the overall CAT cut-off saw a noticeable increase, driven by higher competition and improved candidate performance. Aspirants aiming for IIM Ahmedabad must therefore target higher CAT percentiles while maintaining strong academics to remain competitive.

IIM Kozhikode Previous Year Cut-off Analysis

The previous year cut-off trends of IIM Kozhikode highlight the institute’s balanced approach towards CAT performance, academic consistency, and profile-based shortlisting. Between 2022 and 2024, the institute maintained largely stable academic and CAT cut-off benchmarks, reflecting consistency in its selection philosophy.

However, during the 2025 admission cycle, the effective CAT shortlisting percentile showed a marginal decline, primarily due to increased emphasis on diversity factors and composite score-based evaluation rather than pure CAT dominance. Aspirants targeting IIM Kozhikode must therefore focus not only on clearing CAT cut-offs but also on maintaining strong academics across Class 10, Class 12, and graduation.

Academic Cut-Off Trends (2022–2025)

Year	Category	Class 10 (%)	Class 12 (%)	Graduation (%)	CAT Overall (%)
2022	General	70	70	70	80
	NC-OBC	65	65	65	75
	SC	60	60	60	70
	ST	50	50	50	60
2023	General	70	70	70	80
	NC-OBC	65	65	65	75
	SC	60	60	60	70
	ST	50	50	50	60
2024	General	70	70	70	80
	NC-OBC	65	65	65	75
	SC	60	60	60	70
	ST	50	50	50	60
2025	General	70	70	70	90
	NC-OBC	65	65	65	85
	SC	60	60	60	80
	ST	50	50	50	75

IIM Ahmedabad Courses 2026

IIM Ahmedabad offers a range of management programs for fresh graduates, experienced professionals, and research-oriented candidates. These programs are globally recognized and known for their academic rigor, analytical depth, and leadership focus. Each course is designed to cater to different career stages and professional goals.

Post Graduate Programme (PGP – MBA Equivalent)

The PGP is the flagship two-year, full-time residential program at IIM Ahmedabad. It focuses on case-based learning, quantitative analysis, and real-world business decision-making. The first year builds strong foundations in core management subjects, while the second year allows students to choose electives. Admission is primarily based on CAT performance, academic consistency, and Personal Interview.

Feature	Details
Program Name	PGP (Post Graduate Programme in Management)
Duration	2 Years
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree + CAT score
Selection	CAT + Sectional Cut-offs + PI + Academics
Focus Areas	Strategy, Finance, Marketing, OB, Operations

Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPX)

The PGPX is a one-year, full-time executive MBA designed for professionals with significant work experience. It emphasizes strategic thinking, leadership development, and advanced management concepts. Admission is not through CAT and depends on profile evaluation and interview performance. The program is suitable for candidates aiming for senior or leadership roles.

Feature	Details
Program Name	PGPX (Executive MBA)
Duration	1 Year
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree + Work experience
Selection	Profile + Interview
Ideal For	Mid & Senior Professionals

Doctoral Programme (FPM / PhD)

The Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) is equivalent to a PhD and is intended for candidates pursuing careers in academia, research, or policy-making. It is a full-time program focused on original research under faculty guidance. Selection is based on academic background, research aptitude, and interviews.

Feature	Details
Program Name	FPM / PhD
Duration	4–5 Years (approx)
Eligibility	Master’s / Bachelor’s with strong academics
Selection	Research Proposal + Interview
Focus	High-end research & academia

Executive Education Programmes

IIM Ahmedabad offers short-term and long-term executive education programs for working professionals. These programs help participants upgrade skills in areas such as strategy, leadership, digital transformation, and analytics. The duration and selection criteria vary depending on the program structure.

Program Type	Delivery	Target Audience
Short-Term Certificate	In-person / Online	Mid-level managers
Long-Term Executive	In-person	Senior professionals
Customized	Corporate cohorts	Organizational teams

IIM Ahmedabad Campus

IIM Ahmedabad’s campus is a unique blend of world-class academic infrastructure and iconic architectural heritage, recognized globally for its design and learning environment. Spread over a large and verdant campus, it offers students modern classrooms, extensive libraries, dedicated study zones, and vibrant student activity spaces. The campus culture emphasizes intellectual engagement, collaboration, and peer-driven learning, making it ideal for those aiming for top-tier management careers. Advanced facilities support academics, sports, wellness, and innovation, ensuring holistic student growth throughout the two-year PGP and executive programs.

