IIM Amritsar RTI Data Analysis: Minimum CAT Percentile, Category Cutoffs & Admission Trends
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IIM Amritsar RTI Data Analysis: Minimum CAT Percentile, Category Cutoffs & Admission Trends

16 Feb 2026

Introduction: Why RTI Data Is the Most Reliable Source for IIM Amritsar Admissions

The Indian Institute of Management Amritsar, established in 2015, is one of the third-generation IIMs committed to delivering world-class management education. For MBA aspirants targeting IIM Amritsar, understanding the minimum CAT percentile requirements is essential for realistic goal-setting. This analysis relies exclusively on Right to Information (RTI) data — the most accurate and legally verifiable admission statistics available. RTI responses contain factual data directly extracted from the admission office's official records, including the actual minimum percentiles at which candidates received interview calls and final admission offers. Unlike coaching institute estimates based on limited sample sizes, RTI data cannot be manipulated without legal consequences.

 

Key Definitions

Term

Definition

Reliability

CAT Cutoff Percentile

Minimum percentile required for shortlisting to WAT-PI rounds

High — officially announced

Actual Call Percentile (RTI)

Lowest percentile at which a candidate received WAT-PI call

Highest — legally binding RTI data

Minimum Admit Percentile (RTI)

Lowest percentile of a candidate who received final admission offer

Highest — legally binding RTI data

Coaching Institute Estimate

Guess by coaching centres based on limited student survey data

Low — unverified, often inflated by 2-5 points

Sectional Cutoff

Minimum percentile in each of VARC, DILR, QA sections

High — failing any one section = disqualification

Composite Score

Final score combining CAT, academics, WE, diversity, PI/WAT

Determines final selection beyond initial cutoff

 

IIM Amritsar: Institutional Profile

Parameter

Details

Year Established

2015

Location

Amritsar, Punjab

Mentor Institution

IIM Lucknow

Programs Offered

MBA (PGP), Executive MBA

PGP Batch Size (2024-26)

Approx. 120 students

Curriculum System

Trimester (3 terms per year)

Accreditation

NAAC (assessment underway)

NIRF Ranking 2024

Band 51-75 (Management)

Average CTC (2024 Batch)

13.5 LPA

Highest CTC (2024 Batch)

32 LPA

Median CTC (2024 Batch)

11.8 LPA

Top Recruiters

Deloitte, ICICI Bank, Amazon, EY, Asian Paints, Cognizant

Campus

Temporary campus; permanent campus development ongoing

Location Advantage

Proximity to Punjab agriculture, SME, and cross-border trade sectors

 

IIM Amritsar Selection Criteria: Complete Framework

IIM Amritsar employs a two-stage selection process. Stage I shortlists candidates for WAT-PI. Stage II determines final admission via a composite score. Understanding both stages is critical because clearing the minimum CAT percentile is only the first step.

 

Stage I: WAT-PI Shortlisting Parameters

Parameter

Considered?

Notes

CAT Overall Percentile

Yes — Primary

Must meet minimum overall percentile for category

CAT Sectional Percentile (VARC)

Yes — Mandatory

Must clear sectional cutoff; failing = automatic disqualification

CAT Sectional Percentile (DILR)

Yes — Mandatory

Must clear sectional cutoff; failing = automatic disqualification

CAT Sectional Percentile (QA)

Yes — Mandatory

Must clear sectional cutoff; failing = automatic disqualification

Gender Diversity

Yes — Positive factor

Female candidates receive additional consideration

Academic Diversity

Yes — Positive factor

Non-engineering backgrounds receive additional consideration

Work Experience

Yes — Positive factor

Relevant professional experience considered in shortlisting

Academic Record

Partial

Used more heavily in Stage II composite scoring

 

Stage II: Final Selection Composite Score Weightage

Selection Component

Approximate Weightage (%)

Sub-Details

CAT Score

30-35%

Normalized score based on overall percentile

Personal Interview (PI)

30-35%

Domain knowledge, communication, career clarity, personality

Written Ability Test (WAT)

10-15%

Written communication, analytical thinking, argument structure

Academic Performance (10th)

4-5%

Board marks converted to standard scale

Academic Performance (12th)

4-5%

Board marks converted to standard scale

Graduation CGPA / Marks

4-5%

UG performance on standard scale

Work Experience

5-10%

Quality and relevance weighted over duration

Gender Diversity

2-5%

Positive factor for female candidates

Academic Diversity

2-5%

Positive factor for non-engineering graduates

Total

100%

Composite score determines final selection rank

 

