![Indian Institute of Management, [IIM] Calcutta](https://media.getmyuni.com/azure/college-image/small/indian-institute-of-management-iim-calcutta.jpg)
Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta), established in 1961, is India’s first IIM and a global leader in management education with triple-crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS). Renowned for its rigorous academics and stellar placements, IIM Calcutta is a top choice for an MBA in India. For 2026, IIM C offers MBA, Executive MBA (MBA Ex), PhD, and executive education programs.
This guide covers IIM Calcutta admission 2026, including eligibility, application process, fees, and selection criteria for CAT 2025 aspirants, working professionals, and international students. With a 7th rank in NIRF 2025 and a legacy of producing leaders like Indra Nooyi, IIM Calcutta offers unmatched opportunities.
IIM Calcutta Eligibility Criteria 2026
IIM Calcutta admission 2026 requires candidates to meet specific academic, professional, and entrance exam criteria tailored to each program. Below are the detailed requirements for the flagship MBA and others.
Academic Requirements for IIM Calcutta Eligibility 2026
- MBA: Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university. Final-year students are eligible provisionally.
- MBA Ex (Executive MBA): Bachelor’s degree in any discipline; no minimum percentage specified, but a strong academic record is preferred.
- PhD: Master’s degree with 60% marks or 6.5 CGPA (55% for SC/ST/PwD), or CA (50%) with B.Com, CS/CMA (55%), or 4-year B.Tech with 6.5 CGPA.
- Executive Education: Bachelor’s degree; program-specific requirements vary (e.g., 10+ years for senior programs).
For comprehensive details on IIM Calcutta eligibility 2026, review program-specific benchmarks.
Work Experience for IIM Calcutta Admission 2026
- MBA: Not mandatory, but adds weight (up to 10% in shortlisting and 8% in final score).
- MBA Ex: Minimum 5 years of managerial/professional experience post-bachelor’s as of March 31, 2026.
- PhD: Not required, but relevant research or industry experience strengthens applications.
- Executive Education: Typically 3+ years, depending on the program (e.g., the CFO Programme requires 10 years).
Age & Other Criteria
- No age limit for any program.
- Valid entrance exam scores: CAT 2025 (MBA), GMAT/GRE (MBA Ex/PhD), UGC-NET/JRF (PhD).
- International students: GMAT/GRE for MBA Ex/PhD; English proficiency required.
Reservation Categories
- As per Government of India norms: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), NC-OBC (27%), EWS (10%), PwD (5%).
- Relaxed cutoffs and eligibility criteria apply (e.g., 45% for SC/ST/PwD in MBA)
IIM Calcutta Admission Process 2026
The IIM Calcutta application process 2026 is structured to identify high-potential candidates through a multi-stage evaluation. Below are the steps for MBA and other programs.
Step 1: Entrance Exam for IIM Calcutta Admission 2026
- CAT 2025 Registration: August 1–September 13, 2025, via iimcat.ac.in (fee: INR 2,500 General/INR 1,250 reserved).
- Exam Date: November 30, 2025.
- Expected Cutoff: General: 99 percentile overall (VARC 85, DILR 80, QA 75); NC-OBC: 95; SC: 90; ST: 80; PwD: 70.
- Weightage: CAT score contributes 56% to shortlisting.
- For MBA Ex/PhD: GMAT/GRE submission by deadlines (e.g., MBA Ex rounds Jul–Nov 2025).
Refer to IIM Calcutta cutoff for historical trends.
Step 2: Shortlisting & WAT/PI
- Criteria: CAT score (56 points), academics (10th: 10 points, 12th: 15 points, graduation: 10 points), work experience (up to 10 points), gender/academic diversity (up to 10 points).
- Shortlist Announcement: Mid-January 2026 via iimcal.ac.in.
- Process: Apply online post-CAT using CAT ID (fee: INR 1,000); shortlisted for Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) in February–March 2026 (virtual/in-person).
- Tips: Prepare for WAT on current affairs; PI focuses on goals and ethics.
Explore IIM Calcutta admission for form guidelines.
Step 3: Final Selection
- Composite Score: CAT (30%), WAT/PI (48%), academics (28%), work experience/diversity (14%).
- Final Offers: April 2026, based on merit list and category-wise seats (465 for MBA).
- Acceptance: Pay INR 1 lakh commitment fee by the deadline.
