IIM Calcutta

Important dates change every year, but recent admission cycles give a very reliable pattern. Below are indicative timelines based on the latest publicly available schedules for IIM Calcutta.

IIM Calcutta MBA (Flagship 2‑Year Programme) – Typical Timeline

These are based on recent CAT and IIM Calcutta admission cycles for the MBA/PGP batch:

These dates mirror recent cycles where results were announced around 29 April and sessions started in June.

IIM Calcutta MBAEx (One‑Year Executive MBA) – Admission Schedule

IIM Calcutta MBAEx (formerly PGPEX) follows a three‑round application process. A typical schedule (20th batch 2026–27) looks like this:

All dates are subject to change each year, but the three‑round pattern remains similar.​

IIM Calcutta PGDBA, PGPEX‑VLM & Other Key Dates

From recent admission cycles:​

PGDBA (Post Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics)
Jointly offered by IIM Calcutta, IIT Kharagpur and ISI Kolkata.

PGPEX‑VLM (Visionary Leadership in Manufacturing) – Joint programme with IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras.

Exact live dates should always be checked on the official IIM Calcutta website and programme pages each year.

IIM Calcutta offers a rich portfolio of degree, diploma and executive programmes. Below is a quick view of the main long‑duration programmes.

IIM Calcutta Courses – At a Glance

IIM Calcutta MBA (Flagship 2‑Year Programme)

• Core curriculum in term 1–3 covering economics, statistics, accounting, marketing, operations, OB/HR, finance, strategy and systems.​

• Large basket of electives in year 2; IIM Calcutta is known for one of the widest elective portfolios in India, especially in finance and analytics.​

• Mandatory summer internship after first year with leading companies across consulting, finance, tech and FMCG.

IIM Calcutta MBAEx (One‑Year Executive MBA)

• Intensive 1‑year residential programme divided into multiple short terms (6+ terms plus immersion).​

• Designed for mid‑career professionals targeting senior and top management roles.

• Curriculum balances core management foundations with advanced electives, international immersion and leadership development.

IIM Calcutta PGDBA

• Two‑year residential programme focused entirely on Business Analytics.

• Jointly delivered by IIM Calcutta, IIT Kharagpur & ISI Kolkata – giving students exposure to statistics, data science, technology and business applications.

• Ideal for candidates with strong quantitative inclination aiming for data, analytics and consulting roles.

IIM Calcutta PGPEX‑VLM

• One‑year programme aimed at high‑potential engineers and professionals in manufacturing and operations.

• Focus on operations excellence, supply chain, design, manufacturing technologies and leadership for industrial organisations.

IIM Calcutta Doctoral Programme (PhD)

• Offered in areas such as Economics, Finance & Control, Marketing, Operations Management, Organizational Behaviour, Strategic Management, MIS, etc.

• Fully funded with stipend; prepares scholars for faculty and research careers worldwide.​

IIM Calcutta MBA Admission Process

Admission to the flagship MBA at IIM Calcutta is through CAT followed by a rigorous multi‑stage selection.

1. Eligibility

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwD).

• Final‑year students can also apply, subject to completing graduation as per schedule.

2. CAT Examination

• Candidates must appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) conducted by the IIMs.

• IIM Calcutta sets a minimum qualifying CAT cutoff (overall and sectional) every year (details in cutoff section below).

3. Shortlisting for WAT‑PI

IIM Calcutta uses a composite score based mainly on:

• CAT overall and sectional percentiles

• Class 10 & 12 marks (academic performance)

• Gender and academic diversity (to encourage non‑engineering and female candidates)

Only candidates clearing the qualifying cutoff and meeting composite score thresholds are called for:

• WAT – Written Ability Test (essay / written assessment)

• PI – Personal Interview

4. Final Selection List

After WAT‑PI, a final composite score is calculated typically considering:

• CAT score (heaviest weight, around half of total weight)​

• WAT and PI performance

• Academic records (X, XII, graduation)

• Work experience (duration and quality)

• Diversity factors

Candidates are then offered admission based on this final merit list. Result dates have recently fallen around late April (e.g., 29 April).​

IIM Calcutta MBAEx Admission Process

Key elements of IIM Calcutta MBAEx admission:

• Valid GMAT score (note: online GMAT scores are not accepted for certain batches, as explicitly mentioned by IIM Calcutta).​

• Minimum years of full‑time work experience (typically 5 years or more).

