IIM Bangalore Admission 2026 - Dates, Eligibility Criteria, Process

After the publication of the CAT 2025 result, the IIM Bangalore Admission 2026 is expected to open from January 2026 for its flagship PGP (MBA) programme. Alongside PGP, admission to PGPBA is also expected to begin in the same time frame. For both PGP and PGPBA, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) and a valid CAT 2025 score. Alongside these, IIM Bangalore also offers 3 executive management programmes & a BBA, requiring scorecards of IIMB Test/GMAT/GRE/CAT/CUET UG, etc.

The admission process follows a two-stage selection system. Phase 1 includes shortlisting based on CAT performance, academic record, work experience, and diversity factors, while Phase 2 includes the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Final selection is made on a composite score of CAT, WAT, and PI results.

For the IIM Bangalore admission, the important dates regarding the admission process, accepted exams and final offers are provided below. However, while the majority of the provided dates are officially confirmed, for some courses, there are some tentative dates, based on the 2025 admission.

Spanning 2 years, including a summer internship, the IIM Bangalore PGP (MBA) admission for 2026 is about to open just after the publication of the CAT 2025 result. However, for the international applicants, the admission at the institute is ongoing. The IIM Bangalore PGP eligibility requires graduation in any stream with a minimum of 50% and is open for every candidate fulfilling the eligibility. A valid score in the CAT 2025 is required.  Along with the regular PGP, IIM Bangalore also offers dual degree (DD) programmes in collaboration with several top universities and business schools of Italy, Japan, and France.

Shortlisting to the WAT/PI stage requires clearing sectional as well as overall CAT cut-offs and a strong academic/work profile. This flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management at IIM Bangalore accepts two-phase selections: CAT & WAT/PI and is expected to admit around 400-550 students.

• The 2025-27 batch profile of IIM Bangalore PGP reveals an average CAT score of 99.5 percentile, 22 months of work experience on average, and 52% female representation across engineering (60%) and commerce (20%) streams.
• The last average package for MBA grads in IIM Bangalore placement stands at Rs 34.88 LPA, with a median salary of Rs 32.61 LPA across 660 offers, with consulting and finance domains ruling the game.

IIM Bangalore PGP Fees

• Hostel and mess fees are included.
• Major included components are library, Internet, case permission royalty, course material, service charge, medical insurance, personal accident insurance and alumni activity.

The IIM Bangalore PGP fees for 2026 are as follows:

IIM Bangalore PGP Cutoff

For the 2025 PGP batch, the IIM Bangalore cutoff ranges from 60.16 percentile for the PwD applicants to 94.06 percentile for the general candidates. However, the minimum required score in CAT 2024 was 85 percentile in aggregate. In the 2026 admission, it is expected to go as high as 87 percentile as the minimum criteria, while the minimum shortlisted score can be as high as 98 percentile. The minimum required percentile states the score that makes one eligible to apply for the programme, while the minimum shortlisted percentile stands for the score.

• Shortlisted EWS candidates experienced the 2nd highest cutoff at the 86.10 percentile.
• Except for PwD, the CAT 2024 cutoff for SC & ST applicants hovered around 70 percentile only.
• Around 707 candidates were shortlisted for WAT/PI.
• The IIMB PGP seat intake is around 480-550.

The IIMB PGPBA admission 2026 is not open yet for the domestic applicants. Post publication of CAT 2025 scores, the admission to this course will begin. The IIM Bangalore PGPBA eligibility requires the candidates to have a minimum of 50% in graduation. While graduation in any stream would work, mostly the candidates with an analytics profile are preferred during shortlisting. Applicants must submit a valid CAT/GMAT/GRE score. The duration for the course is 2 years.

PGPBA focuses more on combining data-driven decision-making with core management principles. The IIM Bangalore PGPBA 2025 batch comprises 91% engineers. The average work experience for the batch is 2.5 years. The average package of the 2023-25 PGPBA batch was Rs 34.88 LPA.