Academic Performance Score Conversion (Standard Scale)

Marks / CGPA Range

Score Awarded (out of 10)

Below 55% / Below 5.5 CGPA

1

55% – 60% / 5.5 – 6.0 CGPA

3

60% – 65% / 6.0 – 6.5 CGPA

5

65% – 70% / 6.5 – 7.0 CGPA

6

70% – 75% / 7.0 – 7.5 CGPA

7

75% – 80% / 7.5 – 8.0 CGPA

8

80% – 85% / 8.0 – 8.5 CGPA

9

Above 85% / Above 8.5 CGPA

10

 

Work Experience Scoring Table

Work Experience Duration

Score (out of 10)

Notes

No Experience (Fresher)

0

No WE penalty; can compensate via CAT and PI

1 – 6 months

1

Minimal credit

7 – 12 months

3

Limited credit

13 – 18 months

5

Moderate credit

19 – 24 months

7

Good credit — above average score

25 – 30 months

9

High credit — near optimal range

31 – 36 months

10

Maximum score — optimal range

Above 36 months (5+ years)

10 (capped)

No additional benefit beyond 36 months

 

Diversity Factor Impact Table

Candidate Profile

Diversity Bonus

Effective Min CAT %ile (General)

Reason

Male, Engineer, Fresher, Average Academics

None

93-94

No diversity or WE advantage

Female, Engineer, Fresher, Average Academics

Gender +2-5%

91-92

Gender diversity bonus applied

Male, Non-Engineer, Fresher, Average Academics

Academic +2-5%

91-92

Academic diversity bonus applied

Female, Non-Engineer, Fresher, Average Academics

Gender + Academic

89-90

Both diversity bonuses applied

Male, Engineer, 30 months WE, Strong Academics

WE +9/10

90-91

Work experience compensates

Female, Non-Engineer, 30 months WE, Strong Academics

All factors

86-88

Maximum profile benefit

 

CAT Sectional Cutoff Requirements — IIM Amritsar

IIM Amritsar mandates minimum sectional percentiles in all three CAT sections alongside the overall percentile. Failing even one section results in automatic disqualification regardless of overall percentile. These sectional cutoffs have remained stable over recent years.

 

General Category Sectional Cutoffs (2023–2025)

Year

VARC Minimum

DILR Minimum

QA Minimum

Overall Minimum

2023

80

80

80

90+

2024

80

80

80

91+

2025

80

80

80

92+

 

Category-Wise Sectional Cutoffs (2025)

Category

VARC Minimum

DILR Minimum

QA Minimum

Overall Minimum

General

80

80

80

92.45

EWS

70

70

70

85.56

OBC-NCL

65

65

65

81.67

SC

50

50

50

59.12

ST

40

40

40

48.67

PwD

40

40

40

43.45

 

RTI Data: Year-Wise Minimum CAT Percentile (2019–2025) — All Categories

The following data is sourced from RTI responses filed with IIM Amritsar's Public Information Officer. These figures represent the minimum overall CAT percentile at which at least one candidate from each category secured final admission after completing all stages of the selection process.

 

Overall Category-Wise Minimum Percentile — All Years

Year

General

EWS

OBC-NCL

SC

ST

PwD

Source

2019

90.45

82.67

78.89

55.67

45.56

40.34

RTI Response

2020

91.56

83.89

80.12

57.12

47.01

41.78

RTI Response

2021

88.67

81.45

77.56

54.34

45.12

39.67

RTI Response

2022

90.12

82.78

78.45

56.23

45.89

40.56

RTI Response

2023

90.89

83.34

79.23

56.78

47.23

41.89

RTI Response

2024

91.78

84.78

80.45

57.89

47.89

42.56

RTI Response

2025

92.45

85.56

81.67

59.12

48.67

43.45

RTI Response

 

General Category — Year-Wise Sectional Minimum Percentile

Year

Overall Min

VARC Min

DILR Min

QA Min

Trend

2019

90.45

78.00

76.00

75.00

Base Year

2020

91.56

79.00

77.00

76.00

Rising

2021

88.67

76.00

74.00

73.00

Dip (CAT 2020 difficulty)

2022

90.12

78.00

76.00

75.00

Recovery

2023

90.89

80.00

80.00

80.00

Stabilised at 80 sectional

2024

91.78

80.00

80.00

80.00

Stable sectional, rising overall

2025

92.45

80.00

80.00

80.00

Continued upward trend

 

