Every year, IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) selects roughly 400–460 students for its flagship MBA (PGP) batch — making it one of the most competitive admissions in India.
IIM Ahmedabad is considered to be the most prestigious management institute in India. It has consistently remained the top preference for CAT aspirants for many years. The institute is well known for its world-class faculty, strict curriculum and outstanding results that are reflected well in its average package of approximately INR 34.45 LPA, one of the highest in the country. This, of course, makes the admissions into it a very competitive one.
For the year 2025, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) welcomed 460 students to two of its flagship programmes. Of them, 414 students joined the 62nd batch of the Two-Year Full-Time Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP).
Total Applicants and Selection Breakdown for IIM Ahmedabad MBA 2026
A proper understanding of applicant volumes and final admissions brings clarity to the competitiveness of the process. Every year, more than 2.6 lakh candidates enter an eligibility pool created based on the CAT score, which has about 25 percent weight.
Thus, individuals below the 99th percentile might get invited too. Subsequent reviews of applications remove a lot of candidates due to weaknesses in the profiles, generic statements, or inconsistencies. Just 1,271 candidates reach the WAT-PI stage.
The WAT-PI stage takes up roughly 60 percent of the weight in the evaluation, culminating in just 468 final admissions to its flagship MBA program and an acceptance rate of 0.17 percent. This filtration shows the stringent standards of the institution and how robust academics, lucid goal articulation and genuineness play a central role in the application.
|
Category |
Number of Applicants |
|
General (GEN) |
1,76,635 |
|
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) |
13,975 |
|
Other Backwards Class - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) |
46,011 |
|
Scheduled Caste (SC) |
21,163 |
|
Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
5,597 |
|
Persons with Disabilities (PwD) |
1,092 |
|
Total |
2,64,473 |
Also Read: Online and Hybrid Executive MBA Programs from IIMs in 2025
Total Number of Candidates Shortlisted for WAT-PI
A large portion of applicants get filtered out after submitting their IIM Ahmedabad application. This makes the WAT-PI shortlist one of the most selective stages in the entire process. Of course, the CAT score plays an important role, but remember that it contributes only 25% to the overall evaluation.
So candidates with strong profiles, along with meaningful experiences, also stand a solid chance. IIM Ahmedabad looks for authenticity, clarity of thought and honest expression in the application form. Thus, too generic or AI-generated answers often lead to the rejection of candidates.
|
Category |
WAT-PI Shortlisted |
|
General (GEN) |
597 |
|
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) |
30 |
|
Other Backwards Class - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) |
312 |
|
Scheduled Caste (SC) |
174 |
|
Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
102 |
|
Persons with Disabilities (PwD) |
56 |
|
Total |
1,271 |
Related Links:
- CAT Result 2025: Release Date (Jan), Download IIM CAT Scorecard
- CAT Selection Process: IIM and Non IIM Admission Criteria, Imp Dates, PI Shortlist
- CAT Participating Colleges 2025: Check Top IIMs, Tier 1, 2, and 3 Colleges
Total Number of Final Admitted Candidates at IIM Ahmedabad
The total number of applicants finally admitted to the IIM Ahmedabad MBA program is extremely small compared to the massive pool of CAT test-takers. Out of 2,64,473 applicants, only 468 candidates were offered final admission. This means that the acceptance rate of just 0.17 per cent. This makes IIM Ahmedabad one of the toughest institutions to enter in the country.
|
Category |
Applicants |
Admitted |
Difference |
Acceptance Rate (%) |
|
General (GEN) |
1,76,635 |
208 |
1,76,427 |
0.11% |
|
Economically Weaker Section (EWS) |
13,975 |
11 |
13,964 |
0.07% |
|
Other Backward Class - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) |
46,011 |
112 |
45,899 |
0.24% |
|
Scheduled Caste (SC) |
21,163 |
71 |
21,092 |
0.33% |
|
Scheduled Tribe (ST) |
5,597 |
40 |
5,557 |
0.71% |
|
Persons with Disabilities (PwD) |
1,092 |
26 |
1,066 |
2.38% |
|
Total |
2,64,473 |
468 |
2,64,005 |
0.17% |
Conclusion
In the MBA Admissions landscape, admission to IIM Ahmedabad is considered to be one of the toughest challenges. With over 2.64 lakh applicants and only 468 final admissions, a high CAT percentile is not adequate for success. The data indicates that a well-rounded profile, genuine responses and good performance in both written evaluation and personal interview are valued by the institute. Most candidates are screened out at the application stage, thereby underlining the importance of authenticity and reflective self-presentation.
IIM Ahmedabad seeks potential leaders who show potential, purpose and discipline. Aspirants can substantially enhance their chances of admission to this elite institute through focused preparation and an authentic approach.
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