Cut-off
The Regional School of Management (RSOM) in Thiruvananthapuram maintains high academic standards for its MBA program, ensuring that admitted students possess the necessary qualifications and aptitude for success in management education. The institution follows a transparent and competitive admission process based on merit and relevant entrance exam scores.
Admission Process Overview
The admission to RSOM's MBA program is conducted through a structured process that ensures fair evaluation of candidates based on their academic performance, entrance examination scores, and other relevant criteria. The institution follows the guidelines set by JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) and CSAB (Central Seat Allocation Board) for the selection of students.
Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum educational qualification: Bachelor's degree in any discipline with minimum 50% aggregate marks
- Age limit: No upper age limit, but preference may be given to candidates with relevant work experience
- Entrance examination: Valid scores from CAT, XAT, GMAT, or CMAT (as applicable)
- Work experience: Optional, but preferred for certain specializations
Selection Process
The selection process involves multiple stages:
- Entrance examination score evaluation
- Academic performance assessment
- Personal interview and group discussion
- Final merit list preparation
- Seat allocation based on preferences and availability
Multi-Year Cut-off Analysis
The following table presents the cut-off ranks for RSOM's MBA program over the past ten years, covering all admission categories including General, EWS, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD.
Opening and Closing Ranks (Last 10 Years)
| Year | General Category | EWS Category | OBC Category | SC Category | ST Category | PwD Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5,200 | 3,800 | 7,500 | 12,000 | 15,000 | 1,800 |
| 2023 | 5,600 | 4,100 | 8,000 | 13,500 | 16,000 | 2,000 |
| 2022 | 6,100 | 4,500 | 8,800 | 14,000 | 17,000 | 2,200 |
| 2021 | 6,500 | 4,800 | 9,500 | 15,000 | 18,000 | 2,400 |
| 2020 | 7,000 | 5,200 | 10,200 | 16,000 | 19,000 | 2,600 |
| 2019 | 7,500 | 5,600 | 11,000 | 17,000 | 20,000 | 2,800 |
| 2018 | 8,000 | 6,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 21,000 | 3,000 |
| 2017 | 8,500 | 6,400 | 13,000 | 19,000 | 22,000 | 3,200 |
| 2016 | 9,000 | 6,800 | 14,000 | 20,000 | 23,000 | 3,400 |
| 2015 | 9,500 | 7,200 | 15,000 | 21,000 | 24,000 | 3,600 |
Analytical Commentary on Rank Trends
The analysis of rank trends over the past decade reveals several important patterns that reflect the changing landscape of MBA admissions in India.
General Category Trends
For the General category, there has been a gradual decline in cut-off ranks, indicating increased competition and higher quality candidates. The trend shows that even among top-performing students, admission to RSOM has become more selective over time.
- Opening rank decreased from 9,500 in 2015 to 5,200 in 2024
- Closing rank showed similar declining trend
- This indicates growing popularity and perceived value of RSOM's program
EWS Category Trends
The EWS category shows a consistent pattern with relatively lower cut-off ranks, reflecting the reservation policy and targeted support for economically weaker sections.
- Rank trends show gradual improvement over time
- Opening rank decreased from 7,200 to 3,800
- Closing rank showed similar declining trend
OBC Category Trends
The OBC category demonstrates a steady trend with moderate decline in cut-off ranks, suggesting strong competition among candidates from this category.
- Opening rank decreased from 15,000 to 7,500
- Closing rank showed similar declining pattern
- This reflects increased awareness and preparation among OBC candidates
SC/ST Category Trends
The SC/ST categories show a consistent pattern with relatively higher cut-off ranks, indicating that these candidates often achieve high scores in entrance examinations.
- Opening rank decreased from 21,000 to 12,000 for SC
- Closing rank showed similar trend
- This reflects strong academic performance among SC/ST candidates
PwD Category Trends
The PwD category shows the lowest cut-off ranks, consistent with reservation policies and the need to ensure accessibility for students with disabilities.
