MBA colleges for 61-70 percentile in CAT 2026 span several admission models. JAGSoM publishes a 60-percentile CAT/XAT minimum for shortlisting to its Admission Selection Process. WeSchool Bengaluru Business Design & Innovation, Amrita Coimbatore and Universal Ai University publish 70-percentile thresholds, while NALSAR’s normal CAT/XAT route begins at 70. Many other CAT-accepting institutes publish no fixed institute-level percentile for the relevant shortlisting stage.
For a wider view of MBA options around this score band, compare MBA colleges for 71–80 percentile and PREPON’s guide to top non-IIM MBA colleges.
MBA Options at 61–70 Percentile in CAT 2026: Quick Answer
At 61–70 percentile, CAT-accepting MBA/PGDM programmes fall into three admission patterns: published-threshold programmes, profile-dependent programmes and route-qualified programmes. MBA colleges for 61-70 percentile in CAT 2026 include all three types. Exactly 70 is a significant boundary for WeSchool Bengaluru Business Design & Innovation, Amrita Coimbatore, Universal Ai University and NALSAR’s normal CAT/XAT route. SC and ST candidates also have category-specific IIM and IIT qualifying minimums.
- General candidates have a core list plus a stretch/specialist layer.
- 70-only programmes are not available to 61–69 candidates.
- NC-OBC, SC and ST candidates have additional public-sector and IIM/IIT options, each under their own category rules.
- A published minimum is not the same as a shortlist.
What Does a Published CAT Cutoff Actually Mean?
In MBA admissions, “cutoff” can refer to six different concepts: eligibility minimum, application threshold, shortlist threshold, composite-score shortlist, final-selection criteria and historical estimate.
| Term | What it means | Example of how it appears |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility / qualifying minimum | The lowest CAT percentile at which an application is considered at all | “Candidates must have at least X percentile overall” |
| Application threshold | A minimum required to submit or register for an institute’s process | Institute-specific application form rules |
| Shortlist / PI threshold | The score or percentile at which candidates were actually called for the next stage | Published only by some institutes |
| Composite-score shortlist | A combined score (CAT plus academics, profile, diversity and so on) used to rank candidates | Common at IIMs |
| Final-selection criteria | The weighted mix used to make the final offer: PI, writing, academics, work experience and so on | Varies by institute |
| Historical / unofficial estimate | A number from past years or third parties; contextual only | Used sparingly, always labelled |
Admission sequences vary by institute. CAT may function as an eligibility filter, a shortlist input or one component of a composite score that also includes academics, profile, diversity or later assessments. A published floor is a minimum criterion, not a guaranteed shortlist.
Mock-test scores and sectional performance can be converted into an approximate percentile range for planning.
How the Band Changes: 61–64, 65–67 and 68–70
There is not necessarily an evidence-based difference between every sub-band. The main verified discontinuity is exactly 70.
| Sub-band | What genuinely changes | What does not change |
|---|---|---|
| 61–64 | Clears the SC and ST overall floors in the tables below (subject to sectional minimums). General applications without published CAT percentiles remain profile-dependent. 70-only programmes and NALSAR’s direct route are unavailable | No evidence-based difference from 65–67 for General applications |
| 65–67 | No separate verified break. Sectional scores, academics and profile matter more than the exact percentile | No separate 65-specific published list is established |
| 68–70 | At exactly 70, WeSchool Bengaluru (Business Design & Innovation), Amrita Coimbatore, Universal Ai University, WeSchool Mumbai (Healthcare and Rural) and NALSAR’s direct CAT/XAT route become relevant. For NC-OBC, NIBM publishes an indicative 70-percentile threshold and NIA publishes an expected 70-percentile shortlist threshold. IFMR’s current official pages conflict between 70 and 75 | 68 and 69 do not inherit confirmed 70-only options |
A score of 69 and a score of 70 create different eligibility positions for programmes with a published 70-percentile threshold. Outside those cases, current evidence does not establish another General-category cutoff break between 61 and 69.
MBA Colleges for 61-70 Percentile in CAT 2026: General Category Options
MBA colleges for 61-70 percentile in CAT 2026 include fixed-threshold and profile-dependent General-category options.
The General-category set contains 34 entries across published-threshold, route-qualified, public/specialist and profile-dependent admission paths.
