IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2026: Requirements for PGP/MBA Admission

IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2026: The admissions to the IIM Bangalore for the upcoming MBA 2026-28 session will be based on the CAT 2025 result. The IIM Bangalore will release the interview shortlist 2026 tentatively in January 2026. You can keep on checking the official IIM Bangalore website; the institute will soon release information about the latest news and schedule on the website. If you make the shortlist based on your performance in the CAT 2025 exam , you will be able to apply for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and the Personal Interview rounds. The Personal Interview rounds are likely to be conducted in February 2026. For updates on the IIM Bangalore 2026-28 batch shortlisting criteria, related news, and more, keep reading below.

IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2026 Direct Link

The direct link to access the IIM Bangalore Interview shortlist will be active on the official website once it is released. You will be able to access the direct link for the interview shortlist here:

Stages in IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2026

IIMB employs a two-phase selection process, which includes:

• Phase 1 or Shortlisting of Candidates Based on CAT Exam Score: In the initial phase, all eligible candidates who take the CAT 2025 are assessed to determine those qualified for a personal interview (PI).
• Phase 2 or WAT and PI: Those selected for the PI process will also undergo a Writing Ability Test (WAT) on a given topic by IIMB.
• Phase 3 or Final Selection: In the second and final phase, the cumulative scores of WAT, interview, and pre-PI scores (with appropriate weightages) are utilized to select candidates for the program.

The interview panel will evaluate each candidate's academic background, quality of work experience, and personal traits, while the WAT submission will be separately assessed.

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How to Check the IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2026 Status

Candidates must follow the steps mentioned below to check their IIM Bangalore result and determine their eligibility for the Writing Ability Test and Personal Interview rounds for IIM Bangalore admission 2026.

• Step 1: Go to the official website of IIM Bangalore.
• Step 2: Go to the Admissions tab.
• Step 3: Click on the tab that says 'IIM Bangalore Call for PGP 2026-28'.
• Step 4: Enter your details, such as CAT 2025 registration number, email ID, date of birth, and CAPTCHA code, on the login page to get access to the IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2026.
• Step 5: The IIM Bangalore interview shortlist 2026 PDF will be displayed on the screen, and candidates must download it for future reference.

IIM Bangalore Waitlist Movement 2026

IIM Bangalore releases the final result as soon as the selection process for all applicants is completed. The IIM Bangalore waitlist advances if any chosen candidates decide not to join; their seat is then offered to another candidate.

IIM Bangalore Eligibility Criteria for Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) (MBA) & Required Documents

The basic eligibility criteria for applying to the Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) (MBA) include the following:

• Candidates must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA).
• Candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories must possess a minimum of 45% or equivalent CGPA.
• Applicants must also submit a Common Admission Test (CAT) score that is valid on the date when he/she is submitting the application.

There are certain documents that need to be submitted as part of the application process. They must be complete in all respects. The mandatory documents for PGP MBA admission have been mentioned below:

• 10th board, 12th board, and bachelor’s degree transcripts
• Bachelor’s degree certificate / provisional degree certificate (if applicable)
• Bonafide certificate (for candidates studying in the final year)
• Professional degree transcripts (CA/CS/ICWA) (if applicable)
• Professional degree certificate (if applicable)
• Statement of purpose
• Work experience letters, first and last payslips (if applicable)
• SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS certificate (if applicable)
• Relevant disability certificate and UDID Card for persons with disability (PwD)
• TWO online reference letters [from an employer (current or past) or from a teacher in an academic institution where the candidate has studied]

IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2026 for Phase I

A first shortlist is prepared based on candidates achieving a pre-determined minimum score in all sections of CAT 2025. Only candidates with a positive raw score (greater than zero) in all CAT-2025 sections are considered. The percentile cut-off scores from CAT 2025 guide the admission criteria. Subsequent processing, standardization, and selection focus exclusively on candidates in the first shortlist.

Expected IIM Bangalore Cutoffs

For all candidates in the first shortlist, percentage scores in the 10th and 12th board exams are adjusted by dividing each score by the 90th percentile score obtained in that board. The 90th percentile scores are determined using the 10th and 12th scores of all CAT applicants from the past two years.

