IIM Bangalore CAT 2025 Cutoff, Selection Process & Placement 2025

The IIM Bangalore has officially released the first shortlisting cutoff for the next PGP Batch of 2026-28, as per the CAT 2024. For the general category candidates, the IIM Bangalore Minimum Cutoff is 80 Percentile in VARC, 75 percentile in DILR, 75 percentile in QA, and an overall aggregate of 85 percentile.

Download & Check IIM Bangalore CAT Cutoff & Admission Criteria PDF

For OBC and EWS Candidates, the overall aggregate percentile is 75; for SC Candidates, it is 70, and for ST candidates, it is 65.
If you clear these cutoffs, then you will be eligible for WAT-PI, but it will not guarantee you an admission call.
As the actual shortlisting will depend upon the evaluation of CAT Performance, academic record, work experience/ professional qualification and WAT-PI Performance.

The IIM Bangalore gives more weightage to academic excellence in class 10th and 12th, along with quality work experience, which can impact your composite score during selection.

Key Summary

In this Article, we have discussed IIM Bangalore CAT Cutoff & admission criteria, including Category-wise cutoff and Placement Opportunities.

The IIM Bangalore is one of the most selective IIMs, having a low acceptance rate and strong competition for more than 500+ PGP Seats.
The Qualifying cut-off alone will not guarantee you shortlisting for PI; a sectional cutoff is also mandatory.
For the general category candidates, an overall 99+ percentile is required and a strong sectional percentile.
The Candidates from the reserved category have a lower qualifying percentile, which makes it more accessible for them.

IIM Bangalore Cutoff CAT 2025: Minimum Qualifying Cutoff

The IIM Bangalore has released the first official, shortlisting cutoff for the PGP Batch of 2026 to 2028. To be eligible for the WAT/PI Round, you have to clear both the sectional and overall percentile.

Official IIM Bangalore CAT 2025 Cut-offs for First Shortlist

For admission, along with the overall percentile, you should meet the minimum percentile of all three sections.
As the competition level is increasing, you should aim for a minimum cutoff of 95 to 99 as a general category candidate to improve your chances of getting a call from WAT/PI and getting final admission.

Category	VARC (Section-1)	DILR (Section-2)	QA (Section-3)	Overall (Aggregate) Percentile
General	80	75	75	85
NC-OBC	70	65	65	75
EWS	70	65	65	75
SC	65	60	60	70
ST	55	55	55	65
PwD	50	50	50	60

Note: These cut-offs qualify a candidate for the first shortlist (WAT/PI eligibility) — they do not guarantee a call or admission.

Source: https://www.iimb.ac.in/admissions/pgp-admissions/admission-process

Ques. Are sectional cutoffs important for IIM Bangalore admission?

Ans. Yes, Section-wise performance in the entrance test is important. At IIM Bangalore, it's not just a high overall score in CAT; you have to clear the minimum required percentiles.

IIM Bangalore 2025 Minimum Sectional & Overall Cutoffs (for First Shortlist)

Category	VARC Cutoff	DILR Cutoff	QA Cutoff	Overall Cutoff (Aggregate)
General	80 percentile	80 percentile	80 percentile	85 percentile
NC-OBC / EWS	70	70	70	75
SC	60	60	60	70
ST	55	55	55	65
PwD	50	50	50	60

Ques. If I meet the qualifying cutoff, will I get a PI call from IIM Bangalore?

Ans. If you meet the minimum CAT Cutoffs, you will be eligible for WAT/PI at IIM Bangalore. But it will not guarantee an admission call.

Shortlisting Criteria for PI Call (Pre-PI) at IIM B

Component	Relative Weight / Role (Pre-PI Shortlist)
CAT score (with section scores)	Primary filter — determines baseline eligibility
10th & 12th board marks	Considered under academics — helps differentiate among eligible candidates
Graduation marks / UG performance	Important for academic consistency assessment
Work Experience / Professional Course (if any)	Adds value — experienced candidates are often rated higher
Gender / Diversity considerations	Used to promote a balanced cohort when scores are comparable

Ques. Do 12th class and graduation marks matter for cutoffs/shortlisting at IIM Bangalore?