IIM Bangalore PGPBA Fees

• Hostel and mess fees are included.
• Other major included components are library, Internet, case permission royalty, course material, service charge, medical insurance, personal accident insurance and alumni activity.

The IIM Bangalore PGPBA fees for 2026 are as follows:

IIM Bangalore PGPBA Cutoff

The IIM Bangalore PGPBA cutoff is at least 85 percentile in CAT, with 80 percentile sectional cutoff for the general categories. However, the actual shortlisted cutoff is way higher than the minimum requirement. The lowest shortlisted general category cutoff for PGPBA was the 92.33 percentile for the 2025-27 batch.

• IIM Bangalore PGPBA seat intake is around 80. The 2025-27 batch has enrolled 78 students.
• The 2025 PGPBA batch has an average CAT score of 98.5 percentile and 18 months of work experience.
• The final selection is based on the composite score secured in WAT, PI, and profile.
• Around 700 candidates were shortlisted for WAT/PI for the 2025 PGPBA batch.
• The lowest shortlisted IIM Bangalore cutoff for EWS candidates for the 2025-27 PGPBA was 86.99 percentile, while for NC-OBC, it was 84.84 percentile. 

The IIM Bangalore EPGP is a live-on-campus MBA with a duration of 1 year for experienced working professionals with a minimum of 5 years of experience. With around 80 seats, the IIMB EPGP admission requires a GMAT or GRE scorecard. The IIMB EPGP 2025 batch showcases diverse profiles, with IT and manufacturing dominating the game, with 40% and 25% weightage, respectively. 45% of the batch are women, showing the strong gender diversity on the campus. The selection process of the Executive PGPincludes application screening, essays, and a personal interview round. To know more about this executive management programme, visit IIM Bangalore courses. The average work experience for the batch stood at 10 years. The IIM Bangalore EPGP placement hit a 100% placement record from prime recruiters like Amazon, Deloitte, etc., with a median package of Rs 36 LPA. 

IIM Bangalore EPGP Fees 

For the students opting for the on-campus hostel, the IIM Bangalore EPGP fees stand at Rs 3,371,000, while for the ones opting for family accommodation outside the IIM Bangalore campus, the fees are Rs 3,662,000. Tuition and most of the other components are included in both fees. 

• The caution deposit is refundable after the completion of the course.
• For the students opting for the on-campus hostel, the total fees are lower than the ones opting for family accommodation outside the IIM Bangalore campus.

The IIM Bangalore EPGP fees for 2026 are as follows:

IIM Bangalore EPGP Cutoff

IIM Bangalore’s EPGP does not have an official GMAT or GRE cutoff. Competitive candidates usually score around 700–720in the GMAT or an equivalent GRE, combined with strong academics and professional experience. Admissions focus on the overall profile rather than a fixed score. The 2025 EPGP batch at IIMB has an average score of 698 in GMAT, while the seat intake stands in the range of 75-83.

The Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM) at IIM Bangalore is a two-year weekend MBA designed for mid-to-senior professionals aiming to enhance leadership and enterprise management capabilities while continuing their careers.

For admission to the 2026–28 batch of the Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (or equivalent professional qualifications such as CA/ICWA/CS) and possess a minimum of 6 years of full-time post-graduation work experience. Applicants are required to submit a valid CAT 2025, GMAT, GRE, or IIMB test score.

Shortlisted candidates are invited for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI), conducted at the IIMB Bengaluru campus. The final selection is based on a composite score considering academics, work experience, and interview performance. 

• Graduates access the prestigious IIMB Alumni Association; recent PGPEM teams excelled in 2025 competitions, including the Hult Prize and the PowerUp Strategy Challenge.
• Draws mid-career professionals (average 10+ years experience) from sectors like IT, healthcare, manufacturing, fintech, and consulting, promoting a gender-balanced and multifaceted learning environment.
• Formal campus placement is not available, as this course caters to the working professionals; however, after 2-3 years, a 75-82% salary increment is usually reported.

