IIMs in India 2026–27: List of IIM Colleges, Fees, CAT Cutoffs, Placements & Admission

India now has 21 IIMs, spread across different regions and representing different generations of management institutions. The IIM network includes long-established institutes such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta, second-generation institutes such as IIM Udaipur, IIM Tiruchirappalli and IIM Raipur, and relatively newer IIMs such as IIM Nagpur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Jammu and IIM Visakhapatnam. The official CAT system currently lists 21 IIM locations, including IIM Mumbai.

For students planning admission in 2026–27 and the 2027–29 MBA cycle, the important questions are not simply “Which IIM is best?” but:

• Which IIMs match my CAT percentile?
• What are the fees?
• What are the official minimum CAT cutoffs?
• What percentile may actually be competitive?
• How much weight is given to academics and work experience?
• What are the placement opportunities?
• Which IIM matches my career goals, budget and profile?

This guide explains the IIM ecosystem in a practical way.

Quick Facts About IIMs in India

Important: Fees, admission criteria and cutoffs are revised periodically. Students should always verify the latest information on the official IIM website before applying or making any payment.

Complete List of IIMs in India

There are currently 21 IIMs in the CAT/IIM system.

IIM Mumbai entered the IIM system after the transformation of the former NITIE, bringing the total number of IIMs to 21.

IIMs by Generation

Students often hear expressions such as “old IIMs”, “new IIMs” and “baby IIMs”. These are informal terms and not official categories.

For clarity, MBA4U recommends using the following neutral classification.

Older and Established IIMs

These have longer institutional histories, larger alumni networks and mature placement ecosystems:

• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Lucknow
• IIM Kozhikode
• IIM Indore

Second-Generation IIMs

These include:

• IIM Shillong
• IIM Rohtak
• IIM Raipur
• IIM Ranchi
• IIM Tiruchirappalli
• IIM Udaipur
• IIM Kashipur

Newer IIMs

These include:

• IIM Amritsar
• IIM Bodh Gaya
• IIM Jammu
• IIM Nagpur
• IIM Sambalpur
• IIM Sirmaur
• IIM Visakhapatnam

IIM Mumbai

IIM Mumbai deserves separate consideration because it has a substantial institutional history through the former National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) and is particularly associated with operations, supply chain, industrial management and related fields.

IIM Fees 2026–28: What Students Should Know

IIM MBA fees vary substantially.

The fee may include or exclude:

• tuition;
• hostel charges;
• library and academic services;
• course material;
• student activity fees;
• alumni charges;
• insurance;
• refundable deposits;
• mess charges.

Therefore, students should not compare IIMs purely by looking at one headline fee number.

For example, IIM Bangalore has published a ₹26 lakh two-year fee for the PGP 2026–28 batch, with a separate caution deposit and mess advance.

IIM Indore’s published 2026–28 fee schedule lists a ₹24 lakh course fee for Indian students through CAT, besides deposits and mess-related charges.

IIM Mumbai has published a ₹25 lakh gross programme fee for its MBA 2026–28 batch, apart from a refundable caution deposit and mess expenses. Other current examples include:

• IIM Tiruchirappalli: ₹19.5 lakh programme fee, excluding caution deposit and mess advance.
• IIM Raipur: about ₹20.08 lakh excluding caution deposit, boarding and medical insurance for the 2026–28 MBA batch.
• IIM Jammu: published total MBA programme fee of about ₹22.81 lakh, apart from refundable caution deposit and mess.
• IIM Bodh Gaya: published MBA course total of ₹17.96 lakh, with deposits and mess/laundry charges additional.
• IIM Sirmaur: ₹21 lakh for MBA 2026–28 plus refundable security deposit.
• IIM Visakhapatnam: published term-wise fee totals of about ₹23.59 lakh before certain deposits and variable expenses. IIM Udaipur’s current term-wise fee structure works out to roughly ₹21.5 lakh including the listed hostel and mess components, subject to actual and revised charges.
• IIM Kashipur publishes a 2026–28 course fee component of about ₹20.46 lakh, with other applicable components added separately.

