Every CAT aspirant dreams of joining one of India’s top B-schools, and the Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon, is undoubtedly on that list. Known for its stellar faculty, corporate connections, and global exposure, MDI attracts some of the brightest management minds in the country.
But to even get your foot in the door, you need to clear one crucial hurdle: the MDI Gurgaon CAT cut-off.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the MDI Gurgaon CAT cut-off 2025, what percentile you need to target, how the cut-offs have evolved over the years, what factors influence them, and how you can strengthen your profile for final selection.
What is CAT Cut-off for MDI Gurgaon?
The CAT cut-off is the minimum percentile you need to be shortlisted for the next stages of MDI’s selection process, which includes:
- WAT (Written Ability Test)
- Group Discussion (GD)
- Personal Interview (PI)
- Behavioral Assessment Test (BAT)
However, it’s important to understand that:
- Clearing the cut-off only qualifies you for the shortlist; it doesn’t guarantee admission.
- The final selection considers multiple factors: CAT score, WAT/GD/PI performance, academic record, work experience, and diversity.
MDI Gurgaon CAT Cut-off 2025 (Expected)
Based on past trends, the expected CAT cut-off for MDI is between 96-97 percentile. Below is the expected CAT 2025 cut-off:
| Course | Expected CAT Cut-off 2025 |
| PGDM | 96 %ile |
| PGDM International Business | 96 %ile |
| PGDM HRM | 96 %ile |
MDI Gurgaon Sectional Cut-off 2025 (Expected)
For general category students, a minimum overall percentile of 92-95 may be required for the CAT at MDI Gurgaon. Below is the expected sectional MDI Gurgaon cut-off 2025 for the general category:
| Section | Minimum Percentile |
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 85 |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 79 |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 75 |
| Overall | 94.93 |
MDI Gurgaon CAT Cut-off (Category-Wise)
MDI Gurgaon does not follow traditional reservation policies. All candidates compete under a common selection process. Therefore, category-wise cut-offs remain almost identical:
| Category | CAT Percentile |
| General | 96 |
| EWS | 96 |
| OBC | 96 |
| SC | 96 |
| ST | 96 |
| PWD | 96 |
MDI Gurgaon CAT Cut-off 2024
To maintain diversity and bring in students with diverse academic backgrounds, it has different cut-offs. You can check out the cut-off academic background below:
| Category | Background | Cut-off (%ile) |
| General | Engineer | 97+ |
| General | Non-Engineer | 94+ |
MDI Gurgaon Cut-off Trends (2020-2024)
MDI Gurgaon Cut-off trends for the past few years have shown that high percentiles are still required, particularly for candidates in the general category. Overall, the required percentile has remained relatively the same.
| Category | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| General | 94 | 94 | 94+ | 95 | 96 |
| EWS | 94 | 94 | 94+ | 95 | 96 |
| OBC | 75 | 94 | 94+ | 95 | 96 |
| SC | 65 | 94 | 94+ | 95 | 96 |
| ST | 55 | 94 | 94+ | 95 | 96 |
| PWD | 65 | 94 | 94+ | 95 | 96 |
Key Observations from Past Year MDI Gurgaon CAT Cut-off
- Consistency: The cut-off percentile for general category candidates remained remarkably stable at 97 percentile from 2021 to 2023, with a slight adjustment to 95-97 in 2024.
- No Category Reservation: MDI Gurgaon does not follow traditional reservation policies. All candidates compete equally regardless of their category during the admission process.
- Minimal Fluctuation: Unlike many other institutes, MDI Gurgaon’s cut-offs show minimal year-to-year variation, indicating a well-established benchmark for quality.
- Upward Trend: Comparing 2020 (94 percentile) to recent years (95-97 percentile), there’s been a gradual increase in competitiveness.
Important resources for CAT exam:
What Determines MDI Gurgaon CAT Cut-off?
Several critical factors influence the final cut-off percentile each year:
Number of Applicants
Higher application numbers typically drive cut-offs upward due to increased competition. MDI Gurgaon receives thousands of applications each year for its limited seats.
CAT Exam Difficulty Level
- Easier Exam: Results in higher cut-offs as more candidates score well
- Difficult Exam: May lead to lower cut-offs due to overall reduced performance
Seat Availability
MDI Gurgaon has a fixed intake capacity across its programs:
- PGDM: Approximately 280 seats
- PGDM-HRM: Around 60 seats
- PGDM-IB: Limited seats
- PGDM-Business Analytics: Limited seats
Previous Year Trends
The institute considers historical data to maintain consistency in admission standards and quality benchmarks.
