IIT Kanpur DoMS shortlist for the MBA is done based on CAT 2025, GD and PI, with selected candidates being judged based on their performance in the CAT exam, academics, work experience, GD and PI performance and gender diversity. The criteria for admission include GEN, EWS, OBC candidates requiring 80th percentile and 60% marks. SC, ST and PWD candidates require 55th percentile and 50% marks. Final year students can also apply. PGPEX-VLM requires a first class engineering degree with a work experience requirement of at least 4.5 years, with an emphasis on experience with manufacturing and industry. Application is done by submitting an online application form with supporting documents and application fees for MBA is ₹2000 to ₹1000 and for PGPEX-VLM is ₹5000

The Department of Management Sciences of IIT Kanpur is in charge of handling the process of admission to the MBA courses. The institute offers a two year full time MBA program. The primary criteria for enrolling in an MBA program in IIT Kanpur are CAT scores and shortlisting.

Applicants meeting the criteria for eligibility and scoring the minimum percentage required in CAT are shortlisted for the next phase. IIT Kanpur follows the reservation policy of the Government of India and maintains a different merit list for each reservation category. It also uses the gender diversity factor to promote more women to join the MBA program at IIT Kanpur. IIT Kanpur allows applications from students in their final year of graduation and accepts them conditionally to join IIT Kanpur if selected. The MBA course at IIT Kanpur focuses on learning via case studies, projects, internships and industry interactions. The students gain exposure to learning finance, marketing, operations, analytics and strategies. The IIT Kanpur MBA course exposes students to leadership positions for different types of businesses with highly qualified faculty members, excellent connections with industries and very good placement support.

IIT Kanpur DoMS MBA Admission Criteria

Following are the steps involved in the admission process of IIT Kanpur DoMS MBA program.

Important Dates for MBA 2026 Application

In the below table the dates for MBA admission are given.

Eligibility Criteria for IIT Kanpur MBA 2026 Admission

The eligibility criteria below apply for candidates seeking admission to the MBA program at the Department of Management Sciences IIT Kanpur and will be used for shortlisting.

Qualifying Exam 

Applicants must appear for the CAT 2025 to apply for the 2026-2028 MBA batch.

Eligibility for GEN, EWS and OBC candidates

• Candidates must have scored at least 80 percentile in CAT 2025 and hold a bachelor degree with a minimum of 60% marks or a CPI of 6.0 on a 10 point scale from a university recognised by the UGC or equivalent authority in India.

• The candidate bachelor degree or equivalent must be at least three years long after 10+2 or equivalent and include Mathematics as a subject.

Eligibility for SC/ST and PWD candidates

• Candidates must have scored at least 55 percentile in CAT 2025 and hold a bachelor degree or equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks or a CPI of 5.0/10 from a recognised university. 

• The degree should be at least three years after 10+2 or equivalent and include Mathematics as a subject.

Note: Candidates awaiting their final degree results can apply. If selected they will be admitted provisionally and must complete all degree requirements before joining the MBA program.

Stage I. Registration & Application

• If you meet the qualifying requirements fill out the online form on the IIT Kanpur MBA official website.

Stage 2: Selection of Applications and Shortlisting

Applications will be shortlisted for further processing based on the percentile in CAT 2025. The department will set cutoff percentile marks for each category. This will depend on the total number of eligible applications and the total seats available in each category. The overall percentile score in CAT 2025 will be considered for shortlisting.

Stage 3: Group Discussion & Personal Interview Evaluation

Shortlisted candidates will next participate in a Group Discussion and Personal Interview round. The group discussion panels will judge the candidates' performance in group discussions.

The PI evaluation committees will use a fixed score matrix to choose the candidates on parameters (a) Academic background, (b) Work experience and (c) Performance in interview. Both GD and PI Assessment Committees would consist of members belonging to or including people from the Faculty of Management Sciences, or other departments within IIT Kanpur or people outside of IIT.

Stage 4: Merit List Preparation

All shortlisted candidates who clear Stage 3 will be considered for the merit list. The merit list will be compiled for each category based on the total score calculated by accumulating scores of individual candidates.

Please take notice that-

• Stages 2, 3 and 4 apply to the GN, EWS, OBC NCL and SC, ST categories separately. There will be no comparison between the two categories, namely the GN + EWS + OBC NCL group and the SC + ST group. 

