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Updated By Intajur Rahaman on 05 Dec, 2025 08:12
Top CAT participating colleges 2025 include IIMs, XLRI Jamshedpur, IITs, MDI Gurgaon, and JBIMS Mumbai. While new IIMs use the IIM Common Admission Process (CAP) for centralized admissions, older IIMs handle admissions independently. To gain admission, students must achieve a good percentile in CAT and participate in the counselling process.
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Predict My CollegeThe top CAT 2025 participating colleges include IIMs, XLRI Jamshedpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, ISB Hyderabad, MDI Gurgaon, JBIMS Mumbai, SPJIMR Mumbai, TAPMI Manipal, NMIMS Mumbai, IIFT Delhi, FMS Delhi, SIBM Pune, IMT Ghaziabad, etc. Over 1000 MBA colleges in India accept CAT scores for admission into their MBA/PGDM programs. Each CAT 2025 participating college may specify its selection criteria. The new IIMs conduct centralized admissions based on CAT scores, known as the IIM Common Admission Process (CAP). However, the old IIMs conduct their admission process independently.
The criteria for selection into CAT 2025 participating colleges include a bachelor's degree from a recognized body with a minimum of 50% marks and a valid CAT scorecard. For admission into top IIMs and other top institutes, a candidate must score 98+ CAT percentile. The CAT exam 2025 was conducted on November 30, 2025, by IIM Kozhikode in around 155 test cities across India. If you appeared for the exam and want to know how many colleges accept CAT scores, then take a read below. You will find all the information regarding CAT 2025 participating colleges and be able to make a list of the institutes you should target.
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| OBC Category CAT 2025 Shortlisting Cutoff for all IIMs | |
| CAT 2025 Official Answer Key | |
Get real time exam experience with full length mock test and get detailed analysis.
Attempt nowAll of the IIMs only accept CAT scores for admission to their postgraduate and doctoral management programmes. Here is a list of IIM courses available for CAT 2025 aspirants. The seat intake has been updated as of 2025.
Name of the IIM | NIRF Ranking 2025 | Programmes Offered | Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PGP, PGP-FABM, ePGP | 385 | |
| 2 | PGP, PGPBA, PGPEM | 412 | |
| 3 | PGP, PGP-F, PGP-BL, PGP-LSM | 353 | |
| 5 | 462 | ||
| 6 | PGDIE, PGDISEM, PGDMM, PGDIM, PGPPM, PGPEX-VLFM | 304 | |
| 7 | PGP, PGP-SM, PGP-ABM | 436 | |
| 8 | PGP, PGP-HRM | 550 | |
| 12 | PGP, EPGPX, EPGDSM | 180 | |
| 14 | PGP | 210 | |
| 17 | PGP, PGP (Business Analytics), PGP-HRM | 155 | |
| 22 | MBA | 180 | |
| 23 | MBA, MBA Analytics, MBA WX | 210 | |
| 24 | PGP, PGPEX, PGPWE | 120 | |
| 26 | PGP, PGPEx, PGPDGM | 60 | |
| 27 | PGPM, PGPBM, PGPM-HR | 180 | |
| 31 | PGP | 60 | |
| 33 | PGP | 60 | |
| 42 | PGP | 45 | |
| 47 | MBA, MBA in Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, EMBA | 60 | |
| 50 | MBA | 140 | |
| 57 | MBA, MBA T&HM | 60 |
Also Read:
| MBA Colleges Accepting 90-95 Percentile in CAT | |
|---|---|
| Colleges Accepting 60-70 Percentile in CAT |
CAT has more than 100 non-IIM participating colleges. Some of the top B-schools in India outside of IIMs accept CAT scores for management admissions in India. Given below is the list of some of the top institutes other than IIMs accepting CAT 2025 scores.
