The Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur (IIM Sambalpur) has officially started releasing MBA 2026–28 admission calls for candidates who appeared in CAT 2025. With revised selection criteria and the removal of sectional cut-offs, IIM Sambalpur’s admission process has become more inclusive and profile-oriented.
This blog covers everything you need to know about IIM Sambalpur Calls 2026, including expected cut-offs, important dates, PI process, selection criteria, and final merit calculation.
IIM Sambalpur MBA 2026 – Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Exam | November 2025 |
| CAT Result Declaration | December 2025 |
| IIM Sambalpur Shortlist (Calls) | January 2026 |
| Registration for PI Process | January 2026 |
| Personal Interview (PI) | February – March 2026 |
| Final Admission Offers | March – April 2026 |
| Academic Session Begins | June – July 2026 |
Exact dates are communicated directly to shortlisted candidates via email and the admission portal.
IIM Sambalpur CAT Cutoff 2026 (Expected)
IIM Sambalpur has removed sectional cut-offs, making only overall CAT percentile mandatory along with a positive score in each section.
Minimum Overall CAT Percentile (Eligibility)
| Category | Overall CAT Percentile |
|---|---|
| General | 90 |
| EWS | 80 |
| NC-OBC | 75 |
| SC | 55 |
| ST | 40 |
| PwD | 40 |
Important Cutoff Highlights
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No sectional percentile requirement
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Candidates must score above zero in VARC, DILR, and QA
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For female candidates and candidates with 1+ year of work experience, the effective cutoff may be lower
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Meeting the cutoff does not guarantee a PI call
IIM Sambalpur Selection Process 2026
The admission process is conducted in three major stages.
Stage 1: Eligibility & Shortlisting
Candidates are shortlisted for PI based on:
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Overall CAT percentile
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Academic consistency (Class 10, 12, Graduation)
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Work experience (if any)
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Gender and academic diversity
Only candidates who meet the eligibility criteria are invited for the PI round.
Stage 2: Personal Interview (PI) Process
Shortlisted candidates must appear for a Personal Interview, which evaluates:
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Communication and clarity of thought
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Career goals and motivation for MBA
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Academic background and work experience
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Leadership potential and problem-solving ability
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Awareness of business and current affairs
Failure to attend the PI round results in disqualification, irrespective of CAT score.
Stage 3: Final Merit List & Admission Offer
Final selection is based on a Composite Score calculated using multiple parameters.
Weightage for Final Selection
| Component | Weight (%) |
|---|---|
| CAT Score | 40 |
| Personal Interview | 25 |
| Work Experience | 20 |
| Class 10 Marks | 3 |
| Class 12 Marks | 3 |
| Graduation Marks | 4 |
| Gender Diversity | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Final admission offers are released based on the composite merit ranking.
IIM Sambalpur PI Calls 2026 – Key Updates
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Calls are being released in phases
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Shortlist emails are sent to registered email IDs
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Some candidates may receive calls later even if they meet the cutoff
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Candidates should regularly check inbox and spam folders
What’s New in IIM Sambalpur MBA Admissions 2026?
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❌ Sectional cut-offs removed
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✅ Greater emphasis on work experience and PI
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✅ More inclusive selection approach
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✅ Encouragement for diverse academic and professional backgrounds
These changes make IIM Sambalpur a strong option for candidates with balanced profiles, even if one CAT section is comparatively weaker.
How to Improve Your Chances After Receiving a Call
Before PI
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Prepare a clear career goal
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Revise graduation subjects and work experience
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Stay updated with business news and current affairs
During PI
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Be honest and confident
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Justify why you want an MBA and why IIM Sambalpur
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Showcase leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills
Conclusion
The release of IIM Sambalpur Calls 2026 marks a crucial step for MBA aspirants targeting new-generation IIMs. With the removal of sectional cut-offs and a holistic evaluation process, candidates with strong profiles, work experience, and interview performance have a solid chance of conversion.