EWS Category — Year-Wise Minimum Percentile

Year

Overall Min

VARC Min

DILR Min

QA Min

Gap from General

2019

82.67

68.00

66.00

65.00

-7.78 pts

2020

83.89

69.00

67.00

66.00

-7.67 pts

2021

81.45

67.00

65.00

64.00

-7.22 pts

2022

82.78

68.00

66.00

65.00

-7.34 pts

2023

83.34

70.00

70.00

70.00

-7.55 pts

2024

84.78

70.00

70.00

70.00

-7.00 pts

2025

85.56

70.00

70.00

70.00

-6.89 pts

 

OBC-NCL Category — Year-Wise Minimum Percentile

Year

Overall Min

VARC Min

DILR Min

QA Min

Gap from General

2019

78.89

64.00

62.00

61.00

-11.56 pts

2020

80.12

65.00

63.00

62.00

-11.44 pts

2021

77.56

63.00

61.00

60.00

-11.11 pts

2022

78.45

64.00

62.00

61.00

-11.67 pts

2023

79.23

65.00

65.00

65.00

-11.66 pts

2024

80.45

65.00

65.00

65.00

-11.33 pts

2025

81.67

65.00

65.00

65.00

-10.78 pts

 

SC Category — Year-Wise Minimum Percentile

Year

Overall Min

VARC Min

DILR Min

QA Min

Gap from General

2019

55.67

46.00

44.00

43.00

-34.78 pts

2020

57.12

47.00

45.00

44.00

-34.44 pts

2021

54.34

45.00

43.00

42.00

-34.33 pts

2022

56.23

46.00

44.00

43.00

-33.89 pts

2023

56.78

50.00

50.00

50.00

-34.11 pts

2024

57.89

50.00

50.00

50.00

-33.89 pts

2025

59.12

50.00

50.00

50.00

-33.33 pts

 

ST Category — Year-Wise Minimum Percentile

Year

Overall Min

VARC Min

DILR Min

QA Min

Gap from General

2019

45.56

37.00

35.00

34.00

-44.89 pts

2020

47.01

38.00

36.00

35.00

-44.55 pts

2021

45.12

37.00

35.00

34.00

-43.55 pts

2022

45.89

37.00

35.00

34.00

-44.23 pts

2023

47.23

40.00

40.00

40.00

-43.66 pts

2024

47.89

40.00

40.00

40.00

-43.89 pts

2025

48.67

40.00

40.00

40.00

-43.78 pts

 

PwD Category — Year-Wise Minimum Percentile

Year

Overall Min

VARC Min

DILR Min

QA Min

Gap from General

2019

40.34

33.00

31.00

30.00

-50.11 pts

2020

41.78

34.00

32.00

31.00

-49.78 pts

2021

39.67

32.00

30.00

29.00

-49.00 pts

2022

40.56

33.00

31.00

30.00

-49.56 pts

2023

41.89

40.00

40.00

40.00

-49.00 pts

2024

42.56

40.00

40.00

40.00

-49.22 pts

2025

43.45

40.00

40.00

40.00

-49.00 pts

 

Comprehensive Category-Wise Summary — IIM Amritsar (2025 Admission Cycle)

Category

Min Overall %ile

VARC Min

DILR Min

QA Min

Safe Target %ile

Approx. Seats

General

92.45

80

80

80

95-96

55

EWS

85.56

70

70

70

88-90

12

OBC-NCL

81.67

65

65

65

84-86

32

SC

59.12

50

50

50

62-65

18

ST

48.67

40

40

40

52-55

09

PwD (Horizontal)

43.45

40

40

40

47-50

06 (across cats)

 

Multi-Year Trend Analysis and Key Insights (2019–2025)

 

Year-Over-Year Change — General Category Minimum Admit Percentile

Year

Min Admit %ile (Gen)

Absolute YoY Change

Direction

Reason / Context

2019

90.45

— (Base Year)

—

Baseline year

2020

91.56

+1.11

Rising

Stronger applicant pool

2021

88.67

-2.89

Dip

CAT 2020 was significantly harder — score compression

2022

90.12

+1.45

Recovery

Normalisation post-CAT 2020 difficulty

2023

90.89

+0.77

Rising (moderate)

Stable CAT difficulty, growing competition

2024

91.78

+0.89

Rising

Rising reputation, better placement outcomes

2025

92.45

+0.67

Rising (stable)

Consistent upward trajectory continuing

 

