CAP 2026 Personal Interviews Begin Across Cities

The Common Admission Process (CAP) for 2026 has officially moved to the Personal Interview stage starting February 23 across major Indian cities.

Today, February 24, marks the second day of the Personal Interview rounds for the Common Admission Process, known as CAP 2026. This year, IIM Jammu is leading the process for a group of newer Indian Institutes of Management. Thousands of students who scored well in the CAT 2025 exam are now visiting different cities to prove they have what it takes to be future managers. The IIM Admission journey is currently at its most exciting and nervous stage, as these interviews carry a lot of weight in the final selection.

The interviews are being held in cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad. According to the official CAP 2026 Portal, the schedule is very tight, and candidates must reach their venues at least 30 minutes before their slot. This centralized process is helpful because a student only has to give one interview to be considered by many different IIMs. If a candidate performs well today, they could get offers from institutes like IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, or IIM Sirmaur.

1. Interview Venues and Important Dates

The Personal Interview schedule is spread across several weeks to manage the large number of candidates from across the country.

• Mumbai and Hyderabad: The first batch of interviews started on February 23 and will continue until February 27 or 28.
• Bengaluru and Kolkata: Interviews in these cities are set to begin in early March, giving students there a few more days to prepare.
• Delhi-NCR: This is one of the busiest centers, with slots scheduled from March 9 all the way until late March.
• Mandatory Attendance: If a student misses their booked slot, they will not get another chance. You can check your specific date on the Official IIM Jammu CAP Page.
• Virtual Option: While most interviews are in person, some special cases might be conducted online if previously approved by the CAP coordination team.

2. What Happens During the Interview?

The Selection Process is designed to look beyond just marks and see the personality and thinking style of the student.

• Panel Members: Each interview panel usually has two or three professors from different IIMs who ask questions on various topics.
• Academic Questions: Be ready to answer questions about your graduation subjects. If you studied Engineering or Commerce, they will test your basic knowledge.
• Current Affairs: The panel often asks about big news stories happening in India and around the world right now.
• Work Experience: For students who have worked before, the panel will ask about their job roles and what they learned in the professional world.
• Document Check: Before the interview starts, officials will verify your original marksheets and category certificates. Details are available in the CAP 2026 Guidelines.

3. Final Merit List and Results

The goal of this Selection Process is to create a final list of students who will join the MBA batch of 2026-2028.

• Weightage: The interview score usually makes up 25% to 30% of the final score. The rest comes from your CAT marks and your school/college percentages.
• Gender Diversity: Many IIMs give extra points to female and transgender candidates to ensure a diverse classroom.
• Result Month: The final results for CAP are expected to be announced in the second week of May 2026.
• Individual Offers: After the CAP result is out, each IIM will send separate emails to the students they want to admit.
• Waitlist: If you are not selected in the first list, you might be put on a waitlist. These lists move as other students choose different colleges.

Conclusion

The start of the Personal Interview round is a big milestone for every MBA aspirant. It is the bridge between a high CAT score and an actual seat at an IIM. As the rounds continue through February and March, students are advised to stay calm and focus on their communication skills. The IIM Admission process is very fair, but it is also very competitive. Make sure you carry all your original documents and dress professionally for the day. This one conversation with the panel could change your life and start your journey toward a successful business career. Good luck to all the candidates appearing for their interviews this week!

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