Team Career Plan B · September 24, 2026 
Introduction
IPMAT opens a route to undergraduate management programmes at IIMs and other participating institutes. IIM Indore’s 2026 IPM admission had a sanctioned domestic intake of 150 seats, while several other institutes used the IPMAT 2026 score for their own undergraduate management programmes.
If you’re planning BBA admission through IPMAT, the process becomes easier when you understand the difference between the IPMAT exam, IIM Indore’s IPM admission and the separate application processes used by other institutes. This guide explains the 2026 eligibility criteria, exam pattern, application process, cutoff structure and selection stages.
What Is IPMAT and How Does It Lead to BBA Admission?
IPMAT stands for Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test. IIM Indore conducts IPM Aptitude Test (IPM AT) for admission to its Five-Year Integrated Programme in Management. IIM Indore’s 2026 programme leads to a Bachelor of Arts (Foundations of Management) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) after successful completion of the five-year dual-degree programme. The institute’s sanctioned domestic intake for the 2026 batch was 150.
Other institutes use the IIM Indore IPMAT score for their own undergraduate management programmes. The official IIM Indore admissions page lists IIM Sirmaur, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Amritsar, IIM Shillong, Alliance University, IIFT, GLS University, Institute of Management at Nirma University, LM Thapar School of Management-TIET, IFMR Graduate School of Business at Krea University and the Department of Management Studies at NALSAR University of Law among the institutions using IPM AT 2026 scores.
The programme structure also varies across institutes. IIM Ranchi, for example, awards a BBA to students who exit after completing the required three years, while students who continue complete the five-year integrated programme and receive an MBA.
IPMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria You Must Meet
IIM Indore’s 2026 eligibility criteria were different from the commonly quoted 60% Class 10 and Class 12 requirement.
For IIM Indore’s IPM 2026-31 batch:
- Passed Class 12/HSC or an equivalent examination in 2024 or 2025, or appeared for Class 12 in 2026
- Passed Class 10/SSC or an equivalent examination
- Born on or after August 1, 2006
- SC/ST/PwD candidates received a five-year age relaxation and had to be born on or after August 1, 2001
- Candidates appearing for Class 12 in 2026 could apply provisionally, subject to fulfilling the required conditions by the specified deadline
IIM Indore’s 2026 domestic admission document does not specify a minimum percentage of marks in Class 10 or Class 12 as part of the basic eligibility criteria.
Students from Science, Commerce and Arts backgrounds could apply because IIM Indore’s eligibility criteria did not impose a stream restriction. Other institutes may prescribe additional subject or percentage requirements. For example, IIM Amritsar required Mathematics or Applied Mathematics as a compulsory Class 12 paper and prescribed 60% in Class 10 and Class 12 for the General category, with 55% for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Step-by-Step BBA Admission Process Through IPMAT
Step 1: Check IPMAT Eligibility and Register Online
Start by checking the official eligibility criteria for IIM Indore and the other institutes you want to target.
For IIM Indore’s 2026 admission cycle, online registration opened on February 2, 2026. The original deadline was March 14, 2026, and IIM Indore later extended the application deadline to 5:00 PM on March 17, 2026.
Use the IIM Indore official IPM admissions page for the official application link and admission notifications.
Keep your Class 10 and Class 12 academic details, photograph, signature and category documents ready before completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Application and Pay the IPMAT Fee
For IPMAT 2026, IIM Indore charged:
- ₹4,130 for General and NC-OBC candidates
- ₹2,065 for SC/ST/PwD candidates
The fee included 18% GST and was non-refundable and non-transferable. EWS candidates were required to provide valid supporting documentation for their category.
Remember that institutes using IPMAT scores may require a separate application. For example, IIM Amritsar required candidates to submit its own application in addition to appearing for IIM Indore’s IPMAT.
Step 3: Understand the IPMAT Exam Pattern
IIM Indore’s IPMAT 2026 had three sections:
| Section | Format | Marking Scheme | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantitative Ability (MCQ) | Multiple-choice questions | +4 correct, -1 incorrect | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (Short Answer) | Type-in/short-answer questions | +4 correct, no negative marking | 40 minutes |
| Verbal Ability | Multiple-choice questions | +4 correct, -1 incorrect | 40 minutes |
The total test duration was 120 minutes. Candidates had to attempt the sections in the prescribed order, and each section had a separate 40-minute duration.
Step 4: Appear for the IPMAT Exam
IIM Indore conducted IPM AT 2026 on May 4, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. The examination was conducted across designated test cities.
IIM Rohtak conducted a separate IPM Aptitude Test on May 10, 2026. Its examination pattern included Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability, with 40 questions in each section and a total duration of 120 minutes.
Do not treat IIM Rohtak’s examination as the same test as IIM Indore’s IPMAT.
Step 5: Check IPMAT Results and Cutoff
Clearing the IPMAT cutoff requires more than achieving a high overall score at IIM Indore. Candidates must first have a positive raw score and meet the minimum score in each of the three sections. IIM Indore then calculates an Aptitude Test Score (ATS) for candidates who satisfy the sectional requirements.