IIM Bangalore PGPEM Fees

• Students extending beyond two years must pay a continuation fee per extra term until programme completion. The maximum given time is 5 years.
• Hostel and mess fees are not included.

The IIM Bangalore PGPEM fees for 2026 are as follows:

IIM Bangalore PGPEM Cutoff

For admission to the IIM Bangalore PGPEM, there is no specified minimum score as per the official site. Candidates are shortlisted based on overall profile, including academics, work experience, and test scores (CAT/GMAT/GRE/IIMB Test). However, applicants with a CAT percentile of 85+ or equivalent scores generally have higher chances of selection. The seat intake for PGPEM at IIM Bangalore is 60.

The IIMB PhD programme admission 2026 is open to candidates with a master’s degree, professional qualification (CA/ICWA/CS), or a 4-year bachelor’s degree with an outstanding academic record. With a seat intake of 25, the eligibility for a PhD requires a minimum of 55% in a master’s. Admission is based on the IIMB Test/CAT/GRE/GMAT/UGC-JRF scorecard, followed by a personal interview. 

The IIM Bangalore PhD lasts for 5 years, specialising in strategy or economics via coursework, qualifiers, and dissertation under 150+ faculty publishing in top journals. Most alumni of the PhD  secure assistant professor roles in top Indian and international B-schools, while plenty of others work with global research organisations, government policy bodies, or corporate research labs. 

IIM Bangalore PhD Fees

• Students extending beyond two years must pay a continuation fee per extra term until programme completion. The maximum given time is 5 years.
• Hostel and mess fees are not included.

The IIM Bangalore PhD fees for 2026 are as follows:

The IIM Bangalore application process is entirely online and opens immediately after the CAT 2025 results, typically in the first week of January 2026. A single mistake or incomplete section leads to automatic rejection, making accuracy critical in the IIM Bangalore Application Process for PGP 2026-28.

Step-by-Step Process

• Check Eligibility: Begin the process only after receiving your CAT 2025 scorecard. Registration requires a valid CAT ID, email ID, and proof of eligibility.
• Visit the Official Website and Register Yourself:
  • Go to https://www.iimb.ac.in and choose your preferred course.
  • On the “Admission” tab, find the “Online Application” and click the same.
  • That will take you to the registration portal.
  • Register yourself there with a valid phone number and email ID.
  • On the registered email ID, you will receive your login credentials.
  • Log in, and choose the course. 
  • Complete all the academic, personal, and professional details accurately. Be quite attentive this time, as failing to do so can cancel your registration.
• Upload Required Documents:
  • Class 10th, 12th, and graduation mark sheets
  • Degree certificates or provisional certificates (if pending)
  • Entrance exam scorecard (CAT 2025 / GMAT / GRE / IIMB Test)
  • Work experience letters and category certificate (if applicable)
  • Recent passport-size photograph (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm)
• Add References (if applicable):
  • Two confidential recommendations must be submitted online by professors for the PhD applicants.
  • EPGP applicants are required to submit two professional references (supervisors/colleagues). 
  • Reminders can be sent via the application portal. 

Score Submission Process (for PGPEM & EPGP Applicants)

Candidates applying through GMAT or GRE must send their official scores directly to IIM Bangalore using the following codes:

• GMAT Code: Q9HKK-32 (Indian Institute of Management Bangalore)
• GRE Code: 1681 (IIM Bangalore)

Steps to send official scores:

1. Log in to your test provider’s portal (mba.com or ets.org/mygre).
2. Search for “Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)” using the code above.
3. Select the relevant programme (EPGP or PGPEM).
4. Submit the report electronically. (If chosen during test registration, no extra fee applies.)
5. Enter your test details in the IIMB online form — official reports will be verified by the admissions office.

Documents Required for IIM Bangalore Admission 2026

The documents required for IIM Bangalore Admission 2026 ensure verification of eligibility, academics, and category status during the online application and final enrolment. Incomplete submissions lead to rejection, so prepare scanned copies in advance for the IIM Bangalore Admission 2026 portal opening in January.

