IIM CAP 2026: Participating IIMs, Eligibility, CAT Cut Off, Important Dates

IIM Common Admission Process (CAP) is the final selection round for MBA admission for participating IIMs. Last year, eight IIMs, namely IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Jammu, IIM Kashipur, IIM Nagpur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Trichy and IIM Udaipur participated in IIM CAP 2025. However, from MBA Admissions 2026, IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi and IIM Tiruchirappalli have opted out of IIM CAP and announced Joint Admission Process (JAP) 2026. IIM Udaipur will also not participate in IIM CAP 2026. Hence, list of IIMs participating in IIM CAP2026 may reduce to IIM Nagpur, IIM Jammu, IIM Bodhaygaya and IIM Sirmaur. Following table gives a status of all news generation IIMs.

Table: List of IIMs participating in CAP 2026 

The IIM CAP 2026 application form filling process is expected to open from January 15 till January 25, 2026. The PI/WAT process is expected to take place from February 15 to March 20, 2026. Check important IIM CAP dates below. 

IIM CAP 2026 Dates (Expected) 

The IIM Common Admission Process (CAP) is a common selection process conducted for candidates shortlisted by participating IIMs based on their CAT scores. Instead of appearing for separate rounds of interviews for each IIM, selected candidates undergo a centralized Personal Interview (PI) round. Final admission offer to the candidates is released by individual participating IIM based on the performance in CAP round, CAT score, Academic Profile, diversity, work experience and their other selection parameters. Here’s a step-by-step guide to IIM CAP 2025 Admission Selection Process.  

Step 1. Shortlisting for CAP: After the announcement of the CAT results, participating IIMs released their shortlisting criteria (95%) and calls for candidates for the CAP round.  

Step 2. Registration for CAP: Once shortlisted, you will be required to register for CAP on the official CAP portal.

Step 3: IIM CAP City, Date-Slot Booking Dates: Selection of preferred city for Offline PI/WAT and date-slot booking can be done only by candidates who successfully completed IIM CAP registration. 

Step 4: Personal Interview and WAT: Candidates must appear in Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT) round.

Step 5. Post-CAP Evaluation: After the CAP round, the organizing IIM sends the interview scores to all participating IIMs. Each IIM then evaluates candidates independently based on its own admission policy. Key factors considered include CAT scores, CAP PI score, Academic profile, Diversity factors (gender, academic background, etc.) and Work experience.  

Step 6: Final Selection by Individual IIMs: Each participating IIM uses its own admission formula to compute the final score and release its merit list.  

• Candidate must have appeared for CAT 2025 and obtained a valid CAT score.
• Must meet the minimum overall and sectional CAT percentile cut-offs specified by participating CAP IIMs (percentile varies by category).
• Must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized university, with minimum marks as per category norms (General/EWS/OBC/SC/ST).
• Final-year undergraduate students are eligible, provided they submit proof of degree completion within the timeline set by the institutes.
• Candidates must not have pending academic disqualification or unresolved academic requirements at the time of admission offer.
• Meeting the eligibility and percentile cut-off does not guarantee PI/WAT shortlist, as shortlisting also depends on institute-specific criteria and seat availability.

Last year, IIM CAP 2025 Cut Off was 95 for general candidates. This year the cut off is expected to drop as the number of candidates who have registered for CAT 2025 exam has dropped by 10% to 2.95 lakh candidates only. 

IIM CAP 2026 Cut Off 

IIM CAP 2026 dates, eligibility and cut offs will be announced soon after the CAT 2025 exam. Meanwhile, read complete details of IIM CAP 2025 process, interview experience, WAT topics for guidance. 

The IIM CAP 2025 application form filling process for eligible candidates was live from January 14 till January 23, 2025. IIM CAP Date Slot Selection window for PI/WAT was scheduled from January 30 to February 3, 2025. The PI/WAT process will take place from February 17 to March 22, 2025. Check important IIM CAP dates below. 

IIM CAP 2025 Dates 

Following is the sectional and overall percentile cut-off for appearing in PI and WAT of Common Admission Process 2025 of 8 participating IIMs (IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, IIM Kashipur, IIM Nagpur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Tiruchirappalli and IIM Udaipur). 

IIM CAP 2025 Cut Off 

Candidates with percentile equal to or more than the above-mentioned IIM CAP Cutoff 2025 can appear in PI and WAT by applying on the https://cap2025.iimbg.ac.in 

How to complete IIM CAP 2025 City, Date-Slot Booking?

Candidates completed their IIM CAP Date-Slot Booking by following these steps. 

Step 1: Logon to IIM CAP 2025 official website - https://cap2025.iimbg.ac.in and login to your candidate account

Step 2: Select your First Preferred City. If there are vacant seats for the first preferred city, you will get the option of selecting a date slot for that only. 

Step 3: If there is no vacant seat for the first preferred city, you will get such options for the second preferred city, and so on. If there are no vacant seats for the third and the fourth preferred city, then all such cities would be available on the portal where there are vacant seats. You can select any one of these cities. Further, the selection window for date slots would be available.

Step 4: After competition of city and date-slot selection you will get a confirmation. Save and take a print out. 

Remember, IIM CAP Date-Slot Booking 2025 is available on a First Come, First Serve basis. If you do not book a date slot during the stipulated time, the system may allow the date slot automatically (random allocation of date slot).

