For 2026 IIM MBA admissions students now have three major common routes after the CAT exam. These are JAP, CAP and SAP. JAP 2026 is the latest addition and will be coordinated by IIM Raipur. Older IIMs will run their own selection rounds. You can choose any of these depending on the IIMs you want to apply to. With these processes students can apply to several IIMs at once instead of filling separate forms for each institute. This year CAT was held on 30 Nov 2025 and a valid CAT score is required for all IIM admissions.

List of IIMs that Follow Independent Admission Process 2026

Following IIMs do not participate in any joint admission process like JAP, CAP or SAP. They do their own shortlisting and interview and interested candidates should follow with each institute's separate admission process for the 2026 MBA program.

What are JAP, CAP and SAP?

JAP - Joint Admission Process

JAP is a new IIM entrance process which started in 2025 September. IIM Raipur will be organising this process. Participating IIMs in JAP are -

The CAT percentile, academic standing, professional experience and diversity will all be taken into account for admission under the JAP. JAP is making the process easy because through one platform students can apply for multiple IIMs and attend interviews that will be conducted across different regions of the country. The final cutoffs and weightages will be decided jointly by the participating IIMs.

CAP - Admission Process

For the several new IIMs CAP is a centralised selection process that will be organised. Under CAP students do not need to appear for separate interviews for each IIM. Instead they attend a single round of WAT and PI and these scores are shared with all CAP IIMs.

CAP checks a candidate's knowledge, skills and interest in management education. It consists of a written exam, group discussions and in-person interviews. IIMs that are part of the 2026 IIM Admission process through CAP -

SAP - Supplementary Admission Process

SAP is the final selection round for students not shortlisted for CAP but fulfilling the relaxed cutoffs for some IIMs. For 2026 SAP the participating IIMs will be -

These IIMs lower their CAT cutoff in SAP to get enough applicants. Students only appear for a personal interview in SAP.

CAP 2026 vs SAP 2026 vs JAP 2026 -  Key Differences 

These three are the only joint IIM admissions processes. The students can get into the participating IIMs with just one application rather than sending separate applications to every single IIM. Below is a simple comparison of all three.