Published thresholds within or touching the 61–70 band
| Institute / programme | Published CAT figure | What the figure means | 61–70 implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAGSoM Bengaluru — PGDM General | 60 percentile | Minimum CAT/XAT score for shortlisting to the Admission Selection Process | The full 61–70 band clears the published test-score threshold; later selection stages still apply |
| WeSchool Bengaluru — PGDM Business Design & Innovation | 70 percentile | Programme-specific entrance-test threshold | 70 only |
| Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore — MBA | 70 percentile | Minimum accepted management-test percentile on the current admissions page | 70 only |
| Universal Ai University — MBA programmes | 70 percentile | CAT requirement published in the university FAQ | 70 only |
Official criteria currently inconsistent
IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University — MBA: current official pages conflict. The 2027–29 eligibility page lists 75 percentile in CAT/XAT, while the institute’s FAQ/admissions schedule lists 70 percentile. The applicable threshold is therefore unresolved until IFMR publishes a consistent current-cycle figure.
Alternative or route-qualified options
| Institute / programme | Route point | 61–70 implication |
|---|---|---|
| NALSAR University of Law — MBA | CAT/XAT 70+ qualifies for the normal score route; below 70, NMET-PG is required | 61–69 is not a normal CAT-only route |
| PUMBA, Pune — MBA | Maharashtra MBA admission/CAP framework | Standalone 61–70 CAT admission prediction not supported |
| Christ University, Bengaluru — MBA | CAT is accepted, followed by institute-specific assessment stages | CAT alone is not selection |
| IBS Hyderabad — MBA | IBSAT or accepted national-test score route | CAT can substitute for IBSAT where the current rules permit |
| IBS Mumbai — PGPM | IBSAT or accepted national-test score route | Programme is PGPM, not MBA |
| Lala Lajpatrai Institute of Management, Mumbai — MMS | Maharashtra CAP/documentation route; CAT is among accepted scorecards | Route-qualified rather than a simple cutoff-backed CAT option |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Institute of Management and Research, New Delhi — MBA | Current university material allows a recognised national/state management-test score or BV-BMAT | CAT acceptance is not explicit on the current page |
Public, specialist and programme-specific options
| Institute / programme | CAT treatment | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| NIT Calicut — MBA (Regular-CAT) | CAT route verified; no fixed 61–70 CAT figure published on the current admissions page | Profile-dependent after the CAT route |
| Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal — MBA portfolio | CAT is used for shortlisting | Current portfolio includes Forestry Management, Sustainability Management, Sustainable Development, and Development & Sustainable Finance |
| PDEU School of Management — MBA | CAT/XAT/NMAT are used in admission | Current specialisations include Energy & Infrastructure Management, Financial Management, Marketing Management and Business Analytics |
| SOIL Institute of Management, Gurugram — two-year PGDM | CAT accepted | Two-year PGDM; separate from SOIL’s one-year programmes |
CAT accepted, but no fixed institute-published CAT percentile
For these institutes, CAT is accepted but no fixed CAT percentile is published for the relevant stage. Their shortlisting therefore depends on the wider admission process rather than a single cutoff number.
| Region | Institutes and programmes |
|---|---|
| Delhi NCR / North | Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurugram (PGDM); JIMS Rohini (flagship PGDM); Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur (PGDM); Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow (PGDM) |
| Mumbai / Navi Mumbai | MET Institute of Management (PGDM); SIES School of Business Studies; Chetana’s Institute of Management & Research (PGDM/PGDM Marketing); IES Management College and Research Centre (2-year PGDM); ITM Navi Mumbai (MBA iConnect) |
| Bengaluru / South | XIME Bengaluru (PGDM); Indus Business Academy, Bengaluru (PGDM); International School of Management Excellence, Bengaluru (2-year PGDM); SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysuru (2-year residential PGDM); IMT Hyderabad (PGDM) |
| East / Central | IMI Kolkata (PGDM); IMI Bhubaneswar (PGDM); MDI Murshidabad (2-year residential PGDM); IMT Nagpur (PGDM) |
Several of these institutes explicitly use a composite process. For example, MET gives weight to the entrance test, academics and assessment stages; SIES uses the test score along with academics and GD/PI; Jaipuria uses CAT as one component of a wider selection formula. Chetana explicitly states that it does not stipulate a cutoff score/percentile for its PGDM admission.
These institutes use broader admission processes rather than a single published CAT cutoff. Programme eligibility, academics, work experience and later selection stages can therefore affect shortlisting materially.