Each participating IIM is free to give their own weightage to CAP process. Based on past trends, the expected weightage by participating IIM in their Final Admission is expected to be as follows:

Weightage in Participating IIM Final Selection

IIM CAP 2025 Interviews will be conducted at 8 IIMs and key metros. Here is a list of IIM CAP Interview Locations 2025. 

• Mumbai
• Delhi NCR
• Bangalore
• Kolkata
• IIM Udaipur
• IIM Trichy
• IIM Kashipur,
• IIM Nagpur,
• IIM Ranchi,
• IIM Sirmaur,
• IIM Bodhgaya
• IIM Jammu

The initial days of IIM CAP 2025 process saw thought-provoking WAT topics like “Should AI be controlled to protect employment?”. Candidates, who appeared in the IIM CAP Process, have shared his experiences. Check details below. 

IIM CAP 2025 Day 1 Experience
The first day of the IIM CAP 2025 saw a thought-provoking Written Ability Test (WAT) topic: “Should AI be controlled to protect employment?”. A candidate, who appeared in the IIM CAP Day 1 Process shared his experiences. The interviews began with conventional queries such as self-introductions, educational background, and activities undertaken between graduation and the CAT exam. Emphasis was placed on the candidates' research projects, including data collection methods and metrics used for model assessments.

The WAT lasted for 20 minutes, and candidates were not required to submit resumes or CVs. During the interview, one of the panelists highlighted a grammatical error in a candidate's WAT submission. The interviews also explored contemporary business trends, such as the shift of startups towards profitability and differences between angel investors and venture capitalists. Many candidates expressed their surprised to learn that WAT responses were being evaluated in real-time during the interviews. 

IIM CAP 2025 Day 2 Experience

• Date: 18th February (Afternoon)
• Venue: Red Fox by Lemon Tree
• Candidate Profile: Academic Background: BA Hons | Academic Scores: 93.94% | Fresher, Male

WAT Topic: Pathways for Developed India @ 2047
The candidate was assigned the topic “Pathways for Developed India @ 2047” for the Written Ability Test (WAT). As the interview began, one of the panelists was seen reading through the WAT sheet.

Panelist 1:

• Began with basic questions about the candidate's course and college.
• Asked about the degree specialization and the favorite subject from graduation, though no follow-up questions were posed on this topic.
• The conversation shifted to the internship experience. Questions covered included:  
  o    Role: Market Research Intern
  o    Responsibilities: Primary data collection using a structured questionnaire.
  o    M1 asked the candidate to write down the basic framework of the questionnaire on paper.
• The panelist then asked detailed questions on Research Methodology:
  o    Sampling Techniques: Asked about almost every technique, including Cluster Sampling, Stratified Sampling, Convenience, Purposive, and Systematic Sampling.
  o    Statistical Knowledge: Inquired about the candidate's knowledge of statistics, to which the candidate admitted having only a basic understanding.
  o    Research Methodology Studies: Probed into what was learned during graduation.

Panelist 2:

• Took over with a focus on even deeper research concepts:
  o    Difference between Probability and Non-Probability Sampling.
  o    Types of Analysis used in research, including Thematic Analysis.
  o    Presented hypothetical scenarios to determine the most suitable sampling techniques.
  o    Explored various research biases in different contexts.

Interview Style and Dynamics:

• The panelists conducted the interview in a fast-paced, rapid-fire manner.
• The candidate struggled to complete most answers as questions were asked continuously before the previous answer was fully given.
• The interview appeared to be timed (15 minutes), with a timer set on interviewer’s phone. As the alarm went off, the interview was concluded within a minute.

Candidate's Reflection:

• The candidate described the interview as highly intense and research-focused, with very little opportunity for elaboration.
• Despite the pressure, the candidate-maintained composure and answered to the best of his ability. At the end, candidate commented, "I was surprised by how deeply they went into research methodologies. It felt like a viva exam!"
• As the IIM CAP 2025 progresses, candidates can expect detailed discussions on academic projects, industry trends, and critical thinking assessments through WAT. The focus on real-world implications of business and tech trends. Stay tuned for more updates on the IIM CAP 2025 interview process. Continue reading IIM CAP Schedule, Cities, Dates, Process and more.

In summary, IIM CAP 2026 is the final selection round for MBA admission 2026 for participating IIMs. Last year, eight IIMs, namely IIM Bodhgaya, IIM Jammu, IIM Kashipur, IIM Nagpur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Trichy and IIM Udaipur participated in IIM CAP 2025. However, from MBA Admissions 2026, IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi and IIM Tiruchirappalli have opted out of IIM CAP and announced Joint Admission Process (JAP) 2026. IIM Udaipur will also not participate in IIM CAP 2026. Hence, list of IIMs participating in IIM CAP2026 may reduce to IIM Nagpur, IIM Jammu, IIM Bodhaygaya and IIM Sirmaur. Read more about expected IIM CAP 2026 Eligibility, Cut Offs, Important Dates in above article. 

Also Read: 
IIM JAP 2026 | IIM SAP 2026 | 
CAT 2025 Exam Overview | CAT Mock Tests 2025 | 
MBA Entrance Exam 2026 | Top MBA Colleges in India | MBA Admission 2026