IIM Calcutta (Kolkata) – Detailed MBA Review 2026: Fees, Cutoff, Placements, ROI & Campus Life

Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta or IIM-C) is one of India’s oldest and most prestigious MBA institutes, established in 1961. Along with IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore, it forms the elite “ABC” group of Indian management education.

IIM Calcutta is especially known for its strength in Finance, Analytics, and Quantitative disciplines, making it a top choice for students aiming for high-paying corporate and finance roles.

This blog gives a complete review of IIM Calcutta for 2026 aspirants, covering admission cutoffs, fees, placements, ROI, academic culture, and campus environment.

About IIM Calcutta

• Established: 1961

• Location: Joka, Kolkata (West Bengal)

• Campus Size: ~135 acres (fully residential)

• Reputation: One of India’s most academically rigorous B-schools

IIM Calcutta has produced CXOs, investment bankers, consultants, and policy leaders across India and globally.

Programs Offered at IIM Calcutta

Program	Duration
MBA (PGP)	2 Years
MBA-Ex (Executive MBA)	1 Year
PhD	Full-time

The 2-year MBA (PGP) is the flagship and most competitive program.

IIM Calcutta Admission Process & Cutoff (2026)

Entrance Exam

• CAT (Common Admission Test) is mandatory.

Expected CAT Cutoff (General Category)

Category	Expected Percentile
Overall CAT Percentile	99.5+
Sectional Cutoff	High across all sections

⚠️ Balanced sectional performance is critical. IIM Calcutta does not favor candidates with uneven section scores.

Shortlisting Criteria

Shortlisting is based on:

• CAT score (overall + sectional)

• Academic consistency (10th, 12th, graduation)

• Work experience

• Gender & academic diversity

Final Selection Stages

• Written Ability Test (WAT)

• Personal Interview (PI)

The interview focuses heavily on:

• Conceptual clarity

• Quantitative and analytical thinking

• Academics & work experience

• Current affairs and business awareness

Fees at IIM Calcutta (MBA 2026)

Component	Amount
Total Program Fees	₹25 lakh (approx.)
Hostel & Mess	Included
Scholarships	Available (need-based & merit-based)

While the fees are high, they are comparable to other top IIMs.

Academic Environment & Teaching Style

IIM Calcutta is known for:

• Quantitative rigor

• Data-driven decision making

• Strong emphasis on finance, economics, and analytics

Teaching Approach

• Mix of case studies, lectures, and research-oriented learning

• Heavy workload, especially in the first year

• Competitive peer environment

Best suited for students who are comfortable with numbers, analysis, and academic intensity.

Campus Life & Environment

Campus Setting

• Large green campus in Joka

• Fully residential

• Calm and academic-focused atmosphere

Student Life

• Active student committees and clubs

• Finance, consulting, analytics, and cultural societies

• Inter-IIM competitions and corporate conclaves

Compared to Bangalore or Mumbai, the campus is more academically focused and less industry-exposed on a daily basis, but placements are not affected.

Placements at IIM Calcutta (2025–26 Expected)

IIM Calcutta consistently records top-tier placement outcomes.

Placement Metric	Figures
Average Package	₹34–36 LPA
Median Salary	₹33+ LPA
Highest Package	₹1 Cr+ (International)
Placement Rate	~100%

Top Recruiters

• McKinsey, BCG, Bain

• Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley

• Amazon, Microsoft, Google

• HUL, ITC, Tata Group

Strongest Roles

• Investment Banking

• Consulting

• Corporate Finance

• Analytics & Strategy

ROI (Return on Investment) – Is IIM Calcutta Worth It?

ROI = Average Package ÷ Total Fees

Metric	Value
Average Salary	₹35 LPA
Fees	₹25 L
Approx ROI	1.4

ROI Insight

• ROI is strong but not the highest (FMS beats all on ROI)

• Long-term value comes from brand name + elite roles

• Salary growth over 5–10 years is among the best in India

IIM Calcutta is a long-term career investment, not just a short-term ROI play.

Who Should Choose IIM Calcutta?

IIM Calcutta is ideal for students who:

• Want finance, analytics, or consulting careers

• Are strong in maths, data, and economics

• Can handle intense academic pressure

• Aim for top-tier corporate roles

IIM Calcutta vs Other Top IIMs (Quick Perspective)

Institute	Known For
IIM Ahmedabad	Leadership & case pedagogy
IIM Bangalore	Consulting, tech & startups
IIM Calcutta	Finance, analytics & quant strength

Pros & Cons of IIM Calcutta

Pros

• Elite “ABC” brand value

• Best finance placements among IIMs

• Strong global recognition

• High average and median salaries

Cons

• Very high academic pressure

• High fees

• Less city exposure compared to Bangalore

Final Verdict

IIM Calcutta remains one of India’s most powerful MBA destinations, especially for students targeting finance, analytics, and consulting roles. While the fees are high, the brand value, placement quality, and long-term career growth more than justify the investment.

🔗 What You Should Do Next – IIM Calcutta Aspirants

📥 Check Official MBA Program DetailsGet the latest and most accurate information about courses, eligibility, and academic structure directly from the institute.👉 Visit the Official IIM Calcutta Websitehttps://www.iimcal.ac.in

📊 Understand Admission & Selection CriteriaKnow how CAT scores, academics, and interviews are evaluated in the final selection process.👉 View IIM Calcutta MBA Admission Processhttps://www.iimcal.ac.in/programs/mba/admissions

📚 Review Placement Reports & Career OutcomesAnalyze placement trends, average packages, recruiters, and role profiles from official reports.👉 Access IIM Calcutta Placement Reportshttps://www.iimcal.ac.in/placements

If numbers, finance, and strategy excite you, IIM Calcutta is one of the best MBA choices in India.