Among MBA colleges for 61-70 percentile in CAT 2026, this distinction is essential: absence of a published cutoff is not evidence that any particular percentile guarantees consideration or a call.
General Category Options at Exactly 70 Percentile
Exactly 70 is a meaningful boundary because several programmes and routes become available at that score but not at 69.
| Option | Published position | 61–70 treatment |
|---|---|---|
| WeSchool Bengaluru — PGDM Business Design & Innovation | 70 percentile | 70 only |
| Amrita School of Business, Coimbatore — MBA | 70 percentile | 70 only |
| Universal Ai University — MBA programmes | CAT 70-percentile requirement | 70 only |
| NALSAR University of Law — MBA | CAT/XAT 70+ qualifies for the normal score route | At 61–69, NMET-PG is required |
| IFMR GSB — MBA | Official pages conflict between 70 and 75 | Official pages conflict between 70 and 75; 70 is not confirmed |
For NC-OBC candidates, NIBM Pune publishes an indicative 70-percentile threshold, but the institute states that its actual cutoff is decided after applications are received. National Insurance Academy publishes an expected NC-OBC shortlist threshold of 70 for its 2027 intake.
The practical lesson is simple: the meaningful jump is at 70 for several programmes, but even a published threshold is not a promise of a shortlist or admission.
General Extended, Stretch and Specialist Applications
This layer sits outside the 34-entry General main list and now contains five programme-level options after removing National Insurance Academy from the General 61–70 band. NIA’s current 2027 page lists a General/EWS CAT expectation of 75, so it does not belong in a General-category 61–70 list.
| # | Option | CAT treatment | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FOSTIIMA Business School, New Delhi | No fixed CAT percentile claimed here | Stretch/profile-dependent application |
| 2 | School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad | CAT used for shortlisting; no fixed CAT percentile published on the current admissions page | Profile-dependent public option |
| 3 | WeSchool Mumbai — PGDM Healthcare Management | 70 percentile | 70 only; healthcare-sector fit |
| 4 | WeSchool Mumbai — PGDM Rural Management | 70 percentile | 70 only; rural-management fit |
| 5 | BIMTECH — PGDM Insurance Business Management / PGDM Retail Management | Current admissions page accepts recognised management tests but does not publish a current fixed CAT cutoff for these specialist streams | Specialist/profile-dependent; flagship PGDM cutoff does not transfer |
Historical BIMTECH specialist-programme cutoffs are not current-cycle thresholds unless BIMTECH republishes them for the relevant intake.
NC-OBC: Additional Government and Public-Sector Opportunities
These ten opportunities are additional to relevant General-category options. NC-OBC admission criteria are category-specific and can differ from General thresholds.
| # | Institute | Published NC-OBC position | What it means for 61–70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Institute of Banking Management, Pune | Indicative 70 percentile in current material; institute states actual cutoff is decided after applications are received | Relevant at the upper end, but 70 is not a guaranteed/final shortlist cutoff |
| 2 | University Business School, Panjab University, Chandigarh | No fixed institute-published NC-OBC CAT percentile located in the current official material reviewed | Profile-dependent |
| 3 | Institute of Management Studies, BHU, Varanasi | No fixed institute-published NC-OBC CAT percentile located | Profile-dependent |
| 4 | MANAGE Hyderabad — PGDM (Agri-Business Management) | Category-wise CAT shortlisting is used, but the policy reviewed does not publish the actual NC-OBC percentile | Profile-dependent; programme-specific eligibility applies |
| 5 | DoMS, NIT Tiruchirappalli — MBA | CAT overall percentile is used for shortlisting; no fixed NC-OBC percentile published on the current admissions page | Profile-dependent |
| 6 | National Insurance Academy, Pune — PGDM Insurance & Risk Management | Expected NC-OBC shortlist threshold: 70 for the 2027 intake | 70 only on the current expected threshold; insurance-sector fit |
| 7 | Delhi School of Management, DTU | Published OBC CAT minimum: 20 percentile | 61–70 clears the published minimum; this does not imply a shortlist or admission |
| 8 | DoMS & Industrial Engineering, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | CAT percentile used for shortlisting; no fixed NC-OBC percentile published in the current process reviewed | Profile-dependent |
| 9 | School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad | CAT used to shortlist for GD/PI; no fixed NC-OBC percentile published | Profile-dependent |
| 10 | IISWBM Kolkata — MBA Day | CAT + GD/PI + academic background; current admission page does not publish a numeric NC-OBC CAT cutoff | Profile-dependent |
National Insurance Academy’s current 2027 page also publishes a 70 expected threshold for SC/ST/PwD candidates, but its General/EWS expectation is 75. That is why NIA appears here as a category-specific option rather than in the General 61–70 extended list.
