Four Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have exited the Common Admission Process (CAP 2025) to launch a new Joint Admission Process (JAP 2026) for MBA admissions based on CAT 2025 scores. IIMs Raipur, Kashipur, Ranchi, and Tiruchirappalli will now conduct admissions through JAP 2026, creating an additional application route for prospective students.
New Admission Process Announced
The IIMs involved in JAP 2026 are Raipur, Kashipur, Ranchi, and Tiruchirappalli. IIM Raipur coordinates the new process. This change means applicants to these four institutes will use JAP 2026 instead of the previously established CAP.
IIM Udaipur, a participant in CAP 2025, will conduct its admissions independently for the 2026 cycle. IIM Jammu confirmed its continued participation in CAP 2026. The status of IIMs Bodh Gaya, Nagpur, and Sirmaur within CAP for 2026 remains unclear.
The older IIMs—Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta—along with newer ones like Indore, Lucknow, and Kozhikode, manage their admission processes independently.
Background: IIM Admissions
The Indian Institutes of Management do not use a single, unified admission counselling platform. While all IIMs accept scores from the Common Admission Test (CAT), each institute manages its subsequent selection stages. The CAT 2025 admit card was issued on November 12 , with the exam scheduled for November 30 across three slots for 2.95 lakh candidates.
Post-CAT, IIM admissions involve additional steps: a Written Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI), and sometimes a Group Discussion (GD). Joint processes like CAP and JAP aim to reduce the burden on applicants. These processes allow candidates to apply to multiple participating IIMs simultaneously. They appear for a single WAT, PI, or GD round.
JAP 2026 ensures candidates pay and complete one application form for the four participating IIMs. These IIMs will follow similar admission criteria after the CAT 2025 results are declared.
Rabin K Jana, Chairperson of Admission at IIM Raipur, stated, “The collaboration aims to ensure transparency, efficiency, and consistency in evaluating candidates while reducing duplication of efforts for both applicants and institutes.”
IIMs Raipur and Sambalpur previously withdrew from CAP 2025 to conduct independent admissions. IIM Udaipur cited framing its own guidelines, aligned with academic priorities, as the reason for going solo in 2026. IIM Raipur previously indicated CAP was not meeting its admission criteria.
JAP 2026 Details
Admissions under JAP 2026 will consider CAT percentile, academic performance, work experience, and diversity. The participating IIMs will jointly determine final weightages and cut-offs. These will be communicated to applicants.
Pawan Kumar Singh, Director of IIM Tiruchirappalli, noted, “JAP 2026 offers candidates the convenience of applying to multiple leading IIMs through a unified platform, reducing logistical complexities.” He added the initiative aims for a more accessible, cost-effective, and efficient admission process.
Eligibility criteria for JAP 2026 are expected to remain consistent with previous cycles, with adjustments aimed at expanding access for qualified candidates.
Aspirant Concerns
The introduction of JAP 2026 has added to existing confusion among MBA aspirants. Many students advocate for a single, common counselling process for all 21 IIMs.
Shristi Sen, an aspirant, highlighted the cost and time involved. “We pay fees for CAT, then register for each IIM. A single joint admission policy would greatly reduce cost and time,” Sen said.
Aryaan Tripathi, another aspirant, expressed frustration. “The grouping of IIMs changes every year. When CAP started, there were 10 IIMs; now it’s fewer. A common one-stop solution is needed since most IIMs follow similar admission policies and use CAT scores.”
The shifting composition of joint admission groups adds complexity. Aspirants seek clearer, more stable application procedures for their postgraduate management studies.