IIM Ahmedabad

Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahemdabad), often referred to as the "Mecca of Marketing" and the premier business school in India, stands as a beacon of management education globally. Established in 1961 as an autonomous institution by the Government of India in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat and Indian industry, IIM Ahemdabad was the second IIM to be set up in the country. It was created with the active collaboration of Harvard Business School, which is why the IIM Ahemdabad pedagogy is deeply rooted in the Case Study Method.

For aspirants targeting the IIM Ahemdabad batch of 2026-2028, the timeline is critical. The admission cycle is a year-long process that tests your patience and preparation.

PGP Admission Timeline (Batch 2026-28)

PGPX Important Dates (Executive MBA - 2026-27 Batch)

The IIM Ahemdabad PGPX program follows a rolling admission process. Applying early (Round 1) is often advantageous for scholarships and seat security.

IIM Ahemdabad offers a diverse portfolio of programs. The curriculum is constantly updated to reflect the changing dynamics of the global business environment.

1. Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP)

• Overview: The flagship 2-year full-time residential program. It is the gold standard for MBA education in India.

• Curriculum Structure:

  • First Year (Terms 1-3): Compulsory core courses that build a strong foundation in all functional areas of management.

  • Second Year (Terms 4-6): Completely flexible. Students choose from over 100 electives.

• First Year Courses (Detailed):

  • Term 1: Financial Reporting & Analysis, Marketing Management I, Organizational Behavior I, Microeconomics, Quantitative Methods I.

  • Term 2: Operations Management I, Costing & Control Systems, Macroeconomics, Marketing Management II, Corporate Finance.

  • Term 3: Strategic Management, Business Research Methods, Internet-Enabled Businesses, Legal Aspects of Business.

2. Post Graduate Programme in Food and Agri-Business Management (PGP-FABM)

• Overview: Ranked #1 in the World for Agri-Business (Eduniversal Rankings). This program is designed for the unique challenges of the food and agriculture sector.

• Unique Courses: Agricultural Finance, Food Supply Chain Management, Rural Marketing, International Trade in Agriculture.

3. Post Graduate Programme in Management for Executives (PGPX)

• Overview: A 1-year full-time residential program for professionals with 4+ years of experience.

• Target Audience: Mid-career professionals looking to transition into leadership roles.

• International Immersion: Includes a mandatory 2-week stint at an international partner university.

4. e-Post Graduate Programme in Management (ePGP)

• Overview: A 2-year hybrid program (online + campus modules) for working professionals who cannot take a career break.

• Format: Live interactive classes on weekends + 3 campus immersions.

5. Ph.D. Programme in Management

• Overview: A doctoral program for aspiring researchers and academicians. IIM AhemdabadPh.D. grads are faculty members at top global universities.

The admission process for IIM Ahemdabad is a masterclass in selection. It doesn't just look for "toppers"; it looks for "outliers."

Stage 1: Preliminary Screening (The CAT Cutoff)

To get a call from IIM Ahemdabad, you first need to clear the sectional and overall CAT cutoffs.

Minimum CAT 2025 Cutoffs for PGP Batch 2026-28

Note: These are minimum eligibility criteria. The actual cutoff for a General category student usually hovers around 99.6+ percentile.

Stage 2: Calculation of the Composite Score (CS)

This is where IIM Ahemdabad differentiates itself. It calculates an Application Rating (AR) score based on your 10th, 12th, and Graduation marks.

• Formula: $AR = (A + B + C)$ (Normalized scores for 10th, 12th, Bachelor's).

• Diversity Factor: Special points are awarded to non-engineers to ensure a diverse classroom.

Stage 3: Analytical Writing Test (AWT) & Personal Interview (PI)

• AWT: You are given a caselet (e.g., "Should India ban cryptocurrencies? Analyze the logic.") and asked to write a critical analysis in 20 minutes.

• PI: The famous IIM Ahemdabad interview. Panelists (usually 2 professors) will grill you on your academics, work experience, and general knowledge. They often offer you a cookie or water to calm you down before asking a "stress question."

  AI Interview Prepration - https://dashboard.bschoolbuzz.in/courses
  

Stage 4: Final Selection Formula

The final offer is based on a weighted score:

1. Personal Interview (PI): 50% (The most important component)

2. Analytical Writing Test (AWT): 10%

3. CAT Score: 25%

4. Application Rating (Profile): 15%

Studying at IIM Ahemdabad is an investment. The fees are high, but the Return on Investment (ROI) is unmatched.

PGP Fee Structure (2025-27 Batch) - Estimated

The total cost for the 2-year program is approximately INR 25,00,000.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

IIM Ahemdabad has a "Need-Blind" admission policy. No student is denied education due to a lack of funds.

1. Need-Based Financial Assistance (NBFA): For families with annual income below INR 15 Lakhs. The scholarship can cover up to 100% of the tuition fee based on the income slab.

2. Aditya Birla Group Scholarship: INR 1.75 Lakhs per year for meritorious students.

3. OP Jindal Engineering & Management Scholarship: INR 1.50 Lakhs.

4. Alumni Scholarships: Several batches (e.g., PGP 2001, PGP 1995) have created endowment funds to support students.

This is the section that matters most. IIM Ahemdabad Placements are legendary. The institute follows a Cluster-Cohort Placement System, where companies are grouped into cohorts (e.g., Banking, Consulting, Tech) and invited on specific days (Clusters).