Indicative IIM Fee Comparison

*These figures are intended as a planning guide, not a substitute for the current official fee letter.

IIM CAT Cutoffs: Minimum Cutoff vs Actual Competitive Range

This is one of the most misunderstood areas of IIM admission.

There are two completely different concepts.

1. Official Minimum or Qualifying Cutoff

This is the minimum overall and sectional CAT percentile specified by an IIM for consideration at a particular stage.

2. Competitive Shortlisting Range

This is the level at which candidates may realistically become competitive depending on:

• category;
• Class 10 marks;
• Class 12 marks;
• graduation;
• work experience;
• academic background;
• gender diversity;
• CAT sectional scores;
• number of applicants.

The actual score of candidates receiving interview calls can therefore be considerably higher than the published minimum.

IIM Bangalore, for example, states that its 2025–27 first-shortlist minimum for General-category candidates was 85 overall, with sectional requirements, while also explicitly noting that the CAT scores of candidates actually called for interviews were higher.

Similarly, IIM Visakhapatnam publishes a General-category Phase-I minimum of 82 overall with 70 sectional percentiles for its 2026–28 process, while making it clear that these are only shortlist thresholds and admission cutoffs may be much higher.

IIM Kashipur’s current admissions page shows significantly different category-based thresholds, demonstrating why students should never assume there is one single “IIM cutoff”.

Indicative CAT Percentile Expectations for IIMs

The following should be used only for broad planning.

These are not official cutoffs and not guarantees of calls.

A student with 98 percentile but weak academic/profile components may not necessarily receive the same calls as another 98-percentile candidate with a different profile.

Likewise, reservation-category requirements differ significantly.

CAT 2026 and IIM Admission 2027–29

CAT 2026 is scheduled for 29 November 2026.

Students targeting the 2027–29 IIM MBA batch should therefore treat CAT 2026 as the key entrance examination for most flagship two-year IIM programmes.

The broad process is:

CAT 2026 Registration

↓

CAT 2026 Examination

↓

CAT Result

↓

IIM Shortlisting

↓

Personal Interview / Institute-Specific Selection Process

↓

Final Composite Score

↓

Admission Offer

CAT is a prerequisite for multiple IIM postgraduate programmes, but merely satisfying the CAT eligibility or minimum cutoff does not assure shortlisting. This is also explicitly stated in official CAT documentation.

Eligibility for IIM MBA Admission

Although exact programme policies vary, typical eligibility requires:

• a recognised bachelor’s degree;
• required minimum marks/equivalent CGPA;
• valid CAT score;
• final-year students may apply subject to completing degree requirements within the specified period.

For example, IIM Bangalore’s current PGP eligibility specifies a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA, with a relaxation to 45% for SC, ST and PwD applicants, along with a valid CAT score.

IIM Mumbai similarly states a 50% bachelor’s-degree requirement, with 45% for specified reserved categories, for its MBA admission route.

Students must check the latest policy of each IIM.

How IIMs Shortlist Candidates

CAT percentile is important, but it is not necessarily the only factor.

Depending on the institute, shortlisting may consider:

CAT performance

Both overall and sectional scores can matter.

Class 10 performance

Some IIMs assign explicit weightage to Class 10 marks.

Class 12 marks

Board performance can influence shortlisting or final selection.

Graduation marks

Academic consistency may be rewarded.

Work experience

Relevant full-time work experience can add weight in some selection models.

Academic diversity

Candidates from non-engineering disciplines may receive diversity points at some institutes.

Gender diversity

Some institutes award diversity points.

Personal Interview

PI performance can carry considerable weight in final selection.

IIM Ahmedabad’s flagship PGP admission process considers CAT along with academic performance and subsequent selection components for shortlisted candidates.

Why 99 Percentile Does Not Automatically Guarantee Every IIM

A candidate may think:

“I scored 99 percentile, so surely I will receive calls from all IIMs.”

That is not necessarily correct.

