Why 8 IIMs Took CAP 2025 Process Offline: Exclusive Insights from CAP Coordinator Dr Prabhat Ranjan, IIM Bodh Gaya | MBAUniverse.com Interview
The Common Admission Process (CAP), popularly known as IIM CAP Round, is a unique collaboration amongst the second and third generation IIMs for common MBA admission process. While 10 IIMs participated in 2024 process, this year, IIM Raipur and IIM Sambalpur decided to exit from CAP process. Led by IIM Bodhgaya (CAP 2025 coordinator), IIM Jammu, IIM Kashipur, IIM Nagpur, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Trichy and IIM Udaipur are getting ready to hold CAP process.
Many changes have been announced in the IIM CAP 2025 process by IIM Bodh Gaya. The biggest change is that the process will be conducted in-person in offline mode. The other big change is that Written Abilities Test (WAT) has been reintroduced. To understand the reasons for these changes, and the impact of exit of two IIMs, MBAUniverse.com interviewed Prof. Prabhat Ranjan, the IIM CAP 2025 Coordinator at IIM Bodh Gaya. Prof Prabhat Ranjan is Ph.D. (FPM) in Operations Management from IIM Calcutta. Prior to this, he has completed PGDM from IIM Ranchi, and B.Sc. (Maths Hons.) from Magadh University Bodh Gaya. He has published many research papers and his research interests include DEA and Preference Matching Algorithm. Edited excepts from his interview with MBAUuniverse.com follows.
Q: Let’s start with key changes in this year’s process. How does IIM CAP 2025 differ from the previous years' processes?
A: IIM CAP 2025 process has a lot of improvements from last year. Let me highlight a few prominent areas:
- Offline process after four online CAP has been introduced.
- There are more options for IIM CAP venues this year. IIM CAP 2025 process will be held at six major cities and all 8 IIM campuses participating in CAP.
- In addition, there are a lot of process improvements such as candidates can opt for date-slot by themselves.
Q: What is the rationale for conducting CAP 2025 in offline mode?
A: Various stakeholders at CAP participating IIMs realized the importance of assessment in face-to-face mode and also the importance of Writing Ability Test.
We found that students are more serious in the offline PI than in the online PI. Also, we were not able to assess the writing ability of the candidates in the online mode.
Hence, IIM CAP 2025 process will be held at six major cities and all 8 IIM campuses participating in CAP.
Q: Could you please elaborate on the rationale behind the 95th percentile cut-off for CAP 2025? Last year the Cut Off was lower…
A: The reason for increase in IIM CAP 2025 Cut Off is the increase in the total number of CAT applicants, and a greater number of students in the desired percentile range.
Q: IIM CAP 2025 will have both Personal Interview (PI) and Written Abilities Test (WAT). Can you please explain why WAT is being reintroduced?
A: Both Personal Interview (PI) and Written Abilities Test (WAT) were already part of offline CAP up to CAP 2020. We have just reintroduced the WAT.
Q: IIM Raipur and IIM Sambalpur have decided to exit from the IIM CAP process from this year. Does this impact the overall dynamics of CAP 2025?
A: The dynamics of CAP will not be impacted by the exit of IIM Raipur and IIM Sambalpur. The 8 CAP-IIMs respect the value in the joint effort of overall coordination. A single appearance in the process enables candidates to be part of the admission processes of 8 IIMs.
Q: Please tell us about important timelines of IIM CAP 2025 process?
A: The candidates are already shortlisted for the further process. The last date to submit the application was extended by two days up to 23rd Jan 2025, 5 pm.
As part of the next step, they candidates will select the choice of date-slot on the CAP website, and finally, they would appear for PI/WAT.
Also read complete details of IIM CAP 2025 Process