• For every category, there shall be a final selection list and waiting list.

Fee for IIT Kanpur MBA Application form

Note 1 - Gender Diversity: A gender diversity multiplier will be applied for shortlisted female candidates, with the final score capped at 100.

Note 2 – Category-wise Merit & Reservation: Merit lists will be created for GN, OBC/NCL, EWS, SC, ST and DAP applicants based on the GoI reservation regulations. OBC NCL 27%, SC 15%, EWS 10%, ST 7.5% and DAP 3% across all categories. Candidates who match the eligibility requirements can apply for the MBA program at DoMS IIT Kanpur by completing an online application form.

Note 3 - Misrepresentation: Any candidate found misrepresenting or hiding information during the admissions process or MBA program will have their admission canceled must leave the program and no fees will be refunded.

IIT Kanpur PGPEX-VLM program 2026 Admission Process

This is a one year full time residential program with a strong focus on manufacturing, helping participants understand how industries transform and stay competitive in changing business environments. The program is offered together by three top Indian institutions IIM Calcutta, IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras. It has been carefully designed in close collaboration with industry bodies and national agencies, including the Confederation of Indian Industry, Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and the Ministry of Education, Government of India ensuring strong industry relevance and practical impact.

Important Dates for PGPEX-VLM 2026 Application 

The table below shows the key dates for the program admission process.

Eligibility Criteria for IIT Kanpur PGPEX-VLM Program

Education: Candidates should be first class graduate engineers, having first division marks from secondary schooling onwards.

Working Experience: For self sponsored students the required working experience should range between 4.5 to 10 years for manufacturing, engineering or other related fields of production, R&D, quality, maintenance, supply chain or construction. For both sponsored and students on study leave, the working experience should be a minimum of 4.5 years, with no maximum limit. For students on study leave, one will be allowed to participate in placement with a No Objection Certificate from their employer; however, placement will not be guaranteed. Candidate work experience will be counted from 28 February 2025 for the 2025-26 batch. The candidate should have minimum experience, failing which their application shall be considered invalid and their fee shall not be refunded.

In case of providing any false or hidden particulars their candidature shall be cancelled.

Ways to apply for PGPEX-VLM

• If it’s your first time visiting the website you will need to click on the ‘Register’ button that sits at the top of the right side of the official website of iit kanpur’s DoMS.

• The application form has to be dispatched through speed post or courier service within the given timeline, according to the posting receipt date. Before forwarding the application form, the applicants have to send scanned copies of posting receipt and payment receipt to the following mail vlmp@iitk.ac.in .

• The hard copy of the application should reach the Office of Outreach Activities (OOA), IIT Kanpur within the prescribed time period, along with the receipt of the fee and all self-attested testimonials/certificates. Applications without all documents shall be considered invalid and shall be rejected.

• Once the full application form is submitted the candidate can monitor the status of the application using his or her user ID and password.

• Application fee is ₹ 5000 for Indians and for NRIs/Foreigners it is USD 150. Application fee is non refundable and has to be paid only by NEFT transfer. While remitting the fee the number given in the application form has to be mentioned in the remarks column.

• The contacts that candidates should provide are accurate academic, personal, email and mobile contacts for effective communication. Once registered successfully you will receive a confirmation email.

• It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the recommendation letter is received within the stipulated time through either mail or email. Should the recommendation letter fail to arrive within the time stipulated, the application may be disqualified.

Documents required for send by courier and speed post for PGPEX-VLM program

Application Form: Printed and signed copy generated after final online submission.

Application Fee Receipt: Self attested payment proof bank transfer, NEFT for Indian candidates, bank transfer for NRI and foreign candidates.

Academic Documents: Self attested copies of Class 10 and 12 certificates and mark sheets, and all degree mark sheets and certificates. GMAT or GRE score is optional.

Passport Copy: Self attested copy of passport mandatory for all applicants.

Work Experience Proof: Certificates from current and previous employers, latest salary slip and job description if required.

Category Specific Documents:

• Self sponsored resigning: Resignation and release letter

• Self sponsored study leave: Study leave application with employer approval

Sponsored candidates: Sponsorship letter or bond from employer

Recommendation Letters: Two recommendation letters in sealed envelopes signed by the referees.