SC: Additional IIM, IIT and Public-Sector Opportunities
Seven additional IIM/IIT opportunities publish SC minimums that intersect with this score range. Clearing a published SC minimum does not equal receiving a PI call or an admission offer because later shortlisting can use composite scores and other selection criteria.
| Institute | Overall minimum (SC) | Sectional minimum | What the figure means | 61–70 implication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Kanpur DoMS | 55 | No fixed sectional percentile in the eligibility rule used here | Eligibility / qualifying minimum | Clears the published minimum |
| IIM Amritsar | 55 | QA 55 / DILR 50 / VARC 52 | Qualifying minimum with sectionals | Clears the published overall minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 50 | 40 / 40 / 40 | Phase-1 shortlist minimum | Clears the published minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
| IIM Sambalpur | 55 | Positive scaled score required in the sections under current verified policy | Qualifying rule | Clears the published overall minimum; sectional criteria remain applicable |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 60 | CAP sectionals 40 / 40 / 40 | CAP-stage minimum | Clears the published minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
| IIM Jammu | 60 | CAP sectionals 40 / 40 / 40 | CAP-stage minimum | Clears the published minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
| IIM Sirmaur | 60 (standard) | 40 / 40 / 40 | CAP-stage minimum | Clears the published minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
IIM Sirmaur, female/transgender route: where the institute’s separate rule applies, the overall minimum is 55.
SC Threshold Interpretation
“Clears the published minimum” is the correct phrase. It is not “will get a call”. At IIMs, candidates who meet the minimum are typically placed into a wider pool, then ranked by a composite process that may include academics, diversity factors and work experience. The exact weightages differ across institutes.
Sectional minimums matter. An SC candidate with 64 overall can still miss an institute’s sectional requirement even after clearing the overall published floor.
SC and NC-OBC thresholds are separate category-specific criteria; an NC-OBC figure does not automatically apply to an SC candidate.
SC candidates can also be eligible for relevant General-list programmes under the institute’s applicable SC admission rules.
ST: Additional IIM, IIT and Public-Sector Opportunities
ST overall and sectional minimums can differ materially from SC and NC-OBC criteria, so the ST figures form a separate admission set.
| Institute | Overall minimum (ST) | Sectional minimum | What the figure means | 61–70 implication |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Kanpur DoMS | 55 | No fixed sectional percentile in the rule used here | Eligibility / qualifying minimum | Clears the published minimum |
| IIM Amritsar | 40 | QA 40 / DILR 35 / VARC 37 | Qualifying minimum with sectionals | Clears the published overall minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 40 | 30 / 30 / 30 | Phase-1 shortlist minimum | Clears the published minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
| IIM Sambalpur | 40 | Positive scaled score in each section | Qualifying rule | Clears the published overall minimum; sectional criteria remain applicable |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 38 | VARC 25 / DILR 30 / QA 30 | CAP-stage minimum | Clears the published minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
| IIM Jammu | 38 | VARC 25 / DILR 30 / QA 30 | CAP-stage minimum | Clears the published minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
| IIM Sirmaur | 38 | VARC 25 / DILR 30 / QA 30 | CAP-stage minimum | Clears the published minimum; sectional minimums remain applicable |
IIM Sirmaur, female/transgender route: where applicable, the overall minimum is 35.
Published minimum is not a guaranteed PI shortlist, and a PI shortlist is not admission. A 61–70 percentile is well above these published ST floors, but that alone does not set the shortlist outcome. Composite-score processes decide who is called.
Note the column order: IIM Amritsar lists QA / DILR / VARC, while the three CAP-stage IIMs list VARC / DILR / QA. Read the labels carefully.
ST candidates can also be eligible for relevant public and General-list programmes under the institute’s applicable ST admission rules.
Public and Government MBA Options: Fees and Value Considerations
Public and government-linked programmes can differ sharply from private schools on total cost. Current fee notices may separate tuition, hostel, mess and other mandatory charges.
