IIM Nagpur MBA Admission Criteria 2026-28: Complete Official Guide

22 December, 2025

Radhika Joshi

IIM Nagpur has shared its admission policy for the 2026–28 MBA batch. If you are interested in applying, this blog will walk you through the entire selection process, from CAT cutoffs to final admission offers. The MBA at IIM Nagpur is a two-year, full-time residential program. This is the institute’s main course and is officially known as the Postgraduate Programme in Management (PGP). For the 2026–28 batch, IIM Nagpur will admit 340 students across various categories, in accordance with government reservation rules.

Seat Distribution and Category-wise Reservation

Category	Reservation (%)	Number of Seats
General	—	120
EWS (Economically Weaker Section)	10%	34
NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	27%	92
SC (Scheduled Caste)	15%	51
ST (Scheduled Tribe)	7.5%	26
DAP (Differently Abled Persons)	5% (Horizontal)	17
Total Intake	—	340

You cannot change your category at any point during the admissions process. Also, the total number of seats may be revised before admissions begin, and IIM Nagpur may modify the shortlisting and selection criteria if required.

IIM Nagpur Admission Process

The Three-Stage IIM Nagpur Admission Process

The MBA 2026–28 admission process at IIM Nagpur has three main stages. Selection depends on several factors:

CAT 2025 score
Past academic performance
Work experience
Gender diversity
Performance in the Personal Interview and Extempore

Stage 1: CAT Cutoff Screening

In Stage 1, IIM Nagpur reviews all candidates who took CAT 2025 using the institute’s set cutoffs. Only your CAT 2025 score will be considered for the initial shortlist.

You must score above zero in all three CAT sections: VARC, DILR, and QA. If you score zero or less in any section, you won’t be considered for admission.

CAT 2025 Sectional and Overall Cutoffs

Here are the minimum percentile requirements by category:

Category	VARC	DILR	QA	Overall
General	70	70	70	95
EWS	60	60	60	85
NC-OBC	60	60	60	85
SC	45	45	45	65
ST	25	25	25	40
DAP	25	25	25	40

Note: These cut-offs are only for shortlisting purposes and do not apply to final admission offers, for which scores may be significantly higher.

If you meet these cutoffs, IIM Nagpur will contact you via email. To move forward, you’ll need to fill out and submit the required application form before the deadline.

Application Requirements

Shortlisted candidates have to submit a detailed application that includes:

Details and copies of all mark sheets: Class 10, Class 12/Diploma, and graduation
Semester-wise or year-wise bachelor’s degree mark sheets
Work experience certificates (if applicable)
Disability certificate (if applicable)
SC/ST/OBC–NCL category certificate (if applicable)
EWS certificate (if applicable)

Only candidates who submit a complete application on time will move to the next stage.

If you notice any errors or mismatches in your application, like missing details or differences between your CAT 2025 entry and your documents, report them before the deadline.

Stage 2: Shortlisting Score Calculation

If you meet the CAT cutoffs and submit your application on time, you move to Stage 2.

Here, IIM Nagpur calculates a Shortlisting Score for each candidate. Based on this score, candidates are invited to Stage 3, which includes the Personal Interview and Extempore.

The exact formula for the Shortlisting Score is decided by IIM Nagpur. It usually includes:

Your normalized CAT scores
Certain diversity factors (such as category and gender)

Stage 3: Personal Interview and Extempore

If you are shortlisted, you will be called for a Personal Interview (PI) and an Extempore round.

The Extempore is a unique part of IIM Nagpur’s process. You will get a topic and be asked to speak about it with little time to prepare. This helps the panel see how clearly and confidently you can think and express your ideas on the spot.

Document Verification

Document verification is a non-negotiable part of this stage. You must bring the originals of all relevant documents for verification during the PI.

If you fail to produce any required original document, you will not be allowed to attend the PI.

You’ll need to carry:

Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
Class 12 mark sheet and certificate
All semester/year-wise bachelor’s degree mark sheets
Bachelor’s degree certificate (if already awarded)
Category certificates (SC/ST/OBC–NCL/EWS/DAP, if applicable)
Work experience proofs: appointment letter, relieving letter, salary slips (if applicable)
Certificates of professional qualifications (if applicable)

What to Expect in PI and Extempore

The Personal Interview generally checks:

Your communication skills and clarity of thought
Subject knowledge and analytical ability
Awareness of current affairs and social issues
Your career goals and motivation for pursuing an MBA
Overall personality, maturity, and leadership potential

The Extempore round looks at:

Your ability to think on your feet
Spontaneity and structure in your speech
Confidence and presentation style
The depth and balance of your views on different topics

IIM Nagpur Final Selection and Admission Offers

All candidates who appear for both PI and Extempore are considered for the final stage, where IIM Nagpur calculates a Final Score (FS). Admission offers are then made based on this score.

The Final Score is a composite of multiple components, which typically include:

CAT 2025 performance
Past Academic Performance (PAP)
Work Experience (WE)
Gender Diversity (GDI)
Personal Interview performance
Extempore performance

IIM Nagpur sets the exact formula and weight for each part, aiming to evaluate candidates in a fair and well-rounded way.

