CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Graduation Marks, Age Limit and Attempts

CAT 2026 eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD students) — there is no age limit and no cap on the number of attempts.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for admission to MBA and other management programmes. The CAT 2026 notification is expected to be released on the official website at iimcat.ac.in. Before you fill in the application form, verifying your eligibility against each criterion is essential to avoid rejection at the document verification stage.

• You need a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA) from a recognised university.
• SC, ST, and PwD students require a minimum of 45% marks in graduation.
• No upper or lower age limit applies to CAT 2026.
• There is no limit on the number of attempts — you may appear every year.
• Students in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply.
• Graduates from any discipline — arts, science, commerce, engineering — are eligible.

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CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria — Quick Overview

The IIMs set and publish CAT eligibility conditions each year along with the official notification. For CAT 2026, the criteria are expected to remain consistent with past years. The table below gives you a snapshot of all key eligibility parameters at a glance.

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Educational Qualification Required for CAT 2026

You must hold a bachelor’s degree of at least three years’ duration from a university or institution recognised by an appropriate statutory authority in India. There is no restriction on the stream or subject of your undergraduate degree — arts, science, commerce, engineering, law, medicine, and all other disciplines are accepted.

Holders of professional degrees such as CA (Chartered Accountancy), CS (Company Secretary), or ICWA are also eligible, provided the degree is recognised as equivalent to a bachelor’s degree by the competent authority. The IIMs verify original degree certificates and mark sheets during the admission round — ensure all documents are in order before applying.

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CAT 2026 Minimum Graduation Percentage by Category

General and EWS students must have scored at least 50% aggregate marks in graduation. For SC, ST, and PwD students, the minimum required is 45% aggregate marks. The table below lists the category-wise requirement clearly.

If your university awards CGPA or grades instead of a percentage, the IIMs will convert your CGPA using the conversion formula prescribed by your university. If no such formula exists, the equivalent percentage is calculated as (Obtained CGPA ÷ Maximum CGPA) × 100. Keep your university’s conversion certificate handy at the time of admission.

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Age Limit for CAT 2026

There is no minimum or maximum age limit for appearing in CAT 2026. Working professionals in their 30s or 40s, recent graduates, and final year students can all apply without any age-related restriction. This makes CAT one of the most inclusive management entrance tests in the country. The only criterion that matters is your educational qualification and the minimum marks you have secured in graduation.

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Number of Attempts Allowed in CAT 2026

There is no limit on the number of times you can appear for CAT. You can attempt CAT every year until you achieve the score you need for your target IIM or management programme. Many students who eventually secure seats in top IIMs have appeared in CAT two or three times.

It is important to note that each year’s CAT score is valid only for that particular admission cycle. A score from a previous year cannot be carried forward to the next cycle. If you appeared in CAT 2025 but did not convert any calls, you must appear in CAT 2026 to be considered for the 2026–28 batch admissions.

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CAT 2026 Eligibility for Final Year Graduation Students

Students appearing in the final year of their bachelor’s degree programme are eligible to apply for CAT 2026. If you receive an admission offer from an IIM or any other participating institution, the offer will be provisional. You must submit your final graduation mark sheets and degree certificate — showing the required minimum percentage — before the deadline set by the respective institute.

If your final graduation result shows marks below the required threshold (50% for General/EWS/OBC-NCL, 45% for SC/ST/PwD), your provisional admission will stand cancelled. Plan your CAT preparation without letting it affect your graduation performance — both outcomes depend on each other.