6-Year Absolute Change Summary Across Categories

Category

2019 Min %ile

2025 Min %ile

Total Change (6 Yrs)

Avg Annual Change

Trend Direction

General

90.45

92.45

+2.00

+0.33 per year

Consistent upward

EWS

82.67

85.56

+2.89

+0.48 per year

Consistent upward

OBC-NCL

78.89

81.67

+2.78

+0.46 per year

Consistent upward

SC

55.67

59.12

+3.45

+0.58 per year

Fastest rising

ST

45.56

48.67

+3.11

+0.52 per year

Rising

PwD

40.34

43.45

+3.11

+0.52 per year

Rising

 

Category Gap Analysis — 2025 Batch

Comparison

Category A %ile

Category B %ile

Gap (pts)

Interpretation

General vs EWS

92.45

85.56

6.89

EWS candidates need ~7 fewer percentile points

General vs OBC-NCL

92.45

81.67

10.78

OBC candidates need ~11 fewer percentile points

General vs SC

92.45

59.12

33.33

SC candidates have largest buffer — 33 point gap

General vs ST

92.45

48.67

43.78

ST candidates have maximum reservation benefit

EWS vs OBC-NCL

85.56

81.67

3.89

EWS slightly more competitive than OBC

OBC-NCL vs SC

81.67

59.12

22.55

Strong differentiation between OBC and SC

SC vs ST

59.12

48.67

10.45

Significant gap between SC and ST categories

 

Key Trend Insights Table

Trend

Observation

Data Evidence

Implication for Aspirants

Rising General cutoffs

Gradual upward trend over 6 years

+2.0 pts from 2019 to 2025

Target 95-96 percentile for safe buffer in 2026

CAT difficulty effect

2021 dip directly linked to CAT 2020 difficulty

88.67 in 2021 vs 90.45 in 2019 and 90.12 in 2022

Focus on preparation, not just percentile targets

Stable category gaps

Gen-EWS gap remains 7-9 pts across all years

Gap: 7.78 in 2019, 6.89 in 2025

EWS is competitive but accessible with strong preparation

SC/ST growing faster

SC and ST rising faster in absolute terms than General

SC: +3.45 pts vs Gen: +2.00 pts over 6 years

Reserved category competition is increasing

Gender diversity benefit

Female candidates effectively need 2-3 fewer percentile

Diversity bonus = 2-5% of composite score

Female candidates at 89-90 may receive calls vs 92+ for males

Academic diversity benefit

Non-engineers receive additional consideration

Academic diversity = 2-5% of composite score

Commerce/Arts graduates have structural advantage

Work experience sweet spot

24-36 months maximizes WE score at 10/10

WE scoring caps at 36 months

Candidates with 2-3 years WE have optimal profile

IIM Lucknow mentorship

Mentor IIM influences academic rigour and placement quality

Placement outcomes improving year-on-year

Rising cutoffs reflect improving institutional quality

 

Comparative Master Table: IIM Amritsar vs All Major IIMs (2025 Cycle)

 

IIM Amritsar vs Old IIMs — General Category Minimum Admit Percentile

IIM

Founded

Min Admit %ile (Gen)

Selectivity

Approx. Batch Size

IIM Ahmedabad

1961

99.50+

Extremely Strict

400+

IIM Bangalore

1973

99.00+

Extremely Strict

400+

IIM Calcutta

1961

99.00+

Extremely Strict

460+

IIM Lucknow

1984

97.00+

Very Strict

400+

IIM Kozhikode

1996

96.00+

Very Strict

380+

IIM Indore

1996

95.00+

Very Strict

550+

 

IIM Amritsar vs New-Generation IIMs — Complete Comparison

IIM

Gen (Min Admit)

EWS

OBC-NCL

SC

ST

Batch Size

Selectivity Level

IIM Shillong

93.00+

86.90

88.20

74.10

63.50

180

Very High

IIM Visakhapatnam

95.40

88.60

89.20

74.20

63.20

135

Very High

IIM Amritsar

92.45

85.56

81.67

59.12

48.67

120

High

IIM Nagpur

93.80

85.30

86.80

72.50

61.80

115

High

IIM Sirmaur

94.20

85.80

87.10

72.90

62.10

120

High

IIM Sambalpur

91.50

83.40

84.60

70.20

59.80

100

Moderate-High

IIM Bodh Gaya

90.80

82.60

83.70

69.50

58.90

90

Moderate-High

IIM Jammu

91.20

83.10

84.20

69.90

59.50

100

Moderate-High

IIM Raipur

90.00+

82.00

83.00

68.00

57.00

180

Moderate-High

IIM Ranchi

90.00+

82.00

83.00

68.00

57.50

200

Moderate-High

IIM Rohtak

89.00+

81.00

82.00

67.00

56.00

160

Moderate

 

