A question appeared on Reddit recently that captured something MBA aspirants rarely discuss openly.
"Should I bet on IITs with 88.62 percentile as a general non-engineer female?"
The poster had a valid concern. With an 88 percentile, the traditional IIM path seemed closed. The new IIMs were an option, but the brand value felt uncertain. And then there was this alternative that coaching centers rarely emphasize: IIT MBA programs.
This is the path nobody talks about. Not because it is bad, but because it does not fit the standard CAT-to-IIM narrative that dominates MBA preparation culture.
Let us change that.
Why IIT MBA Programs Fly Under the Radar
The MBA ecosystem in India operates on simple heuristics. CAT score leads to IIM call. Higher CAT means better IIM. Everything else is a consolation prize.
This mental model ignores something significant: IITs have been running management programs for decades. DoMS IIT Delhi started in 1993. SJMSOM IIT Bombay began in 1995. These are not new experiments. They are established programs with alumni networks spanning three decades.
So why do they remain under-discussed?
1. The Engineering Dominance Narrative
IITs are synonymous with engineering in public perception. When someone says "IIT graduate," the default assumption is BTech, not MBA. This cognitive association means management programs at IITs simply do not register in most aspirants' mental maps.
2. Smaller Batch Sizes
IIM Ahmedabad admits around 400 students. DoMS IIT Delhi admits about 60. SJMSOM IIT Bombay takes roughly 120. Smaller batches mean fewer alumni making noise, fewer LinkedIn posts, and less visibility in placement season coverage.
3. Coaching Center Incentives
Coaching centers optimize for the IIM funnel. Their marketing, their success stories, their preparation strategies all center on the IIM system. IIT MBA programs, with their different admission criteria and processes, do not fit this template as cleanly.
4. Category-Specific Confusion
IIT programs often have complex admission criteria involving GATE scores, work experience weightage, and category-specific processes. This complexity discourages exploration. Aspirants default to what they understand: CAT percentile to IIM cutoff.
The Complete IIT MBA Landscape
Let me map out every significant IIT MBA program, their realistic cutoffs, and what makes each distinct.
DoMS IIT Delhi
Program Details:
- Full name: Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi
- Program: MBA (2-year full-time)
- Batch size: 55-60 students
- NIRF 2025 Ranking: 4th nationally
Realistic Cutoff Expectations:
- General category: 88-92 percentile (composite score around 88.77)
- OBC: 78-82 percentile
- SC/ST: 60-70 percentile
- The admission process uses a composite score including CAT percentile, academic performance, and interview
Placement Reality:
- Average package: 25.8 LPA
- Highest package: 41 LPA
- Key recruiters: Consulting (Bain, McKinsey, BCG have recruited in past years), FMCG, Tech, Banking
- Strong presence in operations and analytics roles
What Makes It Unique:
DoMS IIT Delhi benefits from its location in the national capital and the broader IIT Delhi ecosystem. Students have access to entrepreneurship cells, research centers, and cross-disciplinary courses. The small batch size means every student gets significant attention during placements.
Interview Style:
The interview panel typically includes DoMS faculty and industry practitioners. Expect questions on your work experience, current affairs, and genuine interest in management education. Engineers will face questions about why MBA after engineering.
SJMSOM IIT Bombay
Program Details:
- Full name: Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, IIT Bombay
- Program: MBA (2-year full-time)
- Batch size: 120 students
- NIRF 2025 Ranking: 14th nationally
Realistic Cutoff Expectations:
- General category: 88-92 percentile
- OBC: 78-82 percentile
- The composite score includes CAT percentile, academic record, work experience, and interview performance
Placement Reality:
- Average package: 28.5 LPA
- Highest package: 54 LPA
- Strong presence in consulting, finance, and product management
- Mumbai location provides access to corporate headquarters and networking opportunities
What Makes It Unique:
SJMSOM benefits enormously from IIT Bombay's brand and location. The school has strong industry connections, particularly in financial services and consulting. Students can take electives across IIT Bombay's departments, creating unique interdisciplinary combinations.
Interview Style:
Panels often include multiple professors with diverse backgrounds. Expect case discussions, situational questions, and probing on your post-MBA goals. Non-engineers should be prepared to explain their interest in an IIT environment.
