B-Schools Across India Progress with MBA Selection Rounds for 2026 Intake
Leading Indian B-schools, including the IIMs, FMS Delhi, and MDI Gurgaon, have moved into the final stages of the MBA 2026-28 selection process as of February 12.With CAT 2025 and XAT 2026 scores in hand, institutes are currently conducting rigorous Group Discussions (GD), Personal Interviews (PI), and Written Ability Tests (WAT).Significant changes in selection criteria, such as MDI Gurgaon dropping school marks from final rounds, are reshaping the competitive landscape for over 2.5 lakh aspirants. Candidates are advised to finalize their interview preparation and track upcoming merit list announcements scheduled for April and May.
The management education sector in India has reached its annual peak as premier business schools transition from entrance examinations to the high-stakes phase of selection rounds. As of mid-February, the focus for over 2.5 lakh aspirants has shifted to clearing the final hurdles: the Group Discussion (GD), Personal Interview (PI), and Written Ability Test (WAT). While the flagship Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have already dispatched the majority of their interview calls, several top-tier private and university-affiliated institutes are currently finalizing their shortlists for the 2026-28 academic batch.
IIM Selection Trends and Centralized Processes
The 2026 intake cycle has seen a streamlined approach through centralized portals like the Common Admission Process (CAP), which manages the interviews for the "Baby IIMs." This year, IIM Jammu is coordinating the CAP, ensuring a single-window interview for institutes like IIM Bodh Gaya and IIM Sirmaur. Simultaneously, major players like IIM Mumbai are set to release their specific PI shortlists by February 20, keeping the pressure high on candidates who are often balancing multiple interview dates in a single week.
- Centralized Efficiency: The CAP and Joint Admission Process (JAP) ensure that candidates do not have to appear for separate interviews for over a dozen institutes, saving significant time and resources.
- Academic Diversity: Many IIMs have increased their weightage for non-engineering backgrounds this year to ensure a diverse classroom profile, a trend overseen by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) parameters.
- Final Year Students: Candidates currently in their final year of graduation are participating with "provisional" eligibility, requiring them to complete their degrees by June 2026.
Private B-Schools and Innovative Selection Changes
Beyond the IIMs, prestigious private institutes are implementing notable changes to their 2026 selection criteria. MDI Gurgaon, for instance, has recently made headlines by dropping Class 10 and Class 12 marks from its final selection stage, placing nearly 35% weightage on the CAT score and 30% on the Personal Interview. Similarly, SPJIMR Mumbai continues its unique profile-based shortlisting, where candidates with exceptional leadership or social impact records are interviewed even before entrance results are finalized.
| Institute | Selection Round Status | Key Evaluation Component |
| FMS Delhi | Shortlist expected late Feb | Extempore & SOP Discussion |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | PI Slots currently active | Behavior & Values Assessment |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | Ongoing Phase 2 Interviews | Group Interviews (Specialization Focus) |
| IIT Kharagpur (VGSoM) | Interviews scheduled for March | Analytical Ability |
The Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) Delhi remains the most sought-after institute for its high return on investment (ROI). Its 2026 selection round is scheduled for April, with a unique "Extempore" round following the Personal Interview, testing the candidate's presence of mind under pressure.
Administrative Compliance and Result Timelines
As the selection rounds progress, B-schools are maintaining strict administrative compliance regarding document verification. The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) guidelines require all institutes to verify original transcripts and work experience letters during the PI rounds. Candidates who have secured multiple calls are now managing their calendars carefully to avoid overlapping slots, particularly as many institutes return to physical interview modes following several years of virtual-only interactions.
- Scorecard Validity: Candidates must carry verified CAT 2025 scorecards or XAT results to all physical interview venues.
- Merit List Release: Most top-tier B-schools are expected to declare their first merit list between April 10 and May 5, 2026.
- Waitlist Management: Movement in waitlists for 2026 is projected to be more dynamic due to the overlapping schedules of major entrance exams.
Conclusion
The 2026 MBA selection season highlights a shift toward holistic evaluation, where a high entrance score is merely the starting point. With institutes like MDI Gurgaon de-emphasizing past school performance and the IIMs prioritizing diverse profiles, the "round two" stage has become the true filter for leadership potential. As the interview cycle continues through March, the focus for the 2026 cohort must remain on articulating professional vision and demonstrating ethical maturity. The coming months will determine the composition of India’s future managerial class, as hundreds of B-schools conclude their selection rounds to welcome the new batch by late June.
For regular updates follow Only Education News. For more details on management entrance exams and courses, check here: Management Exams List.