IIM CAP 2026: Personal Interview Slot Booking Window Closes Tomorrow

The Common Admission Process (CAP) 2026, coordinated by IIM Bodh Gaya, is entering its final registration phase. Shortlisted candidates for the 10 participating New and Baby IIMs must book their Personal Interview (PI) slots by February 3. Learn about the CAP weightage, interview dates, and document requirements.

The Common Admission Process (CAP) 2026 is currently the focal point for thousands of MBA aspirants who have cleared the CAT 2025 cutoffs for the newer Indian Institutes of Management. Coordinated this year by IIM Bodh Gaya, the CAP portal is seeing high traffic as the deadline for Personal Interview (PI) slot booking and registration expires tomorrow, February 3. This centralized process allows a candidate to attend a single interview that is valid for all 10 participating IIMs, significantly reducing the logistical and financial burden on students.

Participating IIMs and Selection Criteria

The CAP 2026 is a unique collaborative effort that streamlines the admission process for "New" and "Baby" IIMs. By participating in this single-window system, candidates avoid the stress of multiple interviews in different cities.

• Participating Institutes: These include IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Kashipur, IIM Raipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Trichy, IIM Udaipur, and IIM Nagpur.
• Cutoff Benchmarks: For the general category, a minimum overall CAT percentile of 94-95 is typically required to receive a CAP call.
• Common Scorecard: The scores obtained in the CAP interview are shared with all participating institutes, which then release their individual final merit lists in May.

Navigating the PI Slot Booking Process

The current window, which closes on February 3, is critical for candidates to secure their preferred interview timing. Since the interviews are conducted in an online format, having a stable internet connection and a chosen slot that doesn't clash with other B-school interviews is essential.

• Step 1: Registration: Candidates must log in to the official CAP 2026 portal using their CAT credentials and pay the registration fee.
• Step 2: Slot Selection: Choose from the available morning or afternoon sessions. Slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Step 3: Document Upload: Candidates must upload their CAT scorecard, academic mark sheets, and category certificates (if applicable) before the deadline.

Preparing for the CAP Personal Interview

The PI rounds for CAP 2026 are scheduled to take place between mid-February and late March. Unlike the "Old IIMs" which often include a Written Ability Test (WAT), the CAP process focuses heavily on the Personal Interview to assess the candidate's holistic profile.

• Weightage Factors: While the CAT score carries significant weight, the PI performance usually accounts for 25% to 30% of the final selection score.
• Academic Profile: Candidates are awarded points for their Class 10, 12, and graduation marks. Consistent performers across all levels have a distinct advantage.
• Work Experience: Quality work experience of 2 to 4 years is highly valued and can fetch up to 10 additional points in the final merit calculation.

Conclusion

With the CAP 2026 slot booking deadline ending tomorrow, candidates must ensure all technical steps are completed to avoid disqualification. The interview stage is the most subjective part of the journey, requiring candidates to stay updated on current affairs and business news. Once the slots are confirmed, the focus should immediately shift to mock interviews and profile-based preparation to secure a seat in one of the prestigious participating IIMs.

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