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IPMAT Eligibility Criteria For 2026

Author : Aishwarya Mehra

September 15, 2025

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Overview: If you're thinking about applying for the Integrated Program in Management (IPM) at IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, or any of the other participating IIMs, the first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with the IPMAT eligibility criteria for 2026.

In the past, IIMs were primarily recognized for their postgraduate programs like the MBA and PGDM, which required students to pass the CAT exam.

However, with the launch of the Integrated Program in Management (IPM), students can now gain admission to IIMs straight after completing Class 12.

Introduced by IIM Indore in 2011, the IPM is a comprehensive five-year program that merges undergraduate and postgraduate management education into one cohesive course. For any aspirant planning to fill in the application form, first, the IPMAT eligibility criteria for 2026 need to be checked.

Without satisfying the criteria, the application cannot be considered no matter how well the aspirant has prepared.

What is IPMAT?

The Integrated Programme in Management Aptitude Test (IPMAT) is an entrance exam organized by IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, and a few other institutions.

It's specifically aimed at students who have just completed Class 12, allowing them to gain admission into dual-degree management programs that blend both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

So here goes a simple explanation about IPMAT 2026 eligibility concerning age, academics, and other factors.

Basic Educational Qualifications

For applying to IPMAT in 2026, the candidate must have passed Class 10 and Class 12 or the equivalent examinations.

General and OBC category candidates should have obtained not less than 60% marks in both.

For SC, ST, and PwD category candidates, the minimum shall be 55%. There is no mention of any subject being required in Class 12. Students from any stream, whether Science, Commerce, or Humanities, may apply.

Year of Passing

  • The Class 12th exam must be passed in 2024, 2025, or the candidate should be appearing in 2026.
  • Any candidate passing Class 12th before 2024 shall not be eligible.
  • The minimum passing year for Class 10th should be 2022 or later, depending on the academic.

Age Limit

  • The candidate must have been born on or after August 1, 2006.
  • There is a relaxation of 5 years for SC, ST, and PwD categories; hence for them, the candidate must have been born on or after August 1, 2001.
  • It is a strict limit of age, and the mere difference of a day can disqualify a candidate.

josh batch

josh batch

IPMAT Indore vs. Rohtak: Slight Differences

These IPMAT exams are conducted independently by the institutes.

The modus operandi at IIM Indore follows its own selection pattern, which considers the candidates' Class 10 and Class 12 marks as part of the shortlisting; thus, only a shortlist is created from candidates with top test performance.

IIM Rohtak places more emphasis on entrance test scores and PI. 10th and 12th scores are required, but they have very little weightage in the final selection.

IPMAT eligibility criteria are similar; on the other hand, the selection processes are not.

Read more: IPMAT 2026 Exam Dates

Students Who Took a Gap Year

There is no such restriction on gap years. Those students who took a gap year after Class 12 can still apply for admission into these programs, provided their year of passing meets the criteria and their age is within the specified limits.

Means Stream and Subjects

The candidates should not be under any mandatory subjects for IPMAT.

Those who did not even have Mathematics in their Class 12 can still apply. However, since Quantitative Analysis is part of the test. This flexibility allows students from every background to appear for the exam, including Arts and Commerce.

Category-Wise Requirements Eligibility Criteria

  • Category Class 10 Marks Class 12 Marks Age Requirement
  • General/OBC Minimum 60% Minimum 60% Born on or after Aug 1, 2006
  • SC/ST/PwD Minimum 55% Minimum 55% Born on or after Aug 1, 2001

Documents Required for Eligibility Verification

Once candidates clear the IPMAT, they are required to provide proof of eligibility. The documents usually include:

  • Mark sheets of Class 10 and 12
  • Birth certificate or government ID showing date of birth
  • Caste certificate (if applying under reserved category)
  • Disability certificate (if applicable)

All documents must be valid and should match the information provided during registration.

What Happens if Eligibility Criteria Are Not Met? If the candidate does not fulfill the criteria, and still manages to appear for the test, then his/her result would be considered null and void.

No exceptions would ever be made, even if he/she has done well in the exam.

There are punishable instances for violating eligibility criteria; the eligibility is checked at multiple levels, during application, after test results, and during document verification.

Common Misunderstandings About IPMAT Eligibility

A lot of students mistakenly believe that a score of 59.5% will simply round up to 60%. Unfortunately, that's not the case. You need to meet or exceed the exact required percentage.

Another frequent misconception revolves around the age limit. Just being in Class 12 isn't sufficient, your birth date must fall within the specified range.

Additionally, many students think that only those with a science or math background can apply. That's not true at all! IPMAT welcomes applicants from all streams.

Why You Should Check IPMAT Eligibility Early?

Most students start preparing for the exam months ahead of time. But if they don't meet the eligibility criteria, all that effort can go to waste.

That's why it's so important to check your IPMAT eligibility early on, it can save you both time and stress.

Even if you're currently in Class 11, you can still review the eligibility requirements for 2026 to ensure you're on the right path.

ipmat toppers interview

ipmat toppers interview

Can International Students Apply?

International students have the opportunity to apply to certain IIMs through distinct quotas, often using their SAT scores.

Nonetheless, these applicants must fulfill specific age and academic requirements, and they'll need to provide valid documentation.

If you're a foreign applicant, it's a good idea to reach out directly to the particular IIM you're interested in for the most accurate information.

The eligibility criteria for IPMAT 2026 are pretty straightforward, but it's easy to miss them when you're caught up in the excitement of preparing for the exam.

Every year, some students end up missing out because of small oversights like an incorrect date of birth, not meeting the required marks, or forgetting to submit valid certificates.

It's always a smart move to double-check these details ahead of time.

Key Takeaways 

  • Must have completed Class 10 and 12 with at least the minimum required marks.
  • Should have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025 or be appearing in 2026.
  • Must be born on or after August 1, 2006 (or 2001 for those in reserved categories).
  • There are no restrictions on the educational stream.
  • Gap years are acceptable.
  • Documents need to corroborate your eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to prepare for IPMAT using books?

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What documents are required to verify IPMAT eligibility?

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Are international students eligible to apply for IPMAT?

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Are there any reservations under the IPMAT eligibility criteria?

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Do the eligibility criteria for IPMAT specify restrictions on the number of attempts?

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What is the age limit for IPMAT?

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What is the minimum educational qualification for IPMAT?

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About the Author

Faculty
Aishwarya Mehra

Content Writer

SEO content writer with over 4 years of experience in creating engaging and easy-to-understand content. I’ve worked across a range of topics, including careers, lifestyle, health, tech, and digital marketing. I enjoy writing content that not only informs but also connects with readers.... more