Ans. Yes, in IIM Bangalore, your academic profile of class 10th, 12th and graduation performance, which is a part of the selection process.

In the first shortlisting, IIM Bangalore gives 10th, 12th and graduation marks.
The candidates who have similar CAT Scores, candidates having high academic scores, have high chances to be shortlisted for WAT/PI.

What CAT Percentile will get you a Call from IIM Bangalore?

The IIM Bangalore releases the shortlisting cutoff for CAT, but the actual percentile required to get WAT/PI calls is much higher.

As per the RTI and previous year admission trends, you require higher scores than the minimum eligibility percentile, especially if you are a general category candidate.
The General Category candidates usually need more than 93 to 94th percentile to get a call, but aiming for 95-99+ is better.
It is crucial to get balanced sectional scores to secure a call from WAT/PI.

Expected Minimum IIM Bangalore Cutoff Percentile

Category	Minimum CAT Percentile Reported for WAT/PI Call	Typical “Safe-zone” Percentile Range
General	93.66	95 – 99+
EWS	81.96	85 – 90+
NC-OBC	81.86	85 – 92+
SC	70.68	75 – 85+
ST	66.82	70 – 80+

You can check this video by @IMSCATPrep for the IIM Bangalore Selection process, along with eligibility, CAT cut-offs, and weightage:

How IIM Bangalore Chooses Candidates: Check the complete Admission Process.

The IIM Bangalore final admission process is based on an entire, multi-step selection process. The Shortlisting for WAT/PI is the first stage; the final selection process includes:

CAT Performance
Academic Weightage
Work Experience
Performance in WAT/PI

IIM Bangalore Shortlisting for WAT/PI

The IIM Bangalore has released the category-wise initial shortlisting cutoffs. The Candidates meeting the same criteria will be eligible for the WAT/PI Stage.

The Sectional Cutoffs are critical, as with a high overall score, you won’t be shortlisted.

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall Percentile
General	80	75	75	85
NC-OBC	70	65	65	75
EWS	70	65	65	75
SC	65	60	60	70
ST	55	55	55	65
PwD	50	50	50	60

IIM Bangalore Composite Score Calculation (Pre-PI)

Before the WAT/PI Process, the IIM Bangalore will calculate a required composite score to prioritise the candidates. This will ensure a balanced evaluation beyond the CAT Scores.

The CAT Score will dominate, but the academic consistency will impact the Pre-PI Ranking.
The Work Experience will add more value, mainly for candidates with leadership and impactful roles.

Component	Weightage (%)
CAT Score	55
Academic Performance (10th, 12th, Graduation)	30
Work Experience / Professional Achievement	10
Gender Diversity Factor	5

IIM Bangalore Written Ability Test (WAT)

The WAT will evaluate the candidates on the basis of analytical thinking, clarity and communication skills. Strong writing skills can change the minor gaps in the CAT Sectional scores.

Component	Evaluation Criteria	Weightage
Clarity of Thought	Idea articulation and logic	40%
Structure	Essay organisation and coherence	30%
Content Quality	Relevance and insightfulness	30%

IIM Bangalore Personal Interview (PI)

The P.I. will test the candidate's personality, leadership skills and if they are a good fit for the IIM Bangalore program. It is an important component for the final selection.

The Panel will ask questions related to academics, work experience, hobbies and current affairs.

Component	Focus	Weightage
Leadership & Impact	Demonstrated initiatives and achievements	30%
Communication	Clarity, confidence, and articulation	30%
Analytical Skills	Problem-solving and logical reasoning	20%
Fit with IIMB	Alignment with values & culture	20%

IIM Bangalore Final Merit List and Admission Offer

The IIM Bangalore final selection is based on a composite score, which includes CAT, Academics, WAT, PI, Work Experience and diverse factors.