• Online application with essays, CV, references and statement of purpose.

• Shortlisting based on academic profile, work profile, leadership exposure and GMAT.

• Personal interview rounds across cities / via Zoom.

• Final selection based on composite assessment of profile, GMAT and interviews.

IIM Calcutta PGDBA Admission Process

Simplified flow (exact details vary year to year):

• Online application open in early January.

• Separate PGDBA entrance test (not CAT) or other notified tests.

• Shortlisting for personal interviews based on test performance and profile.

• Final merit list based on entrance test score, PI, academic background and work experience (if any).

IIM Calcutta PGPEX‑VLM & Doctoral Admissions

• PGPEX‑VLM: Applicants usually need a strong engineering background and relevant industry experience. Selection involves application screening, written test and personal interview conducted jointly by the three partner institutes.

• Doctoral Programme: Requires strong academic record (Master’s / professional degrees as per area), qualifying tests (CAT / GMAT / GRE / GATE / UGC‑NET in relevant areas) and rigorous interviews. Admitted candidates get stipend and tuition waiver.

IIM Calcutta MBA Fees (Flagship Programme)

Recent data across multiple sources indicates that the total programme fee for the two‑year MBA at IIM Calcutta is around INR 27,00,000 for the full course for recent batches.

A typical break‑up for a 2‑year MBA batch (approximate):

Sample instalment structure for a recent 2024–26 batch showed four instalments (first at admission, then three subsequent payments) summing to ₹27 lakh.​

Hostel & Mess Expenses

• Hostel fees and mess charges are largely embedded in the overall residential cost;

• Unofficial estimates show hostel + mess can be around ₹1.8–2.0 lakh per year, depending on actual consumption and mess contracts.

IIM Calcutta Fees for Other Major Programmes

Based on recent course‑wise fee data:

Note: Fees are revised periodically, and GST or other charges may apply for some categories. Candidates should always refer to the latest official fee document for the exact payable amounts for their year of admission.

IIM Calcutta Placements Overview – Recent Highlights

IIM Calcutta placements remain one of the biggest attractions for aspirants, particularly for candidates targeting finance, consulting and high‑end analytics roles.

For the 59th MBA batch (2022–24) and nearby cycles:

• 100% placements achieved in final placements.

• Total students participating: about 460–468.

• Total offers: around 529 offers from ~190+ companies.

• Average CTC: approximately INR 32.6 LPA for the 2024 final placements.​

• Median CTC: around INR 33.7 LPA.​

• Top sectors: Consulting, Finance, Technology, Marketing & General Management.

• In one recent cycle, the highest international / domestic package reported in public sources has gone well above INR 1 crore per annum.​

Snapshot: IIM Calcutta Placements – Key Numbers (Recent Batch)

IIM Calcutta Sector‑Wise Placements

The sectoral split at IIM Calcutta shows why the institute is so popular for finance and consulting aspirants:

Consulting has been the top recruiting sector with about one‑third of the batch in recent years.​

IIM Calcutta Summer Placements

Although exact numbers vary by year, summer placements at IIM Calcutta typically:

• Are completed in a few days due to high recruiter interest.

• See premium roles in strategy consulting, front‑end finance, product management, marketing leadership tracks and operations.

• Offer stipends that are among the best in the country, often from the same set of top‑tier recruiters who participate in final placements.

