CAT 2026 eligibility criteria require a bachelor's degree with at least 50% for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates while 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates

  • Graduates from Engineering, Commerce, Arts, Science, Law and other disciplines are eligible for CAT 2026.
  • There is no minimum or maximum age limit for appearing in CAT 2026 allowing candidates from any age group to apply in CAT 2026.
  • Final year candidates can apply provisionally while candidates holding professional qualifications such as CA, CS, CMA (ICWA) and FIAI are also eligible if they meet the prescribed percentage criteria.
  • There is no restriction on the number of CAT attempts and eligible candidates can appear for the examination multiple times without any upper limit.

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CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Minimum Graduation Percentage, Age Limit and Attempts

Key Summary

  • CAT scores are valid only for the admission cycle of the year in which the examination is taken.
  • Candidates with CA, CS, CMA (ICWA) or FIAI qualifications are eligible if they meet the prescribed marks criteria.
  • Meeting the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria does not guarantee shortlisting by any IIM.
  • If no CGPA conversion formula is available, the percentage is calculated using the CAT prescribed method.
  • Work experience is not mandatory for CAT 2026, though some IIMs may consider it during final admission.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria Overview

The CAT 2026 eligibility criteria are prescribed by the IIM conducting the examination and it is expected to remain similar to previous admission cycles.

Parameter Details
Minimum Educational Qualification Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institution
Minimum Aggregate Marks — General / EWS / OBC-NCL 50%
Minimum Aggregate Marks — SC / ST / PwD 45%
Age Limit No age limit
Number of Attempts Unlimited
Stream Restriction None — all disciplines eligible
Final Year Students Eligible to apply
Work Experience Not mandatory for CAT; individual IIMs may consider it at the admission stage
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria Overview

Ques. Can candidates with a backlog apply for CAT 2026?

Ans. Yes. Candidates with active backlogs in the final year can apply for CAT 2026 if they are eligible to complete their bachelor's degree as per their university rules. Admission to IIMs remains subject to submitting the final passing certificate within the prescribed deadline.

Ques. Is a distance learning or open university degree valid for CAT 2026?

Ans. Yes. Bachelor's degrees obtained through distance learning or open universities are accepted for CAT 2026 if the university is recognised by UGC or an equivalent statutory authority. Candidates must also satisfy the prescribed minimum graduation marks for their category.

Educational Qualification for CAT 2026

The CAT 2026 qualifying percentage will be calculated according to the rules of the candidate's university or institution.

  • If no CGPA conversion formula is provided, the percentage will be calculated using the prescribed CAT 2026 method.
  • Meeting the minimum CAT 2026 eligibility criteria does not guarantee shortlisting by any IIM.

Category

Educational Qualification Requirement

Minimum Marks / CGPA

General / EWS / NC-OBC / SC / ST / PwBD

Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or equivalent professional qualification (CA / CS / ICWA / FIAI)

50% or 45% or equivalent CGPA

Final Year Students

Appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s degree / equivalent qualification (or have completed degree requirements and are awaiting results)

Same as above (provisional admission subject to certificate)

Professional Degrees

Completed CA / CS / ICWA (CMA) / Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)

Same percentage criteria as above

Educational Qualification for CAT 2026

Source: CAT Official

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Ques. Does meeting the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria guarantee admission to an IIM?

Ans. No. Meeting the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria only allows candidates to appear for the examination. IIM shortlisting depends on multiple factors, including CAT percentile, sectional scores, academic profile, work experience, diversity criteria, and WAT-PI performance, as per the admission policy of each IIM.

Minimum Graduation Percentage for CAT 2026

General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates must have at least 50% aggregate marks in the bachelor's degree for CAT 2026.

  • SC, ST and PwBD candidates must have at least 45% aggregate marks in the bachelor's degree.
  • The CAT 2026 graduation aggregate is calculated using marks obtained across all semesters and subjects.
  • Universities awarding grades or CGPA use the official conversion formula to calculate the percentage.
  • Candidates should follow the CGPA conversion method prescribed by the university, wherever available.
  • If no CGPA conversion formula exists, the percentage is calculated using the CAT 2026 prescribed method.
Category

Minimum Aggregate Marks / CGPA Required
General 50%
EWS  50%

NC-OBC

 50%
SC  45%
ST 45%
PwD  45%

Also Read:

CAT QA Syllabus 2026

 CAT DILR Syllabus 2026

CAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension Syllabus

CAT Study Material 2026

Ques. Can I apply for CAT 2026 if my university awards only CGPA instead of percentage?