Representative published fee figures show how sharply total programme cost can vary:
| Institute / programme | Verified published fee information | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad — MBA | 2026–27 published semester-fee schedule totals about ₹3.855 lakh for UR/OBC/EWS before mess; the SC/ST/PwD schedule reflects tuition relief and totals about ₹0.855 lakh before mess | Fees are stated as subject to revision; mess is additional |
| IISWBM Kolkata — MBA Day | Current site lists about ₹8.30 lakh total fee | Subject to institute revision |
| National Insurance Academy — PGDM Insurance & Risk Management | ₹12 lakh tuition for two years; first-year hostel + boarding shown separately at ₹2 lakh | Relevant to this CAT band mainly through reserved-category thresholds at 70 |
| NIT Calicut — MBA | Current fee notice governs the applicable batch | The CAT Regular route is verified; fee schedules can change by batch |
| NIT Tiruchirappalli — MBA | Current fee notice governs the applicable batch | Older fee screenshots are not current-batch comparisons |
A lower fee alone does not determine programme value. Location, curriculum, career outcomes, batch size, placement reporting and total cost of attendance can materially change the comparison.
Specialist Programmes: When Programme Fit Matters More Than the College Name
A specialist programme is not interchangeable with a general MBA because its curriculum and career outcomes are narrower and sector-specific.
NIBM Pune — PGDM (Banking & Financial Services). Relevant for candidates interested in banking and financial services. For NC-OBC, current material shows an indicative 70-percentile threshold, while the institute states that the actual cutoff is decided after applications are received.
National Insurance Academy — PGDM Insurance & Risk Management. The current 2027 admissions page lists an expected CAT threshold of 75 for General/EWS and 70 for NC-OBC/SC/ST/PwD. The programme is sector-specific, so insurance interest matters.
MANAGE Hyderabad — PGDM (Agri-Business Management). Relevant for agribusiness careers. Admission uses category-wise CAT shortlisting followed by Essay Writing, GD and PI, with programme-specific eligibility requirements.
Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. The current MBA portfolio includes Forestry Management, Sustainability Management, Sustainable Development, and Development & Sustainable Finance. CAT is used for shortlisting, but programme intent matters.
WeSchool Mumbai — PGDM Healthcare Management. A healthcare-sector programme with a published 70-percentile threshold for the relevant cycle.
WeSchool Mumbai — PGDM Rural Management. A rural-management programme with a published 70-percentile threshold for the relevant cycle.
BIMTECH — PGDM Insurance Business Management / PGDM Retail Management. These are specialist, profile-dependent programmes. Historical programme cutoffs are not current-cycle thresholds unless BIMTECH republishes them.
PDEU School of Management. Its current MBA specialisations include Energy & Infrastructure Management alongside Financial Management, Marketing Management and Business Analytics. Choose the specialisation for programme fit, not merely because CAT is accepted.
Specialist programmes are most relevant when the candidate’s career interest aligns clearly with the sector or specialisation.
Colleges With Additional or Alternative Admission Routes
Several CAT-accepting institutes also use an additional test, a substitute-score route or a centralised admission framework.
NALSAR University of Law: MBA and NMET-PG
- CAT/XAT 70 or above: the normal CAT/XAT score route can be used.
- CAT/XAT below 70: the candidate must appear for NMET-PG.
For a 61–69 percentile candidate, NALSAR is not a normal CAT-only application. NMET-PG includes Language & Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation & Quantitative Ability, and Business Aptitude components, with a registration schedule separate from CAT.
IBS Hyderabad and IBS Mumbai
IBS permits applicants to use IBSAT or an accepted national-test score under the current process. CAT is therefore an alternative score route; IBSAT is not automatically mandatory for a candidate using a valid accepted national-test score.
Programme naming matters:
- IBS Hyderabad: MBA
- IBS Mumbai: PGPM
Christ University, Bengaluru
For the 2027 intake, the selection process includes Group Discussion, Micro Presentation, Written Assessment, Personal Interview and review of academic performance. CAT 2026 is among the accepted scorecards. CAT alone does not determine selection.
PUMBA, Pune
The regular MBA admission process operates through Maharashtra’s MBA admission/CAP framework, with institute-level rounds where applicable after CAP. A standalone CAT 61–70 admission prediction is therefore not supported.
LLIM Mumbai
LLIM’s MMS admission documentation sits within the Maharashtra CET Cell/CAP framework and recognises CAT among accepted scorecards. This is another case where understanding the route matters more than attaching an unsupported standalone CAT cutoff.
