Traditionally, admissions to the Indian Institutes of Management are conducted through the Common Admission Test (CAT). However, over the years, the post-CAT admission phase has become increasingly complex and exhausting for aspirants. Multiple application forms, varying timelines, repeated interviews, and overlapping evaluation standards have added unnecessary stress and uncertainty. Even after clearing one of the most competitive entrance examinations in the country, candidates often face fatigue and confusion during the subsequent admission stages.
The Joint Admission Process (JAP) represents a structural and conceptual shift in the MBA admission ecosystem.
Instead of functioning independently or being part of a large, centralised system like the Common Admission Process (CAP), four academically strong and fast-growing IIMs have chosen to collaborate. JAP is not merely an administrative reform; it reflects an evolving approach to management education in India—one that places candidate experience, efficiency, and fairness at the forefront.
What is the Joint Admission Process (JAP)?
The Joint Admission Process (JAP) 2026 is jointly conducted by the following Indian Institutes of Management:
- IIM Kashipur
- IIM Raipur
- IIM Trichy
- IIM Ranchi
Through JAP 2026, these participating IIMs are offering admissions to their respective two-year, full-time, residential MBA programmes. The process is open to graduates from all academic disciplines who aspire to build a career in management.
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur has been designated as the coordinating institute for JAP 2026. The admission process follows a two-step structure, primarily aimed at shortlisting candidates for the Personal Interview (PI) stage.
Joint Admission Process (JAP) 2026: Two-Step Admission Structure
Below is a brief overview of the two-step process under JAP 2026 for candidates seeking admission to the four participating IIMs:
| Steps | About |
| Step 1 | Candidates must complete online registration once the CAT 2025 results are declared, after which they will receive the JAP 2026 invitation email. The JAP 2026 admission office will send invitation emails only to those candidates who selected IIM Kashipur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Raipur, or IIM Trichy while filling out the CAT 2025 application form. Applicants must meet the minimum academic qualifications and CAT 2025 eligibility criteria specified by the participating institutes. Only candidates who successfully complete the online registration will be considered for Step 2 of JAP 2026. Please note that this invitation is not an interview call, but a mandatory pre-interview registration process. Candidates who fail to complete the online registration within the stipulated deadline will forfeit their candidature. From the pool of registered candidates, applicants will be shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI) based on their CAT 2025 scores. Separate communication will be sent to shortlisted candidates for the PI stage |
| Step 2 | All candidates who complete online registration after receiving the JAP 2026 invitation email will move to Step 2. Based on CAT 2025 performance, category-wise shortlists (General, EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST, and PwD) will be prepared for participation in the Personal Interview (PI). The JAP 2026 portal will subsequently publish the category-wise cutoff percentiles. Candidates will receive detailed information regarding the PI date, time, and venue via email. The same details can also be accessed by logging into the JAP 2026 portal using the candidate’s unique login ID and password. |
Work Experience Evaluation under JAP 2026
- Work experience scores will be calculated based on the number of completed years of service as on December 31, 2025.
- Only full-time, paid work experience will be considered.
- The experience will be counted in completed months after the date of the candidate’s graduation, CA, ICWA (CMA), or CS results, whichever is applicable.
- Candidates must ensure that the work experience declared is genuine, professional, and significant enough to merit evaluation and credit.
The Joint Admission Process (JAP) is not merely an experimental procedure but a fundamental shift in philosophy. It recognises that student experience is as critical as institutional prestige and that evaluating talent should be comprehensive, meaningful, and non-repetitive. With JAP 2026, participating IIMs aim to create a more efficient, transparent, and aspirant-centric MBA admission framework.