MBA Admission Selection Processes Continue Nationwide During February Cycle

As the first week of February 2026 concludes, MBA admission activities across India are intensifying. From the IIM Mumbai registration deadline on February 8 to the start of Personal Interviews at major B-schools like XLRI and SPJIMR, candidates are navigating a critical phase of the selection cycle. This report provides a comprehensive update on institutional deadlines, interview schedules, and the ongoing transition from entrance scores to final merit evaluation.

The landscape of management education in India is currently at a fever pitch as the MBA admission cycle for the 2026-28 batch moves into its high-stakes selection phase. thousands of aspirants are transitioning from the anxiety of entrance results to the rigor of personal assessments. Major national institutions and private B-schools have synchronized their schedules, creating a dense calendar of deadlines and interview dates. For instance, IIM Mumbai is set to close its application portal tomorrow, February 8, marking a final opportunity for CAT 2025 high-scorers to join its prestigious specialized programs. Simultaneously, the focus is shifting toward the evaluation of "soft" parameters, where academic consistency and professional maturity carry as much weight as quantitative percentiles.

Key Deadlines and Institutional Updates

While many premier institutions closed their primary windows in late 2025, several top-tier colleges have extended their reach or are just beginning their interview shortlisting.

• IIM Mumbai Registration: The deadline for submitting online applications is February 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Shortlisting for their GDPI rounds, based on CAT scores, is already being processed.
• IIT Madras (DoMS): Following a similar timeline, the DoMS IIT Madras application portal concludes its cycle this weekend, with interviews scheduled to span across March in major metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai.
• Private B-School Extensions: Several leading private institutes, including IMI Delhi and Great Lakes, have maintained active windows into early February to accommodate candidates who may have pivoted their strategy after the XAT and CAT result declarations.

The Shift to Personal Assessments

The February cycle is synonymous with the commencement of the "second stage" of selection. This involves a variety of formats, from the Written Ability Test (WAT) to complex Group Interviews.

• XLRI Jamshedpur: After releasing PI calls in late January, XLRI enabled its PI slot selection on February 5. Candidates are now finalizing their interview cities and preparing for the rigorous interaction that defines the XLRI experience.
• SPJIMR Mumbai: Known for its unique profile-based shortlisting, SPJIMR is currently conducting its Phase 2 shortlisting. Their distinctive two-round group interview process, which emphasizes value-based leadership, is slated to begin this month.
• IIM Indore (IPM): For younger aspirants, the registration for the five-year Integrated Programme in Management began on February 2 and will remain open until mid-March.

Selection Metrics and Weightage Trends

Institutes are increasingly moving toward a composite score model. This ensures that a single bad day during an entrance exam does not disqualify a high-potential candidate.

Conclusion

The month of February 2026 serves as the ultimate bridge between raw scores and final admission offers. With the IIM Mumbai deadline on February 8 and the imminent start of interviews at XLRI and SPJIMR, the selection journey is reaching its peak. Candidates must ensure that their digital profiles are complete, their SOPs are authentic, and their preparation for interpersonal rounds is exhaustive. As the national admission landscape continues to evolve, staying updated with specific institutional timelines remains the most effective way to navigate this complex academic environment.

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