What is the placement experience and process at new IIMs as told by a placement committee member?

A former placement committee member from a new IIM shared detailed, ground-level insights into how MBA placements actually work at these institutions — and the picture that emerges is more nuanced than most aspirants expect.

How the placement process actually works

New IIMs operate on a first-come-first-serve selection model. Once a company selects a candidate, the placement committee immediately communicates acceptance to prevent students from receiving multiple offers. This differs meaningfully from traditional choice-based systems, and in our experience, this structure is designed to ensure broader placement coverage across the batch rather than concentrating offers among a few high-profile candidates.

Academic filters carry more weight than most people assume

Board scores — 10th and 12th marks — along with undergraduate GPA significantly impact shortlists, often more than CAT percentile. Only approximately 2% of companies even request CAT scores. A 7/8/6 academic profile was described by this alumnus as 'tough' for shortlisting purposes, while profiles of 9/8/8 and above receive clear preference. B.Com graduates hold a meaningful edge in finance roles over engineers — unless those engineers have CFA Level 1 or similar certifications to compensate.

Work experience: quality over brand, but nuance matters

Candidates with 3 or more years of experience receive fewer shortlists unless their academics are strong (9/8/8 and above). That said, the consistent view we've seen from experienced professionals is that quality of work matters more than company brand. For candidates with 2–3 years of IT experience, the expectation is decent shortlists, not exceptional ones. Gaps and contract work don't appear to create significant problems if documented properly and presented with clarity.

Freshers aren't disadvantaged everywhere — but some domains are harder

Freshers without internships or projects face real hurdles specifically in finance and product management. However, case competition performance at nationals or semi-finals level significantly boosts profiles for general management and strategy roles. If you're a fresher eyeing these domains, competition credentials are among the most effective profile accelerators available to you before placements begin.

The SIP reality is something aspirants consistently underestimate

Summer internships begin within approximately 2 months of MBA commencement, leaving very little time for meaningful profile building after you join. From what we've tracked across student conversations, profile strength at the point of admission largely determines SIP opportunities — which in turn shape final placement outcomes. This makes pre-MBA profile preparation far more consequential than most candidates account for.

Placecom dynamics: a structural tension worth understanding

This alumnus was candid about a systemic issue within placement committees — a power imbalance driven by unpaid labor and zero institutional reward structure. Colleges save money by running student-led committees, while the students operating them gain little that is tangible in return. This creates incentive structures that can, and do, lead to friction. From XLRI alumni perspectives, the broader view is that IIMs are unlikely to change this model in the near term. It's worth being aware of this dynamic as you think about your own positioning during the placement process.

Profile-specific considerations

MBBS and dental graduates face observable bias relative to engineers and commerce students in placement shortlisting. CAs and CAAs receive preference even when their academic scores are lower. GNEM status, notably, is entirely irrelevant post-admission — it carries no weight in placement outcomes.

The bottom line

Placements at new IIMs hinge on academics first, followed by relevant certifications and competition performance. Domain preference exists across companies, but it can be overcome with a convincing narrative and a well-constructed profile. The earlier you understand these filters, the more deliberately you can build toward them.