IIM Ahmedabad releases PGP 2027-29 admission policy: CAT 95 percentile cut-off, 65:35 CAT-to-profile split

IIM Ahmedabad has published its admission policy for the PGP 2027-29 batch, the intake that will be shortlisted from CAT 2026 scores.

Minimum CAT 2026 percentile cut-offs (overall, then sectional) are: General and EWS 95 and 85; NC-OBC 90 and 80; SC 85 and 75; ST 75 and 65. For PwD candidates the cut-offs are lower: General and EWS 85 and 75; NC-OBC 80 and 70; SC 75 and 65; ST 65 and 55. Note that sectional percentiles matter — a strong overall score with one weak section can still fall short.

Shortlisting for the Analytical Writing Test and Personal Interview runs on a composite score. Your normalised CAT total percentile carries 65% weightage and a normalised application rating carries 35%.

The application rating is built from your Class 10 percentage, Class 12 percentage, undergraduate percentage, gender and full-time work experience. The same rating table now applies to all three academic scores: 1 point for 55% or below, 2 for above 55 up to 60, 3 for above 60 up to 70, 5 for above 70 up to 80, 8 for above 80 up to 90, and 10 for above 90. Work experience earns 0 points below 12 months, then 0.20 multiplied by (months minus 11) between 12 and 36 months, and a flat 5 points above 36 months. All non-male candidates receive 3 diversity points; male candidates receive 0.

Your raw composite score is then normalised within your undergraduate discipline, against the average of the top 1% of raw composite scores in that discipline. IIMA lists 20 disciplines, from Engineering and Technology to Arts and Humanities, Law, Economics and Professional qualifications such as CA, CS and ICWA. This means you compete most directly against people from your own academic background.

After the AWT and PI, the Final Composite Score is 50% normalised PI score, 10% normalised AWT score and 40% normalised composite score — so the interview carries real weight.

Eligibility is a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates). All selected candidates must be 19 years of age as on 30 June 2027, that is, born on or before 30 June 2008. Final-year students may apply but must complete degree requirements on or before 30 June 2027.

Shortlists are expected on the IIMA website tentatively by the second week of January 2027, after CAT results. Admission offers are expected tentatively in the second week of April 2027, with acceptance formalities to be completed by roughly the first week of May 2027. Waitlisted candidates will also be informed in the second week of April.

IIMA shortlists independently of the other IIMs, so being shortlisted or missing out here tells you nothing about the other institutes.