DoMS IIT Madras
Program Details:
- Full name: Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras
- Program: MBA (2-year full-time)
- Batch size: 50-55 students
- NIRF 2025 Ranking: 13th nationally
Realistic Cutoff Expectations:
- General category: 88-92 percentile
- OBC: 78-82 percentile
- Strong emphasis on work experience in the composite score
Placement Reality:
- Average package: 18.8 LPA
- Highest package: 36 LPA
- Strong in operations, analytics, and manufacturing sector roles
- Growing presence in tech product management
What Makes It Unique:
IIT Madras consistently ranks as India's best IIT in NIRF rankings. The management school benefits from this brand halo. The Chennai location provides access to manufacturing hubs and the growing tech ecosystem. The school has strong research orientation.
Interview Style:
Expect a balanced panel with academic and industry perspectives. Questions often explore your fit with the IIT culture and your clarity on career goals. Work experience is valued and discussed in depth.
VGSoM IIT Kharagpur
Program Details:
- Full name: Vinod Gupta School of Management, IIT Kharagpur
- Program: MBA (2-year full-time)
- Batch size: 60-70 students
- NIRF 2025 Ranking: 12th nationally
Realistic Cutoff Expectations:
- General category: 88-92 percentile
- OBC: 78-82 percentile
- Holistic admission considering academics, CAT score, work experience
Placement Reality:
- Average package: 19.5 LPA
- Highest package: 42 LPA
- Strong in core sector placements: Steel, Power, Oil and Gas
- Growing presence in consulting and BFSI
What Makes It Unique:
VGSoM is one of the oldest management programs in the IIT system. The school has particularly strong connections with manufacturing and core sector companies. The residential campus experience mirrors the IIT undergraduate culture.
Interview Style:
The process typically includes a written ability test followed by personal interview. Panels are thorough and explore both academic foundations and career motivations.
DoMS IIT Roorkee
Program Details:
- Full name: Department of Management Studies, IIT Roorkee
- Program: MBA (2-year full-time)
- Batch size: 50-55 students
- NIRF 2025 Ranking: 22nd nationally
Realistic Cutoff Expectations:
- General category: 85-88 percentile
- OBC: 75-80 percentile
- Work experience given significant weightage
Placement Reality:
- Average package: 18.6 LPA
- Highest package: 38 LPA
- Strong in FMCG, consulting, and IT services
- Growing analytics and product roles
What Makes It Unique:
IIT Roorkee's heritage as Asia's first technical university adds historical weight. The management program benefits from the institute's research infrastructure. Lower cutoffs make this accessible to a wider percentile range.
DoEM IIT Kanpur
Program Details:
- Full name: Department of Industrial and Management Engineering, IIT Kanpur
- Program: MBA (2-year full-time)
- Batch size: 40-45 students
- NIRF 2025 Ranking: 27th nationally
Realistic Cutoff Expectations:
- General category: 82-86 percentile
- OBC: 72-78 percentile
- The program is more accessible than other IIT MBAs
Placement Reality:
- Average package: 16.5 LPA
- Highest package: 32 LPA
- Mix of roles across sectors
- Smaller batch means personalized placement support
What Makes It Unique:
IIT Kanpur has a strong academic reputation, particularly in research. The smaller MBA program means very personalized attention. The cutoffs are lower, making this a realistic option for 82-86 percentile scorers.
IIT MBA vs New IIMs: The Real Comparison
This is the decision many 85-92 percentile scorers face. Do you join a new IIM (Sirmaur, Jammu, Bodh Gaya) or explore IIT MBA options?
Let me provide a structured comparison.
Brand Recognition
IIT MBA Advantage:
The "IIT" brand is globally recognized. Recruiters in tech, manufacturing, and consulting understand what IIT means. This brand travels well internationally. An MBA from IIT Delhi or IIT Bombay carries immediate credibility.
New IIM Reality:
New IIMs face brand dilution challenges. While "IIM" carries weight, recruiters increasingly distinguish between established and newer IIMs. A recruiter who eagerly hires from IIM Ahmedabad may be uncertain about IIM Jammu.
Verdict: IIT MBA programs often have stronger brand recognition than new IIMs, particularly in technical and manufacturing sectors.
