Is CUET MBA Enough for IIM Admission? Complete Admission Process Explained 2026

Every year, lakhs of MBA aspirants dream of getting admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). With the introduction of CUET PG for MBA, many students now wonder:

Let’s clear all doubts with a detailed, honest, and updated explanation.

Short Answer

No, CUET MBA is NOT enough for IIM admission.

Currently, IIMs do NOT accept CUET MBA scores. All 21 IIMs in India accept ONLY CAT (Common Admission Test) scores for MBA / PGP admission.

1.Why CUET MBA Is Not Accepted by IIMs?

The Indian Institutes of Management follow a centralized admission framework based exclusively on CAT. This system ensures:

• Uniform national-level competition

• Standardized evaluation

• Global recognition of CAT score

Key Reasons:

• IIM admission policy officially mandates CAT score only

• CUET PG is mainly designed for Central Universities, State Universities, and Private Universities

• IIM Act & admission regulations do not include CUET

2.Is CUET MBA Enough for IIM Admission?– Quick Comparison

Parameter	CAT	CUET MBA
Accepted by IIMs	Yes	No
Conducting Body	IIMs	NTA
Difficulty Level	Very High	Moderate
Competition	Extremely High	Medium
Colleges	IIMs + Top B-Schools	Central + State + Private Universities
Seats	Limited	Large

3.Which Exams Do IIMs Accept?

All IIMs accept only CAT scores.

Top IIMs:

• IIM Ahmedabad

• IIM Bangalore

• IIM Calcutta

• IIM Lucknow

• IIM Kozhikode

• IIM Indore

• IIM Shillong

• IIM Rohtak

• IIM Udaipur

• IIM Trichy

• IIM Ranchi

• IIM Raipur

• IIM Kashipur

• IIM Vizag

• IIM Nagpur

• IIM Sambalpur

• IIM Amritsar

• IIM Jammu

• IIM Bodh Gaya

• IIM Sirmaur

• IIM Mumbai

None of these IIMs accept CUET MBA scores.

4.Then What Is CUET MBA Useful For?

CUET MBA is extremely useful for admission into top Central, State & Private Universities.

Top Universities Accepting CUET MBA:

• Delhi University (DU)

• Banaras Hindu University (BHU)

• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

• Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI)

• University of Hyderabad

• Pondicherry University

• Tezpur University

• Central University of Rajasthan

• Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya

• Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University

Top Private Universities:

• Jain University

• Alliance University

• Amity University

• Chandigarh University

• UPES Dehradun

• LPU

• KIIT University

• Manipal University

5.Can CUET MBA Students Enter IIM Through Any Other Route?

Direct MBA Admission – Not Possible

CUET MBA cannot be used for direct PGP/MBA admission into IIMs.

Alternative Routes into IIM Ecosystem:

Though CUET cannot help for MBA at IIMs, you can enter IIM campuses through:

• Executive MBA (Work Experience Required)

• Certificate Programs

• Online Courses

• Fellow Program in Management (FPM – via separate exams)

Should You Prepare for CAT or CUET for IIM Dream?

If IIM is your ultimate goal, then:

Ideal Strategy:

• Prepare for CAT seriously

• Appear for CUET MBA as backup

• Secure seat in top CUET universities

• Avoid losing academic year

6.Best Colleges Through CUET MBA

University	Avg Package
Delhi University (FMS Equivalent Depts)	₹12–15 LPA
BHU	₹10–12 LPA
JNU	₹9–12 LPA
University of Hyderabad	₹9–11 LPA
Jamia Millia Islamia	₹8–10 LPA

These offer excellent ROI and brand value even if not IIM.

FAQs

Q1. Can I get IIM with CUET MBA score?

No. IIMs accept only CAT scores.

Q2. Will IIMs accept CUET in future?

As of now, there is no official announcement.

Q3. Which is better for MBA – CAT or CUET?

• CAT → For IIM & Top B-Schools

• CUET → For Central, State & Private Universities

Q4. What is the best backup if CAT score is low?

CUET MBA is the best backup option.