IIMs and Top B-Schools Set to Conduct Interview Rounds Through March

The most prestigious management institutes in the country, the IIMs, are entering their most intensive month of recruitment. Starting tomorrow, Personal Interview (PI) and Written Ability Test (WAT) rounds for the PGP 2026-28 batch will be conducted across multiple major cities. For the flagship institutes, these interviews represent the final stage of evaluation for the nation's top management talent.

Flagship vs. CAP Interview Models

While the older IIMs conduct their own independent interview rounds, the newer and "baby" IIMs participate in the Common Admission Process (CAP 2026). This centralized system allows a candidate to undergo a single interview that is valid for all participating member institutes, simplifying the 2026 admission cycle.

• Flagship IIM interview rounds for IIM Ahmedabad and Bangalore are currently active and expected to conclude by mid-March.
• The IIM CAP 2026 interview window is scheduled to run from late February through March 22, 2026.
• Candidates are being evaluated by panels comprising faculty members and industry veterans who look beyond CAT scores to assess "teachability" and leadership potential.

Selection Parameters and Final Merit

The IIM interview process is designed to evaluate a candidate’s soft skills, ethical orientation, and domain knowledge. Final merit lists are calculated using a composite score that includes academics, work experience, and interview performance.

• Many IIMs have assigned up to 40% weightage to the interview performance in the final admission calculation.
• Written Ability Tests (WAT) are often conducted immediately before the PI to test structured thinking on contemporary business issues.
• The table below provides a tentative look at the IIM interview and result timeline for 2026:

Conclusion

The month of March 2026 stands as the ultimate proving ground for future corporate leaders. In conclusion, as the IIM interview rounds conclude, the focus will shift toward the final merit lists that will shape the management landscape for the next two years.

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