IIM Calcutta CAT Cutoffs – Qualifying vs Final Call

IIM Calcutta follows a two‑level cutoff logic:

1. Qualifying CAT Cutoff – Minimum overall & sectional percentile required just to be considered for shortlisting.

2. Final (Effective) CAT Cutoff – Actual percentile at which general category calls are typically made (often around 98–99+ for top IIMs like Calcutta).

IIM Calcutta Qualifying CAT Cutoff (Recent Years – MBA)

Indicative minimum percentiles based on recent admission cycles:

These are minimum cutoffs just to be eligible for consideration.

IIM Calcutta Final CAT Cutoff (General Category – Expected Range)

As per recent trend analysis:

• Effective final CAT percentile for General category calls to IIM Calcutta is typically around 99 percentile (sometimes quoted in the 99–101 range, depending on slot and normalisation).

• This is the range where most General category candidates who receive WAT‑PI calls tend to fall.

For reserved categories (NC‑OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwD), the effective final cutoffs are lower than for General, but still competitive.

IIM Calcutta ROI – Fees vs Placements

With total MBA fees around ₹27 lakh and average salaries above ₹30 lakh per annum, IIM Calcutta offers one of the strongest ROIs among Indian management institutes.

• Payback period for many students often comes down to 2–3 years of post‑MBA salary, depending on role, sector and savings rate.

• Long‑term ROI multiplies significantly because of the strength of the IIM Calcutta alumni network in top corporate and global roles.

More Facts About IIM Calcutta – Campus, Hostel, Rankings & Student Life

IIM Calcutta Campus & Infrastructure

• IIM Calcutta campus is a 135‑acre fully residential campus at Joka, Kolkata, with natural lakes and greenery.

• Academic infrastructure includes modern lecture halls, seminar rooms, syndicate rooms for group work, conference rooms and lounges.

• The campus houses one of Asia’s largest management libraries, offering extensive printed and electronic resources, journals and databases.​

• Dedicated spaces are available for student clubs, cultural events, fests and sports.

IIM Calcutta Hostels & Residential Life

IIM Calcutta is known for its vibrant hostel culture:

• Major hostels include Old Hostel (Ramanujan Hostel), White Hostel (Tagore & Annexe), New Hostel and Lake View Hostel.

• The campus offers single or twin‑sharing rooms, common rooms, games rooms, TV rooms and courts for various sports.

• All hostels have 24×7 LAN and Wi‑Fi connectivity, housekeeping, laundry services and mess.

• Hostel life is described as a “parallel culture” where students learn from peers, form close bonds and collaborate on projects late into the night.

Hostel and campus life is a major driver of the IIM Calcutta experience, particularly during placement preparation and committee activities.

IIM Calcutta Clubs, Committees & Culture

While names of specific clubs change over time, typical student activities at IIM Calcutta include:

• Academic and professional clubs (finance, consulting, marketing, operations, analytics, entrepreneurship).

• Cultural and literary clubs (music, dance, dramatics, quizzing, photography, literature).

• Sports committees overseeing inter‑hostel and inter‑college tournaments.

• Placement committee, alumni committee, media & PR teams, and fest organising committees (for major fests).

These activities make IIM Calcutta life intense, competitive and equally fun.

IIM Calcutta Accreditations & Rankings

Some key facts that consistently stand out:

• IIM Calcutta is widely recognised as one of India’s top‑3 management institutes, especially strong in finance, consulting and analytics.

• It is among the handful of “triple‑crown” B‑schools globally, with accreditations from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA (triple accreditation is a widely known hallmark of global B‑school quality).

• Various global and national rankings regularly place IIM Calcutta at or near the top among Indian MBA colleges, often featuring prominently in Financial Times and QS rankings.

IIM Calcutta Alumni Network

• Alumni occupy leadership roles in investment banking, consulting, PE/VC, technology, FMCG, e‑commerce, public policy and entrepreneurship.

• Strong alumni presence in global financial hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Singapore, London and New York has made IIM Calcutta particularly famous as a “finance campus”.

• Alumni actively engage through mentoring, guest lectures, case competitions and recruiting.

