IIM Calcutta Admissions 2026: Eligibility Criteria, Selection Process, and Cutoff

IIM Calcutta, one of India's top-tier business schools, offers admission to its management programs, including the flagship MBA (PGP), PGDBA, Executive MBA (PGPEX), and Ph.D. programs. Admissions are primarily conducted through national-level entrance exams. For the MBA program, IIM Calcutta will consider CAT 2025 scores, while exams like GMAT, GRE, and UGC-NET will be accepted for Ph.D. admissions.

The institute offers around 462 seats for its MBA program and follows a rigorous shortlisting process that takes into account CAT scores, academic performance, work experience (if any), and other parameters. IIM Calcutta CAT cutoff is 85th percentile. Aspirants generally need to score around the 99th percentile to stand a strong chance of receiving a call for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). IIM Calcutta follows a merit-based selection process with no reservation quotas.

IIM Calcutta selection criteria evaluate candidates out of 100 marks across various components. The CAT 2025 score carries 30 marks, while WAT and PI make up 56 marks, and the remaining 14 marks are allotted for academic diversity and work experience.

Read the article for a detailed breakdown of IIM Calcutta Admissions 2026, including eligibility, selection process, and more.

IIM Calcutta Admission 2026 Highlights

Here are the key facts you should know about IIM Calcutta Admission Highlight:

IIM Calcutta MBA Admissions 2026

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta offers a prestigious two-year full-time MBA program. Check detailed IIM Calcutta eligibility criteria and selection process below:

IIM Calcutta Eligibility Criteria for MBA

• A bachelor's degree from a recognized institution, securing a minimum of 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
• Candidates with integrated master's or dual degrees completed after Class 12 are also eligible.

IIM Calcutta Admission Process for MBA

IIM Calcutta admission process is conducted in three stages, from shortlisting to final selection. Check the detailed process below:

Stage 1: Shortlisting Based on CAT 2025

Candidates must appear for CAT 2025 and secure the minimum required percentile in all three sections to be considered for further shortlisting.

For reference, check IIM Calcutta CAT cutoff 2024 for MBA in the image below:

Note: Actual cut-offs may be higher, based on the number of applicants shortlisted.

Stage 2: Composite Score for PI & WAT Shortlisting

Eligible candidates will be ranked using a composite score based on the IIM Calcutta selection criteria:

Calculation of Class X & XII Marks Weightage

Check the table below for the points you will get based on your marks in class X and XII:

Stage 3: Final Selection Criteria

Candidates shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI) and Writing Ability Test (WAT) will be evaluated on a final composite score calculated as:

Academic Diversity Criteria: To promote diversity, additional points are awarded to candidates from non-engineering and professional academic backgrounds. Points are assigned as per the candidate's highest qualifications and their field of study. Check the points below:

• Non-engineering bachelor's degree holders get 4 points.
• Law graduates get 5 points.
• CA/ICWA/CS or FIAI without a bachelor's degree get 5 points.
• CA/ICWA/CS or FIAI with a bachelor's degree gets 6 points.
• Candidates with integrated or dual degrees involving non-engineering streams may also receive up to 5 points.

IIM Calcutta Executive MBA Admissions 2026

To get admission in IIM Calcutta's Executive MBA program, the candidates must fulfill the eligibility criteria, take the GMAT exam and the selection process needs to be completed:

Eligibility Criteria:

To apply for the MBAEx 2026-27 batch at IIM Calcutta, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:

• Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree or equivalent in any discipline from a recognized university.
• Work Experience: A minimum of five years of full-time post-qualification managerial or professional experience as on March 31, 2026.
• GMAT Score: A valid GMAT score taken within the last 36 months as on the application date.

Selection Procedure:

The selection of candidates for the Executive MBA program is based on evaluation of multiple factors like:

• Academic background.
• Professional experience.
• GMAT score.
• Personal interview.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP).
• Letters of Recommendation.

There is no minimum cut-off for GMAT scores. Instead, a review of the applicant's profile is conducted to determine suitability for the program.

