IIM Shillong RTI Data 2024–26 | 80.34% CAT Cutoff Analysis

Indian Institute of Management Shillong (IIM Shillong), established in 2007, has transformed into a major management education hub with extraordinary growth. The Post Graduate Programme (PGP) batch size has surged 495% from 64 students (2008–09) to over 380 students (2024–26), while maintaining rigorous admission standards.

Key Headline Metrics (2024–26):

• Minimum CAT Percentile (General): ~75–80 percentile (significantly lower than tier-1 IIMs)
• Final Offer Rate: <1% (0.78% in 2023–25 batch)
• Total Applications: 173,905 (2023–25)
• Final Batch Size: 380+ students
• Non-Engineer Representation: 40% (highest among IIMs)
• Female Representation: 52% (2025 batch) — majority female cohort achieved
• Composite Score Approach: No rigid overall CAT cutoff; holistic evaluation dominates

IIM Shillong stands apart in the IIM ecosystem through its composite scoring methodology, which prioritizes interview performance, academic diversity, and non-engineer representation over strict CAT thresholds. This contrasts sharply with tier-1 IIMs (Ahmedabad: 93.76%, Bangalore: 91.97%, Calcutta: 91.49%) that enforce higher minimum percentiles.

IIM Shillong — Batch Size Evolution & Growth Trajectory

The institute has demonstrated a consistent, accelerating growth trajectory over 16 years:

Critical Observation: The inflection point occurred post-2021, when the institute scaled from 251 (2021–23) to 380+ (2024–26) within three years. This 51% expansion in three years reflects institutional confidence in maintaining quality standards at scale.

Admission Statistics & Application Trends

2024–26 Batch (Current) — Preliminary Data

2023–25 Batch (Fully Documented RTI Data)

Key Insights:

• General Category Dominance: Accounts for 84.7% of applications (147,347 of 173,905)
• Conversion Funnel: Only 3.3% of applicants convert to PI shortlist; final offer rate drops to 0.78%
• Reserved Category Advantage: SC/ST/EWS categories show 1.67–1.95% conversion vs. 0.61% for General — reflecting smaller applicant pools but higher relative selection rates
• Waitlist Movement: 387 waitlist positions converted from 1,357 offers, yielding 71.8% offer acceptance rate (final enrolled: 382 students)

2022–24 Batch Diversity Achievement

CAT Cutoffs & Minimum Percentile Requirements — Decade-Long Analysis

Sectional Cutoff Structure (Consistent Since 2018–20)

Structural Insight: These sectional minimums remain non-negotiable elimination criteria. Missing even a single point below the required sectional threshold results in automatic disqualification, regardless of overall CAT performance.

Minimum CAT Percentile for Final Admission (10-Year Comparison)

Critical Finding: IIM Shillong does not publish a mandatory "overall CAT percentile" requirement like tier-1 IIMs. Instead, the 80.34 percentile for the General category in 2023–25 represents the lowest admitted candidate, not an explicit cutoff.

Implication: Candidates with 75–80 overall CAT percentile can secure admission if their:

• Academic background (10th, 12th, graduation scores) is exceptionally strong (90%+)
• Professional profile includes 1–2 years of work experience or a compelling non-engineer background
• Personal interview performance is outstanding (40% weight in final selection)

Selection Criteria Weightage Evolution (2018–2026)

Current Selection Process (2025–27 Batch)

Phase 1: Shortlisting for Personal Interview

Phase 2: Final Merit List (Post-Interview)

Composite Final Score = 0.40 × PI + 0.40 × CAT + 0.10 × Academics + 0.10 × Gender

Evolution from 2021–23 Batch (Major Inflection)

Waitlist Movement & Final Class Composition

Waitlist Data (2023–25 Batch — RTI Confirmed)

Analysis: The 71.8% offer-to-enrolment ratio (1,357 offers yielding 382 final enrolments) is typical for IIMs, reflecting multi-offer acceptance by candidates. However, the General category acceptance rate (30.9%) significantly exceeds reserved categories (20–24%), indicating General category candidates' higher propensity to accept IIM Shillong offers when also accepted to other IIMs.