Suppose Candidate A has:

• CAT: 99 percentile
• moderate Class 10/12 scores
• low graduation score
• no diversity benefit

while Candidate B has:

• CAT: 98 percentile
• excellent academics
• relevant work experience
• profile diversity

Depending on the institute’s formula, Candidate B may perform better in the composite shortlist.

This is why students should look at profile + CAT percentile, not CAT alone.

IIM Placements: How to Compare Them Properly

IIM placement reports attract enormous attention, but students should not simply compare the highest salary.

Instead, evaluate:

• median salary;
• average salary;
• role quality;
• sector distribution;
• recruiter breadth;
• batch size;
• internship quality;
• domestic versus international offers;
• placement-report methodology.

IIM Ahmedabad reported completion of its 2026 PGP final placement process across 26 cohorts, with recruiters across consulting, banking, finance, technology, analytics and other sectors.

For most established IIMs, major sectors typically include:

• consulting;
• investment banking and financial services;
• FMCG;
• technology;
• product management;
• analytics;
• e-commerce;
• operations;
• general management;
• sales and marketing.

Students should ideally check the most recent official placement report of each IIM instead of depending only on third-party “highest package” figures.

IIM Placement Comparison: What Matters More Than the Highest Package?

Imagine:

College A

Average salary: ₹30 lakh

Batch size: 600

Median salary: ₹28 lakh

College B

Average salary: ₹28 lakh

Batch size: 250

Median salary: ₹27.5 lakh

Simply looking at average salary would not give the complete picture.

The median package may provide a better understanding of the typical outcome because it is less influenced by a small number of very high offers.

Therefore, MBA aspirants should compare:

Fee + Median Salary + Batch Size + Role Quality + Career Fit

rather than only:

Highest Package.

IIM Ahmedabad

IIM Ahmedabad’s two-year PGP is its flagship management programme and uses CAT for domestic admissions. Shortlisted candidates go through additional evaluation processes, and selection considers academic record along with examination and interview-related components.

Students generally associate IIM Ahmedabad with:

• consulting;
• strategy;
• finance;
• general management;
• leadership roles;
• strong alumni network.

Competition is extremely intense.

IIM Bangalore

IIM Bangalore’s PGP is a two-year full-time residential MBA programme.

For the PGP 2026–28 batch, IIMB lists a two-year programme fee of ₹26 lakh, excluding the refundable caution deposit and mess advance.

The institute’s admission process also considers multiple profile components beyond CAT.

Its Bengaluru location provides strong proximity to:

• technology;
• startups;
• consulting;
• product management;
• venture capital;
• analytics.

IIM Calcutta

IIM Calcutta’s flagship MBA is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree programme.

The programme includes core management courses, a summer internship and second-year electives covering different management functions.

It has traditionally attracted strong interest among students pursuing:

• finance;
• consulting;
• strategy;
• analytics;
• general management.

Students should refer to the latest admission policy for CAT thresholds and selection weightages.

IIM Lucknow

IIM Lucknow is one of the older IIMs and offers a flagship management programme along with specialised options such as agribusiness management.

Its MBA ecosystem attracts applicants interested in:

• consulting;
• finance;
• marketing;
• operations;
• general management.

The institute has published a fee structure specifically for its PGP/PGP-ABM 2026–28 batch on its official site.

IIM Kozhikode

IIM Kozhikode offers its flagship PGP and additional management programmes including specialised options.

Its academic areas include finance, marketing, strategy, IT and systems, organisational behaviour, quantitative methods and operations.

The institute’s admissions are highly competitive and CAT-based for the flagship PGP.

IIM Indore

IIM Indore is notable for offering both:

• the flagship two-year PGP/MBA;
• the five-year Integrated Programme in Management route.

For the 2026–28 PGP batch, the official course fee is listed at ₹12 lakh per year, or ₹24 lakh over two years, before other applicable deposits and expenses.

This makes IIM Indore particularly relevant to MBA4U readers because it connects both the postgraduate MBA and after-Class-12 Integrated MBA ecosystems.

IIM Mumbai

IIM Mumbai has emerged as a particularly important institution for MBA aspirants because of the legacy of NITIE.

