Big Positive Boost: 5 Key Facts About Total Seats in IIMs for MBA Aspirants

Staff Writer: Sweata Maiti

Last Updated: February 16, 2026

Synopsis: The latest data on the total seats in IIMs for MBA programs has brought clarity for CAT aspirants targeting India’s premier management institutes. With 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) offering flagship MBA/PGP and PGDM programs, the combined intake runs into several thousand seats across categories. The updated figures highlight seat distribution among older, newer, and baby IIMs, helping candidates understand competition levels and admission prospects for the upcoming academic cycle.

Category-wise infographic showing total seats in IIMs for MBA across multiple Indian Institutes of Management campuses.

The updated figures regarding the total seats in IIMs for MBA programs provide crucial insight for candidates preparing for CAT and other management entrance examinations. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), regarded as the most prestigious B-schools in the country, collectively offer thousands of seats across their flagship two-year MBA/PGP programmes.

With intense competition every year, clarity about the total seats in IIMs for MBA courses allows aspirants to better assess their admission chances and plan their application strategy accordingly.

Total Seats in IIMs for MBA Across 21 Campuses

Currently, there are 21 IIMs operating across India. These institutes are broadly classified into three groups — older IIMs, newer IIMs, and baby IIMs.

The total seats in IIMs for MBA programmes across all campuses are estimated to be over 5,500 seats, including both general and reserved categories. The intake numbers vary significantly from one institute to another, depending on infrastructure, faculty strength, and programme capacity.

Older IIMs such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta typically offer higher intake compared to newly established campuses. However, newer IIMs have gradually increased their capacity over the years to accommodate growing demand for quality management education.

Older IIMs and Their Share in Total Seats in IIMs for MBA

The older IIMs, often referred to as the top-tier institutes, account for a significant portion of the total seats in IIMs for MBA programmes.

For instance:

IIM Ahmedabad offers around 400+ seats
IIM Bangalore has an intake of approximately 500+ seats
IIM Calcutta admits nearly 480+ students
IIM Lucknow and IIM Kozhikode also have substantial intake numbers

These institutes continue to expand their batch sizes in line with industry demand and policy directives, thereby contributing significantly to the overall total seats in IIMs for MBA programmes nationwide.

New and Baby IIMs Increasing Total Seats in IIMs for MBA

In recent years, the newer and baby IIMs have steadily increased their intake capacities. Institutes such as IIM Trichy, IIM Udaipur, IIM Raipur, and IIM Ranchi now admit 300+ students annually in their flagship programmes.

Similarly, baby IIMs including IIM Amritsar, IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, and others contribute additional seats to the overall total seats in IIMs for MBA admissions.

This expansion has helped improve access to high-quality management education while maintaining rigorous admission standards through CAT performance and subsequent selection rounds.

Category-Wise Distribution Within Total Seats in IIMs for MBA

The total seats in IIMs for MBA are distributed across various reservation categories as per Government of India norms. These include:

General category
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
SC
ST
EWS
PwD

Each IIM follows statutory reservation policies, ensuring equitable access to candidates from diverse backgrounds. Supernumerary seats for female candidates and special initiatives to improve gender diversity have also influenced the distribution of the in IIMs for MBA programs.

Competition Ratio Compared to Total Seats in IIMs for MBA

Every year, over two lakh candidates register for the Common Admission Test (CAT), while the MBA programs remain limited to a few thousand. This creates a highly competitive environment, where only a small percentage of applicants secure admission offers.

Candidates are shortlisted based on CAT percentile, academic profile, work experience, and performance in the Written Ability Test (WAT), Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. Understanding the total seats in IIMs for MBA helps aspirants evaluate realistic targets and prepare accordingly.

Programme Variations Impacting Total Seats in IIMs for MBA

Apart from the flagship two-year MBA/PGP programme, some IIMs offer specialised MBA programmes in areas such as Business Analytics, Human Resource Management, and Financial Management. While these are separate programmes, they contribute to the overall seat matrix.

However, the commonly referenced total seats in IIMs for MBA typically refers to the flagship general management programs, which remain the most sought-after courses among CAT aspirants.

Strategic Importance of Knowing Total Seats in IIMs for MBA

For aspirants preparing for CAT 2026 and beyond, awareness of the total seats in IIMs for MBA programmes is essential for informed decision-making. It provides perspective on: