Business Schools Progress Toward Interview and Selection Rounds for 2026 Intake

As of February 14, 2026, premier Indian business schools have progressed into the critical interview and selection phase for the 2026-28 academic session. This report provides a comprehensive update on the IIM CAP 2026 personal interview schedules, the XLRI PGDM slot booking status, and the upcoming selection rounds for FMS Delhi and SPJIMR Mumbai. With several top-tier institutes adopting hybrid evaluation models, we detail the essential documentation, nodal city arrangements, and weightage criteria governing the final merit list for management aspirants across India.

The landscape of management education in India has reached a high-stakes transition as of February 14, 2026. Major Business schools are now moving from score-based shortlisting to the qualitative evaluation of candidates. The Common Admission Process (CAP) 2026, currently coordinated by IIM Jammu, has finalized its portal for slot booking. Shortlisted candidates for the 10+ participating IIMs are now securing their timings for the Personal Interview (PI) rounds, which are officially scheduled to begin on February 23, 2026. This centralized Evaluation ensures a standardized benchmark for evaluating the managerial potential of thousands of aspirants.

• IIM CAP Schedule: The virtual PI rounds will span from February 23 to March 31, 2026, allowing for a thorough assessment of the expanded candidate pool.
• XLRI Jamshedpur: Following the XAT 2026 results, XLRI has opened its slot selection for the PGDM-BM and HRM programs. Physical interviews are being organized in major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
• SPJIMR Mumbai: The institute is currently in the midst of its multi-phase interview cycle, with Mumbai Phase 2 interviews scheduled for February 16–17.
• FMS Delhi: The Faculty of Management Studies has confirmed that its primary selection rounds, including the discussion on the Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Extempore, will be conducted in April.

Selection Criteria and Performance Weightage for 2026

For the 2026-28 intake, Business schools have refined their selection rubrics to place a higher emphasis on academic consistency and diversity. The Evaluation process now frequently includes components such as Analytical Essay Writing (AEW) or Case Group Discussions (CGD) to test real-time problem-solving skills. According to the latest IIM Admission Framework, the weightage for personal interviews often ranges between 30% and 50% of the final merit score, making these upcoming weeks decisive for every Aspirant.

• Documentation: Candidates are required to upload verified work experience certificates and academic transcripts before their respective Evaluation dates.
• Diversity Bonus: Many Business schools, including IIM Rohtak and FMS, are providing additional weightage to female candidates and non-engineering graduates to promote a balanced classroom profile.
• Waitlist Management: Initial offers are projected for release by the second week of April, with waitlist movements expected to continue until June 2026.
• Verification: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has assisted in providing authenticated data to institutes for the swift verification of entrance test scores.

Conclusion

The progression into the interview and selection rounds as of February 14 marks the penultimate hurdle for management aspirants in the 2026-28 cycle. As Business schools across the country finalize their nodal city arrangements and digital interfaces, the focus shifts entirely to the "human" element of the admission process. Every Aspirant currently preparing for these rounds must balance their domain knowledge with soft skills to successfully navigate the high-pressure Evaluation panels. The coordination displayed by centralized processes like CAP and the independent rigor of private giants like XLRI ensure that the 2026 intake remains both meritocratic and representative of India's diverse talent pool. With final offers slated for early spring, the upcoming month of March will serve as the final filter for the next generation of corporate leaders.

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