IIM BANGALORE CUTOFF 2026: Category-Wise & Sectional %tile
IIM Bangalore (IIMB) is often called the "Harvard of the East" for its incredible quality and reputation. For any MBA student, getting an admission offer here is a huge dream. But first, you have to cross the IIM Bangalore Cutoff 2026. A common doubt among students looking at CAT 2025 results is whether a 99 percentile is enough. While a high score is helpful, the flagship PGP programme looks at a student's entire profile.
IIM Bangalore Sectional Cut-off 2026
IIM Bangalore values students who are good at every subject, not just math. Being a genius in one area is not enough because the institute requires a balanced performance across the entire exam. This is the reason IIM Bangalore has sectional cutoffs for each of the three parts of the CAT.
Even a massive score like a 99.9 overall percentile can result in rejection. If a student fails to meet the minimum score in just one section, such as Verbal Ability (VARC), they are out of the race. This is a very important part of the Final Shortlisting Process. To even be considered for the first list, every candidate must obtain Positive Raw Scores in all sections of the test.
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall CAT 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 Category-wise Cut-off
The IIMB CAT Cutoff for Reserved Categories helps make sure the classroom has students from many different backgrounds. While the competition is highest for the General category, students from OBC, SC, ST, and EWS groups have different target scores to meet.
- NC-OBC & EWS: Students in these groups usually need a very solid score in the DILR and VARC sections to stay competitive.
- SC & ST: For these categories, the institute looks very closely at Academic consistency points. This means having good marks in 10th and 12th grades is just as important as the exam score.
- IIM Bangalore seats for MBA: There are only about 535 seats available in total. Because the number of seats is small, the struggle to get in is very strong for everyone, no matter their category.
Previous Year Minimum CAT Percentile Reported for PI/WAT Call (RTI DATA)
| Category | PGP 2025 (Min) | PGP 2025 (Max) | PGPBA 2025 (Min) | PGPBA 2025 (Max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 94.06 | 100 | 92.33 | 100 |
| NC-OBC | 75.57 | 100 | 84.84 | 100 |
| EWS | 86.10 | 99.19 | 86.99 | 99.99 |
| SC | 73.04 | 99.96 | 72.79 | 99.96 |
| ST | 66.82 | 99.95 | 66.82 | 99.95 |
| PwD | 60.16 | 99.99 | 60.16 | 99.99 |
Secure Percentile
| Category | Safe CAT Percentile |
|---|---|
| General | 99.5+ |
| EWS | 98+ |
| NC-OBC | 95+ |
| SC | 83+ |
| ST | 75+ |
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Understanding the Two-Gate System
IIM Bangalore uses two different sets of numbers during the Final Shortlisting Process:
Qualifying Cutoff: Think of this as the "entry pass." This is the lowest possible score a student needs just to be considered. If a score falls even slightly below this mark, the application is rejected immediately without being looked at further.
Actual Call Cutoff: This is the "real target." Because thousands of people pass the first gate, the institute only invites the very top students for the Personal Interview (PI) Strategy rounds. This number is always much higher than the entry pass score
Previous Year Scores for IIM Bangalore
Looking at the IIM Bangalore previous year cutoff trends is a very important step for anyone wanting a seat in the flagship PGP programme. Historically, IIM Bangalore is known as a "Profile-Heavy" school. This means that your IIM Bangalore percentile is only one small piece of the puzzle. The institute uses a Composite Score calculation, which combines your exam marks with your school grades and work history to decide if you get in.
| Category | CAT 2024 Overall Percentile | CAT 2024 Sectional Percentile | CAT 2023 Shortlisting Percentile Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 99 – 99.5 | 85+ | 99 – 99.8 |
| EWS | 96 – 97 | 75+ | 96 – 98 |
| OBC-NCL | 95 – 97 | 75+ | 95 – 97 |
| SC | 90 – 92 | 65+ | 90 – 92 |
| ST | 85 – 88 | 55+ | 85 – 90 |
| PwD | 80 – 85 | 50+ | 80 – 85 |
IIM Bangalore Application Process: Selection Reality
Getting into IIM Bangalore is a journey with many different steps. For students checking their CAT 2025 results, the B-school shortlisting process starts with a very strict two-part selection. This simple guide removes all the confusing words to show exactly how the flagship PGP programme chooses its students.
Stage I: The First Shortlist and Pre-PI Score
The process starts with an online application. Only candidates who meet the IIMB Sectional Cut-off and obtain Positive Raw Scores in all CAT sections are considered.
The Pre-PI Composite Score Calculation
For the first shortlist, a "Pre-PI Score" is created using these weights:
- CAT Score: 55 points (VARC: 19, DILR: 21, QA: 15)
- 10th Board Score: 10 points (Normalized)
- 12th Board Score: 10 points (Normalized)
- Bachelor’s Degree: 10 points (Normalized)
- IIM Bangalore Weightage for Work Experience: 10 points
- Gender Diversity: 5 points (Only for the Pre-PI stage)
Work Experience Points Formula
The Minimum CAT percentile for IIM Bangalore call is not the only factor. Work experience points are calculated based on months (x) up to July 2025:
- Score = 10x / 36 (for 1 to 35 months)
- Score = 10 (for 36 months or more)
Stage II: WAT and Personal Interview (PI)
Candidates who pass the Pre-PI hurdle move to the WAT-PI Preparation phase. Both tests happen on the same day.
- Written Ability Test (WAT): A 30-minute note evaluated on content and style.
- Personal Interview (PI): A comprehensive evaluation of fit and motivation.
The Final Composite Score
The Final Shortlisting Process uses a different set of weights to make admission offers. Notably, the IIM Bangalore Weightage for Work Experience is adjusted by a "Quality Score" (0.25 to 2.0) given by the interviewers.
Final Selection Weightage
| Component | Weightage / Points |
|---|---|
| Personal Interview (PI) | 40 |
| CAT Score | 25 (VARC: 8.75, DILR: 10, QA: 6.25) |
| Written Ability Test (WAT) | 10 |
| Weighted Work Experience | 10 (Quality Adjusted) |
| Academic Profile (10th, 12th, Bachelor's) | 5 points each (Total 15) |
Is 99 percentile enough for IIM Bangalore? A high percentile is vital, but the 40% weightage on the interview and 15% on academics mean that a balanced profile is the real key.
Conclusion
Securing a seat in the flagship PGP programme at IIM Bangalore requires much more than just a high IIM Bangalore percentile. While the IIMB sectional Cut-off acts as the first filter, the Final Shortlisting Process depends heavily on a Composite Score calculation that values academics and work experience. Even with CAT 2025 results showing a 99+ percentile, a balanced profile and strong WAT-PI Preparation remain the deciding factors for success. Understanding the IIMB CAT Cutoff for Reserved Categories and the Weightage for Work Experience is the first step in a successful B-School preparation journey.
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