The Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) results have been declared for 2.58 lakh MBA aspirants. Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) continue to set high cut-off percentiles for admission, with top institutes typically requiring 85-95 percentile. These cut-offs are critical for shortlisting candidates for the subsequent stages of the rigorous IIM admission process.
CAT 2025 Results at a Glance
Out of 2.95 lakh registered candidates, 2.58 lakh appeared for the CAT 2025 examination. The demographic breakdown shows 97,000 female candidates, 161,000 male candidates, and nine transgender candidates. Beyond the IIMs, 93 other non-IIM institutions across India will also utilize CAT 2025 scores for admission into their postgraduate management programs.
High Cut-Offs for IIM Admissions
The sectional cut-off percentiles for each of the three CAT sections (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension – VARC, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning – DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude – QA) generally range between 80-95 for leading IIMs. Candidates must clear these individual sectional cut-offs in addition to achieving a high overall percentile score. Institutes like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta typically demand overall CAT scores between 85-95 percentile for general category applicants. Mid-ranked IIMs, including IIM Kozhikode, IIM Lucknow, and IIM Indore, generally set their overall cut-off percentile around 85-90. Failing to meet even one sectional cut-off can disqualify a candidate, regardless of their overall score, underscoring the importance of balanced performance.
Comprehensive Admission Criteria
IIM selection is a multi-faceted process extending beyond the CAT score. The institutes evaluate a candidate’s full academic record, including performance in Class 10, Class 12, and undergraduate studies. Relevant work experience also holds significant weight, with preference often given to candidates demonstrating professional tenure. Furthermore, IIMs actively foster diversity by considering factors like gender and academic background to ensure a rich learning environment. The final stages of selection always include a personal interview, which is a critical component of the overall assessment, gauging communication skills and leadership potential.
Evolution in IIM Admission Processes
For the upcoming admission cycle, several IIMs have implemented significant changes to their candidate selection procedures. IIM Raipur, IIM Kashipur, IIM Ranchi, and IIM Tiruchirappalli have collectively decided to withdraw from the established Common Admission Process (CAP). These four institutes will now conduct a Joint Admission Process (JAP). This new approach aims to reduce the overall time required for interviews and the subsequent second-stage selection. Separately, IIM Udaipur has also announced its exit from the CAP, opting instead to manage its own independent MBA selection process for its upcoming batches. These changes reflect an ongoing effort to refine the admission pipeline.
IIM Overall CAT Cut-Offs 2025 by Category
The table below details the minimum overall CAT percentile required for shortlisting candidates across various IIMs and different reservation categories. These figures are crucial benchmarks for applicants aiming for admission.
| IIM | NIRF Ranking 2025 | Overall CAT Percentile (General) | Overall CAT Percentile (OBC/EWS) | Overall CAT Percentile (SC) | Overall CAT Percentile (ST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 1 | 95 | 90 | 85 | 75 |
| IIM Bangalore | 2 | 85 | 75 | 70 | 65 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 3 | 85 | 75 | 65 | 55 |
| IIM Lucknow | 5 | 90 | 82 | 65 | 60 |
| IIM Mumbai | 6 | ≥85 | ≥75 | ≥70 | ≥65 |
| IIM Calcutta | 7 | ≥85 | ≥75 | ≥70 | ≥65 |
| IIM Indore | 8 | 90 | 80 | 60 | 45 |
| IIM Raipur | 15 | 90 | 80 | 65 | 55 |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 16 | 95 | 81 | 66 | 42 |
| IIM Ranchi | 18 | 95 | 81 | 99 | 42 |
| IIM Rohtak | 19 | 97 | 83 (OBC), 93 (EWS) | 60 | 50 |
| IIM Udaipur | 21 | IIM Udaipur conducts an independent admission process. | |||
| IIM Kashipur | 23 | 95 | 81 | 66 | 42 |
| IIM Nagpur | 25 | 95 | 85 | 65 | 40 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 29 | 82 | 72 | 50 | 40 |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 31 | 94 | 77 | 60 | 40 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 34 | 90 | 75 (NC-OBC), 80 (EWS) | 55 | 40 |
| IIM Jammu | 35 | 91 | 74 (OBC), 74 (EWS) | 54 | 32 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 51 | 92-94 | – | – | – |
| IIM Amritsar | 64 | 90 | 80 (OBC), 90 (EWS) | 55 | 40 |
Note: All IIMs enforce individual sectional cut-offs for each of the three CAT exam sections. These minimum percentile requirements can vary by specific section (VARC, DILR, QA) and applicant category. Some IIMs, like IIM Shillong and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, did not have specific overall cut-offs detailed in the latest update. Applicants should consult individual IIM websites for precise and updated criteria.