List of Top IIMs in India 2026: First established in 1961, the Indian Institute of Management, or IIMs, are some of the best MBA colleges in India. At present, there are a total of 21 IIMs in India across all the states. As per the latest IIM rankings by NIRF, the list of top 10 IIM colleges in India 2026 includes IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, etc (based on NIRF 2025 rankings). Being top-tier B-schools in the country, IIMs in India have a reputation for having excellent faculties, rich academic facilities, and vibrant campus culture, making them the dream destination for most MBA aspirants. Admission to the top IIMs, however, is highly competitive as most of them accept CAT scores above the 99th percentile. If you are aiming to build a career in management and wish to pursue your postgraduate degree from one of the top IIMs in India, it is important to be familiar with the list of IIM colleges in India, their fee structure, and placement highlights. All these details have been covered for you in the article below.
List of courses in IIMs in 2026 consists of the flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management, PGP in Public Policy and Management, PGP in Enterprise Management, etc. The PGP or full-time MBA is the most sought-after program at IIMs. Admission to postgraduate courses is offered based on CAT 2026 exam scores. Further, IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, IIM Ranchi, IIM Jammu, and IIM Bodh Gaya offer a 5-year Integrated Programme in Management and conduct their own entrance exam, known as IPMAT, for admission. Those who meet the entrance exam cutoff scores, which are specific to their categories, get admission to the top colleges; otherwise, they get disqualified. Students eager to know more about the list of courses in IIMs in 2026 can go through the course list, top colleges offering specialisations, etc.
Also Read: List of Top IIMs in India 2026
Students awaiting a response from the IIMs, the IIM waitlist movement 2026 is a significant factor in final admissions. Every year, almost 2.5 lakh students apply for courses such as PGDM, PGP, and MBA at top IIMs in India. But with just about 7,500 seats available in 2026, it is no surprise that not all of them get seats in the first round. After the initial admission offers are released, a few students accept their seats, but a percentage of them don’t. That is when the waitlist comes into action. If students are on that list, your hope relies on someone else leaving their seat, which starts the IIM waitlist movement 2026. It is a stressful time, but learning how it works, particularly by examining past trends, can relieve you and prepare you for what's coming.
IIM Shortlist 2026: If you are planning to pursue your MBA degree from one of the prestigious IIMs in India, you are required to ensure that to make the IIM shortlist 2026. The IIM Common Admission Process (CAP) 2026 involves mainly 3 stages: the CAT 2025 exam, the Written Ability Test (WAT), and the Personal Interviews. Based on your overall performance in all these rounds, all the IIMs release their separate shortlist featuring the names of the qualified students for admission to the respective institutes. For the 2026-28 session, the CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 30, 2026. The WAT is expected to be held in January. Based on your scores in the CAT exam and WAT, IIMs will call you for the PI round, which will be held from February to April 2026. Once all the rounds are completed, the IIM Shortlist 2026 will be released. In this article, we have provided the detailed information and the IIM admission process, including important dates.
The IIM CAT 2025 cutoff marks can range from 90 to 100 percentile, depending on the IIM college you wish to take admission to. For admission to some of the top IIM colleges in India, like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, and IIM Calcutta, through the CAT examination, students will require a qualifying CAT percentile of 80-85. The final IIM CAT Cutoff 2025 will usually lie in the range of 99 to 100 percentile. The IIM cutoff scores and percentiles differ from category to category. The overall and section-wise cutoff scores are released by the Indian Institute of Management separately.
Are you searching for CAT 2025 preparation tips for working professionals? If so, you're in luck! We understand the challenges of preparing for CAT, one of the most challenging MBA entrance exams, while working full-time. However, it's not impossible. To effectively prepare for the CAT exam as a working professional, strategic planning and time management are crucial. Create a balanced study schedule that doesn't conflict with your work hours. Early mornings or late nights can be optimal times for undistracted study. Use weekends for longer study sessions, focusing on weak areas and taking full-length mock tests. Choose study materials designed specifically for CAT preparation, and consider enrolling in a reputable online coaching program that offers flexibility. Regularly practising mock tests and analyzing performance is crucial to understanding your strengths and weaknesses. An effective preparation plan and exam strategy must be devised for working professionals who wish to appear for CAT 2025 exam. Here are some best CAT 2025 preparation tips for working professionals that can help them succeed in the exam.
