CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 (OUT): Age Limit & Reservation Criteria for General, SC/ST/PwD

Applying for CAT 2026? Check here latest CAT exam eligibility criteria and academic requirements to appear for the national-level MBA entrance exam.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

CAT Eligibility 2026: The Indian Institute of Management conducts the CAT exam every year for MBA/PGDM admissions. CAT eligibility criteria has been released with the exam notification. As per the basic eligibility criteria for CAT 2026, candidates need a 50 per cent aggregate in their UG degree from a recognised institute. Reserved category candidates have a concession fo five per cent in terms of academic qualification. All eligible candidates can proceed for CAT registration 2026.

Ineligible candidates are disqualified from the admission rounds, irrespective of their CAT scores. CAT 2026 eligibility criteria will also vary based on the category of each candidate. Refer to this article below for complete information on CAT eligibility 2026, including category-wise conditions, age limit, IIM CAT reservation policy, and more.

Real Time Updates: CAT 2026 Registration (Open) at iimcat.ac.in LIVE; Login Link, Exam Fees & Process

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Direct Link for CAT Registration 2026

Candidates who are eligible for CAT 2026 exam and wish to apply for IIM MBA admission can fill the form using the direct links below:

• CAT 2026 New Registration: https://cdn.digialm.com/EForms/configuredHtml/32842/101262/Registration.html
• CAT 2026 Candidate Login: https://cdn.digialm.com/EForms/configuredHtml/32842/101262/login.html

CAT Exam Eligibility 2026: Score in Qualifying Exam

The table below indicates the UG degree (or equivalent) score requirements to be eligible for the CAT exam.

Candidates holding a PG qualification or any other professional degree can mention those details in the CAT 2026 application form. Mentioning PG degree details is optional. However, additional educational details can add depth in the academic profile, increasing the chances of getting shortlisted for the Personal Interview (PI) round, as IIMs prefer candidates with diverse training. Ensure to provide all relevant qualifications, as this form directly impacts your IIM PI shortlisting.

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: General and NC-OBC Candidates

Check CAT eligibility for General and NC-OBC candidates:  

• Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an educational institution recognised by the Government of India.
• Candidates must have scored a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate in graduation (or its equivalent) across any stream.
• Candidates can be in their final year of graduation or currently awaiting results.
• Candidates with professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA must secure a minimum 50 per cent aggregate mark.

CAT Eligibility Criteria for SC, ST and PwD Candidates

Check CAT eligibility for SC, ST and PwD candidates:  

• Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories must have scored a minimum 45 per cent aggregate in graduation or its equivalent.
• Candidates must be in their final year of graduation or awaiting final marks.
• Candidates who possess professional degrees like CA/CS/ICWA with at least a 45 per cent aggregate are fully eligible to apply.

CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2026: Equivalent Degrees

• If a candidate's university uses grades or CGPA, the percentage conversion will follow the specific guidelines of that respective university or institution.
• If an institution does not maintain any official conversion schema, the score calculation is determined by dividing the candidate's CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA, then multiplying the result by 100.

CAT Age Limit

There is no age limit to appear for the CAT exam. This exam is accepted for several Executive MBA programs, PhD pathways, and Fellow Programmes in Management (FPM), ensuring it remains completely open to both fresh graduates and working professionals at any stage of their career path.

Who is Not Eligible to Apply for the CAT Exam 2026?

To avoid complications during the application window, take note of these six specific situations where you would be considered ineligible:

• If you have not scored 50 per cent in graduation (45 per cent for SC/ST/PwD applicants).
• If you do not possess a bachelor's degree or a recognised professional equivalent (CA/CS/ICWA).
• If your two-year average in a bachelor's degree falls short of 50 per cent (45 per cent for SC/ST/PwD).
• If you are not yet in the final year of your ongoing bachelor's programme.
• If you are currently pursuing (but have not yet cleared/completed) your professional CA/CS/ICWA certifications.
• If your underlying degree-granting institution is not fully recognised by UGC, AICTE, or MoE.

Difference between IIM Eligibility and CAT Eligibility Criteria

The academic benchmarks for CAT and the IIMs are the same. However, while qualifying for the CAT exam relies on your graduation metrics, getting an admission offer from an IIM demands that you clear the strict CAT cutoff percentiles and perform well across their specific selection rounds.

Also Read: IIM Shortlist, Selection and Admission Criteria

CAT Reservation Criteria 2026

There are no specific seat reservation quotas for the core CAT exam itself (beyond the 5 per cent graduation marks relaxation for reserved cohorts). However, IIMs follow the strict reservation allocations set by the Government of India during final seat allotment schedules.

What is the meaning of Person with Benchmark Disability (PwD) in CAT?

This denotes any candidate with at least 40 per cent of a specified health limitation as defined under the Schedule of the RPwD Act 2016. Disabilities falling under this category include:

• Blindness and low vision
• Deafness and hearing limitations
• Locomotor disabilities (including cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, and acid attack survivors)
• Autism spectrum variations, learning limitations, and intellectual/mental illnesses
• Multiple complex conditions stemming from the criteria above

Read More:

• List of IIMs: Courses, Fees, Cut Offs and Rankings
• IIM Fee Structure for MBA Courses
• List of IIM Courses (MBA)
• Top Colleges Accepting CAT Scores
• MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores: 50-60 Percentile Range
• MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score 60-70 Percentile Range
• MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score 70-80 Percentile Range
• MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Score 80-90 Percentile Range