For IPMAT 2026, IIM Indore reported the following minimum sectional cutoffs:
| Category | QA MCQ | QA Short Answer | Verbal Ability |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 27 | 28 | 111 |
| EWS | 17 | 16 | 79 |
| NC-OBC | 14 | 16 | 70 |
| PwD | 3 | 4 | 30 |
| SC | 10 | 12 | 58 |
| ST | 8 | 8 | 49 |
These were the 2026 minimum sectional cutoff marks reported by IIM Indore. The institute’s admission process uses category-specific cutoffs, so students should not assume that one fixed overall score guarantees shortlisting.
Other institutes can use the same IPMAT score differently. IIM Sirmaur, for example, used an IPMAT ATS cutoff for its 2026 BMS shortlist and separately applied its own selection formula.
Step 6: Clear the Personal Interview Round
Candidates shortlisted by IIM Indore move to the Personal Interview stage.
IIM Indore states that candidates must demonstrate consistent minimum performance across the different PI parameters. Candidates who fail to meet the required minimum performance in any parameter do not proceed to the final selection stage.
The PI can assess areas such as communication, awareness, academic interests, motivation and other aspects relevant to the selection process.
Other institutes conduct their own interviews. IIM Ranchi, for example, conducts its own PI for candidates shortlisted through IPMAT, while IIM Amritsar also conducts a separate PI.
Step 7: Final Merit List and BBA Admission Confirmation
IIM Indore calculates the final Composite Score using:
- Aptitude Test Score (ATS): 65%
- Personal Interview (PI): 35%
The institute prepares category-wise merit lists using this Composite Score and then issues provisional admission offers according to the applicable reservation norms.
The final process varies across institutes. IIM Ranchi combines the admission test score, PI score and academic profile for its final merit list.
Selected candidates must complete the required document verification, fee payment and other admission formalities within the deadline mentioned in their offer.
For Personalized Guidance
Colleges Accepting IPMAT Scores for BBA Admission
The IIM Indore admissions page lists several institutions that used IPM AT 2026 scores for their own undergraduate management programmes. These include:
- IIM Indore
- IIM Sirmaur
- IIM Sambalpur
- IIM Ranchi
- IIM Amritsar
- IIM Shillong
- Alliance University
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)
- GLS University
- Institute of Management, Nirma University
- LM Thapar School of Management-TIET
- IFMR Graduate School of Business, Krea University
- Department of Management Studies, NALSAR University of Law
The programmes are not identical. Some lead to BBA degrees, while others offer BMS, integrated management or specialised undergraduate management programmes.
IIM Sirmaur’s 2026 BMS programme, for example, used the IIM Indore IPMAT score for shortlisting and final selection. Its final selection formula included IPMAT ATS, interview performance, academic performance and gender diversity.
IIFT’s 2026-31 programme is an Integrated Programme in Management in Business Analytics and International Business, leading to BBA and MBA components. Candidates had to appear for IIM Indore’s IPMAT and separately apply to IIFT.
How Career Plan B Helps
Picking the right BBA or integrated management programme and preparing for IPMAT can feel overwhelming.
- Career Plan B’s PsycheIntel Career Assessment helps students understand their interests, strengths and potential career directions before committing to a management programme.
- Our counsellors can also help students understand eligibility requirements, application timelines, college options and interview preparation.
- Career Roadmapping helps students plan their undergraduate journey, internships, skill development and higher education options.
Whether you are targeting IIM Indore or exploring institutes that accept IPMAT scores, Career Plan B can help you organise the admission process around your academic profile and career goals.
Get In Touch With Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I apply to IIM Indore and IIM Ranchi with the same IPMAT score?
Yes, but the application process is separate. IIM Ranchi uses the IIM Indore IPMAT 2026 score, but candidates must also submit an application to IIM Ranchi for further evaluation.
Q2. Is there negative marking in IPMAT?
Yes. IIM Indore’s IPMAT 2026 awarded 4 marks for a correct answer and deducted 1 mark for an incorrect answer in the MCQ sections. The Quantitative Ability Short Answer section had no negative marking.
Q3. What if my Class 12 results are still awaited?
Candidates appearing for Class 12 in 2026 could apply to IIM Indore provisionally. They had to complete the qualifying examination requirements within the prescribed timeline and provide the required documents at registration.
Q4. Does IIM Rohtak use the same exam as IIM Indore?
No. IIM Rohtak conducts its own IPM Aptitude Test. Its 2026 examination included Quantitative Ability, Logical Reasoning and Verbal Ability.
Conclusion
BBA admission through IPMAT involves more than preparing for one entrance test. Check the eligibility rules, register within the deadline, understand the section-wise exam pattern, track the cutoff and complete every institute-specific application separately.
The 2026 cycle also shows why students should check individual admission policies. IIM Indore, IIM Ranchi, IIM Amritsar, IIM Sirmaur and other institutes use different eligibility conditions and selection formulas even when they consider the same IPMAT score.
If you need help comparing programmes, preparing your application profile or planning your IPMAT journey, Career Plan B can help you build a structured admission plan.
