Why CAT 2025 May See Fewer Registrations – My Personal Take

(These are purely my personal views — you may agree or disagree, and that’s completely okay!)

Every year, lakhs of students appear for the CAT exam with dreams of getting into top IIMs and other leading B-Schools.

But if you observe the trend carefully, you’ll notice that the enthusiasm and registration numbers for CAT 2025 haven’t grown as expected.

In CAT 2024, around 3,29,000 students registered, while in CAT 2025, the number has dropped to approximately 2,95,000.

That’s a noticeable dip — and it raises a genuine question: Why are fewer students registering for CAT this year?

Let’s try to understand the possible reasons — from my personal point of view.

1. Rising IIM Fees and the Financial Burden

In the last few years, IIMs and other top B-schools have increased their fees significantly.

At present, the average fee for a top-tier MBA program lies between ₹20 to ₹27 lakhs.

For many middle-class families, arranging or repaying such a large amount is extremely difficult. While educational loans are an option, the financial pressure post-MBA is real and long-lasting.

This makes many students question — Is the ROI of an MBA from an IIM or top B-school really worth it?

2. The ROI Dilemma and Job Market Uncertainty

Return on Investment (ROI) has become one of the biggest deciding factors today.

Based on my conversations with students currently in IIMs and top B-schools, two main concerns keep coming up:

• Uncertain placements: The market is slow, and placement statistics don’t always guarantee everyone a good package.

• Loan repayment pressure: Even if you land a job, a large portion of your salary goes into repaying your loan. After EMIs, you’re often left with minimal monthly savings.

And if you’re one of those who doesn’t get placed immediately, repaying a ₹20–25 lakh loan becomes a serious struggle.

3. Changing Perception Among IPM/ BMS Students

I’ve also interacted with several IPM (Integrated Programme in Management) students from different IIMs.

Surprisingly, many of them feel that the experience and environment are not matching their expectations.

Some students even believe that the CAT route might not be worth it anymore — leading them to shift focus towards government exams, startups, or skill-based careers.

In short, the “IIM dream” is no longer the only dream for many.

4. Market Slowdown and Alternate Career Choices

Beyond these personal reasons, there are larger external factors too:

• Economic slowdown and layoffs in major sectors.

• Tougher competition in corporate jobs, leading to job insecurity.

• Growing interest in alternate careers like freelancing, startups, data analytics, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship.

• Students valuing financial freedom over expensive degrees.

All these collectively make many students rethink whether CAT preparation and MBA investment align with their long-term goals.

Final Thoughts

These are purely my personal observations and opinions based on real conversations with CAT/ IPM aspirants, current IIM students, and working professionals.

You might agree or disagree — and that’s totally okay!

👉 I’d love to hear your thoughts too —

Why do you think CAT 2025 might see fewer registrations?

Share your opinions in the comments below — your perspective might help others too!

Thank you for reading 🙏

Related Links

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