MBA
Apr 9, 2026
CAT 2026: Major IIMs to Introduce New Diversity Weightage for 2027 Admissions
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Sneha Kulkarni
Apr 9, 2026
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In a significant move to create more diverse classrooms, several Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), led by IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore, have announced a revised selection criteria for the 2027-29 PGP batch. The new policy, which will apply to candidates appearing for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 this November, significantly increases the points allocated to academic diversity and gender diversity during the shortlisting process for the Personal Interview (PI) round.
For years, the IIMs have been dominated by engineering graduates, often making up over 70% of the cohort. The new weightage system aims to encourage students from humanities, law, medicine, and fine arts to pursue management education. Under the revised norms, non-engineers will receive up to 5% additional weightage in the initial shortlisting stage. Furthermore, the gender diversity bonus, aimed at increasing female representation, has been standardized across several top-tier IIMs to ensure a more balanced gender ratio in the upcoming academic sessions.
While the CAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to remain the same—comprising Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA)—the change in selection criteria means that a high CAT percentile alone might not guarantee a call from the top 'BLACKI' IIMs. Candidates will now need a consistent academic record from Class 10 onwards and a diverse profile to remain competitive. This shift reflects the global trend in MBA admissions where 'soft skills' and varied perspectives are valued as much as analytical prowess.
Responding to these changes, coaching institutes across the country are already modifying their strategy. There is a renewed focus on the 'Profile Building' aspect of the application. Students are being encouraged to take up relevant internships, social work, and certification courses to bolster their resumes. "The era of the 100-percentile engineer having an easy path is slowly transitioning into a more holistic evaluation process," noted a senior consultant at a leading MBA prep portal.
Registration for CAT 2026 is expected to open in the first week of August 2026. The exam is likely to be held on November 29, 2026. Aspirants are advised to keep a close watch on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, for the formal notification which will detail the exact weightage breakdown for each participating institute. The move has received mixed reviews, with some praising the inclusivity while others worry it might dilute the meritocratic nature of the entrance exam.
For years, the IIMs have been dominated by engineering graduates, often making up over 70% of the cohort. The new weightage system aims to encourage students from humanities, law, medicine, and fine arts to pursue management education. Under the revised norms, non-engineers will receive up to 5% additional weightage in the initial shortlisting stage. Furthermore, the gender diversity bonus, aimed at increasing female representation, has been standardized across several top-tier IIMs to ensure a more balanced gender ratio in the upcoming academic sessions.
While the CAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to remain the same—comprising Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA)—the change in selection criteria means that a high CAT percentile alone might not guarantee a call from the top 'BLACKI' IIMs. Candidates will now need a consistent academic record from Class 10 onwards and a diverse profile to remain competitive. This shift reflects the global trend in MBA admissions where 'soft skills' and varied perspectives are valued as much as analytical prowess.
Responding to these changes, coaching institutes across the country are already modifying their strategy. There is a renewed focus on the 'Profile Building' aspect of the application. Students are being encouraged to take up relevant internships, social work, and certification courses to bolster their resumes. "The era of the 100-percentile engineer having an easy path is slowly transitioning into a more holistic evaluation process," noted a senior consultant at a leading MBA prep portal.
Registration for CAT 2026 is expected to open in the first week of August 2026. The exam is likely to be held on November 29, 2026. Aspirants are advised to keep a close watch on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, for the formal notification which will detail the exact weightage breakdown for each participating institute. The move has received mixed reviews, with some praising the inclusivity while others worry it might dilute the meritocratic nature of the entrance exam.