Final Placements 2025 Highlights

Despite the global economic slowdown, IIM Ahemdabad Placements 2025 remained resilient, achieving 100% placement.

Sector-Wise IIM Ahemdabad Placements Breakdown

1. Management Consulting (The "Dream" Sector)

IIM Ahemdabad is the primary hunting ground for global strategy firms.

• Share of Offers: 42%

• Top Recruiters: McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Bain & Company, Kearney, Oliver Wyman, Arthur D. Little, Strategy&.

• Roles: Associate, Junior Associate, Senior Analyst.

• Insight: BCG was the top recruiter with 28 offers in 2025.

2. Investment Banking & Finance (BFSI)

The "Fin-Gods" of the campus target these roles.

• Share of Offers: 18%

• Top Recruiters: Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Avendus Capital, Bank of America, Citibank, HSBC, Barclays.

• Roles: Investment Banking Division (IBD), Global Markets, Private Equity, Venture Capital.

• Insight: IIM Ahemdabad Placements in PE/VC (Private Equity/Venture Capital) have seen a 20% rise, with firms like Premji Invest and A91 Partners visiting campus.

3. Product Management & Tech

With the digital boom, this cluster is growing fast.

• Share of Offers: 16%

• Top Recruiters: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Flipkart, Payton, Zomato, Uber.

• Roles: Product Manager (PM), Program Manager.

4. General Management & Leadership

These are coveted roles that put you on a CEO track (e.g., TAS).

• Share of Offers: 12%

• Top Recruiters: Tata Administrative Services (TAS), Aditya Birla Group (LEAP), Mahindra GMC, Reliance Industries.

Summer Placements 2026 Report (Internships)

The IIM Ahemdabad Placements for summer internships (Class of 2027) concluded in November 2025.

• Status: 100% Placed.

• Total Offers: 410+

• Top Cluster: Cluster 1 (Investment Banking & Consulting) dominated with 60% of offers.

• New Recruiters: 50+ new logos participated, including niche consulting firms and AI startups.

Why IIM Ahemdabad Placements are Different?

1. Dream Applications: If you get an offer in Cluster 1 (e.g., Marketing) but your dream is Consulting (Cluster 2), you can hold the first offer and still interview for your dream company.

2. IPRS Audited: IIM Ahemdabad is one of the few B-schools that voluntarily audits its placement report by an external agency (CRISIL/Brickworks) to ensure no fake data.

3. Entrepreneurship Deferred Placement: Students wanting to start their own business can opt out of placements and avail a "placement holiday." If their startup fails within 2 years, they can come back and sit for IIM Ahemdabad Placements.

   
   

   Student Life, Clubs, and "The WIMWI Experience"
   

   The learning at IIM Ahemdabad happens as much outside the classroom as inside it. The campus is run by over 50 student clubs and committees.

   Top Student Clubs

   1. Consult Club: The most prestigious academic club. They release the "IIMA Casebook," which is the bible for consulting aspirants across India.

   2. Finesse (Finance Club): Organizes stock simulation games and manages a student-run investment fund.

   3. Niche (Marketing Club): Organizes "Insight," the oldest marketing fair in India.

   4. Entre (Entrepreneurship Cell): Works closely with CIIE to foster startups.

   5. Prakriti (Nature Club): For the eco-conscious, organizing tree plantations and campus walks.

   6. IIMACTS (Dramatics): The theatre club that performs street plays (Nukkad Natak) and stage productions.

   7. SMILE (Social Service): Teaching underprivileged kids in the neighborhood.

   Notable Alumni: The "Who's Who"

   The alumni network of IIM Ahemdabad is powerful enough to run a country (and in some cases, they do!).

   • Raghuram Rajan (PGP '87): Former Governor, RBI.

   • Ajay Banga (PGP '81): President of the World Bank (Ex-CEO Mastercard).

   • Deep Kalra (PGP '92): Founder, MakeMyTrip.

   • Sanjeev Bikhchandani (PGP '89): Founder, Info Edge (Naukri.com), the father of Indian internet startups.

   • Harsha Bhogle (PGP '85): The voice of Indian Cricket.

   • Chethan Bhagat (PGP '97): Best-selling author.

   • Falguni Nayar (PGP '85): Founder, Nykaa.

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     FAQs on IIM Ahemdabad

     Q1: What is the average package in IIM Ahemdabad Placements 2025?
     A: The average package in IIM Ahemdabad Placements 2025 for the PGP batch stood at INR 35.22 LPA.

     Q2: Is the hostel compulsory at IIM Ahemdabad?
     A: Yes, the PGP is a fully residential program, and staying in the IIM Ahemdabad hostel is mandatory to foster peer learning.

     Q3: Does IIM Ahemdabad accept GMAT for PGP?
     A: No, for the domestic PGP batch, IIM Ahemdabad only accepts CAT scores. GMAT is accepted for PGPX and international candidates.

     Q4: How does the IIM Ahemdabad Placements process work?
     A: IIM Ahemdabad Placements follow a cohort-based system where companies are grouped by sector and invited across 3-4 clusters over a few weeks.