IIM CAP 2026 Interview Preparation Intensifies Ahead of Late-February Start

The IIM Common Admission Process (CAP) has reached a critical administrative milestone. Coordinated by IIM Bodh Gaya, the portal for Personal Interview (PI) slot booking is concluding, paving the way for the evaluation phase. Thousands of CAT 2025 high-scorers are now shifting focus toward the centralized interview rounds scheduled to begin in mid-February. This update covers the latest timelines, participating institutes, and essential document requirements for the Class of 2026-28. The Common Admission Process (CAP) for the 2026-28 academic cycle is entering its most high-stakes phase. Today, February 7, 2026, marks the final deadline for candidates to secure their preferred interview timings through the official CAP 2026 portal. Coordinated this year by IIM Bodh Gaya, the centralized system serves as a single-window selection round for multiple Indian Institutes of Management, significantly streamlining the journey for MBA aspirants who cleared the stringent CAT 2025 cutoffs.

Transition to the Interview Phase

With the registration and slot-booking window closing at 5:00 PM today, the focus for the IIM CAP 2026 cohort shifts entirely to the Personal Interview (PI) rounds. These sessions are scheduled to commence in the third week of February and will extend through late March. Unlike the independent processes of the "BLACKI" (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore) group, the Common Admission Process allows a candidate to appear for one interview, the score of which is shared among all participating member institutes.

• Participating Institutes: This year’s CAP includes IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, and IIM Sirmaur, among others that have opted for the shared pool.
• Format of Interaction: The Personal Interview rounds for 2026 are expected to be conducted primarily in an online format to ensure geographical inclusivity.
• Slot Allocation: Candidates who successfully booked their slots by the February 7 deadline will soon receive their digital call letters detailing the specific date and panel timing.
• Evaluation Criteria: Beyond the CAT percentile, the Common Admission Process heavily weighs the PI performance, academic diversity, and work experience.

Essential Documentation for Candidates

The IIM CAP 2026 committee has issued strict guidelines regarding document verification, which occurs concurrently with the interview stage. Aspirants must ensure that their digital lockers or scanned repositories are updated with authentic credentials. According to the IIM Bodh Gaya admission policy, any discrepancy in the data provided during the registration phase can lead to immediate disqualification from the merit list preparation.

• Academic Transcripts: Degree certificates and mark sheets from 10th, 12th, and Graduation.
• Identity Proof: A valid Aadhaar card or Government-issued ID is mandatory for the online Personal Interview login.
• Work Experience: For professionals, joining letters and the last two months' salary slips are required as proof of remunerative employment.
• Category Certificates: Valid SC/ST/OBC-NC/EWS certificates must be in the format prescribed by the Government of India.

Preparing for the merit list

The stakes are high because the IIM CAP 2026 score often accounts for 25% to 30% of the final composite score used to generate the merit list in May. Candidates are advised to stay updated on current affairs and specific industry trends relevant to their background. As the coordination shifts from administrative collection to active evaluation, the Common Admission Process remains the primary gateway for those aspiring to join the rising stars of the IIM ecosystem.

Conclusion

As the February 7 deadline for slot booking concludes, the IIM CAP 2026 enters its most transformative stage. The transition into the Personal Interview phase represents the final hurdle for aspirants seeking a seat in the premier management institutes of India. By adhering to the verification protocols established by IIM Bodh Gaya and excelling in the upcoming interactions, candidates can look forward to the final results in May. This centralized approach continues to redefine efficiency in the Indian management education landscape for the 2026-28 batch.

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