Understanding the IIM Eligibility Cut Off vs IIM Call Cut Off is crucial for every candidate appearing for the CAT exam and dreaming of getting into the IIMs. IIM eligibility cutoff is the minimum score required for a candidate to be eligible to apply for the IIM admission process. On the other hand, the IIM call cutoff is the minimum score required for candidates to receive a call for an interview. The qualifying cutoff for IIMs is lower than the final cutoff, so it allows candidates to at least participate in the admission process.
As per the past year's trends, the qualifying cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad is expected to be in the 80 percentile, while the final call cutoff will be around the 99-100 percentile. For IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, the qualifying cutoff may be around the 90 percentile, and the final call cutoff is expected to be in the 99-100 percentile. The CAT 2024 exam will be conducted on November 24, 2024, by IIM Calcutta. The result is expected in the second week of February 2025, after which the IIM selection process will begin. If you are appearing for the exam, check the IIM eligibility cutoff vs IIM call cutoff discussed below.
Also Read: IIM Shortlist 2024
The Indian Insititute of Management (IIM), Nagpur has partnered with the Graduate School of Strategic Management, Chuo University, Japan. As part of an academic agreement, the two institutes will collaborate on research in the management sector, especially on current issues. The institutes will also participate in faculty, students and cultural exchange as a part of this agreement.
The Indo-Japan Research Centre (IJRC) has been established in IIM Nagpur as a centre that will focus on multiple issues related to technology management, cross-cultural exchange etc. Prof. Rahul Kumar Sett has been given the chairmanship of IJRC. He has expressed optimism about this agreement, stating that it will help the two universities in creating new knowledge.
Chuo University is one of the oldest universities in Japan and has been the training ground for many successful Japanese businessmen. The Director of IIM Nagpur, Prof LS Murty, also said that the collaborated will open up new opportunities and develop something with an Asian character but global application.
If you are planning to join an MBA from the IIMs, it is well worth understanding the difference between the BLACKI IIMs and other IIM campuses. The six IIMs, Bangalore, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Kozhikode, and Indore, are all widely regarded as BLACKI IIMs as being the most elite due to their heritage, highly competitive selection process, high-quality faculty team, international exposure, and top-notch placements year after year. Statistics also show median salary packages at BLACKI IIMs to be in the vicinity of 20 to 25% above those of other IIMs, and their alumni influence prime leadership roles in industries. This article aims to help you understand the key differences between BLACKI and other IIMs.
While preparing for the CAT (Common Admission Test), the first 30 days of your preparation is crucial for laying the foundation that strengthens your basics and supports problem-solving skills for the advanced stage. The initial month of CAT study should be devoted to good strategies, constant practice, and constant evaluation. The first step is to learn the exam pattern and syllabus, develop a study plan, practice sectional topics separately, and attempt mock tests periodically to monitor progress. Read this article to get your 30-day foundation plan for CAT 2025 preparation!
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If you compare the older and newer IIMs, the most significant disparity is in their legacy, brand value, and placement figures. First-generation IIMs, such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, are among the most renowned IIMs in India, boasting a strong international reputation. In 2025, old IIMs offered average packages in top positions in consulting, finance, and strategy that reached INR 25 to 35 lakh per annum. International companies continue to give them preference during campus placements. The new IIMs, established after 2009, are expanding rapidly with better infrastructure and faculty strength. Their average salaries now stand between INR 15 to 18 lakh, indicating steady improvement. Both contribute equally towards building up management education in India. Let us unveil the list of old vs new IIMs in India in this read.
If you are searching for which IIM offers the best Executive MBA Program, the general answer is IIM Bangalore. The institute stands as an undisputed number one pick. Financial Times Global EMBA Rankings 2025 include IIMB for its exemplary international reputation, useful alumni base, and career development potential. IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta are extremely close second picks for Executive MBA with great infrastructure, global career partnerships, and unique peer groups. Your ultimate choice should be driven by what you value most, be it global exposure, a leadership-oriented curriculum, or access to a rich professional network. Having an understanding of the distinctive value propositions of each IIM will enable you to select the ideal Executive MBA Program that resonates with your future goals.
Tackling every type of RC questions in CAT 2025 involves understanding the central theme of the passages, relating to the tone and undertone of the author, practicing time management, and developing the habit of reading on a regular basis. The first thing to do if you are aiming to score good marks in this section is to build the vocabulary and strengthen the foundation. Solving every CAT RC question type requires smart work rather than hard work. Most of the questions asked in the CAT 2025 exam are tricky. What separates the top scorers from the rest is picking the right approach to solve the problems. Read the article below to learn more about how to solve every CAT RC question type strategically.
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