Mumbai: IIM-Mumbai saw a massive rush in applications this year, indicating it is now among the 10–15 most sought after management institutes in the country. From about 13,534 in 2024-25, which was the first admission season under the IIM brand, the numbers this year have risen to 5.6 lakh. The highest applications (2.69 lakh) are for the general MBA programme.
A total 2.93 lakh students appeared for the CAT 2024 entrance test, suggesting that almost 90% of aspirants listed IIM-Mumbai as one of their preferences. Each student can apply to more than one course and IIM. The sought-after IIMs usually receive applications from over 90% of aspirants for the general MBA programme. The numbers indicate Mumbai was in need of an IIM for a long time, said director Manoj Tiwari.
Data from the institute shows that of the total 5.6 lakh applications, nearly one third are from women. Students shortlisted based on criteria which includes CAT scores are called for interviews and group discussions before the final selection.
Tiwari said last year being the first in the institute’s journey as an IIM, it was not included on the IIM admission portal; students had to individually register on the institute’s website. “This year, our name was included in the list of IIMs where students can select their choices,” said Tiwari, adding that the institute has been doing well even in placements.
It is like Brand Mumbai meeting Brand IIM, said Dean (Academics) Vivek Khanzode. The institute offers three MBA programmes, including general MBA, sustainability management and operations and supply chain (OSC) management. Sustainability management is the second most sought after (over 2.1 lakh students), followed by OSC management (around 77,000 applications). Khanzode said the institute seeks applicants from an engineering background for the OSC course, and therefore the pool for the course could be smaller. The institute’s location in Mumbai, a financial hub, is an added advantage that MBA aspirants actively seek.
Hemang Panchmatia, chief mentor at a coaching institute, said applications to almost all IIMs were free of cost this year—it having been included in the CAT registration fee. Hence most students would have applied to nearly all top IIMs.