IIM Sambalpur MBA Shortlist 2026 Released: No Sectional Cut-Offs for Batch 2026-28

The wait is finally over for thousands of MBA hopefuls. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur has officially released the Personal Interview (PI) shortlist for its flagship MBA Batch of 2026-28.

As of today, Thursday, January 8, 2026, the PI call status is live on the institute’s official portal. In a move that sets it apart from the older IIMs, IIM Sambalpur has confirmed the removal of mandatory sectional cut-offs for the initial shortlisting stage, offering a lifeline to candidates who may have scored high overall but struggled in one specific section like Quant or DILR.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to check your result, the detailed cut-off criteria, the new selection policy changes, and why IIM Sambalpur is becoming a top choice for “Viksit Bharat” future leaders.

Shortlist Status: Direct Link Active

Candidates who appeared for CAT 2025 and selected IIM Sambalpur as one of their preferred institutes can now check their status.

• Event: MBA 2026-28 PI Shortlist Declaration
• Date: January 8, 2026
• Official Website: iimsambalpur.ac.in
• Login Credentials: CAT 2025 Registration Number and Date of Birth / Password.

The “No Sectional Cut-Off” Policy: A Game Changer

The biggest talking point of this admission season is IIM Sambalpur’s decision to prioritize Overall Percentile over sectional performance for the first stage of shortlisting.

Why is this huge?

Most top-tier IIMs (like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Lucknow) strictly reject candidates who fail to clear the sectional threshold (usually 70-80 percentile in VARC, DILR, and QA), even if their total score is 99+ percentile.

IIM Sambalpur has removed this barrier.

• The Rule: You do not need a minimum percentile in individual sections to get a PI call.
• The Only Condition: You must have a positive (non-negative) raw score in all three sections.
• Who Benefits: This is a golden opportunity for non-engineers who might struggle with Quant or engineers who found the VARC section tough in CAT 2025.

Official CAT 2025 Cut-Offs (Batch 2026-28)

The institute has released the minimum percentile required to be eligible for the PI round. Candidates meeting these scores will receive an email invitation for the next round.

Category	Minimum Overall CAT Percentile
General (Open)	90.0
EWS (Economically Weaker Section)	80.0
NC-OBC	75.0
SC (Scheduled Caste)	55.0
ST (Scheduled Tribe)	40.0
PwD (Persons with Disability)	40.0

Special Relaxation for Diversity:

To promote a healthy gender ratio and classroom diversity, IIM Sambalpur has lowered the cut-off for specific groups:

• Female Candidates (All Categories): General Category cut-off drops to 85 Percentile.
• Male Candidates with Work Exp (12+ Months): General Category cut-off drops to 85 Percentile.

Selection Criteria 2026: Major Changes Explained

Getting shortlisted is just the first step. The final merit list will be prepared based on a “Composite Score.” This year, there is a slight tweak in the weightage distribution compared to 2025.

The Weightage Matrix for Final Selection:

1. CAT 2025 Score (40%):While the sectional cut-off is removed for entry, your CAT score still holds the highest weightage. A high score increases your chances significantly.
2. Personal Interview (20%):The PI round will be conducted online/offline (as per CAP guidelines). This tests your communication skills, personality, and clarity of purpose.
3. Work Experience (20%):IIM Sambalpur values industry experience highly.
   • 0-12 Months: Low weightage.
   • 12-36 Months: Maximum marks awarded.
   • 36+ Months: Marks gradually decrease (as the program is best suited for early-mid career professionals).
4. Academic Profile (10%):
   • Class 10: 3%
   • Class 12: 3%
   • Graduation: 4%
   • Note: Candidates with >90% marks in these exams get full points.
5. Gender Diversity (Reduced to 5%):
   • Change Alert: In previous years, gender diversity carried 10% weightage. For the 2026 batch, it has been adjusted to 5%. This balances the field slightly for male candidates while still encouraging female applicants.
6. Academic Diversity (5%):Non-engineers (Arts, Commerce, Medical, etc.) get an automatic 5% boost to ensure the class isn’t full of just engineering graduates.

Campus Buzz: Why IIM Sambalpur is Trending in 2026

Beyond admissions, IIM Sambalpur is making headlines for its rapid infrastructure growth and unique initiatives.

1. Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (Jan 5, 2026)

Just three days ago, the campus hosted a massive dialogue session aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India by 2047. Director Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal emphasized that the 2026-28 batch will be groomed not just as managers but as “nation builders.”

2. The 100-Cube Start-up Mission

Unlike other B-schools focusing only on placements, IIM Sambalpur is running the ambitious ‘100-Cube’ mission.

• Goal: To create 100 startups with a valuation of ₹100 Crore each by 2036 (Odisha’s centenary year).
• Benefit for Students: MBA students get direct access to the Incubation Center, mentorship from unicorns, and seed funding opportunities if they choose entrepreneurship over a corporate job.

3. Placements & ROI (2025 Data)

For those looking at Return on Investment (ROI), the institute’s track record remains strong. The 2025 placement season (concluded recently) saw:

• Highest Package: ₹48.60 LPA
• Average Package: ₹15.65 LPA
• Top 10% Average: ₹27.28 LPA
• Top Recruiters: Microsoft, Tolaram, Vedanta, Adani Group, and Deloitte.

How to Check Your Shortlist Status (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps carefully to avoid confusion:

1. Go to the Official Site: Type iimsambalpur.ac.in in your browser.
2. Find the Notice: Look for the scrolling ticker or “News & Announcements” section saying “MBA 2026-28 Personal Interview Shortlist Released”.
3. Click the Link: You will be redirected to the admissions portal.
4. Login: Enter your CAT 2025 ID and email.
5. View Dashboard:
   • If selected, you will see a green “Shortlisted” message and a link to fill the PI form.
   • If not, it will display “Not Shortlisted based on cut-off criteria.”

What Next? The CAP 2026 Process

IIM Sambalpur is part of the Common Admission Process (CAP).

• If you are shortlisted, you do not need to give separate interviews for all new IIMs (like Bodh Gaya, Jammu, Sirmaur, Trichy, etc.).
• You will appear for one single Personal Interview (PI). The score from this interview will be sent to all participating CAP IIMs.
• Action Item: Keep your documents (Category certificate, Marksheets, Work Ex letter) ready. The CAP registration window usually opens within a week of the shortlist declaration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)