Class Composition by Category (2023–25 Final Batch)

Gender Diversity Transformation (2022–2025)

Transformation Insight: IIM Shillong's progression from 25% female (2022) → 45% (2023) → 52% (2025) represents one of India's fastest gender rebalancing achievements among B-schools. This 104% increase in female representation over three years outpaces most peer IIMs and reflects deliberate institutional commitment to gender parity.

Academic Background & Sectoral Diversity

Graduation Field Distribution (2023–25 PGP Batch)

Strategic Positioning: With 40% non-engineer representation, IIM Shillong ranks as India's most academically diverse IIM. This significantly exceeds peer IIMs (typically 25–35% non-engineers) and reflects the institutional strategy to build cross-disciplinary cohorts.

Work Experience Profile (2023–25 Batch)

Key Finding: Approximately 71% of the batch has 1–60+ months of work experience, with the modal category at 13–24 months (97 students). This indicates IIM Shillong's preference for candidates with 1–2 years of professional exposure, while still maintaining a substantial 27.5% cohort of freshers (new graduates).

Composite Score Cutoffs for Final Admission

Normalized Composite Scores by Category (2023–25)

Methodology: These normalized scores incorporate:

• PI Performance: 40% weight
• CAT Score: 40% weight
• Academic Metrics (10/12/Grad): 20% weight combined

Insight: The 0.316–0.639 range (range = 0.323) demonstrates substantial category-wise flexibility. An ST/PwD candidate can secure admission at 31.6% composite score, while a general candidate requires 63.9%—nearly double the threshold. This composite approach explicitly prioritizes access for marginalized categories while maintaining General category selectivity.

Part I: Comparative Analysis — Key 10-Year Trends

Trend 1: Structural Consistency in Sectional Cutoffs

The 75-60-50 structure (General-SC-ST/DA) has remained immutable for 8+ consecutive years (2018–26), demonstrating IIM Shillong's confidence in this segmentation methodology. Unlike tier-1 IIMs that occasionally adjust cutoffs, IIM Shillong has shifted the post-shortlist weightage allocation instead, creating dynamic flexibility within structural stability.

Trend 2: Batch Expansion Without Quality Dilution

Critical Validation: Despite 133% batch size growth (2015–17 to 2023–25), placement metrics remained stable/strong, validating that expanded intake has not compromised batch quality.

Trend 3: Application Volume Stability Despite Capacity Expansion

Insight: IIM Shillong's 0.78% offer rate is comparable to IIM Ahmedabad (0.17%, highly selective) and IIM Bangalore (0.22%), positioning it among India's most competitive management schools despite lower CAT minima.

Trend 4: Academic Diversity as Competitive Strategy

Critical Observations & Selection Mechanics

Observation 1: No "Overall CAT Cutoff" — Holistic Composite Approach

Unlike IIM Ahmedabad (93.76% overall mandatory) or IIM Bangalore (91.97% overall mandatory), IIM Shillong explicitly avoids publishing an overall CAT percentile cutoff. Instead:

• Sectional cutoffs remain absolute: Missing 75 in ANY section (General) = automatic elimination
• Overall, CAT becomes flexible: Candidates with 80.34 percentile (General, 2023–25) secured admission despite being below peer IIM minimums
• Compensation mechanism exists: Strong 10th/12th/graduation scores (90%+) + compelling professional profile + exceptional PI performance = admission despite moderate CAT score

Mathematical Expression:

An applicant with 78 CAT percentile, 92% 10th/12th average, and excellent PI could achieve:
Potentially admissible (above 0.639 General cutoff).

Observation 2: Sectional Cutoffs as Hard Elimination Criteria

Strict Enforcement: Sectional cutoffs permit zero flexibility and function as hard eliminations independent of overall performance.

