Full List of IIMs and Programmes Accepting CAT 2026 Scores

CAT 2026 Programmes: The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026) is the gateway to admission into management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other leading business schools across India. Conducted by IIM Indore, CAT 2026 scores are accepted by 22 IIMs for admission to MBA, Post Graduate Programme (PGP), Executive MBA, Business Analytics, HRM, Healthcare Management, Data Science, and Doctoral (PhD) programmes.

Candidates planning to appear for CAT 2026 should not only focus on the exam but also understand which IIMs accept CAT scores and the programmes available at each institute. Every IIM offers a unique combination of management courses with its own admission criteria, eligibility requirements, and selection process.

CAT 2026 Participating IIMs

CAT 2026 scores are accepted by the following 22 Indian Institutes of Management:

• IIM Ahmedabad

• IIM Amritsar

• IIM Bangalore

• IIM Bodh Gaya

• IIM Calcutta

• IIM Guwahati

• IIM Indore

• IIM Jammu

• IIM Kashipur

• IIM Kozhikode

• IIM Lucknow

• IIM Mumbai

• IIM Nagpur

• IIM Raipur

• IIM Ranchi

• IIM Rohtak

• IIM Sambalpur

• IIM Shillong

• IIM Sirmaur

• IIM Tiruchirappalli

• IIM Udaipur

• IIM Visakhapatnam

Full List of IIMs and Management Programmes Accepting CAT 2026 Scores

Doctoral (PhD/FPM) Programmes Through CAT 2026

Apart from MBA and PGP courses, CAT 2026 scores are also accepted for admission to doctoral-level management programmes at several IIMs.

Some of the doctoral programmes include:

• Doctoral Programme in Management (DPM)

• Fellow Programme in Management (FPM)

• PhD in Management

• Executive PhD

• PhD for Working Professionals

• Practice Track Doctoral Programmes

These programmes are available across IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Indore, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Raipur, Ranchi, Rohtak, Sambalpur, Shillong, Sirmaur, Tiruchirappalli, Udaipur, Visakhapatnam, and other participating IIMs.

Do All IIMs Have the Same Admission Process?

No. Although all IIMs accept CAT 2026 scores, each institute follows its own admission policy. After the CAT result is announced, IIMs prepare separate shortlists based on several factors, including:

• CAT percentile

• Academic performance

• Work experience

• Diversity criteria

• Written Ability Test (WAT), if applicable

• Personal Interview (PI)

The weight assigned to each parameter differs from one IIM to another. Therefore, candidates should check the admission policy of the institute they wish to join.

Do Non-IIM Institutes Also Accept CAT 2026 Scores?

Yes. In addition to the IIMs, several non-IIM management institutes across India use CAT 2026 scores for MBA admissions. The official list of participating non-IIM institutions is published on the CAT website. However, each institute independently conducts its admission process, and the IIMs are not involved in their selection procedures.

Which IIM Should You Choose?

The best IIM depends on your career goals and area of interest.

• Candidates interested in General Management can target flagship MBA or PGP programmes.

• Those aiming for careers in Business Analytics, AI, Data Science, or Digital Business have multiple specialised options across newer and older IIMs.

• Aspirants interested in HR, Healthcare, Finance, Sustainability, Tourism, Supply Chain, and Public Policy can also choose specialised MBA programmes offered by different IIMs.

• Working professionals can consider Executive MBA and blended management programmes available at several institutes.

Since every IIM has a different curriculum, placement profile, fee structure, and selection criteria, candidates should compare programmes carefully before applying.