If you’re planning to take the CAT (Common Admission Test), you probably already know it’s the golden ticket to India’s most prestigious business schools – the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
But here’s the thing most people don’t realise: CAT doesn’t just lead to the “regular” MBA. The IIMs have a whole range of programs – from general management and analytics to agribusiness, sustainability, and even doctoral research.
In this guide, we’ll explore all the courses you can get into through CAT, so you can pick the one that’s right for you.
1. The Flagship Two-Year MBA/PGP Programs
This is what CAT is most famous for – the two-year, full-time, residential MBA (earlier called the Post Graduate Programme in Management or PGP).
You’ll find this program in every IIM, but with slight variations in specialisations:
- MBA / PGP in General Management
Covers finance, marketing, operations, strategy, HR, and more. Perfect for fresh graduates and early-career professionals. - MBA / PGP in Agribusiness Management (ABM/FABM)
Offered by IIM Ahmedabad, Lucknow and others. Focuses on the agriculture value chain, rural markets, and food processing. - MBA / PGP in Business Analytics
Available at IIM Calcutta, Bangalore, Kashipur, Ranchi, and more. Designed for data-driven decision-making careers. - MBA / PGP in Human Resource Management (HRM)
Offered by IIM Indore, Ranchi, Amritsar. Focuses on talent management, organisational behaviour, and leadership. - MBA / PGP in Sustainable Management
Offered by IIM Lucknow. Combines business strategy with environmental and social responsibility.
2. One-Year Executive MBA (For Professionals)
If you already have work experience (usually 5+ years) and want to fast-track your career, some IIMs offer one-year full-time MBAs.
Examples:
- EPGP (Executive Post Graduate Programme) – IIM Bangalore, Indore, Kozhikode.
- PGPX (Post Graduate Programme for Executives) – IIM Ahmedabad.
Some accept CAT scores; others prefer GMAT.
3. Doctoral & Research Programmes
Yes, IIMs are also research powerhouses!
- Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) / PhD
Available at all IIMs, with specialisations like Economics, Marketing, Operations, Strategy, and Public Policy.
Duration: 4–5 years, with stipend support.
CAT is one of the accepted exams (others: GRE, GMAT, GATE, UGC-JRF). - Executive Fellow Programme in Management (EFPM)
Part-time doctoral programs for senior professionals.
4. Specialised Sectoral MBAs
Some IIMs run niche programs targeted at specific industries.
- MBA in Food & Agribusiness Management (FABM) – IIM Ahmedabad.
- MBA in Digital Enterprise Management (DEM) – IIM Udaipur.
- MBA in Liberal Studies & Management (LSM) – IIM Kozhikode.
- MBA in Finance – IIM Kozhikode.
These have the same CAT-based admission process but a more focused curriculum.
5. Admission Process Through CAT
While each IIM has its own criteria, the general flow is:
- Take CAT – usually in late November.
- Shortlisting – Based on CAT percentile (overall + section-wise) and academic background.
- WAT/PI Rounds – Written Ability Test and Personal Interview.
- Final Selection – Weighted scores from CAT, academics, work experience, diversity, and interview.
6. Which Program Should You Choose?
- Fresh Graduate?
Go for the general MBA/PGP. - Passionate About Agriculture & Rural Markets?
MBA-ABM or FABM. - Love Data & Analytics?
MBA in Business Analytics. - Interested in HR Leadership?
MBA-HRM. - Mid-career Professional?
One-year Executive MBA. - Aspiring Researcher or Academic?
FPM/PhD.
7. Campus-by-Campus Snapshot
Here’s a quick look at which IIM offers what through CAT:
| IIM | Main CAT-Based Courses |
|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | MBA, MBA-FABM |
| Bangalore | MBA, MBA-BA |
| Calcutta | MBA, MBA-BA |
| Lucknow | MBA, MBA-ABM, MBA-SM |
| Indore | MBA, MBA-HRM |
| Kozhikode | MBA, MBA-Finance, MBA-LSM |
| Udaipur | MBA, MBA-DEM |
| Ranchi | MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA-BA |
| Amritsar | MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA-BA |
| Others | MBA (General) |
Final Word
CAT is not just an exam for one standard MBA. It’s your entry into a network of programs that suit different career stages, industries, and ambitions. Whether you want to lead a corporate, transform rural markets, master analytics, or dive into academic research – there’s an IIM course waiting for you.
So when you prepare for CAT, don’t just aim for the percentile – know your destination program. The right choice now c
