Number of MBA Seats in IIMs: Complete Guide for 2026 Admissions

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are the most prestigious B-schools in India for MBA and PGDM aspirants. Every year, more than 2.5 lakh candidates appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT), but only a few thousand are selected to attend the IIMs. One of the most frequently asked questions by MBA aspirants is: “What is the number of MBA seats in IIMs?”

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of IIM seat intake, categorized into Old IIMs, New IIMs, and Baby IIMs, along with insights into the admission process, category-wise reservation, and what aspirants can expect for the 2026–27 academic session.

Overview of IIM MBA Seats

Currently, there are 21 IIMs across India offering MBA/PGP/PGDM programs. Together, they offer approximately 9,500 to 10,000 MBA seats each year. These seats are distributed among the Old IIMs (established before 2008), New IIMs (established between 2008 and 2010), and Baby IIMs (established after 2015).

The seat intake may vary slightly from year to year, depending on program expansions, new courses, or changes in reservation policies.

Number of MBA Seats in Old IIMs

The Old IIMs are the most sought-after management institutes in India. They boast the highest reputation for placements, global exposure, and an extensive alumni network.

• IIM Ahmedabad (PGP, PGP-FABM) – 406 seats
• IIM Bangalore (MBA + MBA-BA) – 585 seats
• IIM Calcutta (PGP) – 462 seats
• IIM Kozhikode (PGP) – 489 seats
• IIM Lucknow (MBA + MBA-ABM) – 490 seats
• IIM Indore (PGP) – 489 seats
• IIM Shillong (PGP) – 283 seats
• IIM Mumbai (MBA) – 446 seats

Total Old IIM Seats: ~3,650+

These IIMs typically require a CAT percentile cutoff of 95–99 for general category candidates, making them the most competitive to crack.

Number of MBA Seats in New IIMs

The New IIMs, established in the late 2000s, have grown significantly in terms of academics and placements. They now compete vigorously with tier-1 B-schools.

• IIM Udaipur (MBA) – 315 seats
• IIM Trichy (PGPM + PGPM-HR) – 386 seats
• IIM Raipur (PGP) – 322 seats
• IIM Ranchi (MBA) – 250 seats
• IIM Rohtak (PGP) – 386 seats
• IIM Kashipur (MBA + MBA Analytics) – 483 seats

Total New IIM Seats: ~2,100+

These IIMs typically require CAT cutoffs of 92–96 percentiles for general category aspirants. They also offer specialized programs, such as an MBA in Business Analytics and HRM.

Number of MBA Seats in Baby IIMs

The Baby IIMs are the newest entrants, offering high-quality management education with smaller batch sizes. They are rapidly expanding and improving their placement records.

• IIM Nagpur (MBA) – 240 seats
• IIM Visakhapatnam (MBA) – 272 seats
• IIM Amritsar (MBA + MBA-BA + MBA-HRM) – 320 seats
• IIM Bodh Gaya (MBA) – 297 seats
• IIM Sambalpur (MBA) – 167 seats
• IIM Jammu (MBA) – 255 seats
• IIM Sirmaur (MBA) – 246 seats

Total Baby IIM Seats: ~1,800+

These institutes generally have CAT cutoffs between 90–95 percentile, making them accessible for a wider pool of aspirants.

Category-Wise Reservation of Seats in IIMs

The reservation policy in IIM admissions follows the Government of India guidelines:

• General (Open) – No reservation
• OBC-NCL – 27%
• SC (Scheduled Caste) – 15%
• ST (Scheduled Tribe) – 7.5%
• EWS (Economically Weaker Section) – 10%
• PwD (Persons with Disability) – 5% (within each category)

Example: If IIM Ahmedabad has 406 seats, approximately 40 seats are reserved for EWS candidates, 61 for SC candidates, and 30 for ST candidates, while OBC-NCL candidates are allocated nearly 110 seats.

IIM Admission Process 2026

The IIM admission process for 2026–27 includes the following steps:

1. CAT Exam 2025 – Conducted on 30th November 2025.
2. Shortlisting – Based on CAT percentile, academic scores, work experience, and diversity factors.
3. WAT–PI Rounds – Written Ability Test & Personal Interview conducted from February to April 2026.
4. Final Selection – Based on CAT (30–40%), PI (30–40%), academics, and work experience.

Comparison of Seats Across IIMs

The distribution of MBA seats across Old IIMs, New IIMs, and Baby IIMs helps aspirants plan their admission strategy. While Old IIMs still dominate in terms of reputation and intake, New and Baby IIMs are rapidly growing, offering more opportunities every year.

• Old IIMs: With over 3,650 seats, they remain the toughest to crack, demanding a CAT percentile cutoff of 95–99.

• New IIMs: Offering ~2,100+ seats, they provide strong ROI with slightly lower CAT 92–96 percentile cutoffs.

• Baby IIMs: With ~1,800+ seats, they are perfect for aspirants targeting the 90–95 percentile in CAT.

• Overall Intake: Nearly 9,700 MBA seats are available across all 21 IIMs; however, competition is fierce, as ~3 lakh students appear for the CAT every year.

Why does the Number of MBA Seats in IIMs Matter for Aspirants?

• Higher Seats = Higher Chances of Selection: With more seats, the probability of getting shortlisted increases, especially in Baby and New IIMs.
• Competition Remains High: Despite ~10,000 seats, nearly 3 lakh aspirants appear for CAT, meaning only the top 2–3% make it.
• Strategic Applications: Aspirants must apply to a mix of Old, New, and Baby IIMs depending on their CAT percentile targets.
• Placements & ROI: Old IIMs offer the best ROI, but New and Baby IIMs are catching up with specialized programs and strong industry tie-ups.

Final Takeaway

The number of MBA seats in IIMs for 2026 is around 9,700 across 21 institutes. With each IIM offering a mix of flagship MBA/PGP programs and specialized tracks, aspirants should plan their CAT 2025 strategy wisely.

If you’re targeting the Old IIMs, aim for a 95–99 percentile. For New and Baby IIMs, a 90–95 percentile with a strong profile can secure your admission.

At MyCollegeRoute.com, we help aspirants compare IIMs and other top B-schools in India based on seats, fees, ROI, cutoffs, placements, and admission deadlines—making your MBA journey clear and well-planned.