• Mandatory academic documents: 10th/12th mark sheets, bachelor's degree certificate/transcripts, and provisional certificate if final degree is pending.
• Entrance score proof: CAT 2025 scorecard (or GMAT/GRE/IIMB test for specific programmes) uploaded during application.
• Category/reservation documents: SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD certificates in the Government of India format.
• Professional/experience proof: Work experience letters, salary slips (if applicable), and two confidential references (online submission mandatory).

The IIM Bangalore admission process 2026 for the flagship MBA (PGP) programme follows a transparent, CAT-centric evaluation with phased shortlisting, WAT-PI rounds, and final merit lists. The admission process is very competitive. It gives importance to your marks, work experience, and diversity, while following Government of India reservation rules.

• In the IIM Bangalore Admission Process 2026, shortlisting begins with CAT 2025 percentile cut-offs (e.g., 85 overall for the General category, lower for reserved categories).
• The pre-PI score calculation in the IIM Bangalore Admission Process 2026 assigns 55% to CAT, 30% to 10th/12th/graduation marks, 10% to work experience/professional qualifications, and 5% to gender diversity.
• Shortlisted candidates attend WAT and PI in Stage II of the IIM Bangalore Admission Process 2026, usually conducted in major cities during February-March 2026.
• Final offers are based on a composite score where PI carries 40% weight, WAT 10%, normalised CAT 25%, academics 15%, and work experience 10%. 

IIM Bangalore Selection Criteria for PGP and PGPBA

IIM Bangalore offers both PGP and PGPBA. In 2022, the PGP programme offered by IIMB received the status of MBA. Both the PGP and PGPBA at IIM Bangalore almost require the same criteria to be eligible for the programme. And the selection criteria of these two courses are almost the same.  PGPBA at IIM Bangalore is more biased towards candidates with analytics profiles when it comes to shortlisting, followed by quantitative reasoning in personal interviews. 

Phase 1 (Pre-PI Shortlist):

• The 1st shortlist is prepared based on candidates who have secured a minimum score on all sections of CAT 2025. Only candidates with valid scores in all sections of CAT-2025 are considered. The CAT score alone is used as the basis for the first shortlist.
• The gender diversity component is also considered but used only for computing the pre-PI score for deciding on interview calls and is not applicable for phase 2 of IIM Bangalore admissions.
• The top 10 CAT scorers in each category automatically qualify.
• Academic scores are normalised before evaluation.

Phase 2 (Post-PI Composite Score):

• The selected candidates are required to take a Written Ability Test (WAT) on topics related to current socio-political, economic and business affairs, among others.
• After WAT and PI, the shortlisted candidates are asked to provide two reference letters as a part of the IIM Bangalore admission criteria. Depending on the course, the type of the references changes.
• The final offers of IIM Bangalore admission are made strictly on the basis of the final aggregate score.

IIM Bangalore scholarships support students through need-based financial aid and merit awards, ensuring no deserving candidate is hindered by finances. Details are assessed post-admission via the Financial Aid Committee. These scholarships aim to promote academic excellence and ensure financial accessibility for students from diverse backgrounds. Awards are granted based on merit, need, and institutional criteria, helping learners focus on their education without financial constraints. Learn more about the scholarships and financial aid at IIM Bangalore scholarship.

• Need-based Financial Aid
• Merit Scholarships
• Category-specific
• Alumni and other awards

IIM Bangalore stands out for its deep integration with India’s startup capital. Through its NS Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL), the institute has nurtured over 1,800 ventures since 2000 — including success stories like Surface Moto, MedPiper, and Dreamfly Innovations. This vibrant ecosystem gives students a front-row seat to real-world innovation.

Alongside this, if we shift our focus to the curriculum now, IIM Bangalore emphasises more on strong research and analytics-based learning, policy and behavioural depth, deep industrial integration, live consulting projects, and a sustainable and socially impactful curriculum. On the contrary, IIM Ahmedabad usually takes a highly theoretical, case-heavy approach with corporate exposure mainly through case studies and internships. IIM Lucknow is known for its balanced management approach, and only IIM Kozhikode is usually known for its conceptual, experimental and global learning.