IIM Nagpur Admission Offer Process

Candidates who are selected will receive their provisional admission offers via email only. These emails will come from:

admissions-do-not-reply@iimnagpur.ac.in

You will not get any official offer over phone calls or from any other email address.

To confirm your seat, you need to pay an offer acceptance fee of Rs. 1,00,000. This amount will be adjusted against your Term I fees later.

IIM Nagpur MBA Admission: Document Verification Process

The Admissions Office will contact you by email regarding document verification and may ask for additional documents or clarifications.

It is your responsibility to:

Provide all required documents and information within the given deadlines
Stay actively involved in the process and track updates
Respond promptly to emails from the Admissions Office

Document verification starts as early as the application stage. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying.

If you are found ineligible at any stage, your application—and any admission offer you might have received—will be cancelled.

Impact of Discrepancies

If any discrepancy is discovered during document verification, it may lead to a revision of your Final Score. In such cases:

Your eligibility will be reassessed for all stages of the process.
If, after revision, you do not clear any stage, your provisional offer will be withdrawn.
The acceptance fee will be refunded after deducting administrative charges.

Withdrawal and Cancellation Process

Before you accept an offer, it’s important to understand how withdrawal and cancellation work.

Before Term 1 Registration

Offer Acceptance
Once your offer acceptance fee of Rs. 1,00,000 is received by the deadline given in the offer email, your provisional admission is confirmed. If you do not pay by the specified date, your provisional admission will be cancelled.
Withdrawal Before Registration
If you choose to withdraw on or before the registration date, Rs. 1,000 will be deducted as administrative charges, and the rest of the fee will be refunded.
Failure to Register
If you fail to register at IIM Nagpur on the specified date and time, your admission will be cancelled. In that case, the entire offer acceptance fee/Term 1 fee paid will be forfeited.
Term 1 Fee Payment
You must pay the remaining Term 1 fee on or before the registration date, or as mentioned in the offer letter. Failure to pay on time will result in the cancellation of your provisional admission and forfeiture of the entire amount paid.

After Registration

Term 1 begins with registration, followed by an inauguration and orientation. Fees are collected before the start of Term 1 and then at the beginning of each subsequent term.

If you withdraw after classes have begun, only your caution deposit will be refunded, regardless of when you submit your withdrawal request.

Cancellation Due to False Information

If it is found at any point that you have provided false information or hidden relevant facts during the admissions process, your admission will be cancelled immediately.

In such cases, no refund of any fee will be made.

Note: This policy applies to candidates during Term 1.

Key Points to Remember

Check Your Email Regularly
Use the email you registered with for CAT and check it frequently. Also, keep visiting the IIM Nagpur portal for admission-related updates.
Original Documents Are a Must
You must bring original certificates for verification during the PI. If you fail to do so, you will be disqualified from the process.
Only Official Communication Counts
All communication about MBA admissions at IIM Nagpur takes place only through the institute’s official Admissions Office. No other individual or organization is authorized to handle admissions on its behalf.
Zero Tolerance for Fraud
Any attempt to gain admission through fraudulent means leads to immediate disqualification. Any misrepresentation or suppression of information, at any stage, can result in your removal from the program.
Right to Modify Policy
IIM Nagpur reserves the right to change the admission policy, including refund rules, shortlisting criteria, and selection process, whenever it finds it necessary.

How to Prepare for the IIM Nagpur Admission Process

If you’re serious about getting into IIM Nagpur, here’s where you should focus your efforts:

Do Well in CAT 2025
Think of the official cutoffs as the minimum. To stay competitive, aim much higher. For the General category, a 97+ percentile is a good target. Other categories should also aim well above their cutoffs.
Maintain Strong Academics
Your marks in Class 10, Class 12, and graduation all count toward your Past Academic Performance score. Consistent, strong marks will help your profile stand out.
Gain Relevant Work Experience
If you’re working, relevant and well-documented work experience can really improve your profile. Make sure it meets IIM Nagpur’s criteria: full-time, paid, and supported by documents.
Prepare Well for PI and Extempore
These two stages are very important for your final selection. Practice mock interviews, stay updated on current affairs, be clear about your goals and why you want an MBA, and practice speaking on random topics with little preparation time.
Get Your Documents in Order
Start early. Gather your academic certificates, work experience proofs, and category certificates well before verification. Make sure you have the original documents.

IIM Nagpur Admission Process: Looking Ahead

IIM Nagpur’s admission policy has three stages: CAT screening, shortlisting, and final selection through PI and Extempore. This approach helps find future leaders with strong academics and potential.
The policy gives importance to reservation and gender diversity to create a diverse classroom.
Remember, a strong CAT score starts the process, but your full profile, interview performance, and honesty decide the final result. Stay focused, plan well, and feel free to contact the Admissions Office if you have questions.
For the most current and official details, always refer to the IIM Nagpur admissions page: www.iimnagpur.ac.in/admissions
This blog is based on IIM Nagpur’s official admission policy for the MBA 2026–28 batch. Check the official website regularly for updates or changes to the policy.