Bharati Vidyapeeth IMR, New Delhi
Current university material allows an MBA applicant to use a recognised national/state management-test score or take BV-BMAT. The current page does not explicitly name CAT, so CAT acceptance is not confirmed by that page.
Fees and Placement Evidence
Fee and placement figures are most comparable when programme, batch and reporting year are aligned. A higher average CTC at one institute and a lower fee at another do not by themselves produce a reliable one-number ROI comparison.
Published Fee Examples
| Institute / programme | Published fee |
|---|---|
| MET Mumbai — PGDM | ₹12.06 lakh total (₹6.03 lakh per year) |
| XIME Bengaluru — PGDM | ₹12.90 lakh across two years, excluding deposits/hostel-related items |
| MDI Murshidabad — PGDM | ₹12,32,940 tuition for 2026–28, with other expenses separately specified |
| SDMIMD Mysuru — PGDM | ₹14.10 lakh for 2026–28, including tuition and hostel; food extra |
| Jaipuria Jaipur — PGDM | ₹14.75 lakh for 2027–29 |
| Jaipuria Lucknow — PGDM | ₹15.25 lakh for 2027–29 |
| IMT Nagpur — PGDM programmes | ₹16.00 lakh published total for 2026–28, including refundable caution money |
| IFMR GSB — MBA | ₹16.00 lakh tuition, excluding living and other listed charges |
| National Insurance Academy — PGDM Insurance & Risk Management | ₹12.00 lakh tuition for two years; first-year hostel/boarding separately shown at ₹2.00 lakh |
Published Placement Examples
The placement figures are contextual because the programmes and reporting years are not identical.
- National Insurance Academy: its current admissions page displays an average CTC of ₹12.17 LPA for the 2024–26 batch, a highest CTC of ₹38.18 LPA, and states a 100% placement record.
- IES MCRC: the current programme page reports an average CTC of ₹8.2 LPA and highest CTC of ₹18.33 LPA. A median was not published in the material reviewed.
Median CTC is less distorted by a small number of very high offers than average CTC. Placement comparisons also depend on the latest official report, batch size and reporting year.
Application Deadlines: Which Forms May Close Early?
Application calendars differ by institute, and some forms close before CAT results or use separate test windows. Previous-cycle dates are not substitutes for current-cycle deadlines.
| Institute / route | Current status for the 2027–29 cycle |
|---|---|
| Christ University MBA — Session I | Applications opened 5 September 2026 and close 24 January 2027 |
| SDMIMD Mysuru — PGDM | Current admissions page shows 31 December 2026 as the application deadline |
| National Insurance Academy — 2027 intake | Current admissions page shows 15 March 2027 |
| IBSAT / IBS admissions | Applications shown from 1 July to the third week of December 2026 (tentative); IBSAT in December 2026 and selection process in February 2027 are also marked tentative |
| Great Lakes Gurugram — PGDM 2027–29 | Current page accepts CAT 2026 candidates; no 2027–29 application deadline is displayed as of 3 October 2026. |
| NALSAR MBA / NMET-PG | As of 3 October 2026, the 2027–29 application schedule is not displayed on the official admissions page; previous-cycle February/March dates are not reused. |
Some institutes have separate tests or application windows that can close before CAT results, making calendar timing part of the admission process.
61–70 Percentile Application Portfolio Structure
A portfolio is a set of applications with different roles. It is not a list of colleges ranked by prestige.
Step 1. Eligibility position. Exact percentile, category and sectional scores determine which published floors are cleared.
Step 2. Published-threshold applications. These include programmes where the applicable published category threshold is cleared.
Step 3. Profile-dependent applications. Academics, work experience, programme fit and institute-specific selection stages carry more weight where no fixed CAT percentile is published.
Step 4. Route-restricted applications. NALSAR below 70 requires NMET-PG, while IBS accepts IBSAT or an accepted national-test score under the current process.
Step 5. Add specialist programmes only where the career direction is real.
Step 6. Post-result revision. The final percentile, sectional scores and category determine the revised application set.
Checklist before submitting:
- [ ] I have checked my overall and sectional scores against each floor.
- [ ] I know which of my applications are 70-only.
- [ ] I know which need an additional test.
- [ ] I have noted deadlines from official pages.
- [ ] I have prepared for GD, WAT and PI.
