Understanding what happens in the IIM-R interview room
Rohtak, Haryana
IIM Rohtak conducts its own independent PI process (not part of CAP). The interview includes an extempore round followed by a personal interview. With 97 percentile cutoff for General category and 60% weightage to CAT score, IIM Rohtak values gender diversity (70% female representation) and has strong NCR industry connections.
Prepare with AI mock interviews that simulate IIM-R's unique extempore + conversational pi approach. Interview shortlist cutoff: 97%ile (General category).
Personal Interview: February-March 2026 (Online mode)
• Avg work experience: 18 months
• Class size: 350 students
• Female students: 70%
Founded in 2009 by Government of India and Government of Haryana, IIM Rohtak was established in collaboration with IIM Lucknow (mentor institution for first 3 years). This heritage shapes everything about the interview process.
IIM Rohtak's NCR location is its strategic advantage - 90 minutes from Delhi airport with access to India's largest corporate hub. The institute's dramatic transformation in gender diversity (from 6% to 70% women) under Prof. Dheeraj Sharma reflects a genuine commitment to inclusive education. This progressive culture influences the interview - expect questions that probe your views on diversity, inclusion, and social change. The sports emphasis and young, dynamic campus culture means they value well-rounded personalities over purely academic profiles.
IIM-R panelists often reference alumni achievements to test awareness. Know these names and what they're known for.
Global Macro Portfolio Manager, BlackRock
One of the most prominent IIM Rohtak alumni in global finance. His journey from IIM-R (2011-2013) to managing portfolios at the world's largest asset manager demonstrates the school's finance credentials.
Chief Manager, ICICI Bank
Rose through major Indian banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI). His career trajectory showcases IIM Rohtak's strong banking sector placements.
Management Consultant (Fortune 500 clients)
With 12+ years experience leading strategic projects for Fortune 500 companies, he exemplifies the consulting career path from IIM Rohtak.
CEO & Co-Founder, Chronicles Sporting Events
Former national-level cricketer turned entrepreneur. His startup journey from IIM Rohtak (2023) to founding a sports events company reflects the institute's entrepreneurship push.
Business Analyst, Gartner
Recent alumna (2020-2022) working at a leading research and advisory firm. Represents the analytical and research career paths available.
On-the-spot speaking followed by profile-based personal interview
IIM Rohtak's interview is distinctive for its extempore round - you're given a topic, less than a minute to think, and two minutes to speak. This tests your ability to organize thoughts quickly and communicate clearly under pressure. The subsequent PI is conversational but thorough, probing your academic background, work experience, general awareness, and personality. Unlike CAP IIMs, Rohtak conducts its own independent process with online interviews.
The extempore component reflects IIM Rohtak's emphasis on communication skills and quick thinking - qualities essential for managerial roles. As one of the newer IIMs that has rapidly built its reputation, they want students who can represent the institute well in corporate settings. The conversational PI style allows them to assess cultural fit and evaluate whether candidates align with IIM-R's progressive, sports-oriented, and diverse campus culture.
"A candidate was given the extempore topic "China's economic slowdown." She structured her 2-minute response by: (1) acknowledging the current situation with specific data points, (2) discussing causes like property crisis and zero-COVID aftermath, (3) exploring implications for India and global trade. Even without deep expertise, her structured approach and logical flow impressed the panel. In the PI that followed, they asked her about India's manufacturing opportunity and PLI schemes - building on her extempore theme."
We trained Rehearsal on IIM-R's interview style. Now it trains you.
Try a free IIM-R mock interviewDon't just memorize questions. Understand the categories, why they ask them, and how to prepare.
You'll receive a topic card with themes like "Technology taking over jobs," "Atmanirbhar Bharat," "Farm Bills," or abstract topics like "Mythology vs Management." You get ~1 minute to think and 2 minutes to speak.
This tests multiple competencies simultaneously: quick thinking, knowledge depth, communication clarity, and composure under pressure. It's an efficient filter for managerial communication skills.
"China's economic slowdown"
Current affairs - discuss causes, impact on India, global implications
Practice this question"How technology is taking over jobs"
Balance automation benefits with employment concerns
"Atmanirbhar Bharat - reality or rhetoric?"
