CAT 2026: While the CAT 2026 registration is underway, and with the announcement of the exam schedule on November 29, 2026, candidates are gearing up to appear for the exam. But before the exam, it is important to analyze the admission options carefully if you are preparing to get into top IIMs (Indian Institute of Management).
Even if the cutoff scores are sorted and can be managed, the bigger concern remains the affordability of the program at these institutes. Indian Institute of Management schools across the country are known for offering MBA (Management in Business Administration) programs at hefty fees. It becomes a challenge for students to pursue their MBA dream in top business schools. However, not every IIM is expensive for MBA program. The fees range for top institutes between 27 lakhs and 10 lakhs offering different affordable options for aspiring candidates. To know institute-wise fees structure, candidates can find a comparative table along with courses and eligibility criteria to analyze the options carefully.
Check: CAT 2026: Which IIMs Can You Get at 85 Percentile in CAT? Check College List and NIRF Rankings
CAT 2026: Top IIMS Fee Comparison
The first IIM was established in Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) in 1961 followed with IIM Ahmedabad. Hence, the legacy these top national management institutes hold can be observed in their alumnus, years of placement records, and NIRF rankings. The IIMs offer an optimal ecosystem for management aspirants to pursue management programs. The listed institutes offer specialized program in MBA, PGDM ( Post Graduate Diploma in Management), and PhD.
The table provides a top Indian Institute of Management schools (IIMs) with their establishment year. It also offers total fees charged for admission to two year MBA (Master’s in Business Administration) program.
|
IIM
|
Established
|
Total Fees (approx.)
|
|
IIM Ahmedabad
|
1961
|
27.50 L
|
|
IIM Calcutta
|
1961
|
27.00 L
|
|
IIM Bangalore
|
1973
|
26.30 L
|
|
IIM Lucknow
|
1984
|
20.75 L
|
|
IIM Indore
|
1996
|
25.15 L
|
|
IIM Kozhikode
|
1996
|
23.50 L
|
|
IIM Shillong
|
2007
|
26.18 L
|
|
IIM Ranchi
|
2010
|
17.00 - 19.20 L
|
|
IIM Rohtak
|
2010
|
17.90 L
|
|
IIM Raipur
|
2010
|
18.00 - 20.00 L
|
|
IIM Tiruchirappalli
|
2011
|
18.00 L
|
|
IIM Kashipur
|
2011
|
17.30 L
|
|
IIM Udaipur
|
2011
|
18.50 L
|
|
IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE)
|
2015
|
21.00 L
|
|
IIM Nagpur
|
2015
|
13.75 - 21.50 L
|
|
IIM Visakhapatnam
|
2015
|
10.50 L
|
|
IIM Amritsar
|
2015
|
10.50 - 21.50 L
|
|
IIM Bodh Gaya
|
2015
|
10.60 - 17.96 L
|
|
IIM Sambalpur
|
2015
|
13.30 - 21.01 L
|
|
IIM Sirmaur
|
2015
|
10.34 - 20.00 L
|
|
IIM Jammu
|
2016
|
13.80 - 22.80 L
|
|
IIM Guwahati
|
2025
|
-
|
CAT 2026: Top IIMs Course and Eligibility
While analysing the admission options based on the fees and affordability, candidates should also check for courses offered by the top IIMs. From here, find the eligibility and courses offered to prepare and target your best IIM to leverage your a management career.
As for eligibility criteria, almost all IIMs require candidates to:
-
Must have qualified CAT (Common Aptitute Test) with expected range between 99.5 to 85 percentile.
Must hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (equivalent to a CGPA for unreserved category). While for reserved category the threshold is 45% marks qualification for admission to MBA program in any specialization.
Candidates should also check list of courses offered by IIMs for different levels of specialization shared in the table below.
|
IIM
|
Courses Offered
|
|
IIM Ahmedabad
|
PGP (MBA), PGP-FABM (Food & Agribusiness), PGPX (Executive MBA), Ph.D. (FPM)
|
|
IIM Calcutta
|
PGP (MBA), PGDBA (Business Analytics - with ISI & IIT KGP), PGPEX (Executive MBA), Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Bangalore
|
PGP (MBA), PGPBA (Business Analytics), EPGP (Executive MBA), PGPPM (Public Policy), Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Lucknow
|
PGP (MBA), PGP-ABM (Agri-Business), PGP-SM (Sustainable Management), IPMX (Executive), Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Indore
|
PGP (MBA), PGP-HRM, IPM (5-year Integrated Programme from Class 12), EPGP, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Kozhikode
|
PGP (MBA), PGP-Finance, PGP-Business Leadership (PGP-BL), EPGP, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Shillong
|
PGP (MBA), PGPEx (Executive), PGP in Sustainable Development, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Ranchi
|
MBA, MBA-HRM, PGPEX (Executive), Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Rohtak
|
PGP (MBA), IPM (5-year Integrated Programme), Executive PGP, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Raipur
|
PGP (MBA), PGPWE, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Tiruchirappalli
|
PGP (MBA), PGDBA (Business Analytics), DPM (Doctoral), Executive MBA
|
|
IIM Kashipur
|
PGP (MBA), MBA (Analytics), EPGP, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Udaipur
|
PGP (MBA), PGPX (Digital Enterprise / Executive), Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE)
|
MBA, MBA in Sustainability Management, MBA in Operations & Supply Chain Management, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Nagpur
|
PGP (MBA), Executive MBA, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Visakhapatnam
|
PGP (MBA), PGPD (Digital Governance), Executive MBA, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Amritsar
|
PGP (MBA), PGP-HRM, Executive MBA, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Bodh Gaya
|
PGP (MBA), IPM (5-year Integrated Programme), Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Sambalpur
|
PGP (MBA), Executive MBA, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Sirmaur
|
PGP (MBA), MBA in Tourism Management, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Jammu
|
PGP (MBA), IPM (5-year Integrated Programme), Executive MBA, Ph.D.
|
|
IIM Guwahati
|
PGP / MBA (offers specialization like Business Analytics, Finance, HR, Operations/Supply Chain)
|