Non-IIM Colleges | NIRF Ranking 2025 | Courses |
|---|---|---|
4 | MBA, Executive MBA | |
10 | MBA, Executive MBA | |
11 | PGPM, PGP-HRM, PGP-IB | |
15 | MBA IB, MBA BA | |
16 | MBA, Executive MBA | |
18 | MBA, Executive MBA | |
19 | MBA, Executive MBA | |
S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) Mumbai | 20 | PGDM, PGPM, PGMPW, PGEMP, PGP-GM |
28 | MBA | |
35 | PGDM, PGDM DCP, PGDM BFS, PGDM Part Time, PGDM Executive | |
40 | PGDM, PGDHRM, PGDM (B&FS), Executive PGDM | |
58 | PGDM, PGDM-BKFS, PGDM-HRM, PGDM-Marketing | |
66 | PGDM, Part-Time PGDM | |
Prin LN Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research Mumbai | 84 | PGDM, PGDM E-Business, PGDM Research & Business Analytics, PGDM Healthcare, PGDM Media & Entertainment, PGDM Rural Management, PGDM Retail Management |
87 | PGDM-IB, PGDM-RM, PGDM-HR, PGDM-Marketing, PGDM-Finance, PGDM-PT | |
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) Hyderabad | 96 | PGDM-ABM |
Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi (FMS) New Delhi | - | MBA, MBA-Executive, MBA-Executive HCA |
Department of Commerce, Delhi School of Economics (DMCDSE) New Delhi | - | MBA-IB, MBA-HRD |
- | PGDM, PGDSM | |
Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar (XIMB) Bhubaneswar | - | MBA-Business Management, EMBA-Business Management, EMBA-Business Analytics |
- | ||
Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) Allahabad | - | MBA |
Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management (IISWBM) Kolkata | - | MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA-PS |
- | PGPM, PGDM, PGXPM, MBA in Business Analytics |
Also Read:
| CAT 2025 Percentile Predictor | |
|---|---|
| Is CAT Exam Compulsory for MBA? |
Here are some of the government b-schools that accept CAT for their admission process:
Many private MBA colleges also accept CAT for conducting admissions. Here is a list of some popular private B-schools accepting CAT:
S. No. | Name of Colleges |
|---|---|
1 | |
2 | |
3 | |
4 | |
| 5 | |
6 | |
7 | |
8 | Prin LN Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai |
9 | |
| 10 | Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development, Mysore |
The table provided below gives the lists of colleges that accept CAT scores. The colleges for all the brackets of the CAT percentile have been listed here.
Also, check out how you can get admission in Top B-Schools in India with a Low Score in CAT
The table given below provides a list of some of the popular colleges accepting CAT in every state.
State-wise MBA Colleges | Name of the College |
|---|---|
Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar | |
Indian Institute of Forest Management | |
Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management, Gwalior | |
University of Hyderabad (School of Management Studies), Hyderabad | |
Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management (IISWBM) | |
Eastern Institute of Integrated Learning in Management (EIILM) | |
Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi | |
Vivekanand Institute of Professional Studies, Technical Campus | |
Jawaharlal Nehru University (School of Management and Entrepreneurship), New Delhi | |
University of Delhi (Dept. of Commerce, Financial Studies & Business Economics) | |
Management Development Institute (MDI) Gurgaon | |
T.A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) | |
Prin L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (Bangalore) | |
Prin L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (Mumbai) | |
Balaji Institute of Management & Human Resource Development (BIMHRD) | |
National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) | |
K J Somaiya Institute of Management | |
SDA Bocconi Asia Centre | |
University Business School | |
Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-A) - Allahabad | |
Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology | |
Check all the updates related to the CAT 2023 question papers and answer keys in the links below.
| CAT 2023 Question Paper Analysis Slot 1 | |
Students who wish to seek MBA admission through the CAT exam must know how to apply to colleges accepting CAT for MBA/PGDM courses before they even apply for the CAT exam. One of the primary reasons why one should be aware of the CAT participating colleges and the admission process is because every CAT accepting institute has a different admission process and timeline, especially Non-IIM MBA colleges. Some MBA colleges begin their application process for MBA admissions before the CAT exam has been conducted.
On the other hand, some institutes begin their admission process after the exam is concluded and the CAT result is released. Candidates must be aware of how to apply to their preferred colleges and they should also make a list of the colleges they wish to apply for MBA admissions as applying to every CAT participating institute is not possible. With that being said, check out the steps mentioned below to learn how to apply to CAT participating colleges:
Firstly, aspirants must prepare a list of the colleges that they have shortlisted for MBA admission. Candidates must also make sure that they choose the colleges in accordance with other factors like their CAT percentile score, their academic background, and their financial background.
Then, aspirants must visit the official website of the colleges to learn about various aspects like application start date, MBA/PGDM course fees, and course specializations offered by a particular college.
Candidates are advised to apply to at least 2-3 colleges of each percentile range so that they do not face any difficulty once the CAT result 2025 is declared and can continue their MBA admission process without any hassles.
Typically the application form for MBA admissions at a particular institute is advertised on the homepage of a B-school. Aspirants can fill out the application form available on the official website of the college or they can also fill out CollegeDekho’s Common Application Form to apply for admission at these MBA colleges.
Apart from personal factors, aspirants must also take into consideration other major factors while selecting MBA colleges like infrastructure, location, faculty, ranking, and placement opportunities offered.
Also Read:
Top B-schools Accepting CAT Percentile Below 90 other than IIMs | |
|---|---|
Participating colleges of CAT 2024 are free to define their own CAT selection process 2024 for management admissions. Check the selection process of CAP 2023 participating colleges given below.
Candidates can apply to all of the IIMs through the CAT 2024 Application Form.
IIMs release their individual eligibility CAT cutoffs for applications and call cutoffs for shortlisting candidates for admission rounds. Check:IIM Eligibility Cut Off vs Call Cut Off
Shortlisted candidates then have to appear for the WAT and PI round of IIMs.