Component	Weightage (%)
CAT Score	55
Academics	30
Work Experience	10
WAT & PI	5
Gender Diversity	5

Ques. Does IIM Bangalore provide profile-based calls like some other IIMs?

Ans. Yes, IIM Bangalore calls for WAT/PI, not only on the basis of CAT Percentile, but they also use the pre-PI Composite score, which will combine CAT Performance with the academic profile (10th, 12th, UG), work experience (if any), and diversity factors.

Key Components for Pre-PI Shortlist

Component	Weight / Role in Pre-PI Shortlist
CAT Score (all sections)	55 points
10th Board Marks	10 points (normalised)
12th Board Marks	10 points (normalised)
Bachelor’s Degree Marks / Professional Course	10 points (normalised)
Work Experience / Professional Qualification (e.g. CA/ICWA/CS)	10 points (work experience) or equivalent course score
Gender Diversity Bonus	5 points (for diversity; only in pre-PI)

Ques. How does IIM Bangalore calculate the final composite score?

Ans. After the WAT and PI Process, IIM Bangalore will calculate a final composite score to check the admission offers. This will include a mix of CAT Performance, Academic credentials, work experience, WAT, PI and normalised marks.

Post-PI Final Composite Score Weightage

Component	Final Score Weightage
Personal Interview (PI)	40 points
Written Ability Test (WAT)	10 points
CAT Score (all sections)	25 points (VARC + DILR + QA breakdown)
Work Experience / Professional Course (quality-adjusted)	10 points
10th Board Marks	5 points
12th Board Marks	5 points
Bachelor’s Degree / Graduation Marks	5 points

Ques. Will internships and achievements help in the selection process at IIM Bangalore?

Ans. For IIM Bangalore, only full-time paid work experience or professional qualifications will be counted. The Internships, apprenticeships or unpaid work are not considered to calculate the work experience or professional course.

What Counts / Helps	What Doesn’t Count / Doesn’t Help
Full-time paid work experience (months ≥ 1) — scored as 10×months/36 (capped)	Internships, articleships, unpaid work, freelance or part-time work
Completed professional course (CA/ICWA/CS) —normalised score considered	Ongoing or incomplete professional courses
Strong academic records (10th, 12th, UG) + consistent performance	Just extracurricular achievements without an academic/work component

Who Can Apply to IIM Bangalore: Check the Eligibility Criteria

Before you apply to IIM Bangalore, you should meet the required educational and professional requirements. If you meet these criteria, you will be considered for the admission process. The IIM Bangalore will focus on academic qualification, minimum marks and work experience.

IIM Bangalore Eligibility Requirements:

Criteria	Requirement / Details
Educational Qualification	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university
Minimum Marks	50% for General & EWS/OBC-NCL, 45% for SC/ST/PwD
Final Year Students	Eligible to apply, but admission is provisional until graduation is completed
Work Experience	Not mandatory, but valued for holistic assessment
Age Limit	No specific age limit; preference may be given to candidates with relevant work experience
Other Factors	Academic consistency, diversity, and leadership potential are considered during shortlisting.

Ques. Is there any minimum percentage required in Graduation for eligibility at IIM Bangalore?

Ans. Yes, if you want to apply for the IIM Bangalore PGP Programme, you should have completed your bachelor’s degree with a minimum required percentage.

Graduation Eligibility Criteria at IIM B

Category / Situation	Minimum Required Marks / CGPA
General category (regular bachelor’s degree)	50% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA)
SC / ST / PwD / reserved categories	45% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA)
Professional qualification (e.g. CA/CS/ICWA instead of a regular degree)	Same minimum — 50% (45% for reserved) if accepted as a substitute for a bachelor’s degree.

Ques. Can final-year UG students apply for IIM Bangalore admission?

Ans. Yes, IIM Bangalore allow the final year UG Students to apply for PGP if they present a valid certificate and meet the minimum graduation criteria after completion.

