The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026 is one of the most important MBA entrance exams in India. Every year, 1300+ AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM colleges accept CMAT scores for admission into MBA, MMS and PGDM programs. (IMS India)

If you didn’t appear for CAT or your percentile is low — CMAT is your biggest opportunity to get into top MBA colleges, especially in Maharashtra (Mumbai & Pune colleges).

In this article, we will cover:

Top CMAT colleges
Fees
2025 Cutoffs
Expected 2026 cutoff percentile
Application process
Application deadlines
Official websites

CMAT 2026 Important Updates

Conducting body: NTA (National Testing Agency)
Exam date: 25 January 2026 (IMS India)
Registration last date: 17 November 2025 (The Times of India)
Official Website: https://cmat.nta.nic.in

CMAT is a national-level MBA entrance test conducted for admission into AICTE-approved management institutes across India.

Top Colleges Accepting CMAT 2026 Score

1️⃣ JBIMS Mumbai (Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies)

Type: Government (Tier-1 MBA College)
Course: MMS

Detail	Data
Fees	₹6–7 Lakhs
2025 Cutoff	99.90+ percentile
Expected 2026 Cutoff	99.95+ percentile
Average Package	~₹28 LPA

JBIMS offers one of the highest ROI MBA programs in India with very low fees and very high placements.

Admission Process:
Through Maharashtra CET CAP Round (DTE Counselling)

Website: https://jbims.edu

2️⃣ SIMSREE Mumbai

Sydenham Institute of Management Studies, Research & Entrepreneurship Education

Detail	Data
Fees	~₹1.3–1.5 Lakhs
2025 Cutoff	99+ percentile
Expected 2026 Cutoff	99.7+ percentile
Average Package	₹15–16 LPA

One of the best low-cost MBA colleges in India with extremely high return on investment.

Admission Process:
Maharashtra CAP Round (same as JBIMS)

Website: https://simsree.org

3️⃣ PUMBA Pune (Department of Management Sciences, Pune University)

Detail	Data
Fees	₹4–7 Lakhs
2025 Cutoff	85–90 percentile
Expected 2026 Cutoff	95+ percentile (All India category higher)
Average Package	~₹8–9 LPA

A top government MBA college and very popular CMAT target college.

Admission Process:
DTE Maharashtra CAP counselling

Website: https://cetcell.mahacet.org/

4️⃣ KJ Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai

Detail	Data
Fees	₹20–21 Lakhs
2025 Cutoff	95–99 percentile
Expected 2026 Cutoff	~99.2 percentile
Average Package	₹13–14 LPA

Well-known private MBA college with strong corporate exposure.

Admission Process:

Fill KJ Somaiya application form
Upload CMAT score
GD-PI-WAT round

Website: https://simsr.somaiya.edu

5️⃣ Welingkar Institute (WeSchool) – Mumbai / Bengaluru

Detail	Data
Fees	₹13–16 Lakhs
2025 Cutoff	85–95 percentile
Expected 2026 Cutoff	~90 percentile
Average Package	₹10–12 LPA

One of the most applied PGDM colleges via CMAT.

Admission Process:

Apply directly on Welingkar website
Submit CMAT score
Online interview

Website: https://www.welingkar.org

6️⃣ NIBM Pune (National Institute of Bank Management)

Detail	Data
Fees	~₹8–16 Lakhs
2025 Cutoff	90–95 percentile
Expected 2026 Cutoff	~92 percentile

Specialization: Banking & Finance (very niche).

Website: https://www.nibmindia.org

7️⃣ Other Good Colleges Accepting CMAT

College	Expected Cutoff 2026
NL Dalmia, Mumbai	90+
BIMTECH, Noida	75–90
Jaipuria Institute	80+
XIME Bangalore	75+
SIES Mumbai	80–85
IMT Nagpur	90+

Expected CMAT 2026 Percentile vs College

Percentile	Colleges You Can Target
99.9+	JBIMS
99+	SIMSREE
95–99	KJ Somaiya, Great Lakes
90–95	NIBM Pune, Welingkar
80–90	Jaipuria, SIES
70–80	XIME, BIMTECH

Cutoffs vary each year depending on difficulty level and applicants.

How to Apply to CMAT Colleges (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Give CMAT Exam

You must complete registration, upload documents and pay fees to appear in the exam.

Step 2: Apply to Colleges (Two Types)

A. Through Maharashtra CAP Round

(For JBIMS, SIMSREE, PUMBA)

Register for MAH-MBA CET CAP counselling
Upload CMAT scorecard
Fill college preferences
Seat allotment
Website: https://cetcell.mahacet.org/

B. Direct College Applications

(For Welingkar, KJ Somaiya, BIMTECH, Jaipuria)

You must:

Fill individual college form
Submit CMAT score
Attend PI/GD/WAT

Application Deadlines (Approx Every Year)

College	Application Period
Welingkar	Nov – Jan
KJ Somaiya	Dec – Feb
BIMTECH	Dec – Feb
Jaipuria	Jan – March
DTE CAP Counselling	June – July

(MBA counselling after CMAT results generally begins mid-year)

Many students ignore CMAT, but it actually provides the highest ROI MBA colleges in India — especially Mumbai government colleges with very low fees and high placements.