Observation 3: RTI Data Gaps & Transparency Challenges

Historical Context: IIM Shillong initially resisted RTI transparency, requiring a Central Information Commission hearing to enforce disclosure. This legacy has resulted in incomplete pre-2020 minimum percentile data and limited comparative historical analysis.

Observation 4: Category-Wise Conversion Efficiency

Key Finding: While reserved category conversion rates are 1.7–2.0x higher than General, the General category dominates absolute application volume (147,347 of 173,905 = 84.7%), resulting in 894 General admits vs. 463 reserved category admits (277 to 382 final).

Comparative Benchmarking vs. Peer IIMs (2024–26)

Strategic Positioning: IIM Shillong occupies a distinctive middle ground — more accessible than tier-1 IIMs (75–80 vs. 91–94) while maintaining comparable selectivity (0.78% offer rate) and superior academic diversity (40% non-engineers, 52% female).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the minimum CAT percentile required for admission to IIM Shillong?

A: IIM Shillong does not publish a rigid "overall" CAT percentile cutoff like some tier-1 IIMs. Instead, it follows a sectional cutoff + composite scoring approach:

• General Category: 75 percentiles in EACH section (VARC, DILR, QA) is mandatory. While 80.34 percentile was the documented minimum overall for the General category in 2023–25, candidates with strong academics (90%+ in 10th/12th) and compelling profiles can secure admission with a 75–80 overall percentile if they clear sectionals.
• SC Category: 60 percentiles in each section
• ST/DA Category: 50 percentiles in each section

The key distinction: sectional cutoffs are absolute eliminations, but overall, CAT is flexible through composite scoring.

Q2: Can I get admitted to IIM Shillong with a 70–75 percentile overall CAT score?

A: Yes, it is theoretically possible but statistically unlikely for General category candidates. Here's why:

• You must clear sectional cutoffs (75 in all three sections for General). If you achieve 70 overall, you likely missed at least one sectional requirement, resulting in automatic disqualification.
• If you somehow clear sectionals with 75-75-75 (all three sections), a 70 overall is mathematically impossible—the average of three 75s is 75.
• However, reserved category candidates (SC/ST) with lower sectional minimums (60/50) could theoretically achieve lower overall percentiles while clearing sectionals.

Bottom Line: Focus on clearing sectional cutoffs first; overall flexibility exists only if sectionals are clear.

Q3: How much weightage does work experience carry in the final selection?

A: Work experience has indirect weightage through multiple channels:

1. Shortlisting Phase: 5% weight within the Normalized Application Rating Score (NARS)
2. Final Merit: 0% direct weight; however, strong work experience (1–2 years) significantly enhances interview perception and can improve PI performance rating
3. Batch Composition: 71% of the 2023–25 batch had work experience, indicating institutional preference for candidates with professional exposure

Key Insight: While freshers comprise 27.5% of the batch, candidates with 1–2 years of relevant experience have demonstrably better conversion rates in the final stage due to enhanced maturity and industry perspective during interviews.

Q4: Does IIM Shillong have a work experience preference—do they prefer freshers or experienced candidates?

A: IIM Shillong maintains balanced representation across the experience spectrum:

• 27.5% Freshers: Significant fresh graduate cohort; no penalty for lacking experience
• 71% Experienced: 1–60+ months professionals; the modal category is 13–24 months
• Sweet Spot: 1–2 years of professional experience appears to be the institutional preference, as 44.8% of the batch falls in the 13–36 months bracket

Recommendation: Work experience is advantageous but not mandatory. Freshers with exceptional academics and interview skills can secure admission equally.

Q5: What is the acceptance rate for IIM Shillong? How selective is the institute?

