IIM Kozhikode MBA Admission 2026: CAT cut-off stays at 85 percentile; three-stage selection explained

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) has retained its three-stage admission policy for the postgraduate management programme (PGP) batch 2026-28, with the final weightage for CAT 2025 scores fixed at 35%. The minimum overall CAT cut-off for general category candidates remains at 85 percentile.

Only candidates with a positive scaled score in all three sections of CAT 2025 — verbal ability and reading comprehension (VARC), quantitative aptitude (QA), and data interpretation and logical reasoning (DILR) – will be considered for the three-stage selection process.

According to the IIM Kozhikode CAT cut-off 2025, general category candidates should secure at least 85 overall percentile and 75 sectional percentile, while OBC-NCL and EWS candidates require 75 overall and 65 sectional percentile. The overall CAT cut-off 2025 drops to 65 and 55 for SC and ST respectively.

For the second stage, candidates' previous academic qualifications will be considered. Candidates must have scored a minimum of 60% in Class 10 and 12, with relaxed criteria for reserved categories.

IIM Kozhikode MBA Admission 2026: Stage 1

In the first stage, candidates having the minimum CAT percentile score in each section will be shortlisted. Such candidates will have to complete a mandatory online registration process.

Also read CAT 2025 cut-offs for all IIMs out; sectional cut-off percentiles remain high for first-stage selection

IIM Kozhikode: Stage 2 selection criteria

In stage 2, eligible candidates will be shortlisted for personal interview (PI) based on an aggregate index score (AIS), with CAT performance getting the highest weightage of 50%, followed by Class 12 (20%) and Class 10 (15%). The list of shortlisted candidates will be displayed on the registration portal around the second week of January 2026.

The interview call letters, venue details, and other relevant information will be available on the IIM Kozhikode official website.

Also read CAT Toppers List 2025: Non-engineers dominate top scores; 12 candidates secure perfect 100 percentile

IIM Kozhikode: Stage 3

In the final round, the required number of admission offers will be given in the order of merit around the first week of May 2026. A limited number of candidates will be kept on the waiting list.