IIM Calcutta – FAQs

1. What flagship course does IIM Calcutta offer?

The flagship course at IIM Calcutta is the 2‑year full‑time MBA (earlier PGP/PGDM). It is a fully residential general management programme designed for graduates and early‑career professionals. Students specialise through electives in areas like finance, marketing, strategy, operations, analytics and more.

2. What is the total fee for the IIM Calcutta MBA?

The total programme fee for the IIM Calcutta MBA is approximately ₹27,00,000 for the two‑year course, based on recent batches. This usually includes tuition, academic charges and residential components. Mess and some personal expenses are extra and can take the overall cost higher depending on lifestyle.

3. How good are IIM Calcutta placements?

IIM Calcutta placements are consistently among the best in India. Recent batches have seen:

• 100% placement,

• Average CTC around ₹32.6 LPA,

• Median CTC around ₹33.7 LPA,

• Participation of 190+ recruiters including top consulting firms (MBB, Big‑4 strategy arms), global investment banks, PE/VC funds, tech majors and FMCG leaders.

4. What CAT percentile is needed for IIM Calcutta?

IIM Calcutta’s qualifying cutoff for General category is around 85 percentile overall with sectional cutoffs of 80/80/75 in VARC/DILR/QA, but this is only the minimum to be considered. In practice, effective final calls for General category typically go to candidates with around 99 percentile or higher.

5. Is work experience compulsory for IIM Calcutta MBA?

No. Work experience is not compulsory for the 2‑year MBA at IIM Calcutta, but it carries some weight in the final composite score. The batch usually has a healthy mix of freshers and candidates with 1–4 years of experience, along with a smaller group having higher experience.​

For MBAEx, substantial work experience (around 5+ years) is mandatory.

6. Which is better at IIM Calcutta – MBA or MBAEx?

They serve different profiles:

• MBA (2‑year): Best for fresh graduates and early‑career professionals looking for a broad career switch or long‑term management career. Campus placements are through regular IIM Calcutta placements.

• MBAEx (1‑year): Ideal for mid‑career professionals with 5+ years of work experience aiming for accelerated movement into leadership/senior roles. Placement processes and cohort profile differ.

Choice depends on current career stage, experience and goals.

7. What is special about IIM Calcutta for finance and consulting?

IIM Calcutta has:

• Strong legacy and depth of faculty in finance and quantitative areas.

• Regular presence of top‑tier global investment banks, PE/VC firms and trading firms in the campus recruitment process.

• Large alumni base in front‑office finance roles and top consulting firms, which reinforces recruiter confidence.

• A culture that values analytical rigour, making it extremely attractive for finance, analytics and consulting recruiters.

8. How is hostel life at IIM Calcutta?

Hostel life at IIM Calcutta is a defining feature of the campus experience:

• Fully residential; all MBA and long‑duration students stay on campus.

• Multiple hostels (Old, White, New, Lake View, etc.) with common rooms, sports facilities, LAN/Wi‑Fi, mess and night canteens.

• Rich peer learning, late‑night case discussions, project work and cultural activities.

• Strong inter‑hostel camaraderie and competitions that shape a close‑knit, high‑energy student community.

9. Does IIM Calcutta provide scholarships or financial aid?

Yes. While specific scholarship names and criteria change over time, in general:

• Need‑based financial assistance and various merit‑cum‑means scholarships are available, often supported by the institute and external sponsors.

• Many commercial banks offer education loans specially designed for IIM students, typically covering tuition plus living expenses.

10. Is IIM Calcutta a good choice for analytics and data roles?

Absolutely. Beyond a strong analytics orientation in the MBA itself, IIM Calcutta runs the PGDBA programme jointly with ISI Kolkata and IIT Kharagpur, focused entirely on business analytics. The presence of this advanced analytics ecosystem, combined with recruiter interest in data‑driven roles, makes IIM Calcutta a top destination for analytics careers.