CAT eligibility criteria have been released on IIM Indore portal along with the official CAT website on July 25, 2026. According to the official information bulletin, the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria remained unchanged from previous years.
To be eligible for CAT 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- CAT 2026 minimum marks are 50% for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates.
- There is no minimum or maximum CAT 2026 age limit required, so candidates of any age can apply if they meet the academic r
- equirements.
- CAT 2026 number of attempts is unlimited.
- CAT eligibility for final-year students is allowed, subject to completion of the degree requirements within the prescribed deadline.
- Work experience is not mandatory to appear for CAT 2026.
- Candidates can check the CAT 2026 notification, registration dates, form last date, registration fees and other details on the CAT official website
Related Articles:
- CAT 2026: Exam Date, Registration, Application Form, Eligibility, Syllabus
- CAT Registration 2026 - Check How to Apply @iimcat.ac.in
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria Overview
| Particulars | CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification |
| Minimum Graduation Marks | 50% for General/EWS/NC-OBC; 45% for SC/ST/PwD |
| Final-Year Candidates | Eligible provisionally |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Number of Attempts | No restriction |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory |
| Professional Qualifications | CA, CS, CMA/ICWA and FIAI candidates are eligible subject to prescribed requirements |
| Reservation | As per Government of India norms |
CAT 2026 Eligibility: Educational Qualification
The basic CAT eligibility criteria 2026 mostly depends on your undergraduate performance.
The CAT 2026 educational qualification includes:
- A recognised Bachelor's degree in any discipline.
- The degree should be awarded by a recognised university or institution.
- Candidates must meet the prescribed minimum graduation percentage for their category.
- Candidates in the final year of their bachelor's degree can also apply provisionally.
- Certain professional degree holders can apply under the professional qualification route.
Fulfillment of minimum eligibility criteria for CAT does not guarantee shortlisting by IIMs. The selection depends on CAT score, academic record, work experience, and other parameters.
CAT 2026 Category-wise Minimum Marks Required
The CAT eligibility criteria 2026 for category-wise candidates with minimum aggregate marks required to sit for the examination is tabulated below.
- CAT eligibility percentage for General/EWS/ NC OBC is 50% aggregate marks in graduation.
- The CAT exam eligibility criteria for SC/ST/PwD candidates are 45% aggregate marks in graduation.
| 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 |
Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin
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.
How to Calculate Graduation Percentage for CAT 2026?
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. |
Source: iimcat.ac.in
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.
Also Read:
CAT Exam Eligibility: Age Limit & Number of Attempts
There is no CAT 2026 age limit. Candidates can apply at any age as long as they satisfy the prescribed educational qualification and minimum marks requirements
CAT 2026 Number of Attempts:
- There is no limit on the number of attempts for CAT 2026.
- 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).
Also Read:
CAT Eligibility for Final Year Students
Candidates who are in the final year or have completed bachelor’s degree are eligible for CAT 2026. Check out below the action required to take for candidates awaiting final results:
This holds true only if the minimum marks requirement is fulfilled.
| Candidate Status | CAT 2026 Eligibility | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Completed | Eligible | Must meet minimum marks requirement |
| Final-Year Student | Eligible provisionally | Must complete degree requirements within the prescribed deadline |
| Awaiting Final Graduation Result | Eligible provisionally | Must submit required documents when asked by the IIM |
| Graduation Not Yet in Final Year | Not eligible | Must reach the final year of the qualifying degree |
Also Read: CAT Eligibility Criteria: Minimum Graduation Percentage for General, OBC, SC and ST
According to discussion on reddit, a user wanted to know whether he/she is eligible for CAT 2026 as final year student with a backlog which is not yet cleared. As per rule he/she will be able to clear it in seventh semester after the result gets updated in the end of December. So, as per discussion, other users said that he/she is eligible for CAT 2026.
Source: Reddit
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)
Is Work Experience Required for CAT 2026?
No, work experience is not mandatory for CAT 2026. According to CAT Eligibility requirements 2026:
- Candidates should have 50% (45% for reserved category) aggregate marks in graduation from recognized university
- Freshers are eligible to appear for CAT 2026
- The only advantage for candidates having work experience will be during preparation of composite scores as some IIMs have weightages assigned for experience.
| Candidate Profile | Eligible for CAT 2026? |
|---|---|
| Fresher | Yes |
| Working Professional | Yes |
| Final-Year Student | Yes, provisionally |
| Candidate with a Career Gap | Yes, subject to eligibility |
| Candidate Without Work Experience | Yes |
Who is Not Eligibile for CAT 2026?
Check out below the following scenarios which makes you not eligible for CAT 2026:
- Candidates who have failed to meet the minimum graduation percentage (50% and 45% for reserved category) after completing Bachelor’s degree.
- If you do not hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
- Students who are not yet in their final years of graduation.
- In case you fail to meet professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/CMA/FIAI)) with required percentage
Also Read: CAT Documents Required 2026: Check Documents Required for CAT Registration and Exam Day
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.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for IIM Admission
Class 12th marks are not required for CAT exam.
- But IIMs consider the class 12 marks 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 | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Calcutta | 15 | Check Here |
| IIM Lucknow | 10 | Check Here |
| IIM Indore | 25 | Check Here |
| IIM Kozhikode | 20 | Check Here |
| IIM Raipur | 15 | Check Here |
Difference Between IIM Eligibility and CAT Eligibility Criteria
The basic difference between IIM Eligibility and CAT Eligibility Criteria lies in the shortlisting process.
- To qualify CAT, you must meet have 50% aggregate marks in graduation.
- To be eligible for IIM shortlisting process, candidate should have Bachelor’s degree with 50% aggregate marks and a valid CAT Cutoff 2026.
Also Read:
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for 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.
| 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) |
Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin
Also Read:
-
CAT 2026 Reservation for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD Categories, IIM Reservation Criteria
- PwD Scribe Guidelines for CAT 2026: Extra Time Allocation & Formal Application Process
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.
CAT 2026 Eligibility 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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