Academic Programs
Postgraduate
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MBA (PGDM) | PG | 2 years |
| MBA for Executives (MBAEx) | PG | 1 year |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics (PGDBA) | PG | 2 years |
| Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) | PHD | 4-5 years |
What IIM Calcutta is
The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC), established in 1961, is one of the three founding IIMs (alongside IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore). It operates from a 135-acre campus in Joka, on the southern outskirts of Kolkata, West Bengal.
IIMC is particularly associated with finance, it developed one of India’s first structured management finance curricula, and finance-sector placements remain a defining feature of its placement record. The institute also runs the PGDBA programme in partnership with ISI Kolkata, IIT Kharagpur, and ISI Bangalore, an unusual analytics programme that bridges management and quantitative research.
IIMC holds triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) and is ranked #7 in the NIRF Management category 2025, down from #5 in 2024 and #4 in 2023. It remains globally recognised, with QS ranking it 50th globally for Masters in Management (2025).
Who it’s for
IIM Calcutta draws candidates targeting BFSI (banking, financial services, and insurance), consulting, and corporate finance careers. The Kolkata base, while not an obvious advantage compared to Bangalore or Mumbai, positions IIMC graduates well for roles in the significant financial services sector that operates out of Kolkata (Dalal Street’s influence, insurance conglomerates, and legacy banking HQs).
The minimum qualifying CAT percentile is 85 for General category (same as IIMB). Competitive candidates typically score 99.5+ overall. The PGDM is IIMC’s primary programme, but the institute formally grants an MBA degree under the IIM Act 2017.
Joka is not centrally located, the campus is roughly 18-20 km from central Kolkata. Students considering IIMC should visit the campus before deciding, as it is a more insular campus environment than IIMB’s Bangalore location.
Programs offered
MBA / PGDM, 2 years: The flagship programme. Approximately 460-540 students per batch. Free elective model with notable depth in finance, operations, and strategy. IIMC does not formally offer specialisations, but the elective mix allows students to build a de facto finance or marketing concentration.
MBA for Executives (MBAEx), 1 year: For professionals with significant work experience. Programme fee Rs 33.5 lakh for 2025-26. Accepts GMAT.
PGDBA, 2 years: Co-offered with ISI Kolkata, IIT Kharagpur, and ISI Bangalore. A rigorous analytics-focused programme with significant quantitative depth. Programme fee Rs 25 lakh for 2025-27.
Fellow Programme in Management (FPM): Doctoral programme, fully funded with stipend.
Campus and infrastructure
The 135-acre Joka campus houses IIMC’s full academic and residential infrastructure. All PGDM students are required to live on campus. The campus includes a modern library, sports facilities, healthcare centre, and multiple dining halls. The campus moved to Joka from the original city location in 1975.
Joka is connected to central Kolkata via the Metro Line 3 (Purple Line / Joka-Esplanade extension), which has improved connectivity in recent years.
Things to verify before applying
- NIRF rank trend: IIMC ranked #4 in 2022, #4 in 2023, #5 in 2024, and #7 in 2025. This downward trend in NIRF rankings is worth tracking, confirm the latest position on nirfindia.org before applying.
- Finance placement share: Finance is a marquee strength, but confirm current sectoral breakdowns in the placement report before assuming finance roles dominate.
- Total programme fee: Rs 27 lakh for PGDM is among the highest for a 2-year programme among IIMs. Confirm current fees on iimcal.ac.in.
- Joka campus location: The campus is geographically isolated compared to IIMB. Assess whether the campus environment and Kolkata’s opportunities align with your career goals.
- PGDBA eligibility and intake: The PGDBA has a separate admission process (CAT + additional screening). Confirm current intake size and eligibility on the official site.
Where to go next on this site
Sources Used
Fees — 2025-26
Program Fees
| Program | Level | Annual Fee | Total Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBA / PGDM | PG | INR 13,50,000 | INR 27,00,000 | official-website |
| MBA for Executives (MBAEx) | PG | INR 33,50,000 | — | official-website |
| PGDBA (Post Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics) | PG | INR 12,50,000 | INR 25,00,000 | official-website |
Scholarships
Amount: Partial fee waiver; amount varies
Amount: As per applicable government scheme
Amount: Up to Rs 30-40 lakh from partner 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 minimum 85 percentile overall for General; sectional cutoffs apply. Bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
Minimum 5 years work experience. GMAT accepted.
CAT score and additional PGDBA screening. Co-offered with ISI Kolkata and IIT Kharagpur.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Exam | November 2025 |
| IIMC Application Window | November–December 2025 |
| WAT-PI Shortlist | January 2026 |
| WAT-PI Rounds | February–March 2026 |
| Admission Offers | April–May 2026 |
Selection Process
- CAT score screening against minimum qualifying percentile cutoffs (overall and section-wise)
- Application-based shortlisting: academics, work experience, profile factors
- Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) for shortlisted candidates
- Final composite score determines admission offer
Placements — 2024-25
Top Recruiters
Placement data is sourced from institutional records. Verify current data on the institution's official website.