IIM Kozhikode Admission Criteria 2026-28: PGP, PGP-Finance & PGP-LSM

05 January, 2026

Radhika Joshi

IIM Kozhikode’s PGP admissions for 2026-28 prioritize CAT 2025 scores alongside academics and diversity, with shortlisting via Aggregate Index Score (AIS) followed by WAT/PI rounds. The process applies reservations per GoI norms and verifies IIM Kozhikode Admission Criteria 2026–28: PGP, PGP-Finance & PGP-LS.

IIM Kozhikode Three-Stage Selection Process 2026

All three programs broadly follow a three-stage process, but with different cutoffs and weightages at each step:

Registration (for candidates meeting minimum eligibility criteria)
Shortlisting for WAT-PI based on AIS
Final selection after WAT-PI

Below is an IIM Kozhikode Program-wise breakdown

PGP (Post Graduate Programme) – Detailed Breakdown

Stage 1: Registration for Candidates Meeting Minimum Eligibility Criteria To be considered for PGP, you must first meet the following basic requirements:

Minimum 60% aggregate marks in a bachelor’s degree of at least 3 years duration after 10+2
OR, if you are CA/CMA/CS: minimum 50% aggregate marks
A positive scaled score (greater than zero) in all sections of CAT 2025

Table 1: PGP Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Category	CAT Score Percentile	Sectional Percentile	SSC/X %	HSC/XII %
GEN	85	75	60	60
OBC-NCL/EWS	75	65	60	60
SC	65	55	55	55
ST/PwD	55	45	55	55

Note: Percentages are always calculated using the aggregate marks of all subjects mentioned on the mark sheet, regardless of how your board calculates its own aggregate.

Important: Stage 1 is only for pre-interview registration. It is not an interview call. All candidates who meet the minimum criteria and complete the online registration correctly are considered for Stage 2.

Stage 2: Shortlisting for WAT-PI In Stage 2, IIM Kozhikode evaluates candidates using an Aggregate Index Score (AIS), which combines multiple components.

Table 2: PGP Aggregate Index Score (AIS) – Stage 2

Component	Weightage
CAT 2025 Index Score	50%
Class X Percentage Score	15%
Class XII Percentage Score	20%
Gender/Academic Diversity	10% or 5%
Work Experience	5%
TOTAL	100%

Table 3: PGP Final Score Computation

Component	Weightage
CAT 2025 Index Score	35%
PI Score	35%
WAT Score	20%
Resume Score	10%
TOTAL	100%

Resume Score Breakdown (PGP)

Factor	Score = 5	Score = 0
Professional Qualification	Qualified CA/CMA/CS	Not qualified
Professional Certification	Completed CFA Level 1/2/3	Not completed

You can score up to 10 points on the resume: 5 for a professional qualification (CA/CMA/CS) and 5 for CFA (any of Level 1, 2, or 3).

PGP-Finance – Detailed Breakdown

Stage 1: Registration for Candidates Meeting Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Basic eligibility:

Minimum 60% aggregate marks in graduation (minimum 3 years after 10+2)
For CA/CMA/CS: minimum 50% aggregate
Positive scaled scores in all sections of the CAT/GRE/GMAT
Test window: CAT 2025 or GRE/GMAT taken between 1 January and 31 December 2025

Note: GMAT Focus Edition is accepted. However, GRE and GMAT home-based test scores are not accepted.

Table 1: PGP-Finance Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Category	Quantitative Ability	Data Interpretation	Verbal Ability	SSC/X %	HSC/XII %
GEN	85	80	70	60	60
OBC-NCL/EWS	75	70	65	60	60
SC	65	60	60	55	55
ST/PwD	60	55	55	55	55

Note: The higher cutoffs in Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation reflect the program’s strong finance orientation.

Stage 2: Shortlisting for WAT-PI

Table 2: PGP-Finance Aggregate Index Score (AIS) – Stage 2

Component	Weightage
Scaled Sectional Score – Quantitative	20%
Scaled Sectional Score – DI	20%
Class X Percentage Score	10%
Class XII Percentage Score	15%
Work Experience	10%
PGP-Finance Suitability Score	20%
Gender Diversity	5%
TOTAL	100%

PGP-Finance Suitability Matrix (Certifications)

Certification Level	Marks
CFA Level 1 / FRM Level 1 / PRM Exam I	2
CFA Level 2 / FRM Level 2 / PRM Exam II	4
CFA Level 3	6

These raw marks are normalized and given a weightage of 20% in the AIS. Even a Level 1 certification can meaningfully strengthen your profile.

Annexure 1: PGP-Finance – Class X and XII Scoring

Class X Marks

Percentage	Score	Percentage	Score
60 or below	0.00	75	5.00
65	1.67	80	6.67
70	3.33	85	8.33
–	–	90+	10.00

Values between these points are obtained using linear interpolation. Below 60% gets zero points.

Class XII Marks

Percentage	Score	Percentage	Score
60 or below	0.00	75	7.50
65	2.50	80	10.00
70	5.00	85	12.50
–	–	90+	15.00

For experience, the score peaks at 35–36 months (10 points), higher than the PGP’s maximum of 5 points, highlighting how important work experience is for PGP-Finance.