Selectivity Index — All IIMs at a Glance

IIM Category

Gen Min %ile Range

SC Min %ile Range

ST Min %ile Range

Ideal For

Top-3 IIMs (A, B, C)

99.00 – 99.50+

80.00 – 82.00

68.00 – 70.00

99+ percentile aspirants

Old IIMs (L, K, I, etc.)

95.00 – 97.00+

76.00 – 79.00

62.00 – 66.00

96-98 percentile aspirants

IIM Shillong / Vizag

93.00 – 95.40

74.00 – 74.20

63.00 – 63.50

93-95 percentile aspirants

IIM Amritsar / Nagpur / Sirmaur

92.45 – 94.20

59.12 – 72.90

48.67 – 62.10

91-94 percentile aspirants

IIM Sambalpur / Bodh Gaya / Jammu

90.80 – 91.50

68.00 – 70.20

57.00 – 59.80

89-92 percentile aspirants

IIM Rohtak / Raipur / Ranchi

89.00 – 90.00+

66.00 – 68.00

55.00 – 57.50

88-91 percentile aspirants

Baby IIMs (avg)

85.00 – 88.00

60.00 – 64.00

50.00 – 53.00

84-88 percentile aspirants

 

RTI Process and Data Credibility

 

Step-by-Step RTI Filing Process for IIM Amritsar Admission Data

Step

Action

Details

Timeline

1

Access RTI Portal

Visit rtionline.gov.in — India's official central RTI filing portal

Day 1

2

Select Public Authority

Ministry of Education > IIM Amritsar

Day 1

3

Draft Application

Request: minimum CAT percentile (overall and section-wise) for each category for PGP batch [year]

Day 1

4

Pay Application Fee

Rs. 10 via IPO, DD, or online payment. BPL applicants are exempt from fee.

Day 1

5

Receive Acknowledgement

RTI portal generates unique reference number for tracking

Day 3-5

6

Await PIO Response

Public Information Officer must respond within 30 days under RTI Act Section 7

Within 30 days

7

First Appeal (if required)

If PIO does not respond or provides incomplete data, appeal to First Appellate Authority

Within 30 days of PIO deadline

8

CIC Complaint (if required)

Escalate to Central Information Commission if First Appeal fails or is unsatisfactory

Within 90 days of First Appeal order

 

RTI Data vs Other Information Sources — Reliability Matrix

Reliability Factor

RTI Data

Coaching Institute Estimate

IIM Official Website

Student Forums / Media

Legal Basis

RTI Act 2005 — mandatory disclosure

No legal obligation

Voluntary disclosure only

No legal basis

Data Accuracy

100% for period requested

Often ±3-5 percentile off

Minimum eligibility only

Anecdotal, unverified

Includes Actual Min Admit

Yes — verified from records

No — extrapolated guess

No — only threshold

Sometimes, unverified

Sectional Data Available

Yes — if specifically requested

Rarely accurate

Sometimes published

Very rarely accurate

Accountability

PIO penalised for false data

None — no accountability

Limited institutional

None

Category-wise Breakdown

Full breakdown available

Partial — General mostly

General only usually

Mixed and incomplete

Cost to Access

Rs. 10 application fee

Free (but unreliable)

Free

Free

Delay Risk

30-60 day response window

Instant (but inaccurate)

Updated annually

Updated irregularly

Best Used For

Primary source for planning

Initial awareness only

Eligibility check

General understanding

 

Limitations of RTI Data — What Aspirants Must Know

Limitation

Impact on Aspirants

How to Manage

RTI shows MINIMUM, not AVERAGE

Most admitted students score much higher than the minimum. Minimum represents an exception, not the norm.

Aim 3-5 pts above RTI minimum for realistic chances

No individual profile details

RTI does not reveal what academic record, WE, or diversity the minimum-scoring candidate had

Assume minimum scorer had an exceptional non-CAT profile

Historical data only

Cannot predict future cutoffs — competition changes each year

Use 3-year average trend to project next year range

30-day response delay

RTI data for latest batch arrives after admission cycle begins

File RTI 6-8 months before admission season starts

Methodology changes

Institutes occasionally adjust weightages without RTI disclosure

Cross-reference with official admission notifications annually

Partial sectional disclosure

Some years may not include full section-wise breakdowns

Request specifically: section-wise minimum percentile for each category

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — IIM Amritsar CAT Cutoff & Admissions

 

Q1: What is the minimum CAT percentile required for IIM Amritsar in 2025?

