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IIM JAP 2026: Complete Guide to Joint Admission Process, Eligibility, Selection, Colleges, CAP vs JAP vs SAP & Latest Changes
The IIM admission process for MBA 2026 has undergone major structural changes. With several IIMs exiting CAP and moving to JAP (Joint Admission Process) or standalone admission routes, CAT aspirants must clearly understand CAP, JAP, SAP, and independent IIM processes to avoid missing opportunities.
IIM JAP 2026 MBA Admission Policy: Complete Guide
The Joint Admission Process (JAP) 2026 is the official MBA admission policy for four leading Indian Institutes of Management — IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi and IIM Tiruchirappalli. Coordinated by IIM Raipur, JAP 2026 defines the eligibility criteria, selection steps, cut-offs, PI shortlisting mechanism, work experience scoring, and other critical rules for admission into their two-year full-time MBA programmes.
This policy document is authoritative and must be followed by all candidates seeking admission through JAP 2026 after CAT 2025 results.
1. What is JAP 2026 MBA Admission Policy?
The JAP 2026 Admission Policy is a formal admission framework jointly adopted by the four IIMs. It lays out:
1 .Minimum academic requirements
2. CAT 2025 score requirements
3. Registration process
4. Shortlisting for Personal Interview (PI)
5. Work experience scoring rules
6. Mandatory document submission conditions
7. Individual IIM admission confirmation process
This policy applies to all candidates who have opted for these IIMs in the CAT 2025 exam and receive an invitation for JAP registration.
Learn more about the JAP Process
2. Two-Step JAP 2026 Admission Procedure
Step 1: Online Registration
After the CAT 2025 results are announced, qualified candidates receive an invitation email for JAP 2026.
They must complete mandatory online registration within the specified deadline to remain eligible.
Note: Completing registration is not the same as a PI call. Candidates only become eligible for the next stage after registration.
Step 2: Shortlisting for Personal Interview (PI)
Registered candidates are then shortlisted for the Personal Interview based on CAT scores, category, and other criteria defined by the participating IIMs.
Each IIM will publish its own cut-offs and schedules for the PI stage.
3. Minimum Academic & CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
The table below shows the minimum eligibility criteria required to register for JAP 2026:
| Category | Class X (%) | Class XII (%) | Graduation (%) | VARC Scaled Percentile | DILR Scaled Percentile | QA Scaled Percentile | Overall CAT Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 60 | 60 | 50 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 90 |
| EWS | 60 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 75 |
| NC-OBC | 60 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 75 |
| SC | 55 | 55 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 50 |
| ST | 55 | 55 | 45 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 30 |
| PwD | 45 | 45 | 45 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 30 |
4. Important Points on Eligibility
1. Candidates must have opted for one or more of the four IIMs in their CAT 2025 application.
2. Failing to complete online registration will disqualify the candidate regardless of CAT score.
3. The actual CAT cut-offs for PI stage may be higher than the minimum table above, depending on the candidate pool and institute's discretion.
5. Shortlisting for Personal Interview (PI)
After registration, candidates are shortlisted for PI based on:
1. CAT 2025 performance
2. Category considerations
3. Expected pool size and admission planning
Shortlisting cut-offs by category and institute will be communicated on the JAP 2026 portal.
Candidates will receive PI call details (date, time, venue) via email and portal login.
6. Work Experience Scoring
The official policy differentiates work experience as:
1.Only full-time, remunerative work experience after graduation is counted.
2. Experience must have official documentation (income tax, PF, or professional tax records).
3. Pre-graduation internships, part-time work, or unpaid roles are not counted towards JAP experience score.
This means professional experience after completing graduation forms part of the PI evaluation and can improve the candidate’s overall admission potential.
7. Required Documents & Verification
Candidates must produce the following original documents at the time of PI and admissions:
1. Class X and XII certificates
2. Graduation mark sheets and degree certificate
3. Category/PwD certificates (if applicable)
4. Experience certificates (if applicable)
5. Any other documents mentioned by individual IIMs
Failure to present correct original documents may result in disqualification.
