1. INTRODUCTION
Master in Business Administration (MBA) programme is a two-year full-time residential course. MBA is IIMN’s flagship programme popularly known as Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). The following sections describes the admission process, including the shortlisting and selection criteria for the MBA 2023-25 batch at the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIM Nagpur).
2. NUMBER OF SEATS AND RESERVATION
The batch size for MBA 2023-25 will be 240 students* . Category-wise reservation+ and seats available are shown in Table 1.
| Category | Reservation (%) | Seats per category |
|---|---|---|
| General | – | 97 |
| EWS | 10 | 24 |
| NC-OBC | 27 | 65 |
| SC | 15 | 36 |
| ST | 7.5 | 18 |
| DAP (Horizontal Reservation) | 5 | 12 |
| Total Seats | 240 | |
* The intake might be revised before the admission process begins. In such a scenario, appropriate changes will be made based on the revised intake
+ No change in category can be made at any point during the admissions process.
3. ADMISSION PROCESS
The admission process at IIM Nagpur for the MBA (2023-25) will be carried out in 3 stages. It will consider the candidate’s performance in Common Admission Test (CAT) 2022, Past Academic Performance (PAP), Work Experience (WE), Gender Diversity (GDI), and performance in Personal Interview (PI). The details are mentioned in the following sections.
3.1 Stages in the process
- Stage 1: Candidates who have appeared for CAT 2022 will be first screened for eligibility as per the CAT cut-offs decided by the Institute. Candidates who clear the IIM Nagpur CAT cut-off would be intimated by email and invited to fill an application form for IIM Nagpur.
- Stage 2: Candidates who meet the CAT cut-offs and have filled the application form for IIM Nagpur within deadline will move to Stage 2, where Shortlisting Score (SS) will be calculated for all such candidates. A SS-based shortlist will be generated to call candidates for Stage 3 – Personal Interview (PI) . Candidates who are shortlisted for PI will be required to reconfirm their interest in appearing for the PI process of IIM Nagpur.
- Stage 3: Candidates who appear for the PI will be considered for this stage, where the Final Score (FS) will be calculated. Admission offers will be sent to the candidates based on their merit list in FS.
3.2.1. Stage 1: Eligibility criteria for admission to MBA 2023-25
The CAT cut-offs shown in Table 2 will be used for selecting eligible candidates for all subsequent stages. The CAT 2022 score is the single criterion used to arrive at the shortlist in this stage. The candidates who had appeared for CAT 2022 and meet the cut-offs shown in Table 2 would be receiving an email/communication from IIM Nagpur. Candidates who would like to pursue their candidature further for admission to MBA at IIM Nagpur must fill the application form for IIM Nagpur by the deadline.
The shortlisted candidates need to submit a detailed application, including details and copies of all mark sheets (10th, 12th and graduation, semester-wise / year-wise marks in Bachelors’ degree, etc., copies of work experience certificates (if applicable), certificate of disability (if applicable), Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe / Other Backward Class – Non-Creamy layer certificate, EWS certificate (if applicable). Kindly follow the instructions as given in the application portal.
Only those who submit the completed application by the stipulated date will be considered for the next admission process stage. At this stage, candidates will also be required to flag the discrepancies, if any by sending mail to admissionsupport@iimnagpur.ac.in with relevant proofs. A discrepancy is any missing data or a mismatch between the actual data and the data submitted at the time of CAT 2022.
Table 2. Minimum CAT-2022 Percentile
| Category | Section 1 (VARC) | Section 2 (DILR) | Section 3 (QA) | Overall | |
| General | 65 | 65 | 65 | 90 | |
| EWS | 60 | 60 | 60 | 80 | |
| NC-OBC | 65 | 65 | 65 | 76.5 | |
| SC | 50 | 50 | 50 | 60 | |
| ST | 35 | 35 | 35 | 40 | |
| DAP (Horizontal Reservation) |
32 | 32 | 32 | 40 | |
| Total Seats | 240 | ||||
Note:
1. VARC=Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, DILR=Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, QA=Quantitative Ability.
2. These cut-offs are only for shortlisting during Stage 1 and not for the final admission offers for which scores could be much higher.
3.2.2. Stage 2: Selection of the Candidates for PI process
Only those who meet the minimum CAT 2022 percentile requirements and have filled the IIM Nagpur application form by the stipulated date will be considered in Stage 2 of the admission process. The following aspects will be considered for the evaluation of these candidates:
a. CAT Score (CAT)
The CAT Score for each candidate will be computed as the ratio of the total CAT score obtained by the candidate to the maximum total CAT score and scaled between 0-10. It will be computed as follows:
CAT Score= (Total CAT score obtained by the candidate/Maximum total CAT score+) *10
+This is the maximum CAT score among the candidates who were eligible for admission process in IIMN as per the stage 1 criteria.
b. Gender Diversity (GDI)
A gender diversity score (GDI) out of 10 will be calculated based on the candidate’s gender (0 for male, 10 for female, and 10 for transgender candidates).