A: IIM Shillong is among India's most selective management institutes:

• Application-to-Offer Rate: 0.78% (1,357 offers from 173,905 applications in 2023–25)
• Application-to-Shortlist Rate: 3.3% (5,745 shortlisted from 173,905)
• Offer-to-Enrolment Rate: 28.2% (382 final enrolments from 1,357 offers)

Comparative Selectivity:

• IIM Shillong: 0.78% offer rate ✓ Highly selective
• IIM Ahmedabad: 0.17% offer rate (more selective due to lower offer volume)
• IIM Bangalore: 0.22% offer rate (highly selective)

Insight: While IIM Shillong's overall offer rate (0.78%) appears higher than tier-1 IIMs, the application volume is substantially higher (173,905 vs. smaller volumes for older IIMs), maintaining exceptional selectivity.

Q6: How important is the Personal Interview? Can a strong PI overcome a lower CAT score?

A: The Personal Interview is absolutely critical:

• Current Weightage: 40% of final merit score (tied with CAT for importance)
• Previous Weightage: 70% in 2021–23 batch (even higher)
• Differentiating Factor: PI performance is the primary converter from shortlist to admission

Mathematical Illustration: A candidate with 78 CAT percentile but exceptional PI performance (90th percentile equivalent) and strong academics (92% average) could achieve:

This exceeds the 0.639 General cutoff, demonstrating that strong PI performance can compensate for moderate CAT scores.

Recommendation: Treat PI preparation with equal rigor as CAT preparation; it is the differentiator.

Q7: Does IIM Shillong have separate quotas for non-engineers?

A: Yes, indirectly. While IIM Shillong does not publish explicit quotas, the selection process includes:

• Academic Category Allocations (AC1–AC7): Separate shortlisting pools for Engineering (AC1), Commerce (AC2), Management (AC3), Arts (AC4), Science (AC5), Medicine (AC6), and other disciplines
• Diversity Weightage: 10% explicit gender diversity bonus in the final selection
• NARS Normalization: Academic ratings are normalized within disciplinary groups, giving non-engineers equitable evaluation

Result: 40% non-engineer representation (2023–25) — the highest among major IIMs — validates that the system actively encourages disciplinary diversity.

Q8: What are my chances of admission if I am a non-engineer from a law/medicine/arts background?

A: Substantially better than average, due to:

1. Separate Shortlisting Pool: You compete within a dedicated academic category (e.g., AC6 for Medicine, AC7 for Law), reducing direct competition from engineers
2. Diversity Bonus: Your non-engineer background is explicitly weighted during shortlisting and final selection
3. Academic Diversity Value: With only 1% medicine and similar low percentages for other rare disciplines, these backgrounds are highly valued for cohort composition

Empirical Support: 40% of the 2023–25 batch (145 of 404 students) were non-engineers. If you assume proportional distribution, non-engineers facing ~10,000–12,000 applications (estimated across diverse categories) faced ~0.3–0.5% offer rate vs. 0.61% for General category engineers—not materially worse, possibly better due to smaller applicant pools.

Q9: Are Class X and XII marks important for admission?

A: Moderately important, but not a barrier:

• Until 2021: Mandatory 80% minimum in Class X and XII (explicit hard floor)
• Since 2021: Removed as a mandatory requirement; now part of normalized NARS
• Current Role: Class X/XII scores are normalized and contribute to the composite score (20% weight in final selection via academic component), but low scores are not disqualifying

Key Change: The removal of 80% minimums in 2021 represented a major democratization of access, enabling candidates with average academics but strong CAT/work experience/PI performance to secure admission.

Practical Guidance: While not mandatory, strong Class X/XII marks (80%+) provide a margin of safety. Candidates with lower marks (60–75%) can still secure admission if their CAT, work experience, and interview performance are exceptional.

Q10: How does the 2-round shortlisting and PI process work at IIM Shillong?