Discuss government initiatives, actual progress, challenges
"Mythology vs Management"
Abstract topic - find creative connections between ancient wisdom and modern business
"What major reform should the government take in India?"
Take a stance, be specific, justify your choice
"Managers are born or nurtured"
Classic debate - provide balanced view with examples
"What is RDBMS? Explain normalization and denormalization." Or: "Explain the pasteurization process." Engineers are heavily probed on core subjects.
IIM Rohtak wants to verify that your academic credentials are genuine. They believe strong fundamentals in your undergraduate field translate to learning ability in management.
"What is RDBMS? What is a candidate key?"
CS/IT background - basic database concepts
Practice this question"Explain normalization and denormalization"
Technical deep-dive for IT candidates
"Difference between compiler and assembler"
Computer science fundamentals
"What is pasteurization and the process behind it?"
Food technology or related background
"Difference between a bill and an Act"
Law or political science background
"What is the GDP of India? Write a trillion in power of 10." Or: "Name India's national animal, flower, and song." Or: "Who is the RBI governor?"
Basic awareness is non-negotiable for future managers. These questions quickly separate candidates who stay informed from those who don't.
"What is India's GDP? Express a trillion in scientific notation."
Basic economic literacy + numerical awareness
Practice this question"Name the national animal, flower, and song of India"
Basic India knowledge - shows you care about details
"Who is the current RBI Governor? Governor of your state?"
Current appointments and awareness
"Name the coastal states of India"
Geography basics
"What is the CM's flagship scheme in your state?"
Local awareness
"Tell me about your role and responsibilities." Or: "Describe a situation where you showed leadership." Or: "What was the biggest challenge you faced at work?"
For candidates with work experience, they want to understand the quality and depth of your professional journey. They're testing whether you've genuinely learned and grown.
"Walk me through your typical day at work"
They want to understand what you actually do, not your job description
Practice this question"Tell me a situation where you demonstrated leadership"
Use specific examples with outcomes
"What was the biggest failure in your professional life?"
Show self-awareness and learning ability
"Why MBA now? Why not continue working?"
Have a clear, honest answer about timing
"Why do you want to do MBA?" Or: "Why IIM Rohtak specifically?" Or: "What will you do if you don't get into any IIM?"
They want genuine interest in IIM Rohtak, not just someone who views it as a backup. Understanding your motivation helps them assess fit.
"Why MBA? Why not MS or other higher education?"
Clear reasoning about management education value
Practice this question"Why IIM Rohtak specifically?"
Don't say "backup" - mention NCR, culture, specific programmes
"What do you know about IIM Rohtak's campus and culture?"
Show you've done research
"What if you don't get into any B-school this year?"
Shows maturity and planning ability
"What are your views on gender diversity in management?" Or: "How would you contribute to campus diversity?"
IIM Rohtak has India's highest female representation among IIMs (70%). They're genuinely committed to diversity and want candidates who appreciate this.
"What are your views on gender diversity in the workplace?"
Have a nuanced, genuine view
Practice this question"How would you contribute to a diverse classroom?"
Think about your unique background and perspective
"IIM Rohtak has 70% women. What do you think about this?"
Show you understand and appreciate the initiative
Context-specific topics that IIM-R panelists often reference. Know these well.
IIM Rohtak is the only IIM in the National Capital Region. This proximity to Delhi-Gurgaon corporate hub is a major differentiator.
IIM Rohtak has distinctive sports emphasis with excellent facilities. The campus hosts Infusion, a major sports festival.
IIM Rohtak pioneered integrated programmes - the 5-year BBA-MBA (IPM) in 2019 and Integrated Programme in Law (IPL) in 2021.
The current director has transformed IIM Rohtak since 2017. Understanding his vision helps you understand the institute's culture.
What to expect at each stage.
You receive a topic card with a current affairs, business, or abstract theme. You have less than one minute to organize your thoughts, then two minutes to speak on the topic. The panel observes your delivery, structure, and content.
Quick thinking ability, communication clarity, knowledge depth, composure under pressure, and ability to structure thoughts logically.