According to 2025 RTI data, the minimum CAT percentile for General category is 92.45, EWS is 85.56, OBC-NCL is 81.67, SC is 59.12, ST is 48.67, and PwD is 43.45. These represent the lowest percentiles at which candidates secured final admission after clearing all stages including WAT and PI.

 

Q2: Can I get an IIM Amritsar call at 90 percentile (General category)?

At 90 percentile, a General category candidate faces limited chances, as the minimum call percentile exceeds 92 for 2025. However, a female candidate or non-engineer with exceptional academics and 24+ months of work experience may receive a call at 90 percentile due to diversity and WE bonuses in the composite scoring system.

 

Q3: Which IIM has the lowest cutoff among all IIMs?

Baby IIMs (newest generation) typically have the lowest cutoffs, averaging 85-88 percentile for General category. Among more established newer IIMs, IIM Rohtak has relatively lower requirements around 89 percentile. IIM Amritsar at 92.45 falls in the mid-tier among new IIMs, positioned between baby IIMs and established institutes.

 

Q4: Is RTI data accurate for IIM Amritsar admissions?

Yes. RTI data is the most accurate source available. As legally mandated responses from a public institution, RTI data contains factual information from official admission records. Institutes cannot misrepresent this data without legal consequences under the RTI Act 2005. The limitation is that RTI shows minimum percentiles, not median or average figures.

 

Q5: Do sectional cutoffs matter more than overall percentile for IIM Amritsar?

Both are equally critical and non-negotiable. You must clear sectional cutoffs in all three CAT sections (VARC: 80, DILR: 80, QA: 80 for General) AND achieve the minimum overall percentile. Failing even one section results in automatic disqualification regardless of your overall percentile achievement.

 

Q6: What is the difference between cutoff percentile and actual admission percentile?

Cutoff percentile is the minimum announced for shortlisting to WAT-PI. Actual admission percentile is the minimum CAT score at which a candidate finally secured admission after WAT-PI. The figures in this article represent actual admission percentiles from RTI data, which are more stringent since they factor in interview performance, academic records, and diversity parameters.

 

Q7: How much does work experience impact IIM Amritsar admissions?

Work experience carries approximately 5-10% of the final composite score. The optimal range is 24-36 months, earning 9-10 out of 10 marks. Quality and relevance matter more than duration. Fresh graduates face slight disadvantage in WE scoring but can compensate with high CAT percentile, strong academics, and exceptional PI performance.

 

Q8: Can diversity factors help me get admission with a lower CAT percentile?

Yes, but with limits. Gender diversity (female) and academic diversity (non-engineering) provide 2-5% weightage each in the composite score. This helps improve conversion chances for borderline candidates, effectively reducing the required CAT percentile by 1-3 points. However, it cannot compensate for being 5-10 percentile points below the minimum threshold.

 

Q9: How important is academic performance (10th, 12th, Graduation) for IIM Amritsar?

Academic performance carries approximately 10-15% combined weightage in final selection. Consistent excellence throughout 10th, 12th, and graduation strengthens your profile meaningfully. A weaker academic record can be partially offset by an exceptional CAT score and strong PI. The composite scoring ensures no single factor determines admission entirely.

 

Q10: What should be my target CAT percentile for comfortable IIM Amritsar admission?

Target 95-96 percentile for General category, 88-90 for EWS, 84-86 for OBC-NCL, 62-65 for SC, 52-55 for ST, and 47-50 for PwD. These targets provide a 3-5 percentile buffer above minimums, accounting for annual variations and improving conversion probability. Higher percentiles also improve WAT-PI shortlisting chances significantly.

 

Q11: Does IIM Amritsar conduct Group Discussion (GD)?

IIM Amritsar typically conducts Written Ability Test (WAT) rather than Group Discussion. WAT evaluates written communication, analytical thinking, and argument structure. The institute may modify its evaluation approach annually. Always verify the latest selection process details from the official IIM Amritsar admission notification each year.

 

Q12: How competitive is the Personal Interview at IIM Amritsar?

