Are you wondering what’s next after CAT? You are not alone. The MBA admission process can be confusing for you. But a clear MBA admission timeline makes everything simpler. It helps you know the deadlines of all important events. After your CAT results are out, IIMs and B-schools start shortlisting aspirants. Every institute follows different eligibility rules, admission stages, and application timelines. You should check the official website of your dream institute. IIM is likely to begin the admission process from the 2nd week of January 2026. MBA application dates are different for every B-school. You should first understand their eligibility and admission criteria in advance. You must submit your applications by the last date. Keep reading to know the latest MBA admission timeline after CAT. This will help you plan your MBA journey confidently.
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IIM MBA Admission Timeline After CAT
IIM will shortlist candidates based on their performance in the CAT exam. Those who clear the IIM CAT cutoff marks will be called to appear for the next stages. This includes the WAT, GD and interview. CAT 2025 registration was open from August 1 to September 20. The entrance exam was successfully conducted on November 30. The exam level was moderately difficult. Recently, the CAT response sheet and provisional answer key were announced on the official website. Check the IIM MBA admission timeline after CAT for your reference:
| Events | Dates |
| CAT Result 2025 | Last week of December |
| IIM Shortlist Forms | 2nd week of January 2026 (expected) |
| WAT-GD-PI Dates | February to April 2025 (expected) |
| Final admission offer letters | May 2026 (expected) |
MBA Admission Timeline After CAT for Top B-schools
Many leading business schools in India accept CAT scores for MBA admissions. So, you should check their official website for the latest update. It helps you learn about application deadlines. You will also become familiar with admission criteria and other key details. This will save you from last-minute rushes or technical issues. The MBA admission process is different for every institute. You need to fulfil all the eligibility requirements before filling out the admission applications. Here’s a look at the MBA admission timeline after CAT for a few top B-schools.
MBA Colleges Application Dates
| College | Last Date | Form Status |
| GIM Goa First Mover | Oct 23, 2025 | Closed |
| BITSOM Round 1 | Nov 16, 2025 | Closed |
| FMS Delhi | Nov 28, 2025 | Closed |
| IIFT (MBA IB and MBA BA) | Nov 28, 2025 | Closed |
| GIM Goa Early Bird | Nov 27, 2025 | Closed |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | Nov 28, 2025 | Closed |
| MDI | Nov 28, 2025 | Closed |
| BITSOM Round 2 | Jan 25, 2026 | Closed |
| IMT (All Campus) | Nov 28, 2025 | Closed |
| GLIM C PGDM Cycle 1 | Dec 4, 2025 | Closed |
| GLIM C PGPM Cycle 1 | Dec 4, 2025 | Closed |
| GLIM G PGPM Cycle 1 | Dec 4, 2025 | Closed |
| XIM (BM, HRM, SM, RM, etc.) | Dec 10, 2025 | Closed |
| TISS – CAT (HRM, ODCL, HA) | Dec 10, 2025 | Closed |
| TISS – CUET (Rest Programs) | Feb 8, 2026 | Open |
| IMI | Dec 12, 2025 | Open |
| SIBM Bengaluru | Dec 20, 2025 | Open |
| SIBM Pune | Dec 5, 2025 | Open |
| SCMHRD Pune | Dec 5, 2025 | Open |
| SIHS Pune | Dec 25, 2025 | Open |
| SCIT Pune | Dec 19, 2025 | Open |
| SIIB Pune | Dec 13, 2025 | Open |
| SIOM Nashik | Jan 14, 2026 | Open |
| SIBM Noida | Jan 9, 2026 | Open |
| SIDTM Pune | NA | Open |
| SIBM Hyderabad | Jan 12, 2026 | Open |
| SICSR Pune | Jan 15, 2026 | Open |
| SIBM Nagpur | Jan 16, 2026 | Open |
| SSSS Pune | Jan 19, 2026 | Open |
| SIMC Pune | Jan 19, 2026 | Open |
| SSBF Pune | Jan 14, 2026 | Open |
| SIMS Pune | Jan 8, 2026 | Open |
| SSCANS Pune | Feb 13, 2026 | Open |
| LBSIM Delhi | Dec 15, 2025 | Open |
| BIMTECH Noida | Nov 28, 2025 | Open |
| NIRMA University | NA | Open |
| IFMR (Round 1) | 15 Nov, 2025 | Open |
| BIM Trichy | Jan 31, 2026 | Open |
| Welingkar Phase 1 | NA | Open |
| FORE | Dec 15, 2025 | Open |
| UPES | NA | Open |
| LIBA | NA | Open |
| IIFM Bhopal | NA | Open |
| TAPMI | Dec 29, 2025 | Open |
| XISS Ranchi | NA | Open |
| CHRIST Bangalore | Jan 25, 2026 | Open |
| JAGSOM | NA | Open |
| SOIL Gurgaon | Dec 13, 2025 | Open |
| KJ SOMAIYA | Jan 20, 2026 | Open |
| DSE Delhi | Feb 3, 2026 | Open |
| DFS Delhi | Jan 11, 2026 | Open |
| DBE Delhi | Jan 11, 2026 | Open |
| IIHMR Jaipur – First Mover | Feb 28, 2026 | Open |
| IIHMR Jaipur – Early Bird | May 31, 2026 | Open |
| IIHMR Jaipur – Last | Jul 31, 2026 | Open |
| IRMA Anand | Dec 26, 2025 | Open |
| IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIT Delhi | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIT Madras | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIT Kharagpur (VGSoM) | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIT Kharagpur MHRM | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIT Roorkee | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIT Kanpur | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIT Jodhpur | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIM Mumbai | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIM Rohtak | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIM Vizag | – | Yet to be opened |
| IIM Amritsar | – | Yet to be opened |
MBA Admission Timeline After CAT- Step-by-Step Process
The MBA admission process involves various stages. It includes the applications, selection stages, accepting admission offers, etc. Take a look at the step-by-step MBA admission timeline after CAT:
Declaration of CAT Results
IIM will release the CAT 2025 results in the First week of January 2026. CAT exam takers will be able to download their results from the official website. They can access the result using their valid login credentials.
Shortlisting Process
IIM have released the CAT cutoff marks to shortlist candidates for the next stages. Those who clear the IIM CAT cutoff will be called to appear in WAT-GD-PI. Please note that the selection criteria of every IIM are different. Now, let’s talk about the shortlisting process of other top B-schools. Candidates must submit their applications for MBA admission within the deadline. All the qualified candidates will be called to appear in the aptitude test, PI, or other selection rounds by their dream institute. The shortlisting will be done based on your performance in CAT 2025.
Appear in WAT-GD-PI/Aptitude Test
The IIM MBA Admission process will include stages like Writing Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interviews (PI). While other B-schools may conduct aptitude tests and/or a personal interview round for MBA admissions. The final admissions in both IIMs and B-schools also consider your academic performance, diversity, work experience (if any), and other relevant factors.
Announcement for Final Result and Admission Offers
The list of candidates selected for MBA admissions will be uploaded on the official website of the respective institute. You may have to report to the institute with all relevant documents and fees to finalise your admission.
