IPMAT 2026 Shortlist Out: IIM Indore Official Cutoffs, ATS & PI Strategy

The IPMAT 2026 results are out. Only 838 of 17,916 candidates made the PI shortlist. We break down the official IIM Indore cutoffs and your WAT-PI action plan.

25 May 2026·5 min read·ipmcareer.com
Ashutosh Mishra
By Ashutosh Mishra, Co-founder
IIM Ahmedabad alum·25 May 2026·5 min read

The IPMAT 2026 results from IIM Indore are live, and the numbers tell a story of intense competition. If you've received the interview call, congratulations. You're in the top 4.7%. Now the real work begins.

Here's what you'll learn from this official data breakdown:

  1. The exact IPMAT 2026 sectional cutoffs for every single category.
  2. Why only 1 in every 21 serious candidates cleared the hurdle.
  3. A 72-hour action plan whether you were shortlisted or are planning for IPMAT 2027.

The brutal truth: 1 in 21 made the cut

Let's start with the hard numbers. A total of 17,916 candidates scored a positive raw score across all three sections of IPMAT 2026. Of those, only 838 cleared all three sectional cutoffs to get shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI) round.

That's a passage rate of just 4.7%. It proves that IPMAT isn't just about scoring high; it's about performing consistently across all sections. One weak area, and your IIM dream is put on hold for a year. You can check your provisional shortlist status directly on the IIM Indore website.

Official IPMAT 2026 sectional cutoffs (all categories)

First, let's compare the General category cutoffs over the last few years. This shows us the trends and what IIM Indore is testing.

Year QA (SA) Cutoff QA (MCQ) Cutoff Verbal Ability Cutoff Total Shortlisted
2026 28 27 111 838
2025 24 28 112 818
2024 24 35 113 (not released)
2023 12 39 125 (not released)
2022 20 43 112 (not released)

The big story this year is the 4-mark jump in the Quantitative Ability (Short Answer) cutoff, from 24 to 28. Since this section has no negative marking, many students attempt all 15 questions. This cutoff jump shows that IIM Indore is rewarding accuracy, not just attempts. A few careless mistakes here could have cost you the interview call.

Here are the official, category-wise sectional cutoffs for IPMAT 2026. You needed to score AT LEAST this much in EACH section to get shortlisted.

Category QA Short Answer (Score) QA MCQ (Score) Verbal Ability (Score)
General 28 27 111
EWS 16 17 79
NC-OBC 16 14 70
SC 12 10 58
ST 8 8 49
PwD 4 3 30

Another key point is the significant 70% increase in the number of PwD candidates shortlisted, from 33 in 2025 to 56 this year. This reflects a positive move towards greater inclusivity.

Your aptitude test score (ATS) and what it means

If you were shortlisted, you received an Aptitude Test Score (ATS). This is not your raw score. It's a normalized score calculated by IIM Indore to create a level playing field. It accounts for the difficulty of different sections.

This ATS will carry 65% weightage in your final composite score. The remaining 35% comes from your Personal Interview. Here is the range of ATS scores for the 838 shortlisted candidates.

Category Minimum ATS Maximum ATS
General 50.26 91.01
EWS 31.16 71.70
NC-OBC 24.86 72.82
SC 16.47 60.78
ST 13.44 50.17
PwD 1.83 50.14

Even if your ATS is on the lower end for your category, a stellar interview can secure your seat. The PI is the great equalizer. Here is the final breakdown of the interview calls.

Category Female Male Total Shortlisted
General 68 225 293
NC-OBC 70 175 245
SC 38 81 119
EWS 14 56 70
PwD 15 41 56
ST 15 40 55
Total 220 618 838

Your 72-hour action plan: what to do RIGHT NOW

Your next few days are critical. Depending on your result, here is what you should be doing.

If you are shortlisted (Congrats, future IIMer!):

Your celebration should last about an hour. Then, it's back to work. These 838 candidates are now competing for approximately 150 seats at IIM Indore. The final leg of this marathon is a sprint.

  1. Profile Deep Dive: Write down answers to the essentials: "Tell me about yourself," "Why IPM?," "Why IIM Indore?," "Strengths & Weaknesses." Be honest, be structured.
  2. Current Affairs: Pick 5 major national and 3 international news stories from the last six months. Understand them beyond the headlines. Form an opinion.
  3. Get Expert Help: The PI is a different ball game. It's where your personality, communication, and thinking process are tested. Don't leave the crucial 35% to chance. Our mentors, who are IIM alumni, can give you the specific feedback needed to convert this call. Check out our WAT-PI Preparation Program at register.ipmcareer.com.

For a detailed breakdown of what to expect, read our guide on the IIM Indore Interview Strategy 2026.

If you missed the cut (or are a 2027 aspirant):

Disappointment is natural, but data is your best teacher. This result is not a failure; it's feedback.

  1. Analyze the Gaps: Pinpoint which section held you back. Was it the tricky QA-SA section? Or speed in Verbal? This is crucial information for your IPMAT 2027 strategy.
  2. Start Now: The next attempt starts today. Don't wait. Use this official data to set realistic and specific targets for your mock tests. For a comprehensive plan, check out our IPMAT 2027 Ultimate Guide.
  3. Look Beyond IIM Indore: Remember, your IPMAT score is accepted by other top institutes like IIM Ranchi, IIFT, and TAPMI. Don't lose sight of these excellent options.
Last reviewed by Ashutosh Mishra on 25 May 2026.
Have a question about this? WhatsApp us at +91 82994 70392 — Vivek or Ashutosh will reply personally.

FAQs

What is the weightage of the IPMAT score vs. the interview for final selection at IIM Indore?+

For the final merit list, IIM Indore gives 65% weightage to the Aptitude Test Score (ATS) and 35% to the Personal Interview (PI). Your Class 10 scores are only used for initial eligibility, not for the final composite score.

Do I need to clear an overall cutoff as well as sectional cutoffs for IPMAT?+

There is no 'overall cutoff' declared by IIM Indore. You must clear the minimum score requirement (sectional cutoff) in all three sections—QA MCQ, QA Short Answer, and Verbal Ability—simultaneously. Missing even one by a single mark means you are not shortlisted.

How many students were shortlisted for the IIM Indore IPM interview in 2026?+

A total of 838 candidates have been shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI) round for IPMAT 2026. This is out of 17,916 candidates who scored a positive raw score across all sections.

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