IIM CAP 2026 Interview Rounds Progress Across Multiple Cities

The Common Admission Process (CAP) for the 2026-28 batch has officially entered the Personal Interview stage today. Candidates are appearing for panels in cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad as IIM Bodh Gaya coordinates the final selection.

The final race to join the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) has reached a critical stage today. The Common Admission Process, known as IIM CAP, has started its physical interview rounds in several big cities across India. This year, the process is being managed by IIM Bodh Gaya, which is the coordinating institute for the 2026-28 batch. While thousands of students are competing for seats, the interviews today in cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad showed a high level of energy and professional discipline among the candidates.

The New Offline Interview Format

For the last few years, many interviews were held online, but the 2026-28 batch selection has seen a return to face-to-face interactions. The CAP committee decided to hold these rounds offline to better judge the personality and communication skills of the future managers. Panels consisting of expert professors and industry leaders are currently meeting students to test their general knowledge and logical thinking.

• Nodal Centers: The interviews are being held at special centers in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
• Two Slots: Every day, there are two interview timings—the morning slot starts at 8:00 AM, and the afternoon slot begins at 12:30 PM.
• Wait Times: Since the process is very detailed, some students are spending four to five hours at the centers for document checks and the actual interview.

Participating Institutes and Selection Rules

It is interesting to note that the number of institutes in the IIM CAP has changed this year. While many IIMs used to be part of one group, some have moved to a different system called the Joint Admission Process (JAP). Currently, the CAP process mainly helps students get into IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, and IIM Sirmaur. This single interview is a great help for students because they do not have to travel to three different campuses for three separate interviews.

The final selection will not just depend on the interview. The institutes will also look at the CAT score, 10th and 12th marks, and any work experience the student has. According to the official CAP 2026 portal, the interview carries about 25% to 30% weight in the final result. This means a good performance today can make a huge difference in the final merit list.

Requirements for the Interview Day

Students appearing for the rounds today were asked to bring a long list of documents for verification. The staff at the nodal centers is strictly checking the Aadhaar card and original degree certificates. Any student who fails to show the original documents might lose their chance, even if they have a very high CAT score.

• Admit Card: Candidates must carry a printed copy of the PI call letter from the IIM Bodh Gaya website.
• Academic Proof: Original mark sheets from the 10th standard onwards are mandatory for the panel to see.
• Work Proof: For those who have worked before, salary slips and experience letters are being checked very carefully.

Conclusion

The start of the IIM CAP interview rounds today marks the beginning of a month-long evaluation process that will decide the future of management education in India. The shift back to offline interviews in the 2026-28 batch highlights the importance of physical presence and professional behavior. Students who have prepared well for their CAT score now have the final opportunity to prove their worth in front of the professors. As the rounds continue until late March, candidates are advised to keep checking the official AIMS/IIM websites for any changes in venue or timing.

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