A: The process involves three stages (not two):

Stage 1 - Shortlisting for PI (based on CAT + NARS):

• CAT Score: 65% weight
• Academic Rating (10th/12th/Graduation): 35% weight (normalized)
• Sectional cutoffs applied as hard eliminations
• Approximately 3.3% of applicants shortlisted (5,745 of 173,905 in 2023–25)

Stage 2 - Personal Interview:

• Panel of 2–3 faculty members
• Duration: 15–30 minutes
• Assessment areas: Academic background, work experience, communication skills, leadership potential, domain knowledge

Stage 3 - Final Merit Ranking (Post-PI):

• PI Performance: 40% weight
• CAT Score (retained): 40% weight
• Academic Rating (10th/12th/Graduation): 10% weight
• Gender Diversity Bonus: 10% weight
• Approximately 0.78% of applicants receive final offers (1,357 of 173,905)

Waitlist Management: 387 waitlist positions were offered; 71.8% acceptance rate among final offers.

Q11: When are the admissions finalized? What is the typical timeline?

A: The typical admission timeline for 2-year PGP programs follows this pattern:

Note: This timeline applies to the academic year beginning in July. For example, 2024–26 batch timeline: CAT 2023 (Oct-Nov) → admissions finalized by July 2024 → Classes begin July 2024.

Q12: Does IIM Shillong accept GMAT or only CAT for domestic candidates?

A: IIM Shillong accepts only CAT for domestic PGP admissions.

• Domestic Candidates: CAT (Common Admission Test) mandatory
• International Candidates: GMAT accepted as an alternative to CAT
• Other Exams: XAT, SNAP, ATMA, not accepted for the flagship PGP

Application Fee: Approximately ₹2,500 (General/OBC) or ₹1,300 (SC/ST/PwD)

Q13: What is the placement record of IIM Shillong? How does it compare to other IIMs?

A: IIM Shillong's placement outcomes are competitive despite lower CAT minima:

2024 Placement Metrics:

• Average Package: ₹26.10 LPA
• Median Package: ₹25 LPA
• Highest Package: ₹71.50 LPA
• Recruiter Count: 87 companies (46 new recruiters)
• Placement Rate: >95% (typical for IIMs)

Comparative Positioning:

• Lower than tier-1 IIMs (Ahmedabad avg: ₹27+ LPA; Bangalore avg: ₹26.50+ LPA)
• Competitive with tier-2 IIMs (Indore, Kozhikode, Raipur avg: ₹24–26 LPA)
• Top sector drivers: Consulting, Finance, Technology, General Management

Insight: The placement trajectory validates that lower CAT minima do not compromise graduate quality. Strong average packages (₹26 LPA+) demonstrate that holistic evaluation successfully identifies capable candidates despite lower standardized test scores.

Q14: Is hostel accommodation mandatory at IIM Shillong?

A: Yes, hostel accommodation is mandatory for the flagship PGP program.

• Duration: 2 years (compulsory residential program)
• Objective: Foster peer learning, collaboration, and institutional community
• Infrastructure: Separate hostels for male and female students; shared amenities
• Exceptions: Very rare cases for local Shillong candidates may be considered by exception; the standard policy is residential

Financial Impact: Hostel fees are included in overall program fees (~₹13.2–13.4 lakhs over 2 years).

Q15: Does IIM Shillong offer scholarship/financial assistance?

A: Yes, need-based financial assistance (NBFA) is available:

• Eligibility: Families with an annual income below ₹15 lakhs (or specific income slabs as defined by the institute)
• Coverage: Scholarships can cover up to 100% of tuition fees based on demonstrated financial need
• Philosophy: "Need-blind" admission policy—no deserving candidate is denied education due to financial constraints
• Application Process: Details available during admission finalization; a separate NBFA application is required post-admission

Note: Specific financial assistance details are typically finalized post-admission. Eligible candidates are encouraged to connect with the admissions office for detailed NBFA guidelines.

Conclusion

IIM Shillong has evolved from a nascent regional institute (64 students, 2008–09) into a major national management school (380+ students, 2024–26) while maintaining institutional rigor. The consistent sectional cutoffs (75-60-50 structure) paired with dynamic composite scoring reflect a deliberate institutional philosophy: prioritize access and diversity without compromising selection quality.

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