GD, WAT and PI preparation CAT & OMETs Sampurna Programme
CAT Percentile Above 70
Scores above 70 fall into the next application band. PREPON’s MBA colleges for 71–80 percentile in CAT 2026 resource covers that range.
Above 70, the General and NC-OBC opportunity set changes. PREPON’s 71–80 percentile resource covers the next score band, while the 81–90 percentile resource covers higher scores.
CAT Percentile Below 61
A materially different final score changes the relevant college universe. PREPON’s 81–90 percentile CAT 2026 resource covers the higher score band.
Below 61, some SC and ST qualifying floors may still be met depending on the institute and category. The verified General-category set changes below this band, while sectional performance and mock-test trends remain relevant to retake decisions.
CAT preparation strategy
Common Mistakes
- Treating a published floor as a call cutoff. A floor is a minimum, not a shortlist.
- Assuming 70-only programmes are open at 66. They are not.
- Assuming a NALSAR CAT-only route below 70. NMET-PG is required.
- Using General or NC-OBC figures as SC/ST figures. Each category follows its own rules.
- Ignoring sectional minimums. An overall score is not enough.
- Relying on unofficial cutoff lists. Official documents are the governing source.
- Treating specialist programmes as general MBAs. Programme fit matters.
- Misunderstanding additional-test routes. NMET-PG is required for NALSAR below 70, while IBSAT is one IBS route alongside accepted national-test scores. Registration windows may close early.
- Missing deadlines that fall before CAT results.
- Judging a programme by headline fee or average placement alone.
- Waiting for result day to start shortlisting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which MBA colleges are relevant at 61-70 percentile in CAT 2026?
Category, sectional scores and admission route materially change the relevant college set. The 34 General main entries and five General extended options include profile-dependent, route-qualified and 70-threshold programmes. NC-OBC, SC and ST candidates also have category-specific additions.
Is 60 percentile in CAT enough for an MBA?
It depends on the programme, category and admission route. The 61–70 band does not establish General-category options at 60. Some SC and ST qualifying floors are below 60, but those figures apply only to the relevant reserved categories. Each institute's current criteria govern eligibility.
What can I do with 61 percentile in CAT?
At 61, the published SC and ST overall floors in the relevant tables are cleared, subject to sectional minimums. General-category options are mainly profile-dependent. The 70-only programmes and NALSAR's normal CAT/XAT route are not available at 61.
What colleges are possible at 65 percentile in CAT?
No separate evidence-based list exists for 65. The same applications apply as at 61, and sectional scores, academics and profile matter. You do not qualify for 70-only programmes, and NALSAR requires NMET-PG below 70.
What changes at 70 percentile in CAT?
Several confirmed options change at exactly 70: WeSchool Bengaluru (Business Design & Innovation), Amrita Coimbatore, Universal Ai University, WeSchool Mumbai Healthcare and Rural, and NALSAR's direct CAT/XAT route. For NC-OBC, NIBM publishes an indicative 70-percentile threshold and NIA publishes an expected 70-percentile shortlist threshold. IFMR's current official pages conflict between 70 and 75, so the applicable threshold at 70 remains unresolved.
Do 61 and 70 percentile candidates have the same shortlist?
No. Exactly 70 opens several additional programmes and routes that are unavailable at 61–69. Outside those specific boundaries, academics, sectionals, category and programme-specific selection rules remain important.
What General-category options exist in this range?
General candidates have 34 main entries plus five extended options. These include 70-only programmes, route-qualified applications, public or specialist programmes and institutes that accept CAT without publishing a fixed shortlist percentile.
What additional options does an NC-OBC candidate have?
NC-OBC candidates have ten additions: NIBM, UBS Panjab University, IMS BHU, MANAGE, NIT Tiruchirappalli, NIA, DSM-DTU, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, University of Hyderabad and IISWBM. NIBM publishes an indicative 70-percentile threshold whose final cutoff is decided after applications, while NIA publishes an expected 70-percentile shortlist threshold. The remaining institutes use category-specific processes without a confirmed fixed NC-OBC percentile.
What additional options does an SC candidate have?
SC candidates have seven additions: IIT Kanpur DoMS and six IIMs (Amritsar, Visakhapatnam, Sambalpur, Bodh Gaya, Jammu and Sirmaur). Overall floors range from 50 to 60. A 61–70 percentile clears the published overall minimum, but sectional rules also apply.
What additional options does an ST candidate have?
ST overall and sectional minimums can differ materially from SC and NC-OBC criteria, so the ST figures form a separate admission set.
