Academic Programs
Postgraduate
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) | PG | 2 years |
| PGP in Food & Agri-Business Management (PGP-FABM) | PG | 2 years |
| Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPX) | PG | 1 year |
| Blended Post Graduate Programme in Management (BPGP) | PG | 2 years |
| ePost Graduate Diploma in Advanced Business Analytics (ePGD-ABA) | PG | 1 year |
| Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) | PHD | 4-5 years |
What IIM Ahmedabad is
The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), established in 1961, is India’s highest-ranked business school under the NIRF Management category and consistently places among the top management institutions in Asia. It operates from a campus in Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, designed by architect Louis Kahn and B.V. Doshi, a campus that has itself earned Heritage status.
IIMA’s flagship programme is the Post Graduate Programme (PGP), a two-year residential MBA-equivalent degree. The institute holds triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), which puts it in the top 1% of business schools globally by that metric.
The PGP is not a conventional MBA, it is a PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management), an autonomous degree. Following the IIM Act of 2017, IIMs have the authority to award MBA degrees, and IIMA now awards a degree of “Master of Business Administration” under that framework.
Who it’s for
IIM Ahmedabad draws candidates who are serious about general management, consulting, or finance careers and who can compete at the highest CAT percentile thresholds. The 2026-28 admission cycle raised the minimum qualifying CAT percentile for General category applicants to 95 overall, with 85 in each section, a significant increase over prior years. Competitive candidates typically score 99.5+ percentile overall.
The programme is full-time and residential. With a programme fee of approximately Rs 27.5 lakh for 2025-27 (excluding personal expenses), the total cost of attendance over two years typically exceeds Rs 30-35 lakh when living expenses, laptop, and incidentals are factored in.
Candidates with strong work experience can consider the one-year PGPX (for executives) or the ePGD-ABA (analytics-focused), which accept GMAT scores in addition to CAT.
Programs offered
Post Graduate Programme (PGP), MBA, 2 years: The flagship programme. Takes approximately 400 students annually (2025-27 batch: 406 eligible students). Case-study intensive, with a free elective model in years 1 and 2. No formal specialisations, students build their own elective mix across finance, marketing, strategy, operations, and entrepreneurship.
PGP in Food & Agri-Business Management (PGP-FABM), 2 years: A co-badged programme with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Identical programme fee to PGP (Rs 27.5 lakh). Targeted at students interested in food, agri, and rural management.
Post Graduate Programme for Executives (PGPX), 1 year: For professionals with at least 5 years of full-time work experience. Fee for 2025-26 is Rs 34.15 lakh (single accommodation) to Rs 36.20 lakh (married student housing), excluding the International Immersion Program (IIP) travel costs. Accepts GMAT.
Blended Post Graduate Programme in Management (BPGP), 2 years (blended): Formerly known as the Online MBA Programme. A two-year postgraduate programme (with an option to complete in three years) delivered in blended mode, live online sessions plus on-campus modules of approximately one week per term. The programme includes 900 hours of classroom sessions and project work totalling 36 credits (16 core + 2 project + 18 elective). Eligibility requires a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience after graduation, minimum age 24. Accepts IAT (IIMA Admission Test), CAT, or GMAT/GRE (test-centre-based only). Programme fee: Rs 20 lakh (2025-27 batch), excluding travel and accommodation for campus modules. The 2024-26 pioneer batch comprised 138 students with an average age of 32 and 8–9 years of average work experience.
ePGD-ABA, 1 year (blended): Online + campus immersion programme in business analytics. Programme fee is Rs 12 lakh. Accepts CAT, GMAT, or GRE.
Fellow Programme in Management (FPM): IIMA’s doctoral programme, equivalent to a PhD. Fully funded with stipend for admitted scholars.
Campus and infrastructure
IIMA’s main campus in Vastrapur, Ahmedabad occupies approximately 103 acres. The older campus buildings by Louis Kahn (1961) are Grade 1 Heritage structures under INTACH. The newer campus area includes the IIMA Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I-IEP) ecosystem, Vikram Sarabhai Library, student residences, and faculty housing.
All PGP students are required to live on campus. Hostels are integrated into the academic campus. The campus also houses multiple dining facilities, sports grounds, and a health centre.
Ahmedabad is a major metropolitan city with direct air connectivity to Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and other cities.
Things to verify before applying
- CAT cutoff changes: IIMA raised its minimum qualifying percentile to 95 (General) for the 2026-28 batch. Confirm the current cutoffs in the official admission policy on iima.ac.in before applying.
- Programme fee updates: Fees increase annually. Verify current PGP fees on the official IIMA website before committing.
- PGPX eligibility: The one-year executive programme requires a minimum of 5 years of full-time work experience. Confirm current eligibility criteria.
- Placement data caveats: IIMA places a large cohort (400+) through a structured placement process. Ask for sector-wise and function-wise breakdowns, not just the aggregate average.
- International opportunities: The PGPX includes an International Immersion Program (IIP). Costs for travel and accommodation during IIP are excluded from programme fees.
Where to go next on this site
Sources Used
Fees — 2025-26
Program Fees
| Program | Level | Annual Fee | Total Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGP (Post Graduate Programme in Management) | PG | INR 13,75,000 | INR 27,50,000 | official-website |
| PGP-FABM (Food & Agri-Business Management) | PG | INR 13,75,000 | INR 27,50,000 | official-website |
| PGPX (Post Graduate Programme for Executives) | PG | INR 34,15,000 | — | official-website |
| BPGP (Blended Post Graduate Programme in Management) | PG | — | INR 20,00,000 | brochure |
| ePGD-ABA (Advanced Business Analytics) | PG | INR 12,00,000 | — | official-website |
Scholarships
Amount: Partial to full fee waiver - determined annually
Amount: As per applicable government scheme
Amount: Education loans available at concessional rates through public sector banks
Fee figures are indicative. Verify the complete fee structure on the institution's official website.
Admissions — 2026-27
Entrance Exams
Eligibility
CAT 2025 minimum 95 percentile overall, 85 in each section (General/EWS). Bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
Minimum 5 years of full-time managerial work experience. GMAT accepted.
Minimum 3 years full-time post-graduation work experience. Minimum age 24 as of March 31, 2025. Accepts IAT, CAT (within 5 years), or GMAT/GRE test-centre-based scores (within 5 years, no online/take-home accepted). Shortlisted candidates called for interview.
CAT/GMAT/GRE or Institute Admission Test (IAT). Working professionals preferred.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Exam | November 2025 |
| IIMA PGP Application Window | November–December 2025 |
| PI Shortlist Announcement | January 2026 |
| AWT-PI Rounds | February–March 2026 |
| Admission Offers | April–May 2026 |
Selection Process
- CAT score screening against published minimum percentile cutoffs (section-wise and overall)
- Pre-PI composite score calculated: CAT score (65%) + Application Rating (35%) based on academics, work experience, gender/academic diversity
- Shortlisted candidates called for Analytical Writing Test (AWT) and Personal Interview (PI)
- Final selection: PI (50%) + CAT score (25%) + Application Rating (15%) + AWT (10%)
Placements — 2024-25
Top Recruiters
Placement data is sourced from institutional records. Verify current data on the institution's official website.