The CAT 2026 eligibility criteria will be released by IIM Indore. It is expected to be out around July 26, 2026. Eligibility criteria for CAT 2026 are expected to remain largely consistent with previous years.
To be eligible for CAT 2026, candidates must fulfill certain eligibility criteria set by the conducting authority.
- Candidate must have a bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) from a recognized university.
- With a minimum 50% aggregate overall percentage (45% for SC/ST/PwD).
- There is no minimum or upper age limit for CAT.
- Candidates can give any number of attempts
Source: Previous Year CAT Eligibility Bulletin
Related Links:
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria Overview
| Particulars | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree (minimum 3 years) in any discipline |
| Minimum Marks Required | 50% for General / EWS / NC-OBC 45% aggregate for SC / ST / PwD |
| Final Year / Appearing Candidates | Eligible (Provisional Admission). Must complete degree requirements before the deadline set by IIMs |
| Age Limit | No Age Limit (No upper or lower age restriction) |
| Number of Attempts | No Restriction |
| Work Experience | Not Mandatory |
| Reservation | As per Government of India norms (applied during IIM shortlisting & admission) |
| PwD Relaxation | 5% relaxation in minimum marks + scribe facility (if required) |
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CAT 2026 Eligibility: Educational Qualification
The basic CAT eligibility mostly depends on your undergraduate performance. To register for the exam, you must have
- A recognized Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification.
- This degree must be awarded by a university incorporated by an Act of Central or State Legislature in India.
- Or else declared to be deemed as a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956.
Mere fulfillment of minimum eligibility does not guarantee shortlisting by IIMs. The selection depends on CAT score, academic record, work experience, and other parameters.
Ques. If I have a year gap between my Class 12th and my graduation, do I need to upload a gap certificate during CAT registration?
Ans. No, year gaps do not affect your basic eligibility to sit for the exam, and no explanatory certificate is required during form submission.
Also Read:
- CAT Exam Centers 2026
- CAT Topic Wise Weightage for QA, VARC and DILR, Check Previous Years’ Question
CAT 2026: Category-wise Minimum Marks required
Minimum marks required for CAT 2026 eligibility follow the standard IIM criteria observed in previous years.
Candidates must have secured the following minimum aggregate marks in their Bachelor’s degree
- For the general category, at least 50% of aggregate marks are required.
- Reserved categories have extra relaxation i.e. atleast 45% aggregate marks
- All semesters/years of the qualifying degree are considered for calculating the percentage.
| Category Status | Minimum Aggregate Marks Required in Graduation |
|---|---|
| General Category | 50% Marks or Equivalent CGPA |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 50% Marks or Equivalent CGPA |
| Other Backward Classes (NC-OBC) | 50% Marks or Equivalent CGPA |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 45% Marks or Equivalent CGPA |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 45% Marks or Equivalent CGPA |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 45% Marks or Equivalent CGPA |
How to convert CGPA to Percentage?
If your college awards letter grades or a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) instead of concrete percentages, you must convert it using the university's approved institutional formula.
In case your university does not maintain an official conversion methodology -
| You must divide your CGPA by 10 and multiply the final fraction by 100 to arrive at your aggregate percentage. |
Ques. My bachelor's degree mark sheet separates major core subjects from minor electives. How do I calculate my aggregate percentage for the form?
Ans. You must calculate your aggregate percentage based on all the subjects that appear on your official mark sheet across all semesters. This rule applies even if your university internally excludes elective papers to compute your final honors division.
Ques. I completed an integrated dual-degree program (such as a 5-year B.Tech + M.Tech). How should I input my academic marks?
Ans. For integrated dual-degree tracks, you cannot combine your postgraduate scores. You must separate the marks of the Bachelor’s component from the Master's section and enter only the aggregate percentage or CGPA of the initial Bachelor's degree portion in the application details.
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CAT 2026 Eligibility: Age Limit & Number of Attempts
The CAT 2026 eligibility criteria regarding age -
- There is no upper or lower age limit for appearing in CAT 2026.
- Candidates of any age can apply as long as they fulfill the minimum educational qualification (Bachelor’s degree with required percentage).
Criteria related to number of attempts -
- No Restriction on the number of attempts.
- You can appear for CAT as many times as you want.
- Each CAT score is valid only for that particular admission cycle (CAT 2026 score is valid for 2027-29 batch admissions).
CAT 2026 Eligibility for Final Year Students
Candidates permitted to fill the registration form -
- Students who are currently appearing for their final year Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Also who have completed all core degree requirements and are simply waiting for their final results.