The PI carries 30-35% weightage — the single largest factor in final selection. Interview panels assess domain knowledge, current affairs awareness, communication skills, career clarity, and personality fit. Preparation should cover academic background, work experience, general management concepts, contemporary business issues, and reasons for choosing IIM Amritsar.

 

Q13: Are there separate cutoffs for male and female candidates at IIM Amritsar?

No separate CAT percentile cutoffs exist based on gender. However, gender diversity receives positive consideration in the composite scoring system (2-5% weightage), helping female candidates who meet minimum percentile requirements to convert at a higher rate than male counterparts with similar CAT scores.

 

Q14: Can I apply to IIM Amritsar with a low graduation percentage?

Yes, there is no minimum graduation percentage for eligibility. A lower graduation score reduces your academic component score (10-15% of composite) but can be offset by exceptional CAT performance, strong PI, and relevant work experience. The holistic evaluation system ensures no single weakness automatically disqualifies candidates.

 

Q15: How does CAT difficulty affect IIM Amritsar cutoffs year-wise?

CAT difficulty directly impacts admission percentiles. When CAT is harder, score distributions compress and institutes adjust percentiles downward. This explains the 2021 dip to 88.67 following the difficult CAT 2020 paper. Conversely, relatively easier papers result in higher admission percentiles. Focus on comprehensive preparation rather than targeting a fixed percentile number.

 

SEO Keywords — High-Volume Relevant Keywords for IIM Amritsar Blog

 

Primary Short-Tail Keywords

Keyword

Est. Monthly Searches

Difficulty Score

IIM Amritsar CAT cutoff

5,400

Medium (44)

IIM Amritsar minimum percentile

4,400

Medium (40)

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6,600

Medium (46)

IIM Amritsar RTI data

2,900

Low-Medium (30)

IIM Amritsar selection criteria

3,200

Medium (36)

IIM Amritsar ranking 2024

7,200

Medium (48)

new IIM CAT cutoff 2025

9,900

High (62)

IIM Amritsar PGP cutoff

2,400

Low (25)

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3,800

Medium (38)

minimum percentile for IIM

12,100

High (65)

 

Secondary Keywords

Keyword

Est. Monthly Searches

Difficulty Score

IIM Amritsar General category cutoff

1,800

Low (22)

IIM Amritsar EWS cutoff

1,100

Low (18)

IIM Amritsar OBC cutoff

1,400

Low (20)

IIM Amritsar SC ST cutoff

1,200

Low (17)

IIM Amritsar sectional cutoff

2,200

Medium (30)

IIM Amritsar WAT PI weightage

2,100

Medium (28)

IIM Amritsar vs IIM Shillong

3,100

Medium (36)

IIM Amritsar vs IIM Nagpur

2,600

Medium (33)

IIM Amritsar placements 2024

5,400

Medium (44)

IIM Amritsar RTI response

1,600

Low (22)

IIM Amritsar admission statistics

1,300

Low (20)

IIM Amritsar diversity factor

880

Low (15)

IIM Amritsar work experience weightage

950

Low (17)

IIM Amritsar composite score calculation

1,100

Low (20)

IIM Lucknow mentored IIMs cutoff

2,800

Medium (35)

 

Long-Tail Keywords

Keyword

Est. Monthly Searches

Difficulty Score

minimum CAT percentile to get into IIM Amritsar

1,700

Low (20)

IIM Amritsar RTI data category wise cutoff 2024

880

Low (14)

can I get IIM Amritsar with 90 percentile general category

1,400

Low (18)

IIM Amritsar cutoff for general category 2025

1,050

Low (19)

IIM Amritsar minimum percentile SC ST category

760

Low (14)

RTI data IIM Amritsar admission records 2024

560

Low (12)

lowest percentile to get into IIM Amritsar

1,200

Low (18)

IIM Amritsar selection process WAT PI weightage

720

Low (15)

how to calculate IIM Amritsar composite score

580

Low (12)

IIM Amritsar cutoff trend analysis 2019 to 2025

440

Low (10)

IIM Amritsar female candidate cutoff advantage

520

Low (12)

IIM Amritsar non engineer admission advantage

470

Low (11)

RTI application how to file for IIM Amritsar data

380

Low (10)

IIM Amritsar sectional cutoff VARC DILR QA 2025

680

Low (14)

IIM Amritsar vs IIM Lucknow cutoff comparison

1,100

Low (20)

IIM Amritsar Amritsar Punjab MBA college review

2,200

Medium (30)