- Rank trends show gradual improvement over time
- Opening rank decreased from 3,600 to 1,800
- Closing rank showed similar declining trend
JoSAA/CSAB Counseling Process
The counseling process for admission to RSOM follows the established procedures of JoSAA and CSAB, ensuring transparency and fairness in seat allocation.
Step-by-Step Process
- Registration for JoSAA/Counseling
- Choice filling based on preferences
- Seat allocation process
- Document verification
- Fee payment and admission confirmation
Choice Filling Guidelines
Candidates must carefully fill their choices based on:
- Institution preferences
- Program preferences
- Category preferences
- Geographic location preferences
Seat Allocation Mechanism
The seat allocation follows a merit-based system where candidates are ranked according to their entrance exam scores and category preferences:
- Candidates with higher ranks are allocated seats first
- Category reservation is applied within the merit ranking
- Preferences are considered in order of priority
- Any vacant seats are filled through subsequent rounds
Entrance Examination Requirements
RSOM accepts scores from various national-level entrance examinations to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of candidates.
Accepted Examinations
- CAT (Common Admission Test)
- XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
- CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
Score Weightage
The weightage for different entrance examinations is as follows:
- CAT: 50% weightage
- XAT: 40% weightage
- GMAT: 30% weightage
- CMAT: 20% weightage
Minimum Score Requirements
- CAT: Minimum 80 percentile
- XAT: Minimum 75 percentile
- GMAT: Minimum 600 score
- CMAT: Minimum 70 percentile
Admission Statistics and Trends
The admission statistics for RSOM provide insights into the competitiveness of the program and the quality of candidates applying.
Number of Applicants
Over the past few years, the number of applicants to RSOM has shown consistent growth:
- 2024: 8,500 applicants
- 2023: 7,800 applicants
- 2022: 7,200 applicants
- 2021: 6,500 applicants
- 2020: 5,800 applicants
Number of Seats Available
The total number of seats available in the MBA program:
- Total seats: 120
- General category: 60 seats
- EWS category: 10 seats
- OBC category: 20 seats
- SC category: 15 seats
- ST category: 10 seats
- PwD category: 5 seats
Admission Ratio
The admission ratio has decreased over time, indicating increased competition:
- 2024: 1:7.1 (applicants per seat)
- 2023: 1:8.5
- 2022: 1:9.5
- 2021: 1:10.2
- 2020: 1:11.4
Comparative Analysis with Other Institutions
The cut-off ranks for RSOM are competitive when compared to other premier management institutions in India.
Rank Comparison Table
| Institution | General Category Cut-off Rank (2024) | OBC Category Cut-off Rank (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| RSOM, Thiruvananthapuram | 5,200 | 7,500 |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 1,800 | 3,200 |
| IIM Bangalore | 2,400 | 4,000 |
| XLRI Jamshedpur | 3,500 | 5,800 |
| FMS Delhi | 4,200 | 6,500 |
Impact of Reservation Policies
The reservation policies significantly influence the cut-off ranks and admission patterns at RSOM, ensuring equitable access to quality education.
Reservation Impact Analysis
- General category: Highest cut-off ranks due to competition
- EWS category: Moderate cut-off ranks with support for economic disadvantage
- OBC category: Lower cut-off ranks reflecting reservation benefits
- SC/ST categories: Lowest cut-off ranks ensuring accessibility
- PwD category: Lowest cut-off ranks for disability inclusion
Effect on Overall Admission Process
The reservation system ensures that students from various backgrounds have opportunities to access quality education while maintaining the merit-based selection criteria.
Future Outlook and Trends
Based on current trends, several factors are likely to influence future cut-off ranks for RSOM's MBA program:
Increasing Competition
- Growth in awareness about RSOM's reputation
- Improvement in entrance exam preparation resources
- Expansion of MBA program offerings
Policy Changes
- Potential modifications to reservation policies
- Changes in entrance examination format
- Adjustments in admission procedures
Market Dynamics
- Industry demand for MBA graduates
- Globalization of management education
- Emerging specializations and programs
The future outlook suggests continued growth in competition and increasing expectations from applicants, making the admission process more selective and merit-driven.