IIM Ahmedabad Campus Features

Feature	Details
Campus Type	Residential, Urban
Architectural Legacy	Louis Kahn–designed buildings
Academic Blocks	Modern classrooms, discussion halls
Library	Comprehensive management resources
Student Facilities	Hostels, mess, common rooms
Sports & Recreation	Gym, courts, indoor & outdoor facilities
Innovation & Labs	Research centers and incubation support

Academic & Learning Spaces

Facility	Purpose
Lecture Halls	Interactive case-based learning
Seminar Rooms	Small group discussions
Vikram Sarabhai Library	Extensive print and digital collections
Computer Labs	High-end systems for data & analytics
Study Lounges	Peer-learning and project workspaces

Residential & Student Life Facilities

Facility	Description
Hostel Accommodation	Single occupancy rooms for most students
Mess & Dining	Nutritious multi-cuisine meals
Student Clubs	Cultural, academic, and professional clubs
Events & Festivals	Annual fests, sports meets, conferences
Health & Wellness	On-campus medical and counseling support

Key Campus Highlights

Iconic Campus Design: The academic and residential blocks are part of a timeless architectural legacy, enhancing the learning environment.
Vibrant Student Ecosystem: Clubs, events, and collaborative projects make student life engaging beyond academics.
World-Class Library: The Vikram Sarabhai Library houses extensive management and interdisciplinary resources.
Holistic Development Facilities: Sports arenas, wellness centers, and innovation labs support overall student growth.

CAT Cutoff 2026 – Factors Affecting Cutoffs

The actual CAT 2026 cutoffs will be officially announced after results are declared. However, the following factors typically influence cutoff trends:

Difficulty Level of the Paper – A tougher exam usually lowers cutoff scores, while an easier paper can push cutoffs higher.
Total Number of Applicants – More applicants increase competition, which can raise cutoff percentiles. For reference, CAT 2025 saw over 3.3 lakh candidates.
Total Number of Seats Available – Changes in seat count or reservation policies affect the number of seats for general candidates, influencing cutoff thresholds. Fewer seats often mean higher cutoffs.
College Rankings – Top-ranked IIMs and other reputed colleges generally have higher cutoffs due to greater demand.
Number of Candidates Clearing Minimum Cutoffs – The number of candidates surpassing overall and sectional eligibility cutoffs can impact the final shortlisting cutoff.

Top IIMs in India

The top IIMs in India are ranked based on academic excellence, placement outcomes, faculty strength, and long-term brand value. These institutes consistently attract the highest CAT percentiles and offer some of the best average salary packages among Indian business schools.

Rank	IIM Name	Year Established	Flagship Program	Typical CAT Percentile	Average Package (₹ LPA)
1	IIM Ahmedabad	1961	PGP (MBA)	99.7+	34–35
2	IIM Bangalore	1973	PGP (MBA)	99.6+	33–34
3	IIM Calcutta	1961	MBA	99.5+	34–35
4	IIM Lucknow	1984	PGP (MBA)	99+	30–31
5	IIM Kozhikode	1996	PGP (MBA)	98.5+	29–30
6	IIM Indore	1996	PGP (MBA)	98+	27–28
7	IIM Shillong	2007	PGP (MBA)	97+	26–27
8	IIM Mumbai	1963	MBA	97+	30–31
9	IIM Rohtak	2009	PGP (MBA)	96+	19–20
10	IIM Udaipur	2011	MBA	95+	20–21

Conclusion: IIM Ahmedabad Cut-Off 2026

IIM Ahmedabad continues to have the highest CAT cut-offs among all IIMs, reflecting its academic excellence and competitive admission process. While category-wise and sectional minimum cut-offs define basic eligibility, actual interview calls typically require a 99+ overall percentile, especially for General category candidates.