- For MBA Ex: Three rounds with interviews in Sep/Dec 2025.
- PhD: Applications Jan 2026, interviews Apr–May.
IIM Calcutta Important Dates 2026
Key dates for IIM Calcutta important dates 2026 ensure a smooth application process. While tentative, monitor iimcal.ac.in for confirmations.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Registration | August 1–September 13, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Admit Card | November 5, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam | November 30, 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Result | January 2026 (Tentative) |
| IIM Calcutta Shortlist Announcement | Mid-January 2026 |
| WAT/PI Rounds | February–March 2026 |
| Final Admission Offers | April 2026 |
| MBA Ex Application Rounds | Round 1: Jul 7–Aug 20, 2025; Round 2: Aug 21–Oct 15; Round 3: Oct 16–Nov 26 |
| MBA Ex Interviews | Sep 13–14 (Round 1); Dec 13–14 (Rounds 2 & 3) |
| PhD Application Window | January 1–31, 2026 |
| PhD Interviews | April–May 2026 |
| PhD Offers | June 2026 |
| Session Commences | June 2026 (MBA) |
IIM Calcutta Fees 2026
IIM Calcutta fees 2026 include application and program costs, payable in installments.
| Program | Application Fee (INR) | Program Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| MBA | INR 2,500 (General/NC-OBC/EWS); INR 1,250 (SC/ST/PwD) via CAT | INR 31 Lakhs (2 years, includes tuition, hostel, materials) |
| MBA Ex | INR 5,000 | INR 33.5 Lakhs (1 year, includes INR 2 Lakhs non-refundable commitment) |
| PhD | INR 1,000 (General); INR 500 (Reserved) | Nominal (tuition waived + INR 35,000/month stipend) |
| Executive Education | INR 2,000–5,000 (program-specific) | INR 1.2–6.36 Lakhs |
Payment Process for IIM Calcutta Fees 2026
- CAT: Online via iimcat.ac.in (cards/net banking).
- Institute Application: Post-shortlist via portal.
- MBA Ex/PhD: During submission on iimcal.ac.in.
Refund Policy
- CAT fees: Non-refundable.
- MBA Ex commitment fee (INR 2 Lakhs): Non-refundable post-acceptance.
- Program fees: Partial refunds per institute policy if withdrawn before session start.
For breakdowns, visit IIM Calcutta course fees.
IIM Calcutta Reservation & Scholarships 2026
IIM Calcutta ensures inclusivity through reservations and financial support.
Category-Wise Reservation
- As per GoI Norms: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), NC-OBC (27%), EWS (10%), PwD (5%).
- Benefits: Relaxed cutoffs (e.g., MBA: 45% for SC/ST/PwD vs. 50% for General) and seat allocation (465 MBA seats).
- Verification: Submit valid category certificates during application.
IIM Calcutta Scholarships 2026 & Financial Aid
| Scholarship | Description | Amount (INR) | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| OP Jindal | Merit-based for PGP | 80,000–1.5 Lakhs | Top PGP performers |
| Aditya Birla | Academic excellence | 1.75 Lakhs | High scores + need |
| T. Thomas | Merit for second-year PGP | Variable | Academic merit |
| Need-Based Assistance | For low-income | Up to 50% waiver | Family income < INR 5 Lakhs/year |
| Merit-cum-Means | Combines merit/need | Up to 50% waiver | CAT score + financial need |
- Loans from SBI/ICICI cover 100%.
- Apply post-admission via portal.
- Explore IIM Calcutta scholarships for applications.
IIM Calcutta Admission Tips 2026
Succeeding in IIM Calcutta admission 2026 requires strategic preparation. Below are actionable tips.
CAT & PI Preparation Tips for IIM Calcutta 2026
- CAT 2025: Focus on sectional balance (VARC/DILR/QA). Practice mocks; aim 99+ percentile.
- WAT/PI: Prepare current affairs, achievements, goals. Practice concise WAT (300 words); mock PIs for confidence.
- Time Management: 6–8 months CAT prep; PI post-shortlist.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in IIM Calcutta Application 2026
- Ignoring sectionals: 99 overall won't qualify below 75–85.
- Weak SOP: Align with IIMC values (innovation/leadership).
- Incomplete docs: Verify transcripts/certificates.
- Underestimating PI: Clarify "Why MBA?".