If you are currently in your final year, you can apply for the same.
The IIM Bangalore admission offer will be provisional until the submission of the final degree certificate with proof of graduation.
After the results, candidates should have a final marksheet or a degree certificate to confirm their eligibility and admission.

Ques. Are international students eligible for PGP at IIM Bangalore?

Ans. Yes, IIM Bangalore accepts international candidates for its PGP Programme under the special admission for foreign/international students.

Eligibility & Admission Process for International Students at IIMB

Eligibility Parameter	Requirement for International Applicants
Academic qualification	Must hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) recognised globally or Indian-equivalent, meeting IIMB’s minimum requirement.
Admission test	International applicants may need to submit equivalent test scores (as per IIMB’s requirement) if the CAT is not applicable.
Application & Interview	International applicants undergo a remote video-conference interview + writing assessment as part of standard selection.

IIM Bangalore CAT Cut-off: Last 4 Year Performance Analysis (2024-2021)

The IIM Bangalore is one of the most competitive B-Schools in India, in which the cutoff is the highest cutoff in the country. The Eligibility cutoff is low, but the actual shortlisting percentiles are higher, mainly for the general category candidates.

IIM Bangalore Cutoff CAT 2024

The IIM Bangalore Cutoff in 2024 was slightly higher because of participation and tougher competition.
The Cutoff for general category candidates is 99+ percentile, with high weightage given to class 10th/12 Scores.

Category	Overall Percentile	Sectional Percentile
General	99 – 99.5	85+
EWS	96 – 97	75+
OBC-NCL	95 – 97	75+
SC	90 – 92	65+
ST	85 – 88	55+
PwD	80 – 85	50+

IIM Bangalore Cutoff CAT 2023

It was the most competitive and highest cutoff, including more toppers with similar scaled scores.
More candidates are shortlisted from the engineering backgrounds.

Category	Shortlisting Percentile Range
General	99 – 99.8
EWS	96 – 98
OBC-NCL	95 – 97
SC	90 – 92
ST	85 – 90
PwD	80 – 85

IIM Bangalore Cutoff CAT 2022

There was a decrease in the cutoff from earlier because the weightage was given based on the profile of the candidate.
Higher weightage was given to work experience, with more than 2-3 years of experience for high competition.

Category	Expected Shortlisting Percentile
General	99 – 99.5
EWS	95 – 97
OBC-NCL	94 – 96
SC	88 – 90
ST	82 – 85
PwD	80 – 82

IIM Bangalore Cutoff CAT 2021

Category	Shortlisting Percentile
General	99+
EWS	95 – 96
OBC-NCL	94 – 95
SC	88 – 90
ST	80 – 85
PwD	80 – 82

From Offers to Salaries: IIM Bangalore PGP Placement Trends 2024 vs 2025

The IIM Bangalore placement cycle shows why its leadership is top among India’s Premier B-Schools. With a high number of offers, strong participation from top recruiters and a healthy average salary, the PGP Batch of 2023-25 has shown the value of the institute along with the connection in industry.

IIM Bangalore PGP + PGPBA Placement: 2024 vs 2025

If you join PGP at IIM Bangalore, your chances of getting placed will be even higher in a large group of people.
The Average package may have a median salary that is somewhat similar to the previous year.
The placements offered increased from 572 to 660, and the recruiters increased from 163 to 177.
More than 41% of the offers are from the consulting firms, which is the major strength of IIM Bangalore placements.

Parameter	2025 (Batch 2023-25)	2024 (Batch 2022-24)
Total Students (appeared for placement)	602	517
Total Offers Made	660	572
Number of Companies Participated	177	163
Pre-Placement Offers (PPO) — Accepted	208 (PPOs made: 263)	203 (PPOs made: 247)
Lateral Offers — Accepted	89 (offers made: 100)	71 (offers made: 83)
International Offers	22	29
Average Package (LPA)	₹ 34.88 LPA	₹ 35.92 LPA
Median Package (LPA)	₹ 32.61 LPA	₹ 32.50 LPA

CAT 2026

IIM Bangalore Cutoff CAT 2025