IIM CAP 2026 Interview Rounds Began Yesterday Across Cities

As of today, February 24, 2026, the coordinating committee for the Common Admission Process (CAP 2026) has finalized all arrangements for the personal interview (PI) rounds. This year, IIM Bodh Gaya is the coordinating institute for the centralized process, which covers several new and baby IIMs, including IIM Jammu and IIM Sirmaur. Candidates who have booked their slots must report to their assigned venues exactly as per the timings mentioned on their official CAP 2026 call letters.

Phase-Wise Interview Schedule

To manage the large number of candidates efficiently, the CAP 2026 interviews have been divided into geographical phases. Starting tomorrow, the first phase will kick off in Mumbai and Hyderabad. This will be followed by other major cities in the coming weeks.

• Phase 1 (Mumbai & Hyderabad): February 23 – February 28, 2026.
• Phase 2 (Bengaluru & Jammu): March 02 – March 07, 2026.
• Phase 3 (Delhi-NCR & Kolkata): March 09 – March 14, 2026.
• Final Phase (IIM Bodh Gaya): March 24 – March 26, 2026.

According to the latest MBA admission policy for the 2026-28 batch, the personal interview performance carries a significant weightage of 25% in the final merit list preparation. This makes tomorrow's start a high-stakes event for every aspirant aiming for a seat in the premier Indian Institutes of Management.

Mandatory Verification and Security

A major change introduced this year is the implementation of mandatory biometric verification at all interview centers. Candidates are required to reach the venue at least 45 minutes before their allotted slot. You must carry your original CAT 2025 scorecard, valid photo ID proof, and all academic certificates from Class 10 to Graduation. For those with work experience, the committee requires joining letters and the last two months' salary slips as proof of remunerative employment. Any student failing to produce these documents will not be allowed to participate in the personal interview process.

Preparation Tips for the Final Hurdle

Since the CAP 2026 is the final step before the merit list, experts suggest that candidates should stay updated on current economic affairs and global trends. The panel often asks questions about the candidate's undergraduate subjects and their reasons for pursuing an MBA. The centralized process is designed to be a "single window" system, meaning a candidate only needs to attend one interview to be considered for all participating IIMs. This reduces the stress of traveling to multiple campuses for separate rounds.

Conclusion

As the interviews begin tomorrow, February 23, the atmosphere across the designated centers is expected to be one of intense competition and excitement. The personal interview is the last major hurdle in a journey that began with months of CAT preparation. After the conclusion of all phases on March 26, the individual IIMs will start synthesizing scores to release their final admission offers. For now, every aspirant should focus on their communication skills and stay confident as they face the IIM panels.