8. General Policy Notes
1. JAP policy can be modified at any stage to comply with governmental or judicial requirements.
2. Nothing in the admission policy can be taken as binding until applied in writing and published officially.
3. Once PI is completed, each IIM will prepare its own final merit list and issue admission offers individually following reservation norms.
9. How JAP 2026 Works in Summary
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CAT 2025 results declared
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Eligible candidates receive registration invites
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Candidates complete online JAP 2026 registration
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PI shortlisting is done based on CAT and policy table
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PI invitations are issued
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Candidates appear for interviews
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Individual IIMs prepare final offers using JAP + institute weightages
JAP Colleges 2026 (Coordinator – IIM Raipur)
| IIM | Inception Year | Fees | Highest Placement | Lowest Placement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Raipur | 2010 | ₹20 Lakhs | ₹42.29 LPA | ₹18.15 LPA |
| IIM Kashipur | 2011 | ₹17.3 Lakhs | ₹29.86 LPA | ₹15.04 LPA |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 2011 | ₹19.5 Lakhs | ₹43.69 LPA | ₹19.43 LPA |
| IIM Ranchi | 2010 | ₹17.2 Lakhs | ₹50.39 LPA | ₹19.29 LPA |
CAP Colleges 2026 (Reduced CAP Process)
| IIM | Fees | Highest Placement |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Bodhgaya | ₹17.96 Lakhs | ₹22 LPA |
| IIM Jammu | ₹23 Lakhs | ₹31.75 LPA |
| IIM Sirmaur | ₹22.73 Lakhs | — |
What is SAP (Supernumerary Admission Process)?
SAP is conducted for candidates who fall slightly below CAP cutoffs.
SAP Colleges
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IIM Jammu
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IIM Bodhgaya
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(In 2025, IIM Sirmaur SAP was only for female candidates)
SAP uses separate cutoffs and PI rounds depending on the institute.
Independent IIMs (NAVRUS Category)
| IIM | Fees | Highest Placement |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Nagpur | ₹21.5 Lakhs | ₹69.57 LPA |
| IIM Amritsar | ₹21 Lakhs | ₹58.52 LPA |
| IIM Vizag | ₹21 Lakhs | ₹32.5 LPA |
| IIM Rohtak | ₹17.9 Lakhs | ₹48.25 LPA |
| IIM Udaipur | ₹21 Lakhs | ₹41.66 LPA |
| IIM Sambalpur | ₹18.01 Lakhs | ₹48.6 LPA |
Why IIM Udaipur Exited CAP (2026 Onwards)
IIM Udaipur now follows a standalone admission process with:
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Personal Interview (PI)
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Written Ability Test (WAT)
Key Reasons
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Alignment with global academic priorities
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Institute-specific evaluation criteria
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Better applicant experience
IIM Udaipur Highlights
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AACSB Accredited
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FT Global MiM Ranking 2025 (7 consecutive years)
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QS Global MiM Ranking 2025 – 6th highest IIM
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300-acre campus
CAP Waitlist Movement (PGP 2024–26)
Total CAP Calls: 23,376
| IIM | Total Calls |
|---|---|
| IIM Kashipur | 3050 |
| IIM Ranchi | 1975 |
| IIM Jammu | 1941 |
| IIM Trichy | 700 |
| IIM Udaipur | 500 |
| IIM Nagpur | 389 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 219 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 2900 |
Separate Application Forms & Deadlines
| IIM | Registration Ends | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Mumbai | 31 Jan 2025 | FREE |
| IIM Rohtak | 15 Feb 2025 | ₹2928 |
| IIM Vizag | 17 Feb 2025 | ₹2000–3000 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 25 Jan 2025 | No Fees |
| IIM Raipur | 15 Jan 2025 | No Fees |
Final Conclusion
The IIM JAP 2026 marks a turning point in MBA admissions. With fewer IIMs under CAP, the rise of JAP, SAP, and independent admission processes like IIM Udaipur, aspirants must track each pathway carefully. Offering a simplified and unified admission journey to four prominent IIMs through one application and one interview. With flexibility, reduced redundancies, and enhanced transparency, JAP 2026 is designed to improve the MBA admissions experience for CAT candidates.
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