IIM Udaipur has announced that starting with the 2026-28 MBA batch, it will no longer take part in the Common Admission Process (CAP) used by the newer IIMs. The institute will run its own independent admissions process for its Two-Year MBA program.
What Is CAP & Why This Change Matters
Many more recent IIMs use the Common Admission Process (CAP) system to shortlist and admit students following the CAT exam. It unifies various selection rounds under a single process, including the Written Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI), and others.
By exiting CAP, IIM Udaipur wants to take more control over how applicants are evaluated. The goal is to align admission criteria with what IIMU values, its academic style, global outlook, research focus and institute-specific culture.
What Will the New Admissions Process Look Like
Here’s how admissions to IIM Udaipur’s 2-Year MBA will work from 2026:
- Students who appear in CAT 2025 will be considered.
- Based on IIM Udaipur’s own shortlisting, these students will be called for Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI).
- The WAT and PI rounds will happen in major cities across India and also on the IIM Udaipur campus, to make sure people from many places can attend without too much travel burden.
Why IIM Udaipur Is Making This Move
IIM Udaipur says the shift is meant to provide a more applicant-friendly, tailored experience. Some specific reasons:
- To set admission parameters that match its academic priorities and global standards.
- To include criteria and evaluation methods that highlight IIMU’s unique strength and culture, rather than being constrained by the standards of CAP.
- To make the admission experience smoother for students, less complexity, more clarity.
What’s Changing vs What Stays the Same
What’s Changing:
- IIM Udaipur will no longer rely on CAP to do shortlisting or final selection.
- IIMU will use its own criteria for shortlisting after CAT 2025.
What Remains:
- You still need to take the CAT 2025 exam.
- There will still be the WAT and PI rounds. That’s not changing.
- IIM Udaipur will try to keep accessibility in mind, running the interview/WAT centres both in major cities and at Udaipur.
Possible Impacts for Students
- The cutoffs may change. Because IIMU sets its own criteria now, past benchmarks under CAP might no longer apply.
- Students will need to track IIM Udaipur’s announcements carefully (for shortlisting rules, dates, etc.), not just CAP / CAT broad notices.
- Travel & logistical planning might change (locations of PI/WAT etc.).
- There might be extra scrutiny or emphasis on traits or skills that IIMU values specifically (like research interest, global exposure, etc.).
Official Statements
Prof. Vijayta Doshi, Dean (Programs) at IIM Udaipur, said:
“In just over a decade, IIM Udaipur has built a strong national and international reputation. As we progress towards our goal of becoming a globally recognized management school, it is imperative that our admissions process mirrors our academic priorities and aspirations.”
What Aspirants Should Do Now
- Prepare well for CAT 2025,it's still the gateway.
- Keep an eye on IIM Udaipur’s website for new shortlisting criteria, PI & WAT dates.
- Prepare for increased competition if many students continue to seek admission to Udaipur, with higher cutoffs.
- Be sure you are aware of the attributes IIMU may highlight in its independent process.