Weightage for IIM Bangalore WAT-PI Shortlisting 2026

The weights for parameters at the pre-PI stage for all candidates in the first shortlist are as follows:

• Normalization of the scores for the 10th and 12th board exams is done. If a candidate does not possess a 10th board and/or 12th board exam score (due to COVID), no weightage shall be given to these components (s), and the weights assigned to other components shall be re-adjusted.
• Normalization of the bachelor’s degree scores is also done. Only if a candidate's final score is pending, incomplete, or intermediate graduate scores will be considered. If a candidate does not possess a bachelor’s degree score (due to COVID), no weightage shall be given to this component, and the weights assigned to other components shall be re-adjusted.
• Candidates who possess certifications like Chartered Accountancy (CA), Cost Accounting (ICWA), or Company Secretary (CS) are given weightage under the category of professional courses. Normalization of the scores obtained in these professional courses (Final year completed only) is done and weightage is calculated.
• The pre-PI score for work experience

= 10x/36 if 0 < x < 36

= 10 if x >= 36

where x is the months of work experience up to July 2025

• No weightage is allotted to any time spent as an intern, either during or after the course of study in a programme, or any periods of apprenticeship such as articleship required as part of certain professional courses, or any unpaid work undertaken in any organization or institution.
• If a candidate has undergone a professional course of study mentioned above and possesses work experience as well, the maximum of the work experience score and the professional course score is considered, and weightage is given on that basis.
• For candidates in the initial shortlist, standardization for any mentioned component is performed using the following formula. All standardization is referenced to the qualifying first shortlist or its subdivisions. The standardized score, limited between 0 and the assigned weight (wt), is calculated from the raw score (val) according to the formula:

• While shortlisting candidates for the first shortlist, the components that are considered include total score in CAT, adjusted bachelor’s degree score (commerce, arts, and science disciplines) and professional (CA / ICWA / CS) score, and the top-ten candidates in each of the above-mentioned categories automatically qualify for the PI stage. After the PI has been conducted, all such candidates are evaluated in the same way as any other candidate.

IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2026 for Phase 2

During the second phase of IIM Bangalore admission, candidates are required to participate in a 30-minute essay writing test known as WAT (Written Ability Test). The test covers topics encompassing socio-political, economic, business affairs, sports, and other areas, often drawing from current issues and developments. The evaluation of each candidate's performance in the WAT considers both content and writing style. The Personal Interview (PI) and WAT will take place on the same day and in the same location. Additionally, during the PI, candidates must submit two reference letters from their employers or academic institutions, which also play a role in the evaluation process.

Every candidate must furnish two confidential reference letters from either their employers or teachers at their previous academic institutions. These reference letters will play a role in the evaluation during the personal interview.

Category-wise Merit List and Composite Score for IIM Bangalore Final Selection 2026

In the concluding phase of the IIM Bangalore admission process, candidates undergo evaluation based on their performance in the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI), alongside considerations for their academic background, work experience quality, and personal traits. The Composite Score for each selected candidate is calculated using the following parameters:

IIM Bangalore Composite Scores for Final Selection

• The work experience weight = 10 in the Pre-PI score is reduced to 5 in the post-interview process for the composite score.
• The work experience score is multiplied by the quality of experience score, assessed by the interview panel.
• Quality of work experience is rated on a 5-point scale (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2) by each panel member during interviews.
• The average quality of work experience score is multiplied by the Pre-PI work experience score, revising the work/professional experience component score used in Phase 1.
• The 25 points allotted to the CAT score are derived from the performance in each of the three sections as follows:

• Past academic performance scores will be updated based on actual mark sheets/grade cards submitted.
• Unless stated otherwise, percentages are calculated considering all subjects the candidate appeared for.
• The gender diversity component applies only to the pre-PI score for interview calls, not in phase 2, leading to final selection.

The candidates from each category will be given the final offers of admission strictly on the basis of the PI scores. Applicants who successfully secure a spot in the final admission list for the IIM Bangalore MBA batch of 2026-2028 will receive notification via email by April 2026. Upon selection, candidates must confirm their admission by submitting the offer acceptance form and the required fee.

IIM Bangalore Fees Structure 2026-28

If you are considering pursuing an MBA at IIM Bangalore for the 2026-28 intake, it is important to stay updated about the fee structure. While the official details are yet to be announced on the institute's website, you can get an idea of the expected costs based on the previous year's fee structure.

IIM Shortlist for Other Campuses

Candidates who wish to appear for the selection process of other IIMs must keep track of important events like the PI shortlist release and other announcements. Candidates can check out the articles below to stay updated:

Related Links:

We trust that the provided insights into the IIM Bangalore Interview Shortlist 2026 process will assist candidates in preparing for the WAT-PI rounds. For additional questions, please visit our QnA section or call us at 1800-572-9877.