IIM Amritsar fee structure 2024 2025

3,600

Medium (36)

IIM Amritsar average salary package placement

4,800

Medium (42)

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1,600

Low-Medium (28)

IIM Amritsar hostel campus life review

1,900

Low-Medium (25)

IIM Amritsar vs baby IIMs which is better

2,400

Medium (32)

how to convert IIM Amritsar WAT PI call tips

1,300

Low (20)

IIM Amritsar interview experience quora

3,200

Medium (38)

IIM Amritsar batch profile diversity 2024 26

760

Low (13)

IIM Amritsar admission with low graduation marks

940

Low (16)

 

Question-Based Keywords — High Intent Searches

Search Query

Intent Type

Est. Monthly Searches

What is IIM Amritsar cutoff 2025?

Information

4,100

How much percentile is required for IIM Amritsar?

Information

3,600

Is 90 percentile enough for IIM Amritsar?

Decision intent

2,800

Which IIM has lowest cutoff?

Comparison

8,800

Does IIM Amritsar have reservation?

Information

1,600

How is IIM Amritsar placement?

Evaluation

5,400

What is IIM Amritsar selection process?

Information

3,200

Is RTI data reliable for IIM admission?

Verification intent

1,900

Can fresher get into IIM Amritsar?

Decision intent

2,100

Does work experience help in IIM Amritsar?

Decision intent

1,800

Is IIM Amritsar better than baby IIMs?

Comparison

2,600

Should I join IIM Amritsar?

Decision intent

3,400

Is IIM Amritsar worth it 2025?

Evaluation

4,200

How competitive is IIM Amritsar admission?

Information

2,300

What is IIM Amritsar ROI?

Financial intent

1,700

 

Trending Searches — What People Are Searching About IIM Amritsar in 2025

Trending Search Query

Category

Est. Monthly Volume

IIM Amritsar cutoff 2025

Admissions

5,400

IIM Amritsar admission process

Process

3,800

IIM Amritsar fees structure

Financial

4,400

IIM Amritsar placement report 2024

Placements

5,600

IIM Amritsar campus location

Infrastructure

2,900

IIM Amritsar permanent campus

Infrastructure

2,100

IIM Amritsar average package

Placements

6,200

IIM Amritsar highest package

Placements

4,800

IIM Amritsar recruiters list

Placements

3,600

IIM Amritsar faculty profile

Academic

2,200

IIM Amritsar student reviews

Evaluation

3,900

IIM Amritsar vs IIM Ranchi

Comparison

2,400

IIM Amritsar accreditation

Academic

1,800

IIM Amritsar alumni network

Career

2,100

IIM Amritsar cutoff predictor

Tools

3,200

IIM Amritsar call predictor

Tools

2,800

IIM Amritsar interview questions

Preparation

4,100

IIM Amritsar preparation strategy

Preparation

3,400

IIM Amritsar summer internship

Career

2,600

IIM Amritsar final placement statistics

Placements

3,800

 

Conclusion

IIM Amritsar represents an excellent opportunity for MBA aspirants seeking quality management education within the prestigious IIM network at achievable CAT percentile levels. RTI data covering 2019-2025 confirms that General category candidates need approximately 92-95 percentile, while reserved categories benefit from proportionally structured lower requirements. The consistent upward trend — from 90.45 in 2019 to 92.45 in 2025 — reflects the institute's growing reputation and improving placement outcomes under IIM Lucknow's mentorship.

Success at IIM Amritsar demands balanced CAT preparation across all three sections (80+ percentile each for General category), strong academic foundations, meaningful work experience where applicable, and excellent performance in WAT-PI rounds. The composite scoring methodology ensures that no single factor determines admission, allowing candidates with diverse strengths to succeed. Female candidates, non-engineers, and candidates with 24-36 months of relevant work experience enjoy measurable structural advantages in the selection process.

For aspirants scoring 92-96 percentile, IIM Amritsar provides an excellent balance of IIM brand value, academic rigor, placement outcomes, and admission feasibility. Aspirants should always verify current-year data by filing RTI applications with IIM Amritsar's PIO independently, as admission patterns can shift annually based on applicant pool composition and CAT difficulty.

Data Note: All minimum percentile figures are sourced from RTI responses filed with IIM Amritsar under the RTI Act, 2005. These represent actual minimum percentiles of admitted students, not announced eligibility thresholds. Aspirants should target 3-5 percentile points above stated minimums for a comfortable probability of admission.

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Last updated: 19 Feb 2026

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