Placement Quality
IIT MBA Statistics:
- DoMS IIT Delhi: 25.8 LPA average
- SJMSOM IIT Bombay: 28.5 LPA average
- VGSoM IIT Kharagpur: 19.5 LPA average
- DoMS IIT Madras: 18.8 LPA average
New IIM Statistics:
- IIM Bodh Gaya: 12-14 LPA average
- IIM Jammu: 13-15 LPA average
- IIM Sirmaur: 11-13 LPA average
Verdict: Top IIT MBA programs significantly outperform new IIMs in placement metrics.
Fee Structure
IIT MBA Fees:
- DoMS IIT Delhi: 11 LPA (total)
- SJMSOM IIT Bombay: 13 LPA (total)
- VGSoM IIT Kharagpur: 12 LPA (total)
- DoMS IIT Roorkee: 9.5 LPA (total)
New IIM Fees:
- Most new IIMs: 14-18 LPA (total)
Verdict: IIT MBA programs are often more affordable than new IIMs, improving ROI.
Infrastructure and Resources
IIT MBA:
Students access IIT libraries, research facilities, computing infrastructure, and cross-departmental courses. The ecosystem is mature and well-funded.
New IIMs:
Many new IIMs still operate from temporary campuses or are building infrastructure. The ecosystem is developing.
Verdict: IIT MBA programs typically offer superior infrastructure.
Alumni Network
IIT MBA:
Smaller but concentrated alumni networks. Strong connections in specific sectors (tech, manufacturing, consulting). Access to the broader IIT alumni network.
New IIMs:
Very young alumni networks. Limited senior alumni in decision-making positions.
Verdict: IIT MBA programs have more established, though smaller, alumni networks.
When IIT MBA Is the Right Choice
Based on profile analysis and outcomes data, IIT MBA makes particular sense in these scenarios.
1. You Are a Non-Engineer Seeking Tech Credibility
This is the situation the Reddit poster faced. As a non-engineer, joining an IIT for MBA provides tech ecosystem exposure that other programs cannot match. You will study alongside engineering students, understand technical concepts through electives, and graduate with the IIT network.
2. Your CAT Score Is 85-92 Percentile
This is the sweet spot where IIT MBA options become realistic while top IIMs remain out of reach. Rather than joining a new IIM with uncertain outcomes, IIT MBA offers a more established alternative.
3. You Want Manufacturing or Core Sector Careers
IIT MBA programs have exceptional connections with manufacturing, power, steel, and oil and gas companies. If these sectors interest you, IIT MBA provides access that most B-schools cannot match.
4. You Value Research and Technical Depth
If you want an MBA that includes technical rigor, access to research, and interdisciplinary learning, IIT MBA programs deliver this uniquely.
5. You Are Cost-Conscious
With lower fees than new IIMs and comparable or better placements, IIT MBA offers superior ROI for many profiles.
When IIT MBA Might Not Be Right
Honest assessment requires acknowledging limitations.
1. You Want Classic MBA Soft Skills Focus
IIT MBA programs lean technical and analytical. If you want heavy emphasis on leadership development, organizational behavior, and soft skills, traditional B-schools may serve better.
2. You Want Large Batch Networking
With batch sizes of 50-120, IIT MBA programs create smaller networks than IIMs with 400+ batches. If network size matters more than network quality, consider this trade-off.
3. You Have Very High CAT Scores
If you score 98+ percentile, explore IIM options first. IIT MBA is excellent, but the established IIMs remain the gold standard for those who can access them.
4. You Want Mumbai-Based Finance Roles
While SJMSOM IIT Bombay is in Mumbai, the broader IIT MBA ecosystem has less concentration in investment banking and private equity compared to top IIMs.
The Interview Process at IIT MBA Programs
Understanding how IIT MBA interviews differ from IIM interviews is crucial for preparation.
Selection Criteria
Most IIT MBA programs use composite scores including:
- CAT percentile: 35-45% weightage
- Academic record (10th, 12th, graduation): 20-25% weightage
- Work experience: 15-20% weightage
- Interview performance: 20-30% weightage
This means a 88 percentile candidate with strong academics and good interview performance can compete with 92 percentile candidates who are weaker in other areas.