Its 2026–28 MBA fee is listed at ₹25 lakh, with refundable caution deposit and mess expenses additional.

Programmes include:

• MBA;
• MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management;
• MBA in Sustainability Management.

Students interested in:

• operations;
• supply chain;
• manufacturing;
• sustainability;
• analytics;
• consulting

may find IIM Mumbai particularly relevant.

Second-Generation and Newer IIMs: Should You Consider Them?

Definitely.

Students sometimes assume that only the oldest IIMs are worth considering. That approach can cause them to overlook strong opportunities.

Institutes such as:

• IIM Udaipur;
• IIM Tiruchirappalli;
• IIM Raipur;
• IIM Kashipur;
• IIM Ranchi;
• IIM Shillong

have developed increasingly visible academic and placement ecosystems.

Similarly, newer IIMs can provide:

• IIM brand;
• residential management education;
• growing alumni networks;
• good corporate exposure;
• relatively accessible CAT ranges compared with the most competitive older IIMs.

The decision should depend on your available options, not simply the age of the institution.

IIMs Offering Integrated MBA / IPM After Class 12

Several IIMs now offer management education pathways directly after Class 12 through Integrated Programmes in Management or related undergraduate-management routes.

Examples within the broader IIM ecosystem include institutes such as:

• IIM Indore;
• IIM Rohtak;
• IIM Ranchi;
• IIM Bodh Gaya;
• IIM Jammu

depending on the current programme and admission year.

IIM Jammu, for example, publishes a separate fee structure for its IPM 2026–31 programme, with the MBA-stage fees linked to prevailing MBA fees.

Students looking for management education immediately after Class 12 should visit MBA4U’s Integrated MBA / IPM section rather than relying only on the postgraduate MBA information on this page.

IIM Scholarships and Financial Assistance

The cost of an IIM MBA can appear high, but students should not assume they must finance the entire amount personally.

Support options may include:

• need-based financial aid;
• institute scholarships;
• merit-based awards;
• government scholarships;
• education loans;
• corporate-sponsored scholarships.

IIM Bangalore offers institutional financial-aid mechanisms for eligible PGP students.

IIM Amritsar also publishes scholarship and educational-loan information for MBA students.

Students should investigate financial assistance before rejecting an admission offer purely on the basis of fees.

How to Calculate IIM ROI

Do not calculate ROI as:

Highest salary ÷ fees

A better basic approach is:

Total MBA Investment

=

Programme fee

• living/mess expenses
• loan interest
• forgone salary, if applicable

Then compare this with:

• median placement salary;
• expected post-MBA role;
• salary growth;
• long-term career progression;
• brand/network value.

A ₹25 lakh MBA may still offer better long-term value than a ₹15 lakh programme if the career outcome is materially stronger.

Use the MBA4U ROI Calculator to compare colleges more systematically.

Which IIM Is Right for You?

There is no single answer for every student.

Consider the following.

Your CAT percentile

At a very high percentile, you may have a broader set of IIM options.

At a lower percentile, target selection becomes more important.

Academic profile

Check whether an IIM gives substantial weight to Classes 10, 12 and graduation.

Work experience

Applicants with relevant professional experience may benefit at institutes where work experience carries meaningful weight.

Career goal

Someone targeting supply chain may evaluate colleges differently from someone targeting investment banking.

Programme cost

Compare total programme expense—not merely tuition.

Placements

Look at role and sector mix, not only salary.

Location

Location may affect corporate interaction, internships and networking, although it should not be the sole criterion.

IIM Dream, Target and More Accessible Approach

MBA4U recommends creating three buckets.

Ambitious / Dream IIMs

Institutes where your current CAT/profile combination is significantly below recent competitive levels.

Target IIMs

Institutes broadly aligned with your profile and expected percentile.

More Accessible Options

IIMs or other quality B-schools where your current profile may be comparatively better aligned.

These are planning categories only—not admission predictions.

Use the MBA4U CAT College Predictor after your mock tests and CAT score estimate.