IIMs calculate the composite score based on the overall performance of candidates.
The rest of the IIMs send a list of shortlisting candidates to the IIM organizing CAP.
Candidates are called for CAP 2025 at a common test center for WAT & PI.
CAP 2025 scores are sent to individual IIMs.
IIMs make the final decision on the selection of candidates independently.
Candidates have to apply individually to different colleges.
Colleges shortlist candidates for the selection process.
CAT participating colleges invite candidates for selection rounds including GD, WAT / PI.
The final selection is based on the overall performance of the candidate.
Also Read:
| CAT 2023 Question Paper Analysis Slot 2 | CAT Slot 2 Answer Key 2023 |
|---|---|
| List of Non-IIM MBA Colleges to Apply to Before and After CAT 2024 Exam | |
| Top 10 Private MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2024 Scores |
Want to know more about CAT
IIM A, B & C are the toughest IIMs to get into as a candidate needs 99+ percentile in CAT. These IIMs provide admission to candidates to its PGP programme depending on multiple parameters, namely academic performance in 10th & 12th grades, graduation programmes as well as the section-wise scores in CAT.
IIM Calcutta offered the highest placement in 2023 with the domestic package standing at INR 1.15 CPA. IIM Ahmedabad offered a domestic package of INR 61.48 LPA and an international package of INR 1.32 CPA in 2023. The average packages at IIM Calcutta and IIM Ahmedabad stood at INR 35.07 LPA and INR 32.79 LPA, respectively.
IIM Ahmedabad has the lowest CAT qualifying cutoff. The overall qualifying CAT cutoff is 80 percentile for the General Category, 75 percentile for NC-OBC and Transgender Categories, 70 percentile for SC and PwD Categories, and 60 percentile for ST Category.
The eligibility criteria at the CAT 2025 participating colleges vary from one college to another. However, the general requirements include that a candidate must have completed the bachelor's degree with at least a 50% aggregate score and qualified for the CAT exam with the minimum required percentile.
Yes, IIM placements offer decent salary packages. At the top IIMs, A, B, and C, the highest pay offers ranged from INR 70 LPA to INR 1 CPA as CTC. While the pay packages of the more recent IIMs lie between INR 10 LPA and INR 20 LPA, the average salary package provided to applicants in the top IIMs is from INR 20 LPA to INR 25 LPA. Typical international compensation packages start at INR 60 LPA.
Well, any student cannot pursue an MBA for free; however, one may be eligible for need-based financial assistance, which reimburses 50–60% of the tuition costs. In addition to this, there are many government financial aid programs where you can even receive your entire tuition reimbursement.
No, you can't get admission to any IIM without appearing for the CAT exam. Each IIM accepts CAT scores before moving further with the application procedure. Therefore, there is no likelihood of being admitted directly into any IIM without taking the CAT for an MBA.
The CAT participating college you will get admission to after the CAT exam will depend on your choice and cutoff percentile. There are 21 IIMs and other top MBA colleges like FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, SJMSoM IIT Mumbai, and DoMS IIT Delhi.
The selection process for non-IIM CAT participating colleges includes qualifying for the entrance exam and participating in GD-PI. You must apply independently by completing the application forms for any non-IIM MBA colleges in India that you aspire to seek admission to through the CAT.
Candidates from all participating IIMs undergo WAT-PI rounds, which are led by the coordinating IIM. The candidates will be chosen by IIMs based on how well they did on the written ability test, personal interview, and CAT. When creating the selection list, IIMs will also take candidates' work experience into account.
The most eminent non-IIM colleges that are participating in the CAT exam are: MDI (Management of Development Studies), Gurgaon; SJMSOM (Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management), IIT Mumbai; IMT (Institute of Management Technology), Ghaziabad; VGSoM (Vinod Gupta School of Management), IIT Kharagpur; DoMS, IIT Madras; IRMA ( Institute of Rural Management Anand), Gujarat, etc.
To apply for admission to CAT 2025 participating colleges, candidates first need to fill out the application form if they meet the minimum CAT scores and submit the relevant documents. After this, shortlisted candidates must appear for the group discussion and personal interview rounds.
Yes, there will be a separate cutoff for all the CAT participating colleges. The cutoffs of all the participating colleges are released after the declaration of the CAT result and vary every year. Students who meet the cutoff of their desired colleges are considered for the selection rounds.
No, the CAT exam is not conducted to provide admission to IIMs only. While IIMs have mentioned that obtaining a certain minimum cutoff score on the CAT exam is mandatory for securing admission to its MBA programmes, CAT scores are also accepted by other management institutes in India.
No, you will not be eligible for admission to the CAT 2025 participating colleges if you do not clear the CAT cutoff. For many CAT 2025 participating colleges, passing the CAT cutoff is a crucial component of the admissions process. Nonetheless, several private universities may invite candidates for admission based on their academic background.
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