IIM 2025 Admission Cut-Offs: Expected Percentiles for Each IIM
IIMs stand as the pinnacle of management education in India. Every year, thousands of applicants seek entry into these iconic institutes that provide the most outstanding MBA courses worldwide. The entry process is highly competitive since the CAT dominates the criteria of admission with its tough and demanding selection process. For 2025, it is important for aspirants to know the expected cut-offs and how the selection processes are associated to plan their preparations accordingly. Thus, this article discusses the expected IIM cut-offs in great detail.
IIM 2025 Cut-Offs
The IIMs use a two-stage admission process: the initial shortlisting and the final selection. The qualifying cut-offs, also called eligibility cut-offs, are the minimum percentiles that candidates must secure to be considered for the first round of shortlisting. These cut-offs are typically high for the older and more established IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, reflecting their demand and competitive applicant pool.
The second stage involves composite scoring, which takes into account several factors other than CAT scores. It includes academic performance, work experience, diversity, and performance in personal interviews or group discussions. The qualifying cut-offs for the top IIMs are expected to remain in the 98-100 percentile range for 2025, while newer IIMs and baby IIMs may have lower thresholds between 85 and 96 percentile.
CAT Percentile for IIMs 2025
The CAT percentile, therefore, forms the main indicator in the IIM admission process. For students aiming at IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta, a percentile of more than 99 is almost a compulsory requirement for general category aspirants. The institutes further have sectional cut-offs for them, meaning that candidates have to perform well across all three sections of the CAT. Newer IIMs such as Trichy, Udaipur, and Raipur have slightly relaxed percentiles, allowing candidates with scores in the 90-96 range to qualify.
For candidates from reserved categories such as OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and EWS, the cut-offs are significantly lower. For example, reserved category aspirants may qualify for top IIMs with percentiles ranging from 70 to 85, depending on the specific institute and competition in the year.
Also Read : IIM Admission Criteria 2025
IIM Admission Cut-Offs 2025
The cut-offs into IIM come in two phases. Based on the required minimum CAT percentile, candidates have been short-listed for later stages of the process. This consists of various rounds such as a WAT, a GD, and PI. Based on these candidates are ranked finally on their composite score generated based on such parameters as performances in the CAT, scores of students in academics and experience from work, amongst other points of diversity. Though the CAT score has substantial weight during the initial stages, the final admission offers depend much on the composite score so that the evaluation of candidates is integrated.
Expected CAT Cut-Offs for IIMs
The CAT cut-offs for IIMs in 2025 are likely to be at par with the previous years. IIM Ahmedabad, for example, is expected to be at a percentile of 99 or above for general category aspirants. Similarly, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta will also set their cut-offs in the same range, which would emphasize that it is a highly competitive institution.
Newer IIMs like IIM Trichy and IIM Udaipur would likely fix general category cut-offs between 90-95 percentile, while baby IIMs like IIM Nagpur and IIM Amritsar may accept candidates with percentiles as low as 85.
Cut-offs for reserved category applicants are expected to be lower. SC/ST candidates would need percentiles in the range of 70-85, while OBC-NCL and EWS applicants would require percentiles between 85-90.
IIM Ahmedabad CAT Cut-Off 2025
The expected cut-off for CAT for 2025 at IIM Ahmedabad might stand at over 99 percent among general category students. Though an important parameter, CAT scores would not be enough to help students get admitted since the college focuses a lot on achieving balance in academic diversity and the proportion of male to female. For example, students without an engineering background have slightly better chances as the college tries to achieve balance within its class composition. Those who have exceptional academic records in class 10, class 12 and graduation, and who also have appropriate experience, will have better opportunities of getting into the institute.
IIM Bangalore Admission Cut-Off
IIM Bangalore Admission Process: It is designed to evaluate candidates in a holistic manner. The CAT cut-off for 2025 would be expected to be at least 99 percentile or more for general category candidates. The institute also gives importance to professional achievements and leadership exposure, so work experience is a critical component in its evaluation criteria. For reserved category candidates, the cut-off percentile might vary between 75-85 depending on competition and the specific category.
IIM Calcutta 2025 Percentile
IIM Calcutta is one of the most sought-after institutes for finance and consulting aspirants. It is expected to have a CAT cut-off of 99+ percentile for general applicants in 2025. IIM Calcutta is known for its academic rigor and focus on quantitative aptitude. However, the institute gives significant weightage to CAT scores in its initial shortlisting process. The final selection is based on a composite score, which also factors in personal interview performance and academic consistency.
Cut-Off of Other Top IIMs
Here are the approximate overall cut-offs for the other top IIMs:
| IIM |
Overall Cut-off Percentile |
| IIM Lucknow |
97-98 |
| IIM Kozhikode |
97-98 |
| IIM Indore |
97-98 |
| IIM Shillong |
90-95 |
| IIM Rohtak |
95-96 |
| IIM Udaipur |
95-96 |
| IIM Trichy |
94-95 |
| IIM Raipur |
94-95 |
| IIM Ranchi |
94-95 |
| IIM Kashipur |
94-95 |
Category-wise Cut-Offs at IIMs
The cut-offs are maintained by IIMs category-wise in order to include a broad section of the population. Aspirants belonging to general category face more competition whereas for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and EWS, the cut-offs are quite relaxed. Thus, where general category candidates require 98-99 percentiles for top IIMs, candidates from the OBC-NCL category will be qualified at percentiles of 90-95 percent. Again, candidates from SC/ST will qualify at even low percentiles ranging from 70-85, depending on the IIM. Here is a snapshot of the cut-offs:
| Category |
Cut-off Percentile Range |
Remarks |
| General |
98-99 |
Highest competition; requires the top percentiles for top IIMs. |
| OBC-NCL |
90-95 |
Relaxed cut-offs compared to the general category. |
| SC/ST |
70-85 |
Significantly lower cut-offs; varies by IIM. |
| EWS |
Relaxed (not specified explicitly) |
Similar relaxation as OBC-NCL, exact range not provided. |
IIM Shortlist Criteria 2025
The shortlisting for IIMs is based on more than just the CAT percentile. Every institute weighs in applicants on a combination of academic records, work experience, and diversity factors. Most IIMs also give extra weightage to students from non-engineering backgrounds or underrepresented genders for diversity. The sectional cut-offs are also a part of the shortlist criteria to ensure that candidates are performing well in all the sections of the CAT.
IIM Cut-Off Trends 2025
Cut-offs over the years for IIMs have been fairly stable. The top IIMs always demand 99+ percentiles for general category candidates. But, an increasing focus on academic and gender diversity has made the selection process a bit more inclusive. Non-engineers and women candidates, in particular, have fared better over the last few years because of this diversity initiative.
Conclusion
The expected IIM 2025 cut-offs again and again remind everyone that excellence in CAT preparation is the need of the hour, coupled with a well-rounded profile. While securing a high percentile in CAT is important, candidates must also focus on improving other aspects of their application, such as academic consistency, work experience, and communication skills. With careful planning and dedication, securing a seat at an IIM can become a reality for many aspirants. Stay updated with the latest admission notifications and trends to refine your strategy for the 2025 admissions cycle.
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