IIM Kozhikode Admission 2026: Cut-Off, Fees, Eligibility & Selection Process Explained

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) conducts admissions for its flagship MBA (PGP) 2026-28 batch through the CAT 2025 examination, followed by a structured multi-stage selection process.

As per the latest admission policy, the institute follows a holistic evaluation approach, where CAT performance, academic consistency, and interview performance all contribute to final selection.

Eligibility Criteria & Basic Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for reserved categories) from a recognised university. Final-year students are also eligible to apply.

A valid CAT 2025 score is mandatory, and candidates must also meet the institute's minimum sectional and overall cut-offs to be considered for further stages.

CAT Cut-Off 2026 (Expected)

IIM Kozhikode has officially set the minimum qualifying CAT cut-off as:

General category:

• Overall: 85 percentile
• Sectional: 75 percentile

However, clearing the minimum cut-off does not guarantee a call. In practice, the actual shortlisting percentile is significantly higher, often in the 98-99 percentile range for General category candidates.

Selection Process: How Admission Happens

The admission process is conducted in multiple stages. In the first stage, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are shortlisted based on CAT score and academic profile.

Shortlisted candidates are then invited for:

• Written Ability Test (WAT)
• Personal Interview (PI)

In the final stage, a composite score is calculated using:

• CAT score
• WAT performance
• Personal Interview performance
• Academic records (10th, 12th, graduation)
• Work experience and diversity factors

Fees & Programme Details

The total fee for the MBA programme at IIM Kozhikode is approximately ₹23-24 lakh for two years, based on the latest available data.

• Duration: 2 years
• Intake: 450+ students (approx., varies annually)

Additional expenses such as hostel, mess, and personal costs are separate.

Key Points for Aspirants

IIM Kozhikode places strong emphasis on a balanced profile, not just CAT scores. While CAT carries significant weightage, academic performance and interview stages play a crucial role in final selection.

Candidates must also ensure they clear sectional cut-offs, as failing in any section leads to disqualification regardless of overall percentile.

Conclusion

IIM Kozhikode remains one of India's top management institutes, with a holistic and competitive admission process. For the 2026 cycle, aspirants should aim for a high CAT percentile while also building a strong overall profile.

Applicants are advised to regularly check the official IIM Kozhikode website for updates on admission timelines and procedures.