COVID batch students with 12th marks awarded without exams (via alternative assessment) have their marks considered at face value for IIM admissions, per CBSE/state-board notifications and IIM selection policies. The AMA commenter who got 98.4/95.
6 in CBSE boards during COVID asked about relevance, and the consensus was that the marks count normally. At IIM Ahmedabad (Rs 27.5L fees, Rs 35.
22 LPA avg, 99%+ CAT cutoff) and other IIMs, COVID-batch 12th marks are treated identically to regular board marks. The 2020-22 COVID cohort had inflated marks across boards due to best-of-X-subjects formulae and no strict exam. Most CBSE COVID batches saw 95%+ marks widely - leading to perceived grade inflation.
IIMs have not adjusted their scoring to account for COVID inflation, so COVID candidates benefit from higher board scores. If your 12th is 98%+ (COVID batch), you get full 10 points at most IIMs without question. If you're in 2026-28 IIM application cycles from non-COVID post-2023 batches with normal board marks, you face stricter absolute thresholds.
For the AMA commenter with 98.4/95.6 COVID marks, their profile is effectively top-decile for IIM admissions.
Target IIM ABC with this foundation plus 99+ CAT. The only caveat: interview panels occasionally ask about COVID grade inflation, and you should be prepared to discuss how you prepared and performed during that period. Don't hide your COVID context - it's common knowledge.
Check your eligibility at collvera.