Don't try to cover everything. Pick 2-3 strong points and develop them well. A structured response with limited content beats a rambling response trying to say everything. Practice with a timer - 2 minutes feels shorter than you think.
A panel of 2 experts conducts a thorough interview covering academics, work experience (if any), general knowledge, current affairs, and personality assessment. The interview is conducted online. Questions build on each other and probe the depth of your knowledge.
Academic fundamentals, awareness of current affairs and economy, clarity of career goals, personality and communication skills, genuine interest in IIM Rohtak.
They often use your extempore topic as a starting point for PI discussion. Be prepared to elaborate on what you said. If you made any claims or mentioned any facts, be ready to defend or explain them.
IIM Rohtak achieved 70% female representation in its flagship programme - the highest among all IIMs. This transformation from just 6% in 2016 reflects genuine institutional commitment to diversity, not just policy compliance.
Interview Implication: Panelists may probe your views on diversity and inclusion. Show you understand and appreciate this initiative. If you're a male candidate, demonstrate you'll thrive in and contribute to a diverse environment.
The 200-acre campus features extensive sports facilities. The Sports Club is one of the main student bodies, and Infusion festival includes major inter-college sports competitions. Physical fitness and team sports are valued alongside academics.
Interview Implication: If you have sports background, highlight it. Even if you don't, show enthusiasm for a balanced lifestyle. Questions about teamwork and leadership often have sports analogies.
Being the only IIM in NCR, students have access to Delhi-Gurgaon's corporate ecosystem. Industry interactions, guest lectures, and live projects are common. The planned Gurgaon satellite campus will strengthen this further.
Interview Implication: Show awareness of NCR's business landscape. If you have NCR work experience or connections, mention how you'd leverage them. Discuss specific companies or industries headquartered in NCR.
Hard moments will happen. Here's how to handle them.
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Stress Interview | 6 question categories
Analytical & Entrepreneurship-Focused | 5 question categories
Current Affairs & Finance Deep-Dive | 5 question categories
Comprehensive Coverage Interview | 6 question categories
Balanced Assessment with Extempore | 6 question categories
Extempore + SOP Discussion + PI | 6 question categories
Values & Ethics-Based Interview | 6 question categories
Conversational Probing | 6 question categories
Corporate Conversational Interview | 6 question categories
Values-Based Jesuit Interview | 6 question categories
Trade-Focused Knowledge Interview | 6 question categories
Analytical Problem-Solving Style | 6 question categories
Structured Analytical Style | 6 question categories
Creative Expression Style | 6 question categories
Balanced Analytical Style | 6 question categories
Comprehensive Evaluation Style | 6 question categories
Holistic Evaluation Style | 6 question categories
Purpose-Driven Evaluation Style | 6 question categories
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Extempore + Business Awareness Quiz + PI | 8 question categories
Independent Personal Interview | 7 question categories
Analytical & Industry-Ready Assessment | 7 question categories
Finance-Focused GD-PI Assessment | 6 question categories
Practical Orientation Assessment | 7 question categories
Values & Sustainability-Based Interview | 6 question categories
Profile-Based Conversational Interview | 6 question categories
Case-Based Conversational Interview | 6 question categories
Collaborative Evaluation | 6 question categories
Holistic Profile Evaluation | 6 question categories
Profile-Based Conversational | 5 question categories
Ethics-Centered Evaluation | 5 question categories
Research-Oriented WAT-PI | 6 question categories
Independent Admission with Extempore | 6 question categories
JAP (Joint Admission Process) Interview | 6 question categories
JAP (Joint Admission Process) Personal Interview | 6 question categories
JAP Coordinator - Conversational PI | 7 question categories
Conversational Assessment with Profile Focus | 5 question categories
Conversational Academic Assessment | 5 question categories
Academic-Focused Conversational Interview | 6 question categories
Conversational Academic Probe | 5 question categories
Profile-Based Practical Evaluation | 7 question categories
Structured CT-PI Evaluation | 7 question categories
Profile-Based Analytical Assessment | 6 question categories
Our AI simulates the extempore + conversational pi style — including interruptions, challenges, and the pressure of thinking on your feet.