IIM Calcutta PGDBA Admissions 2026

The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, in collaboration with IIT Kharagpur and ISI Kolkata, offers the Post Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics (PGDBA). This is a two-year full-time program. The selection will be based on a combination of a written test and personal interviews. The total fee for the two-year PGDBA program is INR 25 lakhs, payable in four equal instalments before the start of each semester.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the IIM Calcutta Post Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics program for the academic year 2026-28, candidates must meet the following academic qualifications:

• A graduate or postgraduate degree under any of the following structures:

1. 10+2+4
2. 10+2+5
3. 10+2+3+2

With a minimum of 60% marks or a CGPA of 6.5 on a 10-point scale in the qualifying degree.

• Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories must have at least 55% marks or a CGPA of 6.0 on a 10-point scale in the qualifying degree.
• Final-year students can also apply, provided they complete their degree requirements by December 1, 2026. Admission will remain provisional until the final marksheet is submitted.

Selection Procedure

Check the IIM Calcutta selection procedure for PGDBA:

1. Shortlisting for Personal Interview (PI)

• Candidates will be shortlisted based on their PGDBA Computer-Based Test (CBT) score.
• An additional 2 marks will be awarded as a gender diversity score to women and transgender applicants for PI shortlisting.

2. Final Selection Criteria

The final selection to the PGDBA program is based on multiple components as shown below:

Calculation of Class XII / Diploma Score Weightage

Work Experience Points

Check the table below for the points to be awarded by evaluating the work experience:

IIM Calcutta PGDBA Application Fee

IIM Calcutta Doctoral Program Admissions 2026

The Doctoral Program at IIM Calcutta seeks candidates with strong academic credentials, and motivation to pursue rigorous research in management sciences and related fields. The program duration spans 4 to 5 years.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must meet one of the following educational qualifications:

• Master's/Postgraduate Diploma: First-class master's degree or a 2-year postgraduate diploma in any discipline. Candidate must have a 3-year bachelor's degree with at least 50% aggregate marks.
• Professional Qualifications:

1. CA with minimum 50% marks.
2. OR CS/CMA with minimum 55% marks.
3. Accompanied by a B.Com degree.

• A B.Tech. or equivalent 4-year degree with a minimum CGPA of 6.5 or equivalent.
• Applicants must have at least 50% aggregate marks in Secondary or Higher Secondary Board exams (or equivalent).

Accepted Admission Tests

• Applicants can apply for up to two areas of specialization.
• Must have taken the CAT 2025/ GMAT/ GRE scores or specified alternative tests valid as of January 30, 2026.

Exemptions from Admission Tests

• Candidates with an MBA/PGDM (full-time 2 years) from any IIM with a CGPA >= 6.00/9.00 (or equivalent) do not need to take admission tests.
• Such candidates can apply directly via the DP Online Application Process, paying the application fee and adhering to deadlines.
• Selection for exempted candidates follows the same procedure as others after application submission.

IIM Calcutta Admission Process 2026

1. Appear for CAT Exam

• The first and mandatory step is to appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted in November 2025.
• Candidates must meet the minimum IIM Calcutta CAT cutoff percentile set at 85th percentile.

2. Shortlisting for WAT and PI

Based on CAT scores, academic performance, work experience, and other parameters, the institute shortlists candidates for the next stage. Shortlisted candidates are called for:

• Written Ability Test (WAT)
• Personal Interview (PI)

3. Written Ability Test (WAT): Candidates write an essay on a given topic to evaluate their writing skills, clarity of thought, and communication.
4. Personal Interview (PI): A one-on-one interview conducted by a panel to assess the candidate's personality, academic background, work experience, and suitability for management education.
5. Final Selection: IIM Calcutta prepares a final merit list based on:

• CAT score.
• WAT score.
• PI performance.
• Academic records (10th, 12th, graduation).
• Work experience.
• Diversity factors.

How to Apply?

• Register and appear for CAT 2025.
• After CAT results, complete the online application form for IIM Calcutta's MBA program.
• Upload required documents such as academic transcripts, work experience certificates, photographs, and other necessary certificates.
• Appear for WAT and PI rounds as per the call letter.
• Await final admission results.