Normalization Process
Since CAT is conducted across multiple slots, the normalization process affects individual percentiles and, in turn, influences cut-off trends.
MDI Gurgaon Selection Process 2025
Meeting the CAT cut-off is just the first step. Here’s the complete two-stage selection process:
Stage 1: Initial Shortlisting (WAT-GD-PI)
Candidates are shortlisted based on a composite score with the following weightage:
| Component | Weightage |
| CAT Score | 70% |
| Class 10th Percentage | 5% |
| Class 12th Percentage | 5% |
| Graduation Percentage | 5% |
| Academic Diversity (Engineer/Non-Engineer) | 2.5% |
| Gender Diversity | 2.5% |
| Work Experience | 10% |
Stage 2: Final Selection
The final merit list is prepared based on:
| Component | Weightage |
| CAT Score | 20% |
| Class 10th Percentage | 10% |
| Class 12th Percentage | 10% |
| Graduation Percentage | 20% |
| Academic Diversity (Engineer/Non-Engineer) | 15% |
| Gender Diversity | 15% |
| Work Experience | 10% |
Key Things About MDI Gurgaon Selection Criteria
- Academic Background Diversity: MDI Gurgaon values diverse academic backgrounds and provides additional points to non-engineering candidates to ensure a balanced cohort.
- Work Experience: Candidates with relevant work experience receive additional points, with the maximum weightage given to those with 36+ months of experience.
- No Gender Bias: Both male and female candidates are evaluated equally, though gender diversity points help balance the batch composition.
What CAT Percentile Do You Really Need for MDI Gurgaon?
While the official cut-off might be 95-97 percentile, here’s the reality:
For Shortlisting (Getting a Call)
- General Category: 90+ percentile can fetch you a call, though 95+ is safer
- Non-Engineers: 96+ percentile is recommended
- Engineers (GEM – General Engineer Male): 98.5+ percentile is advisable due to high competition
For Final Conversion
Scoring the cut-off percentile doesn’t guarantee admission. Your final selection depends heavily on:
- Academic consistency (10th, 12th, Graduation marks)
- Performance in WAT-GD-PI rounds
- Work experience quality and duration
- Overall profile strength
Safe Score Strategy for MDI Gurgaon 2025
To improve your chances of getting a shortlist and converting it, follow this focused strategy:
Target CAT Percentile
Aim for 98+ percentile to stay comfortably above the expected cutoff and compensate for any weak areas in academics or profile.
Safe Percentile by Profile
- Non-engineers: A score of 96+ percentile is generally safe due to academic diversity points.
- Engineers (GEM): Target 98.5+ percentile, as competition is fiercest in this category.
Academic Profile
Maintain at least 60% marks in Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation. Consistent academics strengthen your composite score and interview standing.
Work Experience
Having 12–36 months of relevant experience is ideal. It boosts your score during shortlisting and gives you stronger talking points for interviews.
Preparation Tips to Meet MDI Gurgaon CAT Cut-off
Focus on Overall Performance
Since MDI doesn’t have sectional cut-offs, you can leverage your strengths. However, don’t completely neglect any section.
Consistent Preparation
With cut-offs hovering around 97 percentile consistently, you need sustained, high-quality preparation spanning 6-12 months.
Mock Tests
Take regular full-length CAT mock tests. Aim to score 98+ percentile consistently in mocks to have a cushion on exam day.
Build a Strong Profile
- Maintain good academic scores
- Gain quality work experience, if possible
- Participate in extracurricular activities
- Develop communication skills for GD-PI rounds
Stay Updated
Monitor MDI Gurgaon’s official website regularly for any changes in admission criteria or cut-off policies.
FAQs About MDI Gurgaon CAT Cut-off
The expected cut-off is 96–97 percentile for all major PGDM programs.
Yes, non-engineers receive academic diversity points in the selection process.
No. MDI does not use a traditional reservation system, so category cut-offs remain the same.
95 percentile may get a shortlist for some profiles, but 96–97 is safer.
GEM candidates should aim for 98.5+ percentile.
Sectionals matter but overall percentile carries the highest weight.
Around 280 seats in PGDM, with additional seats in HRM, IB, and Business Analytics.
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