IIM Calcutta MBA Admission 2027-29: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta has released its admission policy for the MBA programme, batch 2027-29. Admission will be based on CAT 2026, which is scheduled for 29 November 2026. The policy explains the minimum CAT percentiles, how candidates will be shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI) and Writing Ability Test (WAT), and how the final merit list will be prepared.
IIM Calcutta, the first IIM set up in India (1961), follows a fairly transparent, points-based selection system. Once again this year, the Personal Interview carries the highest weight (48 marks) in the final selection, ahead of the CAT score (30 marks). Class 10 and Class 12 marks matter only at the shortlisting stage, while academic diversity and work experience come into play in the final round.
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IIM Calcutta MBA Admission 2027-29: Overview
In this article, we explain the IIM Calcutta eligibility criteria, the CAT 2026 sectional cutoffs, the shortlisting formula, the final selection weightage, the work experience and academic diversity points, reservation rules and the expected admission timeline.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Institute | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta |
| Programme | Two-year full-time MBA |
| Batch | 2027-29 |
| Entrance Exam | CAT 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Minimum CAT Percentile (General) | 85 overall; 80 VARC, 80 DILR, 75 QA |
| Shortlisting Score | Out of 85 (CAT, Class 10, Class 12, gender diversity) |
| Final Selection Score | Out of 100 (PI, CAT, WAT, work experience, academic diversity) |
| Highest Weightage in Final Selection | Personal Interview (48 marks) |
| Work Experience Cut-off Date | 31 January 2027 |
| Official Website | iimcal.ac.in |
IIM Calcutta Admission 2027-29: Expected Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Admission policy released | October 2026 |
| CAT 2026 exam | 29 November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 result | Expected in December 2026 / early January 2027 |
| PI-WAT shortlist | Expected January 2027 |
| Work experience counted up to | 31 January 2027 |
| PI and WAT rounds | Expected February to March 2027 |
| Final admission offers | Expected April to May 2027 |
Note: Apart from the CAT exam date and the work experience cut-off, these dates are expected timelines based on previous admission cycles. IIM Calcutta will announce the exact PI-WAT schedule on its website.
IIM Calcutta MBA Eligibility 2027-29
- A bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates) from a recognised university or institution.
- Candidates with a foreign degree need an equivalence certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
- Final-year graduation students can also apply, subject to completing the degree within the time allowed by the institute.
- A valid CAT 2026 score, with non-negative raw scores in all three sections (VARC, DILR and QA).
Stage I: Minimum CAT 2026 Percentile Cutoffs
Candidates must clear both the sectional and the overall minimum percentiles to be considered for shortlisting:
| Category | VARC | DILR | QA | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (Open) | 80 | 80 | 75 | 85 |
| EWS | 70 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| NC-OBC | 70 | 65 | 65 | 75 |
| SC | 65 | 60 | 60 | 70 |
| ST | 55 | 55 | 55 | 65 |
| PwD | 45 | 45 | 45 | 55 |
Important: These are only the minimum eligibility cutoffs. The actual percentile needed to get an interview call is usually much higher (typically 99+ for General category candidates), because the number of PI calls is limited.
Stage II: Shortlisting for PI and WAT (Out of 85)
Candidates who clear Stage I are ranked on a composite score of 85 marks:
| Parameter | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 score | 56 |
| Class 10 marks | 10 |
| Class 12 marks | 15 |
| Gender diversity (female and transgender candidates) | 4 |
| Total | 85 |
CAT score formula: (Your CAT 2026 overall scaled score ÷ maximum overall scaled score in CAT 2026) × 56
Points for Class 10 and Class 12 Marks
| Percentage | Class 10 Points | Class 12 Points |
|---|---|---|
| 80% and above | 10 | 15 |
| 75% to below 80% | 8 | 12 |
| 70% to below 75% | 6 | 9 |
| 65% to below 70% | 4 | 6 |
| 60% to below 65% | 2 | 3 |
| Below 60% | 0 | 0 |
IIM Calcutta does not count graduation marks or work experience at the shortlisting stage, so CAT score and school marks decide who gets the interview call.
