IIM Indore MBA Admission 2026: PI Shortlist in January; CAT Cut-offs and Selection Process Explained

The Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) has announced the Personal Interview (PI) shortlist for admission to its flagship two-year MBA (PGP) programme for the 2026–28 batch. The shortlisted candidates will participate in the interview process beginning in January 2026, marking the next crucial stage of admissions.
Thousands of aspirants who appeared for CAT 2025 are competing for limited seats at the institute, making the selection process highly competitive.
Three-Stage Selection Process
IIM Indore follows a structured three-stage admission process:
1. CAT Cut-off & Eligibility Screening
Candidates must clear the minimum sectional and overall CAT percentile cut-offs in:
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
QA (Quantitative Ability)
Only those meeting the required thresholds are considered for PI shortlisting.
2. Personal Interview (PI) Round
Shortlisted candidates are invited for Personal Interviews conducted in both online and offline modes across major cities including:
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Indore.
The PI evaluates:
Communication skills
Academic clarity
Leadership potential
Problem-solving ability
Overall suitability for management education
3. Final Merit List & Admission Offer
Final admission offers are released based on a composite score, which combines performance in CAT, PI, academics and diversity parameters.
CAT 2025 Minimum Cut-offs for PI Shortlisting
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
| EWS | 80 | 80 | 80 | 90 |
| NC-OBC | 70 | 70 | 70 | 80 |
| SC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 60 |
| ST | 40 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
| PwD | 40 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
Candidates failing to meet these criteria are not considered for further rounds.
Weightage in Final Selection
IIM Indore uses a balanced evaluation approach with the following approximate weight distribution:
CAT 2025 Score: 40%
Personal Interview: 45%
Class 10 & 12 Academic Performance: 10%
Diversity Factor: 5%
This ensures that selection is not based solely on entrance exam performance.
Important Instructions for Shortlisted Candidates
Candidates must register for the PI round using their CAT credentials.
Original academic documents may be required during verification.
Meeting the minimum PI performance standard is mandatory to remain eligible for final admission.
Key Takeaways for MBA Aspirants
Clearing sectional cut-offs is as important as the overall CAT score.
Personal Interview plays the most decisive role in final selection.
Strong academic consistency improves chances.
Early preparation for PI is crucial.
Conclusion
With the PI shortlist now released, IIM Indore MBA Admissions 2026 have entered a decisive phase. Candidates who qualify must prepare thoroughly for interviews, as final admission depends heavily on interview performance along with academic and CAT credentials.
The final admission offers are expected to be released after completion of PI rounds in the coming months.
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