What is the waitlist movement pattern at IIM Bangalore?
IIM Bangalore's waitlist movement is moderately tight, with the PGP General waitlist at 61 positions and PGPBA General at just 16 for the 2025 cycle. Both programs see distinct conversion patterns shaped by IIM B's tier-1 brand pull and Bengaluru's appeal to tech-focused candidates.
The 2025 Verified Waitlist Numbers
For the PGP flagship program, the General waitlist stood at 61 positions. Category-wise breakdown shows EWS at 28, OBC at 16, SC at 38, ST at 7, and PwD at 10.
The PGPBA (Business Analytics) program runs a separate waitlist: General 16, EWS 27, OBC 18, SC 50, ST 0, and PwD 7.
The combined PGP and PGPBA cohort at IIM Bangalore totals 544 students. Class 2026 placements averaged ₹34.88 LPA with 22 international offers, the highest among all IIMs, which directly impacts acceptance rates and waitlist movement.
Conversion Probability by Position
For the PGP General waitlist of 61, positions 1 to 15 see very high conversion at 85 to 92 percent. Positions 15 to 30 convert at 70 to 85 percent, while positions 30 to 50 drop to moderate conversion at 45 to 65 percent.
Positions 50 to 61 face lower odds at 20 to 40 percent, and anything beyond position 61 is structurally impossible.
PGPBA General waitlist behaves differently. With only 16 positions, movement typically stops around position 12 to 13.
However, the SC waitlist at 50 for PGPBA is notably larger than PGP's 38, reflecting the analytics program's separate selection process and different candidate pool dynamics.
Why IIM B Waitlist Moves Less Than IIM C/L/K
IIM B holds tier-1 positioning alongside IIM A and IIM C. Most top candidates who receive IIM B offers accept in the first round.
The Bengaluru location attracts tech and consulting talent, with recruiters like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and Google actively hiring. The 22 international offers in Class 2026 placements further strengthen first-round acceptance rates.
This means IIM B sees less waitlist churn compared to IIM Calcutta, Lucknow, or Kozhikode. Candidates typically choose IIM B over newer IIMs and most non-IIM schools, reducing the number of declined offers that create waitlist movement.
PGP vs PGPBA Waitlist Strategy
PGPBA's General waitlist of 16 is tighter than PGP's 61, but the SC waitlist of 50 provides substantial movement for SC candidates. If you're waitlisted for PGPBA General beyond position 10, conversion chances drop sharply.
For PGP General, positions up to 40 still hold reasonable hope, but beyond 50 becomes uncertain.
Category waitlists behave independently. The SC waitlist at 38 for PGP and 50 for PGPBA both see meaningful movement, while the ST waitlist at 7 for PGP offers limited positions.
What Waitlisted Candidates Should Do
Maintain backup acceptances at other schools during the IIM B waitlist period. For position 50 and above on PGP General, prepare for the possibility of non-conversion.
PGPBA candidates should note that General waitlist movement is minimal past position 12, but category waitlists, especially SC, clear more positions.
Check the waitlist movement page for verified data across all IIM programs to compare your options.
Pro Tip: From Reddit, we learnt that IIM B PGP waitlist positions 1 to 40 clear in the first two rounds, but positions 40 and above become uncertain. PGPBA General waitlist rarely moves past position 13, so have a strong backup ready.