There's no single CAT percentile that gets you shortlisted at IIM Ahmedabad, because the cutoff depends on your category, and it isn't just one number either. Shortlisting requires clearing both an overall percentile and a section-wise percentile across VARC, DILR, and QA, and both bars shift depending on whether you fall under the PwD or Non-PwD criteria. Based on the CAT-2025 shortlisting parameters, General/EWS candidates need a 95 overall percentile with 85 in each section, while NC-OBC, SC, and ST candidates have progressively lower thresholds.

Why Does CAT Shortlisting Need Two Different Percentiles?

A lot of aspirants assume clearing the overall percentile is enough, but IIM Ahmedabad's shortlisting also checks section-wise performance separately for VARC, DILR, and QA. That means it's possible to clear the overall cutoff and still miss the shortlist if one section falls short of its individual bar. This section-wise requirement is exactly why a lopsided prep strategy, being excellent at Quant while neglecting VARC or DILR, can quietly cost you a shortlist even with a strong overall percentile.

What Are the CAT-2025 Percentile Cutoffs for IIM Ahmedabad, Category by Category?

Here's the full breakdown of the CAT-2025 shortlisting criteria, covering both overall percentile rank (PT) and section-wise percentile rank (PVARC, PDILR, PQA), for Non-PwD and PwD candidates:

• General/EWS — Non-PwD: 95 overall, 85 section-wise. PwD: 85 overall, 75 section-wise.
• NC-OBC — Non-PwD: 90 overall, 80 section-wise. PwD: 80 overall, 70 section-wise.
• SC — Non-PwD: 85 overall, 75 section-wise. PwD: 75 overall, 65 section-wise.
• ST — Non-PwD: 75 overall, 65 section-wise. PwD: 65 overall, 55 section-wise.

Notice that General and EWS candidates are evaluated under the same cutoff this year, rather than as two separate figures. And within every category, PwD candidates get a consistently lower bar than Non-PwD candidates, on both the overall and section-wise percentile.

Does Clearing the Cutoff Guarantee a Seat?

No, and this is the part a lot of aspirants miss. These percentile numbers get you shortlisted for the next stage, they don't decide final admission on their own. Once you're shortlisted, your 10th grade marks, 12th grade marks, and work experience also come into the evaluation, and together these profile parameters carry roughly 35% weightage in the final selection process. Individually, a factor like work experience can carry something in the ballpark of 11-12% on its own, so it's worth rounding that 35% up to closer to 36% once every component is accounted for. This is why two candidates who clear the same shortlisting cutoff can still end up with different final outcomes.

Is There an Alternative Route Into IIM Ahmedabad Through PGP-FABM?

For candidates who don't hit the standard PGP shortlisting cutoffs, IIM Ahmedabad's PGP in Food and Agribusiness Management (commonly referred to as PGP-FABM or PGP Agribusiness) is worth exploring as a genuine alternative. It's a separate program with its own admission process, and it's a route several candidates use to get into the IIM Ahmedabad ecosystem even if the flagship PGP cutoff feels out of reach in a given year.

So What Percentile Should You Actually Be Targeting?

If you're in the General or EWS category, treat 95 overall with 85 in every section as your real target, not just the overall number. For NC-OBC, SC, and ST candidates, use the thresholds above as your benchmark, but build in a buffer above the minimum rather than preparing right up to the exact cutoff, since even a strong overall percentile can be undone by one weak section. And remember, clearing the shortlist is only the first stage, your 10th, 12th, and work experience profile is quietly working in the background for the final call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What CAT percentile is required for IIM Ahmedabad shortlisting in the General category?

For CAT-2025, General and EWS candidates need a 95 overall percentile along with 85 in each section (VARC, DILR, QA) for Non-PwD, and 85 overall with 75 section-wise for PwD candidates.

Q2. Is the EWS cutoff different from the General category cutoff?

Not for CAT-2025. General and EWS candidates are evaluated under the same shortlisting cutoff this year.

Q3. What are the NC-OBC, SC, and ST cutoffs for IIM Ahmedabad?

For CAT-2025 Non-PwD candidates: NC-OBC needs 90 overall/80 section-wise, SC needs 85 overall/75 section-wise, and ST needs 75 overall/65 section-wise.

Q4. What are the cutoffs for PwD candidates?

PwD cutoffs are lower across every category: 85 overall/75 section-wise for General/EWS, 80/70 for NC-OBC, 75/65 for SC, and 65/55 for ST.

Q5. Why does IIM Ahmedabad check section-wise percentile separately from overall percentile?

Because a strong overall percentile can still hide a weak section. Checking VARC, DILR, and QA separately ensures shortlisted candidates have a reasonably balanced performance rather than one section carrying the whole score.

Q6. Does clearing the percentile cutoff guarantee admission?

No. Clearing the cutoff only gets you shortlisted. Final admission also factors in 10th grade marks, 12th grade marks, and work experience, which together carry roughly 35% weightage.

Q7. Is there another way into IIM Ahmedabad if I miss the PGP cutoff?

Yes. IIM Ahmedabad's PGP-FABM (Food and Agribusiness Management) program is a separate admission route worth exploring for candidates who don't hit the standard PGP cutoffs.

Key Takeaways

• CAT-2025 shortlisting for IIM Ahmedabad requires clearing both an overall percentile and a section-wise percentile, not just one number.
• General/EWS Non-PwD candidates need 95 overall and 85 section-wise; PwD candidates in the same category need 85 overall and 75 section-wise.
• NC-OBC, SC, and ST cutoffs step down progressively, both overall and section-wise, for Non-PwD and PwD candidates alike.
• Clearing the percentile cutoff only secures a shortlist, final admission also weighs 10th, 12th, and work experience at roughly 35%.
• PGP-FABM is a genuine alternative route into IIM Ahmedabad for candidates who miss the standard PGP cutoff.