Getting into an IIM is one of the toughest goals for MBA aspirants in India, especially for general candidates. Every year, more than one lakh students compete for a few thousand seats through CAT. One of the IIMs conducts CAT each year on a rotational basis. This year IIM Kozhikode will conduct the exam. There are about 5,300 seats across 21 IIMs, including the new IIM Mumbai, in 2025. Out of these, around 2,000 seats (one-third of total seats), are for general category students.
IIM Reservation Policy 2025
All IIMs that participate in CAT, strictly follow the reservation policy set by the Government of India. The current seat distribution for the 2025 admission cycle is as follows:
| Category | Reservation (%) |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non Creamy Layer) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 5% |
| General (Unreserved) | 33% |
This means that nearly one-third of IIM seats remain open for general category aspirants, making it one of the most competitive admission pools in India.
Institute-Wise IIM Seats for General Category for 2025
While the 2025 seat matrix is expected to stay largely similar to 2024, small changes may occur depending on program expansion and infrastructural updates.
| IIM | General Seats | Total Seats |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 194 | 450 |
| IIM Bangalore | 193 | 480 |
| IIM Calcutta | 233 | 560 |
| IIM Lucknow | 211 | 480 |
| IIM Indore | 226 | 550 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 189 | 450 |
| IIM Nagpur | 60 | 150 |
| IIM Udaipur | 60 | 180 |
| IIM Trichy | 52 | 170 |
| IIM Kashipur | 46 | 180 |
| IIM Rohtak | 60 | 240 |
| IIM Shillong | 60 | 180 |
| IIM Ranchi | 60 | 180 |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 60 | 180 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 27 | 120 |
| IIM Amritsar | 60 | 180 |
| IIM Raipur | 60 | 180 |
| IIM Jammu | 70 | 200 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 80 | 200 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 30 | 120 |
| Total | 2,031 | 5,300 |
Competition Level for General Category Candidates
Competition for general category seats is very tough. Around 2.9 lakh candidates registered for CAT 2024, and nearly 1.8 lakh were from the general category. With only about 2,000 to 2,100 seats available, the acceptance rate is below 1.2%. To get admission into top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta, candidates need:
- 99+ CAT percentile
- Good Academic Record: 90%+ in Class 10, 12, and graduation
- Perfect Resume: Craft an impressive resume and emphasis Leadership roles, work experience, and extracurricular achievements
CAT 2025 Cutoffs for General Candidates (Expected)
Based on trends from previous years, here are the expected minimum percentiles required for top MBA college admission:
| IIM | Expected CAT Percentile (General) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 99+ |
| IIM Calcutta | 99+ |
| IIM Lucknow | 98–99 |
| IIM Indore | 97–98 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 97–98 |
| New IIMs (Udaipur, Trichy, Rohtak, Ranchi, etc.) | 93–96 |
How to Improve Your Chances
To score better as a general category aspirant,you should focus on more than just your CAT score. IIMs prefer candidates who are consistent and show leadership qualities
- You should aim for 90+ percentile in all sections (VARC, DILR, and QA).
- Maintain strong academic records throughout school and college.
- Build a solid resume with internships, certifications, and achievements.
- Prepare strategically for the WAT (Written Ability Test) and PI (Personal Interview), which together carry about 30 to 40% weight in final selection.
Conclusion
There are only 2,031 general category seats across 21 IIMs. Getting admission to these top institutes needs a high CAT percentile, strong academics, and great effort. Over 600 of these seats are at IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta. The rest are spread across the newer IIMs. For the latest seat matrix and admission rules for 2025, candidates should check the official IIM websites regularly.