This holds true only if the minimum marks requirement is fulfilled.
| Applicant Type | Admission Status | Core Action Required for Seat Confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Final Year Student | Provisional Admission | Must submit an official certificate from the Principal/Registrar confirming completion of all degree requirements before the date specified by the IIM. |
| Awaiting Final Results | Provisional Admission | Must submit the final graduation mark sheet and passing certificate to the IIM (usually by June or July 2027). |
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CAT 2026 Eligibility: Professional Degree Holders
CAT permits candidates who followed non-traditional academic pathways. You do not need a standard 3-year or 4-year Bachelor's degree if you have successfully cleared specific professional qualifications.
The professional qualifications that make you directly eligible for CAT 2026:
- Chartered Accountancy (CA)
- Company Secretary (CS)
- Cost and Management Accountancy (ICWA/CMA)
- Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)
Ques. What happens if a final-year student gets a backlog in their final semester after clearing the CAT exam?
Ans. If you clear the exam but carry an active academic backlog or fail a subject during your final college examinations, your provisional admission will be canceled immediately by the respective IIM, regardless of your high percentile.
Ques. Can a professional degree holder apply if they have a low percentage in their normal undergraduate graduation?
Ans. Yes. A professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/FIAI) serves as a standalone eligibility pathway. If your professional qualification score meets the 50% baseline (45% for reserved classes), you can apply using those credentials even if your regular bachelor's degree marks fall short.
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Eligibility Criteria For IIM’s
Class 12th marks are not required for CAT exam, But IIMs consider the 12th percentage as a selection criteria for MBA admissions. It is used to release a Call for Personal Interviews (PI).
- IIM-Ahmedabad rewards max 10 points for Class 12th scoresduring the pre-interview shortlisting stage. 10 points for above 90% and 1 point for below 45%.
- IIM Calcutta allocates up to 15 points for above 80% and 0 points if score is less than 60 %.
IIM Ahmedabad Class 12th Stream-Based Rating Scores
| Stream Type | Rating Points (10/10) | Rating Points (1/10) |
|---|---|---|
| Science Stream | Class 12th Marks >90% | Below 55% |
| Commerce Stream | Class 12th Marks >90% | Below 50% |
| Arts / Humanities Stream | Class 12th Marks >85% | Below 45% |
IIMs with a Class 12th Marks percentage weightage in Shortlisting:
| IIM | 12th Marks Weightage % | Admission Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Bangalore | 15 | Check Here |
| IIM Calcutta | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Lucknow | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Indore | 40 | Check Here |
| IIM Kozhikode | 15 | Check Here |
| IIM Udaipur | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Trichy | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Raipur | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Rohtak | 10 | Check Here |
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CAT 2026 Eligibility: Seat Reservation in IIMS
Reserved category candidates have their fixed portion of seats reserved across all IIM’s. The percentage varies depending upon the category.
- Your Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) applicants, your specific community must be listed in the official schedules.
CAT 2026 Reservation percentages across all central IIM campuses
| Quota Category | Percentage of Seats Reserved in IIMs |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Non-Creamy Layer OBC (NC-OBC) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 5% (Horizontal Reservation) |
Also Read: CAT Documents Required 2026: Check Documents Required
Ques. If I select the wrong category during registration, can I fix it later during the application correction window?
Ans. No, you cannot change your category once you submit the form. Critical fields like your category status (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS) remain locked. The brief correction window only allows changes to your test city preferences, uploaded photograph, and signature.
Ques. What is the exact issuance date requirement for an NC-OBC or EWS certificate for this exam cycle?
Ans. Since NC-OBC and EWS quotas depend directly on annual household income, your certificates must be issued after April 1, 2026. This confirms they accurately reflect your financial status for the active financial year.
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FAQs
Ques. A @reddit user asks “Can an Indian citizen residing abroad take the CAT 2026 exam from an international test center? “
Ans. No, CAT is conducted physically only within designated cities inside India. There are no international exam centres.
Ques. What alternative entrance exam can foreign nationals use to apply to IIMs if they miss the CAT registration?
Ans. Foreign passport holders can bypass CAT by applying through a valid GMAT score, subject to individual IIM international quotas.
Ques. Can a candidate who completed their undergraduate degree from an overseas university sit for the exam?
Ans. Yes, foreign degree holders are fully permitted to apply. However, your international degree must be officially certified as equivalent to an Indian Bachelor's degree by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
Ques. What should I do if the spelling of my name on my graduation degree does not match my official Aadhaar Card?
Ans. You must register using the exact name printed on your Class 10th certificate. For discrepancies, you must carry a government-issued marriage certificate, divorce decree, or legal name-change gazette notification to the exam hall
Ques. Can I present a digital copy of my CAT Admit Card on my smartphone at the test center entrance?
Ans. No, digital copies are strictly invalid. Candidates must present a hard copy printout of the admit card along with an original, physical photo ID proof.
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