At this stage, a shortlisting score (SS) based on the CAT and GDI scores will be calculated as follows:
SS = 0.85 * (CAT Score) + 0.15 * (GDI Score)
Based on the shortlisting score (SS), a shortlist will be prepared for candidates eligible for the Personal Interview (PI) process of IIM Nagpur. The shortlisted candidates will be receiving an email/communication from IIM Nagpur.
3.2.3. Stage 3: Final Selection of the Candidates
The candidates who have submitted the completed application by the stipulated deadline and have been shortlisted in Stage 2 will be required to confirm their interest in appearing for the PI process. PI schedule and details will be sent to these candidates, and only those who appear for the PI process will be considered for the final stage of the admission process.
Personal Interview (PI)
Candidates who have submitted the application form, have been shortlisted for PI in Stage 2, and have confirmed their interest in appearing for the PI will be required to appear for a PI to be conducted by IIM Nagpur. The interviews are likely to be scheduled in March/April 2023.
After the completion of PI, the Final Score (FS) of the candidate will be calculated as follows:
FS = 0.50* (CAT Score) + 0.25* (PI Score) + 0.05 * (PAP Score) + 0.10 * (WE Score) + 0.10* (GDI Score)
a. CAT (CAT) Score
The candidate’s CAT score, as calculated during Stage 2 of the process, will be used towards calculating the Final Score (FS).
b. Personal Interview (PI) Score
The performance of the candidates in the personal interview will be considered towards calculating the Final Score (FS). The score will be rescaled between 0 to 10.
c. Past Academic Performance (PAP)
Here, we evaluate the applicants’ academic performance (marks obtained) in the 10th Standard Examination and 12th standard examination. The eligible applicants, as identified above, will be assigned rating scores ‘A’ and ‘B’ (See Table 3.1-3.2) based on the percentage of marks obtained in their 10th standard and 12th standard examinations, respectively.
Table 3.1. Past Academic Performance (PAP) – 10th Rating Score
| Percent score in 10th Std.Exam | Rating Score (A) |
|---|---|
| <= 55 | 1 |
| >55 and <= 60 | 3 |
| > 60 and <= 70 | 4 |
| > 70 and <= 80 | 5 |
| > 80 and <= 90 | 9 |
| > 90 | 10 |
Table 3.2. Past Academic Performance (PAP) – 12th Rating Score
| Percent score in 12th Std.Exam | Rating Score (B) |
|---|---|
| <= 55 | 1 |
| > 55 and <= 60 | 3 |
| > 60 and <= 70 | 4 |
| > 70 and <= 80 | 5 |
| > 80 and <= 90 | 9 |
| > 90 | 10 |
PAP Score for the candidate will be calculated as follows:
PAP = (0.40*A+0.60*B)
d. Work Experience (WE) – The total number of months of work experience completed (as of January 31, 2023) will be considered to assign a WE score as per Table 3.3. Only full-time and paid experience after graduation will be considered. Part-time/Project/Internship/CA Articleship/Training/ Pre-graduation work experience/ work experience which involves payment as stipend will not be counted as work experience. The training period as a part of the job will be considered work experience.
For work experience in multiple organizations, all the durations (months and days) will be added to arrive at the total experience. For example, if the total work experience is 13 months and 25 days, it will be considered 13 months. A valid proof of the date of appointment, date of relieving/ work experience certificate, and proof of payment/salary will have to be submitted at the time of the registration for the program. Work experience for employment involving cash payment of salary will not be considered. Candidates having work experience in the family business need to submit valid proofs of the existence of the business, association, and role of the individual in the business and proof of payment during the period of work experience.
Table 4: Work Experience (WE): Rating Scores
| Experience (in months) | Rating Score (WE) |
|---|---|
| x<6 | 0 |
| 6<=x<12 | 5 |
| 12<=x<18 | 9 |
| 18<=x<24 | 10 |
| 24<=x<30 | 7 |
| 30<=x<36 | 3 |
| x>=36 | 0 |
e. Gender Diversity (GDI) Score
A gender diversity score of 10 points will be awarded based on the candidate’s gender (0 for male, 10 for female, and 10 for transgender candidates).
3.2.4: How category wise merit list is prepared?
Provisonal offers will be issued based on Final score. The selection at the end of Stage 3 will strictly be based on the ranks computed separately for each category (General/EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST/DAP) based on their Final Scores (FS). The numbers selected in different categories will be as per GOI policy.
IIM Nagpur standardizes the average percentage score in 10th and 12th by considering all the subjects as per CAT 2022 policy.
