Total Seats in IIMs: Category-wise IIM Seats & Distribution

The total seats in IIMs are more than 5500 which are distributed among different categories of students. A total of 809 seats belong to the OBC categories, 538 seats are reserved for SC/ST categories, and the remaining seats are left for EWS and PwD categories. However, securing a seat in one of the 21 IIMs in India is no easy feat. Candidates who aspire to join these institutions need to clear the CAT exam 2024, which is considered to be one of the toughest management entrance exams in the world. After clearing the CAT, candidates have to go through a rigorous selection process that includes GD, WAT, and PI. If you are targeting IIMs this year, get details about the total seats in IIMs, the distribution of seats across IIMs, and other important aspects.

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Total Seats in IIMs 2024 (Latest)

A total of 21 Indian Institutes of Management have been set up in India and they are categorized according to their respective year of establishment with three categories namely first generation, second generation, and third generation. They are also called old, new, and baby IIMs as well. The table below provides the breakdown of total seats in IIMs:

Category-wise Seat Reservation at IIMs 2024

Candidates who wish to apply for admission to any of the top IIMs in India and wish to avail of the reservation seats must be aware of the category-wise reservation criteria of that particular IIM. Candidates must also make sure they have all the necessary documentation during the admission process. In the table below the details about the category-wise seat reservation has been provided, this also helps to determine the total seats in IIMs.

Also Read: IIM CAT Cut Off 2024

How to Secure a Seat in IIMs?

Securing a seat in IIMs is a highly competitive process, as they are among the prestigious management institutes across the world. More than 2 lakh candidates appear for the exam every year but only a handful are able to secure a seat in IIMs. If you dream of studying in IIMs, take a read through the following points to know how to secure a seat.

• Dedicate sufficient time to prepare for the CAT exam by understanding its syllabus, practising sample papers, solving previous year's question papers, and taking mock tests. Scoring a good score in CAT is crucial to secure a seat in IIMs.
• Each IIM has its own selection criteria, which typically include a combination of CAT scores, academic performance, work experience, and performance in GD, WAT, and PI. Know the weightage given to each factor by the IIMs you are targeting.
• Academic performance is considered a significant criterion for selection by many IIMs, so try to maintain a good record.
• While work experience is not mandatory, it can enhance your profile, especially for some IIMs that give weightage to it during the selection process.
• Develop good communication skills and stay updated on current affairs. Practice writing essays on various topics, participate in mock group discussions, and prepare answers for commonly asked interview questions.
• To increase your chances of admission, it is advisable to apply to multiple IIMs. Consider applying to newer IIMs as well, as they might have slightly lower cutoffs and less competition.

IIM Selection Criteria 2025-27

The IIM selection criteria include all the stages and requirements that candidates must fulfill to be eligible for admission at the Indian Institutes of Management. The IIM selection process is contingent upon various parameters which primarily include:

• The score of the CAT written exam
• Class 10 and 12 overall scores
• Graduation Scores
• Gender Diversity
• Overall Work Experience
• WAT/GD PI Scores

The entire selection process for IIMs can be divided mainly into three steps as mentioned below:

Stage 1: Shortlisting of Candidates on the Basis of CAT Score

The Common Admission Test or CAT as it is popularly known is the first step that candidates must take in order to apply for admission to the IIMs. Candidates will be chosen based on their CAT scores once the CAT results are available. But candidates must also take note to have a proper understanding of the CAT score vs percentile required for shortlisting. Each IIM will provide an invitation to apply for the WAT/GD-PI round. When submitting an application for the WAT/PI round, candidates must include their names and CAT scores.

Stage 2: Written Ability Test and Personal Interview

Once a candidate has been selected for the final IIM selection process through the CAT exam, the next stage includes further assessments. The next phase of the selection process includes the Written Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI), and Group Discussion (GD). Candidates must do well in the WAT, PI, and GD rounds in order to advance to the next stage. These phases will put candidates to the test in terms of their communication, intelligence, and leadership abilities.

Stage 3: Calculation of Composite Score and Final Selection

Subsequently, once candidates have completed all the stages of the final selection process, they will be evaluated on their performance in each stage of the entire selection process. The candidates' performance on the WAT, PI, and CAT exams, their work experience, diversity, and academic records will all be taken into account as a final selection list is created at this stage. ​

A mail notification will be sent to candidates who are chosen for admission. They must next confirm their admission by completing the offer acceptance form and paying the required admission acceptance fee (which is changeable in the first installment of the tuition cost). The next meritorious applicant will take the seats of those who fail to submit the entrance acceptance fee by the deadline, who will be deemed ineligible. A deferred admission option is also available through IIM, allowing applicants who wish to get some experience prior to enrolling in the PGPM course to postpone admission for a maximum of two years.

The total seats in IIMs can vary from year to year. Each IIM has its own intake capacity for its various programs, including the Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Management, Certificate Courses, Integrated Programs in Management, and Executive Management Programs, etc.

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