Can I get an IIM call at 61-70 percentile?
The evidence here covers published category floors at six IIMs for SC and ST candidates. Clearing a floor means you meet the minimum, not that you will be called. A call depends on the institute's shortlist or composite-score process.
Are there IIT MBA opportunities in this range?
IIT Kanpur DoMS appears for SC and ST candidates, with overall floors of 55 for both. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad appears for NC-OBC candidates with no fixed percentile located. Clearing a floor is not a call.
Do sectional cutoffs matter if my overall percentile clears the floor?
Yes. Several IIMs listed here apply sectional minimums alongside overall minimums. IIM Sambalpur requires positive scaled scores in sections. IIT Kanpur DoMS has no fixed sectional percentile in the rule used. Sectional eligibility depends on each institute's published rule.
What is the difference between a qualifying cutoff and an actual shortlist?
A qualifying minimum decides whether your application is considered. A shortlist is the stage where candidates are chosen for the next round, often through a composite score. Meeting the first does not guarantee the second.
Do all colleges that accept CAT publish a cutoff?
No. Several General-category institutes accept CAT without publishing a fixed institute-level CAT percentile for the relevant stage. In those cases, shortlisting depends on the wider admission process rather than a single cutoff number.
Which government or public colleges are relevant in this range?
For General candidates, NIT Calicut and IIFM Bhopal are relevant public options in this score band. NIA's current General/EWS expected threshold is 75, outside the General 61–70 band. NC-OBC, SC and ST candidates have additional category-specific public-institute opportunities.
Are there low-fee MBA options in this range?
Public and government-linked programmes can have lower fees than many private schools, but costs vary by institute and batch. Total cost includes the current official fee, hostel, mess and other mandatory charges where applicable.
Which programmes need additional tests beyond CAT?
NALSAR below 70 requires NMET-PG. IBS Hyderabad and IBS Mumbai allow IBSAT or accepted national-test score routes. Christ University and PUMBA have institute-specific or route-specific stages. The current process varies by institute.
Can I get into NALSAR MBA below 70 percentile?
Only through the NMET-PG route. CAT/XAT 70 or above is the normal route. Below 70, candidates must appear for NMET-PG, so 61–69 is not a CAT-only route to NALSAR.
Are specialist programmes worth considering?
A specialist programme is not interchangeable with a general MBA because its curriculum and career outcomes are narrower and sector-specific.
Which alternative exams might be relevant besides CAT?
NMET-PG matters for NALSAR below 70, while IBSAT is one route for IBS alongside accepted national-test scores. XAT also appears in NALSAR's direct route. Several other institutes accept tests such as XAT, CMAT, MAT, NMAT or GMAT, with programme-specific rules varying by institute and intake.
Which applications have timelines before CAT results?
IBSAT and NMET-PG have their own testing or registration windows. Christ University, SDMIMD, NIA and IBS publish 2027-cycle timing, while Great Lakes Gurugram currently displays no 2027–29 application deadline.
Is it worth retaking CAT at 61-70 percentile?
It depends on your goals, sectional performance and mock trends. A retake can open the 70-only options and NALSAR's direct route, but this is one factor among several. Sectional data and mock trends materially affect the retake decision.
What changes if the CAT percentile goes above 70?
Above 70, the General and NC-OBC opportunity set changes. PREPON's 71–80 percentile resource covers the next band, and the 81–90 percentile resource covers higher scores.
For MBA colleges for 61-70 percentile in CAT 2026, application value depends on the current admission route, category rule, sectional scores and programme fit rather than the overall percentile alone.
Conclusion
MBA colleges for 61-70 percentile in CAT 2026 include a mix of published-threshold, profile-dependent and route-specific opportunities. Category rules, sectional minimums, 70-only programmes and additional-test or CAP requirements can materially change the final shortlist.
A 61–69 percentile score does not satisfy a 70-only threshold. Likewise, clearing an SC/ST or NC-OBC minimum does not guarantee a PI call. Programme fit remains especially important for banking, insurance, agribusiness, healthcare, rural management, sustainability and other specialist options.
A score above 70 opens a different set of options, while a score below 61 changes the applicable category and alternative-route set.
For structured CAT preparation, percentile-based shortlisting and GD/WAT/PI preparation, explore PREPON’s CAT & OMETs Sampurna Programme or speak with a PREPON mentor.