However, if you are more interested in finance and economics, IIMC, the oldest IIM, is the better choice over IIMB. This is the only IIM with finance labs, focusing more on quantitative and finance-heavy learning, and it conducts live projects – mainly finance and analytics-orientated.

 What sets IIMB apart are:

• The ecosystem of startups, tech industries, top leaders, 30% international faculty, etc. 
• Industrial integration with top CEOs and CXOs.
• Runs IIMB Management Review (IMR)—one of India’s only Scopus-indexed management journals from a B-school.
• Hosts high-impact global conferences (e.g., Management Doctoral Colloquium, India Finance Conference) and collaborates with Harvard Business School, NUS, and LSE.
• The campus experience transforms via 50+ clubs, from finance simulations to cultural fests, building lifelong networks among 50% women in PGP.

How to Prepare for IIM Bangalore GD-PI after CAT 2025?

Preparing for the GD-PI at IIM Bangalore after CAT 2025 demands structured planning and a disciplined approach. Candidates should strengthen conceptual clarity in their academic background, cultivate awareness of national and global developments, and practise logical expression for group discussions. It is essential to review work experience, projects, and career goals to ensure coherent responses during the interview. Engaging in mock GD-PI sessions, refining communication skills, and demonstrating a clear purpose for pursuing management education significantly enhances selection readiness.

Is Work Experience Mandatory for IIM Bangalore PGP?

Work experience is not mandatory for admission to the IIM Bangalore PGP programme. The institute accepts both fresh graduates and working professionals, assessing each applicant on overall merit rather than employment history alone. While relevant work experience can strengthen a candidate’s profile by demonstrating practical exposure and managerial potential, it is not a compulsory requirement. Academic performance, CAT scores, analytical ability, and clarity of purpose remain the primary factors influencing the final selection.

Can I Apply to IIM Bangalore with GMAT?

Yes, you can apply to IIM Bangalore with a GMAT score, but only under the international or overseas applicant category. The institute accepts GMAT for candidates holding a foreign passport or for those who have lived outside India for the required duration as defined in the admission policy. For the regular domestic category, admission to the PGP programme is based solely on CAT scores. Therefore, Indian residents applying under the general category must appear for CAT, while GMAT is valid only for eligible international applicants.

What Makes a Strong Profile for IIM Bangalore Admission?

A strong profile for IIM Bangalore admission reflects consistent academic excellence, high performance in CAT, and well-demonstrated analytical and communication skills. Relevant work experience, internships, or leadership roles add value by showcasing responsibility and practical understanding of organisational settings. Participation in extracurricular activities, achievements in competitions, or notable contributions in academic or professional domains further strengthen the profile. Above all, clarity of career goals and the ability to articulate them convincingly during the selection process significantly enhance admission prospects.

How to get admission to IIM Bangalore without CAT?

Admission to the two-year PGP at IIM Bangalore without CAT is not possible for domestic applicants, as a valid CAT score is compulsory. However, several other programmes at the institute accept different examinations. The one-year Executive PGP allows candidates to apply through GMAT or GRE, while the MBA in Business Analytics considers CAT, GMAT, or GRE scores. International or overseas applicants for the regular PGP may also apply using GMAT, provided they meet the required eligibility norms.

How to get admission to IIM Bangalore after class 12?

For the applicants interested in joining IIM Bangalore after Class 12, the BBA in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship (BBA-DBE) is available at the institute. The IIM Bangalore BBA eligibility asks for 60% in 10+2. Admission requires a valid score in the IIMB Admission Test, CUET UG Section III, or JEE Main. Candidates who meet these criteria are shortlisted for the next stage, which includes an evaluation of their aptitude, academic performance, and other programme-specific parameters. Successful applicants are offered admission based on overall merit and alignment with the programme’s objectives.