IRMA Counselling 2026

The counselling process for IRMA (Institute of Rural Management Anand) 2026 will follow the shortlisting of candidates based on their scores in national-level entrance exams – CAT 2024, XAT 2025, or CMAT 2024. The IRMA counselling acts as the final step in the admission process, assessing candidates beyond exam scores through interviews and written tests aimed at gauging aptitude, communication skills, and motivation for rural management.

IRMA 2026 Counselling Process Overview

The counselling at IRMA is conducted offline and structured in two key stages after the initial shortlisting:

• IRMA Written Ability Test (IWAT)
• Personal Interview (PI)
• Both stages together form the basis of the final merit list that determines admission offers.

Detailed Counselling Stages

IRMA Written Ability Test (IWAT)

Candidates shortlisted from their entrance exam scores must appear on the counselling day for IWAT. This test requires writing 200–300 words on a given rural-related topic within a limited time (usually 30 minutes). The test evaluates the candidate’s written communication skills, clarity of thought, analytical ability, and particularly their sensitivity and understanding of rural issues relevant to India's development.

Personal Interview (PI)

Post IWAT, candidates undergo a face-to-face personal interview with IRMA faculty members. This interview focuses on

• Communication skills
• Managerial potential
• Attitude and motivation towards rural management
• Awareness of rural development challenges
• Ability to fit within IRMA’s unique academic and social environment

The interviews are held at multiple centers in India such as Anand, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and others, allowing candidates to select preferred centres during application.

Weightage and Final Selection Criteria

The final selection is a composite score considering multiple parameters with assigned weightages

Important Counselling Insights

• Counseling rounds focus on holistic assessment beyond academics.
• IRMA values gender and regional diversity in admissions.
• Work experience and other competencies add to a candidate’s final score.
• Candidates must attend PI in offline mode, and IRMA reserves the right to alter interview venues.
• IRMA does not conduct a separate online counselling portal as all communication is done via email and official notifications.

Click Here For IRMA 2026 Application Form

FAQs

Q1. What is the structure of the IRMA counselling process for 2026?

Ans. The counselling comprises the IRMA Written Ability Test (IWAT) followed by a Personal Interview (PI), both conducted offline at designated centres.

Q2. How are candidates shortlisted for IRMA counselling?

Ans. Candidates are shortlisted based on their performance in national entrance exams — CAT, XAT, or CMAT — meeting the cut off percentiles specified by IRMA.

Q3. Can candidates choose their interview centre for the IRMA personal interview?

Ans. Yes, candidates can select their preferred personal interview centres from multiple cities offered by IRMA during the application stage.

Q4. What weightage does the IRMA personal interview carry in final selection?

Ans. The personal interview accounts for 35% of the total weightage in the final admission decision.

Q5. Does IRMA consider factors other than exam scores and interviews during counselling?

Ans. Yes, IRMA incorporates academic performance, gender and regional diversity, sports/extracurricular activities, academic diversity, and work experience into the final selection.