4. OFFER AND ADMISSION
The selected candidates will receive provisional admission offers by email. To confirm the acceptance of the offer, the candidate has to pay an offer acceptance fee of Rs. 75,000, which will be subsequently adjusted towards Term I fees.
Due to the number of applications and the changes in admission criteria, EOI with commitment fee was proposed for waitlisted candidates. This commitment fee of Rs 50,000 was needed to obtain confirmation from serious candidates who are keen in receiving admission offers and want to be in the waiting list throughout the process. A candidate should communicate EOI within stipulated deadline and by paying a refundable commitment fee. The candidate can withdraw this EOI anytime and receive a full refund without any deductions.
Admissions Office will send email regarding document verification and might ask for additional documents and/or clarifications. It is candidate’s responsibility to provide necessary information/documents within the stipulated deadline and engage in admissions process. The verification of documents will be done from the application period. It is the responsibility of the candidates to check the eligibility criteria before applying. If a candidate is found ineligible at any stage during the document check, the candidature and admission offer will be cancelled.
Any discrepancy found in document verification might lead to change in SS or FS. In case of discrepancy and a subsequent change in SS and/or FS, the candidate’s eligibility across the stages will be evaluated all over again. In case the candidate is not clearing any of the stages with the revised score, the provisional offer made to the candidate will be withdrawn. In such a case, the acceptance fee received from the candidate will be refunded after deducting the administrative charges.
5. WITHDRAWAL AND CANCELLATION PROCESS
The withdrawal/cancellation of admission offer can happen in multiple ways:
5.1. Before Term 1 Registration:
- 1. Once the offer acceptance fee is received by the stipulated date (mentioned in the offer email), the provisional admission offer stands. If payment is not received by the stipulated date, the provisional admission will be cancelled.
- 2. If a candidate pays the offer acceptance fees but still wants to withdraw, he/she may do so by sending an email to the Admission Office by a stipulated date (offer acceptance fee withdrawal deadline mentioned in the offer letter/mail). We will then initiate a refund process. The refund of the offer acceptance fees deposited (after deducting an administrative charge of Rs.1,000) will be done in July 2023.
- 3. If a candidate pays the offer acceptance fees but fails to withdraw within a stipulated date (offer acceptance fee withdrawal deadline mentioned in the offer letter/mail) or fails to register for the programme, the entire amount of the offer acceptance fees paid will be forfeited. No refund will be made in case of withdrawal after the offer acceptance fee withdrawal deadline.
- 4. The admission will stand cancelled if a candidate does not register at IIM Nagpur on the mentioned date and time for the registration.
- 5. Candidates have to pay the remaining amount of the Term 1 fee before the registration. The deadline for the same will be communicated to candidates who have accepted the offer. If the Term 1 fee payment is not received by the stipulated date (Term 1 fee payment deadline), the provisional admission will be cancelled.
- 6. If a candidate has paid the remaining amount of the Term 1 fee and wants to withdraw from the programme before the offer acceptance fee withdrawal deadline, the amount (offer acceptance and the Term 1 fee) will be refunded after deducting the administrative charge of Rs 1,000.
- 7. If the candidate paid the term 1 fees and wanted to withdraw before the term 1 fee deadline, then both offer acceptance fee (75000) and term 1 fee will be refunded after deducting administrative charges of Rs. 1000.
- 8. If a candidate failed to pay term 1 fees within deadline after accepting the offer (including payment of Rs. 75000), then offer stands cancelled and will be refunded Rs 74000 (offer acceptance fee) after deducting administrative charges of Rs 1000.
- 9. If a candidate has paid the remaining Term 1 fee and wants to withdraw from the programme after the Term 1 registration date, NO amount will be refunded.
5.2. After registration:
- Term 1 will start with the registration and inauguration of the programme. Fees will be collected before the registration for Term 1 and at the beginning of each term later. If a candidate withdraws from the programme in any term after registration (in the middle of a term), all the fees paid till then will be forfeited, regardless of the number of days remaining in the term, and his/her admission shall stand cancelled.
5.3 The admission of a candidate stands cancelled if he/she provides any false information at any step in the admissions process. No claim for refund of the fee paid till then will be entertained.
Note:
- All or any dispute/s or differences arising out of admission process/ procedure, withdrawal, admission policy, admission cancellation procedure, cancellation policies, refund policies shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of Courts/ Forums/Commission at Nagpur alone.
- Any dispute concerning admissions to the MBA Batch of 2023-25 would be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts within the territorial jurisdiction of the city of Nagpur, Maharashtra only.
- IIM Nagpur is established as an autonomous institute sets its own policies and governed by IIM Act 2017.
IIM Nagpur reserves the right to change the admission policy including refund, shortlisting and selection criteria as deemed necessary.