Interview Panel Composition
IIT MBA panels typically include:
- One or two faculty members from the management department
- Often includes a faculty member from another IIT department
- Sometimes includes an industry practitioner or alumni
Common Interview Themes
For Engineers:
- Why MBA after engineering?
- Why not MTech or direct placement?
- How does your engineering background inform your management interest?
For Non-Engineers:
- Why IIT for MBA specifically?
- How will you adapt to the IIT environment?
- What do you bring to a technically-oriented cohort?
For Everyone:
- Career goals and how this program fits
- Current affairs and analytical thinking
- Academic projects and learning examples
- Work experience discussions (if applicable)
Preparation Strategy
The IIT MBA interview requires demonstrating analytical rigor alongside managerial aspiration. You should:
1. Understand the specific program deeply. Know the faculty research areas, the electives offered, the placement sectors. Show genuine interest in that specific IIT, not generic MBA interest.
2. Prepare your "why IIT" story. This is the unique question you will face. Have a compelling answer for why the IIT ecosystem matters for your goals.
3. Brush up on technical fundamentals. Even if you are non-engineer, be prepared to discuss technology, innovation, and analytical concepts at a basic level.
4. Practice structured thinking. IIT panels appreciate frameworks and logical reasoning. Case-style questions are common.
5. Mock extensively. The interview style differs from IIM interviews. Get comfortable with the IIT format specifically.
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Application Timeline and Process
Here is what the typical IIT MBA admission cycle looks like.
Stage 1: CAT Score
Most IIT MBA programs accept CAT scores. Some also accept GMAT. The application typically opens in October-November.
Stage 2: Shortlisting
Unlike IIMs with clear cutoffs, IIT MBA programs use composite scores. Your shortlist depends on the combination of CAT score, academics, and profile. Shortlists typically release in December-January.
Stage 3: Interview
Interviews usually happen in February-March. Some programs include group discussions or written tests.
Stage 4: Final Selection
Results typically come in March-April. The process moves quickly once interviews are complete.
Key Dates to Track
- CAT registration: August-September
- CAT exam: November
- IIT MBA applications: October-December (varies by program)
- Shortlists: December-February
- Interviews: February-March
- Results: March-April
Practical Decision Framework
Let me give you a framework for deciding whether to pursue IIT MBA.
Step 1: Assess Your Percentile Realistically
If you are at 85-92 percentile, IIT MBA should be on your list. If you are 95+, prioritize established IIMs first.
Step 2: Evaluate Your Profile Holistically
IIT MBA composite scoring means your overall profile matters. Strong academics (90%+ in 10th/12th) can compensate for moderate CAT scores. Work experience adds value.
Step 3: Research Specific Programs
Do not treat IIT MBA as a category. Each program has distinct strengths. SJMSOM IIT Bombay differs from DoMS IIT Roorkee. Research which aligns with your goals.
Step 4: Compare Against Alternatives
List your realistic options at your percentile. Compare IIT MBA against new IIMs, Tier-2 programs like IMT or IMI, and other alternatives. Evaluate on brand, placements, fees, and fit.
Step 5: Prepare for Interviews Specifically
Once you have calls, prepare for IIT MBA interview style specifically. The preparation differs from IIM interviews.
The Bottom Line
IIT MBA programs represent a genuine alternative for candidates in the 85-92 percentile range. They offer established brands, solid placements, lower fees, and unique ecosystems that new IIMs cannot match.
The Reddit poster asking about IIT with 88.62 percentile was asking the right question. The answer is: yes, IIT MBA deserves serious consideration. DoMS IIT Delhi, SJMSOM IIT Bombay, and VGSoM IIT Kharagpur all become realistic options at that percentile.
The path nobody talks about might be exactly the path that fits your profile.
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The interview is where everything comes together.
Whether you are targeting DoMS IIT Delhi or VGSoM IIT Kharagpur, your interview performance determines the outcome. At 88 percentile, you cannot afford interview mistakes. You need to practice until your answers are sharp, your confidence is evident, and your story is compelling.
Rehearsal provides unlimited AI mock interviews that adapt to your responses. Practice IIT MBA specific questions. Get feedback on your "why IIT" narrative. Build the interview skills that separate admits from rejects.
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