The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode released CAT 2025 admit cards today, drawing over 300,000 downloads in the first hour via the official portal. The exam, set for November 30, serves as the gateway to 21 premier business schools, where acceptance rates hover below 1%. This year's cohort reflects a 12% enrollment dip from 2024, attributed to economic uncertainty, yet coaching firms report a counterintuitive 18% uptick in registrations.
The delay—from November 5 to today—intensified online buzz, with searches for "CAT admit card download" spiking 150% on analytics platforms. Aspirants, facing a field of 2.5 lakh candidates for 5,000 seats, turned to virtual prep tools, boosting revenues for edtech leaders like Byju's and Unacademy by 22% quarter-over-quarter.
India's MBA ecosystem, valued at $5.2 billion in 2025, thrives on this frenzy. Private coaching alone generates $1.8 billion annually, with 70% now delivered via apps amid urban migration slowdowns. Tier-2 cities like Jaipur and Lucknow account for 40% of new sign-ups, as remote learning democratizes access.
Policy shifts amplify the trend. The National Education Policy 2020 mandates 50% industry-linked curricula, prompting IIMs to embed AI and sustainability modules—drawing corporate sponsors who fund 30% of scholarships. Graduates command starting salaries averaging 28 lakh rupees, a 9% rise from last year, per placement data.
Yet, innovation gaps persist. Only 15% of programs integrate blockchain for credential verification, lagging global peers. Consumer preferences lean toward hybrid models, with 60% of enrollees citing flexibility as key, per a KPMG survey.
Economically, the sector employs 1.2 million, with spillover effects in content creation and analytics. As GDP per capita nears $3,000, demand for skilled managers could add 500,000 jobs by 2030, fueling consumption in ancillary services like career counseling.