Clearing the cut-off alone does not guarantee admission. IIM Ahmedabad evaluates candidates holistically, considering sectional balance, academic consistency, Application Rating, and Personal Interview performance. A weakness in any CAT section or an inconsistent academic record can significantly reduce shortlisting chances.

Overall, aspirants targeting IIM Ahmedabad 2026 should aim well above the minimum cut-offs, maintain strong academics, and prepare thoroughly for interviews to maximize their chances of final selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the expected cutoff percentile for admission to the top management institute in Ahmedabad?

The expected overall CAT cutoff percentile for IIM Ahmedabad is extremely high compared to other MBA institutes in India. For the General category, candidates usually need a minimum of 99+ percentile to remain competitive for interview shortlisting. However, meeting the cutoff does not guarantee selection, as academic consistency, sectional scores, and interview performance also play a crucial role in the final admission process.

2. Which online coaching platforms provide the best guidance for clearing the Ahmedabad management program cutoff?

Several reputed online CAT coaching platforms offer structured preparation programs specifically aligned with IIM Ahmedabad’s cutoff and selection criteria. These platforms typically provide adaptive mock tests, percentile prediction tools, and detailed performance analytics. Aspirants should choose coaching providers that focus on high-difficulty CAT mocks and sectional accuracy, as IIM Ahmedabad places strong emphasis on sectional performance.

3. Where can I find previous years' cutoff trends for the Ahmedabad business school entrance?

Previous years’ IIM Ahmedabad cutoff trends are available on reputed MBA education portals, CAT preparation websites, and official admission brochures released by the institute. These sources provide category-wise, sectional, and overall percentile data, helping aspirants understand historical benchmarks and prepare a realistic target score.

4. Are there any mobile apps that track cutoff updates for premier business schools in India?

Yes, several MBA entrance exam mobile apps regularly track and update cutoff notifications for top IIMs, including IIM Ahmedabad. These apps usually provide real-time alerts, CAT percentile calculators, and admission news, making them useful for candidates who want quick updates during the admission cycle.

5. How do cutoff scores vary by category for the Ahmedabad institute's management program?

IIM Ahmedabad follows a category-wise cutoff system in line with government norms. While the General category cutoff remains the highest, relaxed cutoffs apply for NC-OBC, SC, ST, and PwD candidates. Despite lower qualifying percentiles, candidates from all categories must demonstrate strong academic records and balanced sectional performance to qualify for interviews.

6. Can I apply for mock tests focusing on the Ahmedabad business school cutoff preparation?

Yes, aspirants can enroll in CAT mock test series designed for top IIM cutoffs, including IIM Ahmedabad. These mocks simulate actual CAT difficulty levels, provide section-wise percentile benchmarking, and help candidates evaluate whether their scores meet IIM Ahmedabad’s expected cutoff standards.

7. Which educational websites offer detailed analysis of cutoff scores for leading Indian management institutes?

Detailed cutoff analysis for IIM Ahmedabad and other top IIMs is available on established MBA education platforms, CAT exam portals, and coaching institute websites. These sites publish data-driven reports, cutoff comparisons, and admission insights, making them reliable resources for serious CAT aspirants.

8. What are the minimum qualifying marks required for general category candidates at the Ahmedabad management school?

For General category candidates, the minimum qualifying CAT percentile is usually around 80 for initial eligibility, but the effective percentile required for interview calls is significantly higher, often crossing 99 percentile. Aspirants should aim well above the minimum to remain competitive in the shortlisting process.

9. Is there a service that sends notifications about cutoff changes for top Indian business institutes?

Yes, many MBA admission portals and CAT preparation platforms offer email alerts and mobile notifications for cutoff updates, interview calls, and admission announcements. Subscribing to these services helps aspirants stay informed about important changes in IIM Ahmedabad’s cutoff and admission process.

10. How can I compare the cutoff scores of Ahmedabad’s management program with other Indian institutes?

You can compare IIM Ahmedabad’s cutoff scores with other leading institutes by referring to official cutoff tables, percentile comparison tools, and MBA ranking portals. These comparisons highlight how IIM Ahmedabad consistently maintains one of the highest cutoff benchmarks among all management institutes in India.