IIM Sambalpur Removes Sectional Cut-off for MBA 2026–28
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IIM Sambalpur Removes Sectional Cut-off for MBA 2026–28, marking a major change in its admission policy. As per the IIM Sambalpur latest admission update, the institute will no longer apply sectional percentile cut-offs in CAT for shortlisting. Instead, IIM Sambalpur no sectional cutoff MBA policy emphasizes overall CAT percentile and a holistic candidate profile.
This IIM Sambalpur MBA 2026–28 admission news benefits aspirants who perform unevenly across sections while maintaining basic competency through positive raw scores. The IIM Sambalpur CAT cutoff update reflects a fairer, more inclusive evaluation approach.
What is IIM Sambalpur Admission Criteria Update?
The main change is the decision where IIM Sambalpur Removes Sectional Cut-off for MBA 2026–28. This shift is crucial for all aspiring candidates. It highlights a move towards a more comprehensive assessment of applicants. Mentioned here are key updates from the IIM Sambalpur Admission. Check the details mentioned below:
IIM Sambalpur Admission Criteria 2026–28 Key Changes
IIM Sambalpur has clearly defined its updated approach for MBA 2026–28 admissions. The biggest change involves removing sectional percentile cut-offs at the CAT shortlisting stage. Instead of section-by-section filtering, the institute now considers the overall CAT percentile. It also checks basic sectional eligibility. This aligns with IIM Sambalpur's goal to use multiple parameters. These include academics, work experience, and interview performance, not just CAT sections.
IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff 2026 Overall Percentile Explained
For Stage 1 shortlisting, IIM Sambalpur relies on minimum overall CAT percentile cut-offs. These cut-offs determine which candidates progress in the admission process. They act as eligibility thresholds, not guaranteed call benchmarks. Actual calls may require higher scores due to competition.
Minimum Overall CAT 2025 Percentile for MBA 2026–28
| Minimum Overall CAT 2025 Percentile for MBA 2026–28 | |
|---|---|
| Category | Overall CAT Percentil |
| General | 90 |
| EWS | 80 |
| NC-OBC | 75 |
| SC | 55 |
| ST | 40 |
| DAP | 40 |
Special Relaxation
General category male candidates with at least one year of relevant work experience and all female candidates receive relaxation. For these groups, the General category cut-off reduces to 85 percentile.
Sectional Requirement Clarified
This is a vital point for students. IIM Sambalpur does not apply any sectional percentile cut-off for CAT 2025. However, one basic condition remains. Each section (VARC, DILR, QA) must have a positive raw score. A zero or negative score in any section leads to rejection. This rule ensures basic competence. It does not penalize uneven performance. A candidate strong in two sections but average in one still qualifies. This is a key IIM Sambalpur CAT cutoff update.
IIM Sambalpur Previous Year Cutoffs
Last year, for the 2025-2027 session, clearing both sectional and overall CAT cutoffs was mandatory for GDPI shortlisting. This year, IIM Sambalpur removed sectional cutoff. This represents a significant change.
| IIM Sambalpur Previous Year Cutoffs | ||||
| Category | QA | DILR | VARC | Overall |
| General | 65 | 65 | 65 | 90 |
| EWS | 60 | 60 | 60 | 80 |
| NC-OBC | 55 | 55 | 55 | 75 |
| SC | 40 | 40 | 40 | 55 |
| ST | 35 | 35 | 35 | 40 |
| DAP | 35 | 35 | 35 | 40 |
Impact on CAT 2025 Aspirants
The decision where IIM Sambalpur no sectional cutoff MBA changes both preparation strategy and expectations. Many aspirants will benefit from this update. Candidates with uneven section scores now remain in the race. Non-engineers and first-time test-takers gain more confidence. More students will qualify for Stage 1 shortlisting.
After Stage 1, IIM Sambalpur uses a Pre-PI score out of 75. This score considers multiple factors. These include CAT score weightage, academic consistency, relevant work experience, and gender diversity. The CAT score calculation itself uses section percentiles. However, the overall weight stays balanced. No single section dominates the evaluation.
Key Rules of IIM Sambalpur Admissions
Listed here are the key rules of IIM Sambalpur Admissions that one must stay aware of:
Rule 1: No Sectional Percentile Cut-off
IIM Sambalpur has removed the fixed sectional percentile cut-off for MBA 2026–28 admissions. Candidates only need to achieve a positive raw score in each CAT section (VARC, DILR, QA). This promotes a broader evaluation of applicants.
Rule 2: Overall CAT Percentile Thresholds
Candidates must meet minimum overall CAT percentile cut-offs based on their category. These thresholds make candidates eligible for shortlisting. They do not guarantee a Personal Interview (PI) call.
Rule 3: Holistic Evaluation
The admission process includes a holistic review. This review considers overall CAT performance, academic consistency, relevant work experience, and personal interview performance. Gender diversity also plays a role in the Pre-PI score calculation.