Stage 3: Final Selection

Table 4: PGP-Finance Final Score Computation

Component	Weightage
PI Score	35%
WAT Score	10%
Scaled Sectional Score – Quantitative	15%
Scaled Sectional Score – DI	15%
Work Experience Score	10%
Finance Orientation Score	15%
TOTAL	100%

Key Point: Unlike the general PGP, the overall CAT score is not directly used in the final computation. Instead, your Quant and DI sectional scores are considered separately, and the panel gives a Finance Orientation Score based on your knowledge, passion, and clarity about a career in finance.

PGP-LSM (Liberal Studies and Management) – Detailed Breakdown

Stage 1: Registration for Candidates Meeting Eligibility Criteria

Basic eligibility:

Minimum 60% aggregate in graduation/post-graduation (minimum 3 years after 10+2)
For CA/CMA/CS: minimum 50% aggregate
A valid CAT/GRE/GMAT score (test taken between 1 January and 31 December 2025)
Positive scaled scores in all CAT sections
Final-year students are allowed to apply provisionally
GMAT Focus Edition is accepted; GRE/GMAT home-based scores are not accepted

Table 1: PGP-LSM Minimum Eligibility Criteria

Category	Verbal Section	Reasoning Section	Other Section
GEN	80	80	60
OBC-NCL/EWS	70	70	60
SC	60	60	60
ST/PwD	55	55	55

Note: Verbal and Reasoning section cutoffs are higher than Quantitative. This reflects the liberal studies orientation of the program.

Stage 2: Shortlisting for WAT-PI

Table 2: PGP-LSM Aggregate Index Score (AIS) – Stage 2

Component	Weightage
Verbal & Reasoning Scaled Scores	40%
Class X Percentage Score	20%
Class XII Percentage Score	20%
Academic Diversity	10%
Gender Diversity	5%
Work Experience	5%
TOTAL	100%

Academic Diversity Scoring

If your basic bachelor’s degree is non-engineering, you get the full 10 points.
If you hold both an engineering and a non-engineering degree, you receive 10 points only if your non-engineering degree has an aggregate of at least 60%.

Annexure 1: PGP-LSM Work Experience Score. The work-experience scoring pattern is the same as for the general PGP:

The score rises with experience, peaks at 35–36 months (5 points), and then gradually declines.

Stage 3: Final Selection

Table 3: PGP-LSM Final Score Computation

Component	Weightage
AIS Score (from Stage 2)	40%
WAT Score	20%
PI Score	40%
TOTAL	100%

Key Point: For PGP-LSM, your AIS from Stage 2 carries forward entirely into the final score. This means your academic performance, diversity, and work experience continue to matter even after WAT-PI.

Read More: IIT Delhi MBA admission process

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IIM Kozhikode Admission Criteria 2026

Missing Registration Deadlines: Clearing cutoffs isn’t enough. Missing Stage 1 registration leads to direct elimination.
Casual Documentation: Organize transcripts, category certificates, work-ex letters, payslips, bank statements, and certifications early.
Applying to the Wrong Program: Don’t apply to PGP-Finance or PGP-LSM without a genuine interest—misalignment is obvious in interviews.
Misreporting Work Experience: IIM Kozhikode strictly verifies work experience; discrepancies can cause immediate disqualification.
Ignoring Current Affairs: All programs require a strong awareness of business, the economy, and global events.
Memorized Answers: Panels spot scripted responses easily. Prepare themes, not fixed answers.
Incorrect Diversity Claims: Ensure gender and academic background details are filled correctly to receive eligible diversity points.
Generic Preparation: Tailor your preparation to the program, including PGP (General Management), PGP-Finance (Finance Depth), and PGP-LSM (Liberal, Interdisciplinary).

IIM Kozhikode Admission Criteria 20Financial Considerations

Admission Fee

All candidates who accept an admission offer must pay ₹1,00,000 as part of the acceptance process.

Withdrawal Policy

You are eligible for a refund only if you withdraw before the deadline mentioned in the official withdrawal procedure.
Processing charges are deducted as per the Government of India norms.
Refunds may take 2–3 months to be processed due to administrative workflows.
If you withdraw after the deadline, you will receive a refund only if the batch size remains above the minimum approved number.

Plan carefully. Once you accept an offer and pay the fee, withdrawing later has both financial and procedural implications.

IIM Kozhikode Admission Criteria: Final Thoughts

Three Big Takeaways

Choose the Right Program. Don’t apply to PGP just because it is the flagship option. Depending on your background and interests, PGP-Finance or PGP-LSM might actually be a better fit.
Build Your Profile Early. Your academic background, certifications, and work experience all accumulate over time. Start shaping your profile 1–2 years before applying, not just a few months before CAT.
Be Authentic. In the final analysis, interviews reward genuine interest, clarity, and honesty more than memorized answers. Understand your own story and be comfortable telling it.

IIM Kozhikode is looking for future leaders who combine strong academics with diverse perspectives, domain strengths, and the ability to contribute meaningfully in class and beyond. With a clear strategy, disciplined preparation, and authentic self-presentation, you can significantly improve your chances of joining one of India’s leading management institutes.

All the best for your journey to IIM Kozhikode!