IIM CAP 2026: Interview Admit Updates Expected Ahead of February 23 Start

IIM Bodh Gaya, the coordinating institute for IIM CAP 2026, has finalized the city-wise Personal Interview (PI) schedule. Shortlisted candidates are now preparing for the centralized interview rounds set to begin on February 23, 2026, across major metropolitan hubs, marking a crucial phase for the 2026-28 MBA batch.

The Common Admission Process (CAP) 2026, coordinated this year by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bodh Gaya, has entered its most decisive phase. Following the closure of the registration and slot booking window on February 3, the Coordinating committee is now finalizing the release of interview call letters. As of today, February 10, candidates are anticipating the digital Issuance of their specific venue details and time slots. The centralized Interviews are officially scheduled to commence on February 23, 2026, serving as a unified selection gateway for participating "New" and "Baby" IIMs.

Centralized Interview Schedule and Venue Protocols

The 2026 Interviews cycle is strategically partitioned to accommodate a high volume of aspirants across the country. According to the Official CAP 2026 Portal, the first leg of the Personal Interview (PI) rounds will kick off in Mumbai and Hyderabad. This centralized model allows a single interview score to be shared among the participating institutes, which this year includes IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, and IIM Sirmaur. The IIM Bodh Gaya Admission Policy highlights that the PI typically carries a weightage of 25%, making it a high-stakes component of the composite score.

• Initial Phase: Mumbai and Hyderabad will host the first set of candidates from February 23 to February 27.
• Metropolitan Hubs: Extensive slots for New Delhi and Bengaluru are scheduled from March 2 to March 14, 2026.
• Final Rounds: Concluding sessions will take place at the coordinating centers through late March, ending on March 31.

Mandatory Documentation and Verification Standards

The Issuance of the final admit card is contingent upon the successful preliminary verification of uploaded documents. Candidates must ensure they carry original transcripts from Class 10 through graduation, along with valid category certificates. The CAP 2026 Instructions emphasize that any discrepancy found during the physical verification at the interview venue will result in immediate disqualification. This level of Scrutiny is essential to maintain the integrity of the merit-based selection process for the 2026-28 academic session.

Strategic Weightage and Final Merit List

The transition to the Interviews stage marks the end of the quantitative assessment and the beginning of soft-skill evaluation. Participating institutes use a common normalized PI score but apply their own weightage for the final merit list. For instance, the Coordinating institute, IIM Bodh Gaya, allocates 50% to the CAT score, 25% to the PI, and 25% to the candidate's profile (including academics and work experience). This Scrutiny ensures that the most well-rounded candidates are selected for the rigorous MBA curriculum.

• Score Sharing: A single PI score is valid for all participating IIMs under the CAP umbrella.
• Work Experience: Full-time remunerative experience post-graduation is verified against salary slips and joining letters.
• Diversity Factors: Weightage is also given to gender and academic diversity to ensure a balanced classroom environment.

Conclusion

The upcoming commencement of IIM CAP Interviews on February 23 represents the penultimate step for thousands of management hopefuls. As the Coordinating committee prepares for the Issuance of final call letters, candidates are focusing on refining their communication skills and business awareness. The rigorous Scrutiny applied during this centralized process ensures a transparent and efficient roadmap toward securing a seat in one of India's premier business schools. With the schedule now finalized, the next six weeks will define the professional trajectory for the future business leaders of the 2026-28 cohort.

For regular updates follow Only Education News. For more details on management entrance exams and courses, check here: Management Exams List.