Stage III: IIM Calcutta Final Selection Criteria (Out of 100)
After the PI and WAT rounds, the final merit list is prepared on a composite score of 100 marks:
| Component | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Personal Interview (PI) | 48 |
| CAT 2026 score | 30 |
| Writing Ability Test (WAT) | 8 |
| Work experience | 8 |
| Academic diversity | 6 |
| Total | 100 |
With nearly half the marks coming from the interview, a strong PI performance can make up for a slightly lower CAT score, and a weak interview can undo a very high one.
Work Experience Points (Maximum 8)
Only full-time experience gained after the bachelor’s degree, counted in completed months up to 31 January 2027, is considered. Internships, training, articleship and unpaid work are generally not counted.
| Work Experience (x = completed months) | Points |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 months | 0 |
| More than 6 up to 24 months | x ÷ 3 |
| More than 24 up to 36 months | 8 |
| More than 36 up to 48 months | 26 − (x ÷ 2) |
| More than 48 months | 2 |
Example: A candidate with 18 months of experience gets 18 ÷ 3 = 6 points. A candidate with 42 months gets 26 − 21 = 5 points. The best score (8) goes to candidates with 2 to 3 years of experience.
Academic Diversity Points (Maximum 6)
| Academic Background | Points |
|---|---|
| Engineering bachelor’s degree only | 0 |
| Engineering bachelor’s + non-engineering master’s | 2 |
| Non-engineering bachelor’s degree | 4 |
| Non-engineering bachelor’s + non-engineering master’s | 5 |
| Dual-degree law (BA LLB / BBA LLB) | 5 |
| Bachelor’s + CA / ICWA / CS | Up to 6 |
The full category table is given in the official IIM Calcutta admission policy.
Reservation Policy
- Reservation for SC, ST, NC-OBC and EWS candidates follows Government of India rules for Central Educational Institutions.
- 5% of seats are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) under the RPwD Act, 2016. Candidates need at least 40% of a specified disability, certified by the competent authority.
- Category certificates must be valid and must be produced at the time of the PI.
How to Apply for IIM Calcutta MBA 2027-29
IIM Calcutta does not have a separate entrance exam. The admission process works through CAT:
- Register for CAT 2026: Fill the CAT application form on iimcat.ac.in during the registration window and choose IIM Calcutta among your preferred institutes.
- Appear for CAT 2026: Take the exam on 29 November 2026.
- Check the CAT result: Make sure your sectional and overall percentiles meet IIM Calcutta’s minimum cutoffs.
- Wait for the shortlist: IIM Calcutta will release the PI-WAT shortlist on its website. Shortlisted candidates are also informed by email.
- Complete post-shortlist formalities: Fill in any additional details or documents IIM Calcutta asks for.
- Appear for PI and WAT: Attend the interview and the writing test on the allotted date.
- Final offer: Check the final selection list and accept the offer by paying the required fee within the deadline.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Aim for a well-balanced CAT score, since IIM Calcutta has strict sectional cutoffs, including 80 in VARC and DILR for General candidates.
- Prepare thoroughly for the PI, which carries 48 marks. Revise your graduation subjects, as IIM Calcutta interviews are known to test academic basics.
- Practise structured essay writing for the WAT.
- Keep your academic and work experience documents ready for verification.
FAQs
Q1. What is the minimum CAT percentile for IIM Calcutta 2027-29?
For General candidates, the minimum is 85 overall, with 80 in VARC, 80 in DILR and 75 in QA.
Q2. When is CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 is scheduled for 29 November 2026.
Q3. What is the weightage of the PI in IIM Calcutta’s final selection?
The Personal Interview carries 48 out of 100 marks, the highest of all components.
Q4. Does IIM Calcutta consider graduation marks?
Graduation marks are used for eligibility (minimum 50%, or 45% for SC/ST/PwD), but they carry no points at the shortlisting or final selection stage.
Q5. How many points can I get for work experience?
Up to 8 points. The maximum goes to candidates with 24 to 36 months of experience as on 31 January 2027.
Q6. Do engineers get academic diversity points?
Engineers with only a bachelor’s degree get 0 points. Non-engineering graduates get 4 or more.
Q7. Do female candidates get extra points at IIM Calcutta?
Yes. Female and transgender candidates get 4 gender diversity points at the shortlisting stage.
Q8. Is there a separate application form for IIM Calcutta?
No. Candidates apply through the CAT 2026 registration and are shortlisted on the basis of the IIM Calcutta policy.
