IIM CAP 2027: Participating IIMs, CAT Cutoffs, Process and Who Should Apply

If your CAT percentile is good but not good enough for the top IIMs, the Common Admission Process, or CAP, is one of the most useful second chances in MBA admissions. You fill one application, give one interview, and that interview score is shared with every participating IIM. Here is how IIM CAP works, which IIMs take part, the CAT cutoffs, the timeline and who should apply.

The Short Answer

IIM CAP is a common selection process run after CAT results. A candidate registers once, books one personal interview, and the interview score is shared with all participating IIMs. In the last cycle (the 2026-28 batch), the participating IIMs were IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Sirmaur. The CAT cutoff for a CAP interview call was 90 percentile overall for the General category, with at least 65 percentile in each section. There is no separate written test or group discussion, only the interview. The CAP process for the 2027-29 batch will follow CAT 2026, which is on 29 November 2026.

What Is IIM CAP?

CAP stands for Common Admission Process. Instead of applying separately to each IIM and giving a separate interview at each, you apply once, and a single IIM runs the interview on behalf of the group. The score from that interview is then shared with every participating IIM, which uses it with your CAT score, academics and profile to build its own merit list.

For you, that means:

• One form and one interview for several IIMs
• A second route to an IIM if you miss the individual calls from the older IIMs
• No separate written test or group discussion in the CAP round, since it is an interview round

Which IIMs Participate?

For the 2026-28 batch, three IIMs took part: IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Sirmaur. In earlier cycles the list was longer. IIM Raipur, Sambalpur, Udaipur, Kashipur, Ranchi, Nagpur and Trichy have since left CAP and run their own selection, so do not assume an IIM still participates because it did in the past.

The list of participating IIMs and the seat count can change from year to year, so check the official CAP website once the 2027 cycle is announced.

IIM CAP Eligibility

• A graduation degree from a recognised university
• At least 50% marks (or equivalent) for General and EWS candidates, and 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates
• A valid CAT scorecard
• CAT percentile at or above the CAP cutoff, both overall and in each section
• Work experience is not required

Final-year students can apply under the usual conditions. Check the exact wording on the CAP brochure when it is released.

IIM CAP CAT Cutoffs

These are the cutoffs used for the CAP interview call in the last cycle, based on CAT 2025. The 2027 cutoffs have not been announced.

Qualifying Cutoff vs Realistic Call Percentile

The table above is the minimum to be considered. The percentile at which people actually got calls and converted was higher, and each IIM sets its own bar for the final list. Estimated General-category ranges for the last cycle were:

These are estimates, since the IIMs do not publish safe percentiles. If you are at the bottom of the qualifying band, treat CAP as a back-up and not your only plan.

IIM CAP Process: Step by Step

1. CAT result. CAT 2026 is on 29 November 2026, and the result comes in January 2027.
2. Registration. Register on the CAP portal using your CAT details, fill in the form and upload your documents. The portal opens after the CAT result.
3. Shortlist. The participating IIMs shortlist candidates on CAT score and eligibility, and the coordinating IIM invites eligible candidates to the interview.
4. Interview fee and slot. Shortlisted candidates pay a fee of about ₹2,000 and book an interview slot. Slots are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, so book early.
5. Personal interview. The interview can be online or in person, and it covers your academics, work experience or projects, career goals, reasons for an MBA, current affairs and leadership.
6. Score sharing. The interview score is shared with all participating IIMs.
7. Final merit list. Each IIM combines your CAT score, interview, academics and profile into its own merit list and releases its own results.
8. Offers and waitlist. Offers go out by email, and waitlists move for several weeks.

Typical Timeline

In the last cycle, the shortlist came in late January, interviews ran from mid-February to late March, and final results were released in the first half of May. The 2027-29 dates have not been announced, but expect a similar pattern after the January 2027 CAT result. Our calendar of MBA forms closing in November 2026 covers the deadlines that fall before CAT.

Is IIM CAP Worth It?

Reasons to apply

• It gives you three IIM options for one form and one interview.
• It is open to freshers, so work experience is not needed.
• It is a good fit if you scored 88 to 95 and missed calls from the older IIMs.

Reasons to think carefully

• Fees run from roughly ₹17 lakh to ₹23 lakh depending on the IIM, so compare it with your other options.
• These are newer IIMs, and placements and brand pull are not at the level of the top IIMs. Our post on baby IIMs and new IIMs vs IIT MBA explains the trade-offs.
• Seats fill fast and waitlists move, so decide your priorities in advance.

If you have a gap year, see how colleges treat it in our post on gap year and MBA admissions.

Who Should Apply?

• Candidates at 90 to 95 percentile who want an IIM and did not get the older IIM calls
• Women who can use the lower overall cutoff and the extra seats at IIM Sirmaur
• Reserved category candidates, since the category cutoffs are much lower than General
• Anyone who wants more IIM options without extra interviews

If you score above 97, you will likely have stronger options. Check where you stand in our guide to CAT percentile vs colleges for engineers and non-engineers.

How to Prepare for the CAP Interview

• Know your academics and your story. Be ready to explain your marks, projects and work experience.
• Be clear on why an MBA and why now. A vague answer is the quickest way to lose marks.
• Read about the participating IIMs. Know their programmes, fees and what makes each different.
• Prepare current affairs and your areas of interest.
• Practise a mock interview with someone who will push back.

What We Do Not Know Yet

• The list of participating IIMs for the 2027-29 batch has not been announced.
• The CAT 2026 CAP cutoffs, dates and registration fee are not out.
• The weightage of CAT, the interview and academics is set by each IIM and can change.
• Fees differ between listings, so confirm the current fee for each IIM.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IIM CAP? The Common Admission Process, a joint selection process where you register once and give one interview that several IIMs use.

Which IIMs are in CAP? IIM Jammu, IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Sirmaur were part of the last cycle.

What CAT percentile is needed for IIM CAP? At least 90 overall for General (85 for women and transgender candidates), with 65 in each section. A strong chance generally needs more.

Is there a written test or group discussion in CAP? No, only a personal interview.

Do I need work experience? No.

When will IIM CAP 2027 start? After the CAT 2026 result in January 2027. CAT 2026 is on 29 November 2026, and the official dates will be announced later.

How many IIMs can I get through CAP? You can be considered by all participating IIMs, and each issues its own offers.

Is the CAP fee refundable? The fee is typically non-refundable, so check the brochure before you pay.

Final Word

IIM CAP is a simple way to turn a decent CAT score into a few IIM options with one form and one interview, as long as you meet the sectional cutoffs and are comfortable with newer IIMs. Prepare your interview story early, keep it as part of a wider list, and decide your priorities before the offers arrive. Participating IIMs, cutoffs and dates change every year, so confirm the latest details on the official CAP website before you apply.