.webp)
IIM waitlist movement is the tipping point criterion for final admission decisions for thousands of Indian MBA aspirants. Since top candidates will typically have dual offers, most do not accept their first IIM seat offers—creating a ripple effect that creates space for waitlist participants.
Waitlist movement schedule: May to July 2025
Waitlist movement occurs usually in more than one round between the months of May and July. Periodic releases emerge from every IIM, inviting waitlisted candidates.
The process of waitlist movement in IIMs
All waitlist applicants don't accept admission. Non-acceptance by such applicants generates a ripple effect, enabling waitlist applicants to advance. Let's see how it works usually:
Leading IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta) have less waitlist movement due to the fact that students clear offers in high percentage.
Younger IIMs (Raipur, Jammu, Sirmaur, Bodh Gaya) have high movement as students prefer higher-ranked institutions or fall off.
Factors Influencing Waitlist Movement
There are some important factors that determine the level of movement in IIM waitlists:
1. Acceptance Rates: Higher-ranked IIMs such as A, B, and C have high offer acceptance, thus restricting the level of movement.
2. Seat Availability: High intakes (such as IIM Indore or IIM Kozhikode) experience greater waitlist coverage.
3. Alternative Admissions: ISB, international B-school, or top non-IIM B-school admissions (such as XLRI, FMS, and SPJIMR) make several opt out of accepting their IIM offer.
4. Reservation by Category: SC, ST, OBC, and EWS seats experience various movement patterns based on the availability and acceptance dynamics of these groups.
IIM Waitlist Conversion Rate 2025 (Expected)
The following table gives an approximate conversion rate, i.e., how much the waitlist moves for different categories:
Historical Waitlist Movement (2019–2024): What Trends Suggest
It is important to know what has happened in the past years. Here's a quick glance at the recent past:
Waitlist Movement in Newer IIMs (2025 Estimate)
Newer IIMs are better known to have high waitlist movement, particularly for General and Reserved categories. Here's the snapshot:
Special Case: IIM Nagpur 2025 Data
Key Takeaways for IIM Aspirants
- Top IIMs = less movement, mostly in General/EWS categories.
- Newer IIMs = more movement, mostly for General, SC, and ST.
- Reserved categories have greater waitlist penetration based on greater open slots and reservation policy.
- Several chances for admission from outside IIMs open up for waitlisted candidates.
Conclusion: Stay Informed and Be Strategic
The IIM Waitlist Trend in 2025 reveals a trend that is consistent: the newer the IIM, the greater the trend. The candidates have to monitor category-wise and be on their guard during repeated admission rounds. Having information about past trends, seat strengths, and reservation effects in advance can assist you in making better estimates and taking decisions on time.