Ans. Yes. Candidates whose universities award CGPA instead of percentage are eligible for CAT 2026. The CGPA will be converted into percentage using the university's official conversion formula. If no conversion formula exists, the CAT-prescribed conversion method will be followed.

Age Limit for CAT 2026

There is no minimum or maximum age limit for appearing in CAT 2026.

  • Candidates of any age can apply for the CAT 2026 examination if they meet the eligibility criteria.
  • The CAT 2026 eligibility criteria do not prescribe any age restriction.
  • Work experience may be considered by individual IIMs during admissions, but it is not an eligibility requirement for CAT 2026.

Also Read:

CAT Sample Papers 2026

CAT Quantitative Aptitude Sample Papers 2026

CAT DILR Sample Papers 2026

CAT VARC Sample Papers 2026

Number of Attempts Allowed in CAT 2026

In CAT 2026 there is no limit on the number of attempts allowed and candidates who appeared for CAT 2023, CAT 2024 or CAT 2025 can apply for CAT 2026.

  • Every CAT score is valid only for admission in the corresponding academic cycle.
  • A CAT 2025 score cannot be used for admission through the 2026–27 admission cycle.
  • Candidates seeking admission in the 2026–27 academic session must appear for CAT 2026.
  • CAT scores cannot be carried forward for admission in future academic years.

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Ques. Do I need to appear for CAT every year if I do not get admission?

Ans. Yes. Since CAT scores cannot be carried forward, candidates who do not secure admission in a particular cycle must reappear for CAT in the next admission year. A fresh CAT score is required for every new IIM admission process.

CAT 2026 Eligibility for Final Year Students

Candidates in the final year of a bachelor's degree in 2026 are eligible to apply for CAT 2026.

  • Final year candidates can appear for CAT 2026 and participate in the IIM selection process.
  • Admission will be confirmed only after submitting proof of completing the bachelor's degree with the required minimum marks.
  • Candidates who do not meet the required minimum graduation percentage may lose their admission even with a valid CAT 2026 score.
  • Final year candidates should keep mark sheets and degree certificates ready for document verification after the results are declared.

Also Check:  CAT 2026 Eligibility: Graduation, Final Year and PwD Relaxation

  • According to a Reddit discussion, final-year students with an uncleared backlog sought clarification on CAT 2026 eligibility and the discussion indicated that having a backlog does not affect CAT 2026 eligibility, provided the candidate meets the graduation requirements before admission.
CAT 2026 Eligibility for Final Year Students
Source: Reddit

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria FAQs

Ques. What is the minimum percentage required for CAT 2026?

Ans. CAT 2026 requires at least 50% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA) in graduation for General, EWS, and OBC-NCL candidates. SC, ST, and PwD candidates require 45% aggregate marks, as per the eligibility criteria followed by the IIMs.

Ques. Is there an age limit for CAT 2026?

Ans. No. CAT 2026 has no minimum or maximum age limit. Candidates of any age can apply if they possess a recognised bachelor's degree and satisfy the prescribed minimum graduation percentage for their category.

Ques. How many times can a student appear for CAT?

Ans. There is no limit on the number of CAT attempts. Candidates can appear for the exam every year, and each CAT score remains valid only for the admission cycle of that particular year.

Ques. Can final year graduation students apply for CAT 2026?

Ans. Yes. Final-year bachelor's degree students are eligible to apply for CAT 2026. Candidates offered admission by an IIM or participating institute must submit proof of graduation within the prescribed deadline to complete the admission process.

Ques. Is work experience mandatory for CAT 2026?

Ans. No. Work experience is not required to register for CAT 2026. Both fresh graduates and working professionals are eligible, although several IIMs award additional weightage for work experience during the final selection process.

Ques. Can students from any stream apply for CAT 2026?

Ans. Yes. CAT 2026 is open to graduates from all academic disciplines, including Engineering, Commerce, Arts, Science, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Management, provided they meet the prescribed graduation marks and other eligibility conditions.