Anisha has done MBA in Marketing from NMIMS And Executive Management(PMNO) from Harvard Business School. She has been instrumental in growing CATKing Digital with her experience with Marico and Henkel in the past.
SOIL GDPI Experiences: Updated Guide for 2025–26 Admissions
Getting shortlisted for the Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD-PI) round at SOIL Institute of Management is a major milestone for any MBA or PGPBA aspirant. The GDPI stage assesses not just your CAT/MAT/XAT score, but your communication skills, analytical thinking, leadership potential, clarity of thought, and cultural fit with the institute’s values.
This updated guide draws from recent experiences and trends from the 2024–25 and 2025–26 admission cycles to help you prepare effectively for SOIL’s GDPI.
What to Expect in SOIL GDPI 2025–26
SOIL’s admissions process is holistic. Shortlisted candidates (based on entrance exam scores and profile) are invited to a two-stage evaluation:
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Group Discussion (GD) / Written Ability Test (WAT)
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Personal Interview (PI)
The focus is on real-world thinking, problem solving, leadership potential, communication, and values-based decision-making—qualities that align with SOIL’s pedagogy.
Updated Structure (2025–26)
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Group Discussion (GD): Thematic group interaction on business, social, or ethical topics
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Written Ability Test (WAT): Short essay(s) to judge clarity of thought and written expression
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Personal Interview (PI): One-on-one conversation with the panel covering academics, work experience (if any), goals, and fit with SOIL values
The process may be conducted in-person or hybrid (online + offline), depending on the admission cycle and candidate locations.
Real Trends from Recent SOIL GDPI Experiences
1. Focus on Clarity & Purpose
Candidates who articulate their career goals with specifics, such as industry roles, analytics interests, or entrepreneurship intent, scored higher in the PI rounds.
2. Ethics and Values Questions
SOIL emphasizes ethical leadership and responsible management. Expect questions such as:
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“Describe an ethical dilemma you faced and how you resolved it.”
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“How do you balance profit with societal impact?”
These reflect SOIL’s core philosophy.
3. Situational and Current-Affairs Scenarios
Recent interviewers have asked about:
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Business responses during economic shifts
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Technology impacts on business models
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Case scenarios where data-driven decisions matter
This aligns with SOIL’s analytics and managerial orientation, especially for PGPBA (Business Analytics) aspirants.
4. Personality and Soft Skills
Strong communication, confidence, and logical structuring of responses remain decisive. Candidates with clear thought flow and active listening skills generally performed better.
How to Prepare for SOIL GDPI (2025–26)
1. Research SOIL’s Values and Pedagogy
Understand SOIL’s emphasis on:
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Ethical leadership
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Values-based decisions
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Collaborative learning culture
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Real-world problem solving
Tailor your answers to reflect these themes.
2. Practice Group Discussions (GD) & WAT
For GD:
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Focus on structuring your arguments
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Respect others’ viewpoints
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Be assertive but not aggressive
For WAT:
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Practice crisp, coherent essays (150–250 words)
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Avoid overlong introductions
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Use examples and clear logic
Recent GD topics included economics, sustainability, technology impacts, and value-based dilemmas relevant to Indian industry and society.
Common PI Questions from Recent Experiences
The SOIL PI often touches on:
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Your background and motivation for management
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Why you chose SOIL specifically
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Your career goals and how SOIL fits in
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Analytical and behavioral questions
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For PGPBA candidates: questions on analytics tools, data scenarios, and case problems
Example prompts:
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“Walk us through your resume.”
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“Explain a time you used data to make a decision.”
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“Why SOIL PGP/PGPBA, and how will you contribute to the cohort?”
What Interviewers Look For
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Clarity & Structure – Thoughtful answers with logical flow
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Authenticity – Genuine responses, not rehearsed scripts
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Curiosity & Awareness – Awareness of business trends and analytics context
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Alignment with Values – Ethical leadership, social consciousness, and team orientation
SOIL interviewers often test not just what you know but how you think.
Tips from Recent Candidates
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Practice mock GD and PI sessions with peers or mentors
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Stay updated on current affairs, especially business, ethics, and technology driving Indian markets
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Build narratives for your achievements and failures
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Link analytics or business decisions to real examples, especially if applying for PGPBA
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Over-memorised answers that sound scripted
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Ignoring the institute’s ethical and values focus
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Not articulating clear career goals
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Over-using jargon without context
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Weak real-world examples in answers
Final Word
The SOIL GDPI experience is demanding but fair, designed to identify thoughtful, articulate, and values-driven leaders. By preparing with clarity, practising mock discussions and interviews, and aligning your responses with SOIL’s philosophy, you can confidently navigate the GDPI round and improve your chances of admission.
For aspirants preparing with CatKing, structured GDPI prep, real experience insights, and mock evaluations can make your GDPI journey more strategic and outcome-oriented.
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