IIM CAP 2026 Interview Cities Confirmed Ahead of February 23 Start

The Common Admission Process (CAP) for the 10 participating Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) has officially confirmed the list of interview cities for the 2026 cycle. Starting February 14, 2026, shortlisted candidates can view their specific Personal Interview slots and locations on the official portal. This report details the hybrid interview model being adopted, the list of major nodal cities, and the mandatory document verification checklist for candidates appearing from February 23. With IIM Kashipur leading the coordination, the 2026-28 admission process enters its final, high-stakes evaluation stage.

The Common Admission Process (CAP) has successfully finalized the list of nodal cities that will host the Personal Interview (PI) rounds for the upcoming academic session. Under the coordination of IIM Kashipur, the CAP 2026 dashboard was updated this morning to reflect the specific locations assigned to candidates based on their geographical preferences. This administrative milestone is critical as it marks the transition from the registration phase to the final selection Evaluation stage, which is scheduled to commence on February 23, 2026.

• Hybrid Model: The CAP committee has confirmed a hybrid structure, where certain Cities will host physical panels while remote locations will continue with supervised online interviews.
• Nodal Locations: Major Cities confirmed as nodal centers include New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
• Slot Allocation: Candidates are being notified via their registered email addresses to download their PI call letters, which contain the exact venue and reporting time.
• Verification Protocol: Prior to the interview, a mandatory digital document verification will be conducted to ensure the authenticity of the CAT 2025 scores and academic records.

CAP 2026 Coordination and Evaluation Metrics

For the 2026-28 batch, the CAP process includes the new IIMs and several baby IIMs, aiming to streamline the admission journey for over 20,000 shortlisted aspirants. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have collectively decided to place a 30% weightage on the Personal Interview during the final Evaluation. As of February 14, the coordinating team is conducting dry runs of the digital interface in various Cities to prevent technical disruptions during the month-long interview window.

Preparation Guidelines: Shortlisted candidates are advised to visit the official CAP 2026 portal to download the updated "Interview Protocol" document.

• Diversity Focus: This year’s Evaluation includes a specific focus on academic diversity, with additional points allocated to non-engineering backgrounds across all participating institutes.
• Logistics Readiness: Nodal coordinators in various Cities are currently briefing the faculty panels on the revised scoring rubric for 2026.
• Helpdesk Support: A 24/7 technical support line has been activated to assist candidates who might face connectivity issues during the online components of the Process.

Conclusion

The confirmation of the interview Cities and the release of PI slots as of February 14 bring much-needed clarity to the final stage of the IIM CAP 2026 cycle. This coordinated Process ensures that candidates from diverse regions have equal access to the prestigious faculty panels of the participating IIMs. As the February 23 start date approaches, the administrative focus remains on the seamless execution of the Evaluation rounds, which are expected to conclude by the end of March. For the aspirants, this period is the ultimate opportunity to translate their CAT success into a definitive admission offer. The structured nature of this Process continues to uphold the high standards of management education in India, setting a clear path for the future leaders of the 2026-28 academic session.

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