CAT Score vs Percentile and IIM Selection

Your CAT raw score is converted through the CAT scoring/normalisation process into a percentile.

A student should therefore use:

Mock Score

↓

Expected CAT Percentile

↓

IIM/College Shortlist

This is why MBA4U’s CAT Score vs Percentile and College Predictor tools should be used together.

For example:

Mock score improving?

Check expected percentile.

Then:

Know your likely percentile?

Explore colleges matching the range.

Common Mistakes Students Make While Choosing IIMs

1. Looking only at the IIM name

Programme quality and career fit matter.

2. Treating minimum cutoff as guaranteed call

A qualifying cutoff is not the same as the effective competitive range.

3. Ignoring sectional CAT cutoffs

A strong overall percentile may not compensate for failing an institute’s sectional threshold.

4. Comparing highest packages

Highest salary is usually achieved by a small number of candidates.

5. Ignoring total costs

Add deposits, mess, hostel and other expenses.

6. Ignoring specialisation/career alignment

A college’s recruiter mix should match your career objectives.

7. Applying to too few colleges

Even strong CAT candidates should maintain a sensible portfolio of applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many IIMs are there in India?

There are 21 IIMs listed in the current CAT/IIM system.

Is CAT compulsory for IIM admission?

CAT is the principal admission route for most flagship two-year IIM MBA/PGP programmes for domestic applicants. Some specialised, executive, international and blended programmes may accept GMAT, GRE or institute-specific tests.

What CAT percentile is required for IIMs?

There is no single cutoff. Requirements depend on the IIM, category, programme and admission stage.

Is 90 percentile enough for an IIM?

It may make some IIM possibilities relevant depending on category, profile and the admission year’s criteria, but 90 percentile does not guarantee admission.

Is 95 percentile enough for IIM admission?

It can make a wider range of IIMs relevant, but older, highly competitive IIMs may require substantially stronger overall profiles and CAT performance.

Can I get IIM Ahmedabad at 99 percentile?

A 99 percentile CAT score can be competitive, but there is no automatic guarantee. IIM Ahmedabad also considers academic/profile and selection-stage performance.

Do Class 10 and 12 marks matter?

Yes, at several IIMs they can influence shortlist or final composite scores.

Do IIMs consider work experience?

Several IIMs provide weightage or consideration for work experience, although the method varies.

Which IIM has the lowest fees?

Fees change by batch. Some newer IIMs may have lower published fees than the oldest IIMs, but compare the latest official schedules rather than relying on old fee data.

Is IIM Mumbai good for operations and supply chain?

IIM Mumbai has a strong institutional legacy in operations and supply-chain-oriented management and currently offers an MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management in addition to its general MBA.

Which IIMs offer Integrated MBA after Class 12?

Several IIMs have IPM or undergraduate-management pathways, including IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Jammu, among others depending on the admission cycle.

Final MBA4U Guidance

Getting into an IIM is not simply a matter of chasing one CAT percentile.

Your final admission outcome can depend on:

CAT score + sectional performance + academics + work experience + diversity + interview performance + institute-specific criteria.

Therefore, build your IIM strategy in three stages:

Stage 1: Prepare

Use:

• CAT Previous Year Papers
• CAT Mock Tests
• CAT Practice Tests
• Question of the Day

Stage 2: Predict

Use:

• CAT Score vs Percentile
• CAT College Predictor

Stage 3: Decide

Compare:

• IIM fees
• placements
• selection criteria
• career fit
• ROI

The right IIM is not simply the oldest or the one with the highest reported package. The right choice is the institute whose programme, admission probability, cost, career opportunities and profile fit make sense for you.

Find the Right IIM for Your Profile

Not sure which IIMs may match your CAT percentile and academic profile?

Use MBA4U’s:

CAT Score vs Percentile → CAT College Predictor → Compare Colleges → ROI Calculator

to build a more practical MBA shortlist.

Visit MBA4U.in for CAT 2026 preparation, MBA admission alerts, college guidance, fees, cutoffs, results and percentile-based institutional guidance.