CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Minimum Graduation Percentage for General, OBC, SC and ST

To appear in CAT 2026, General, EWS, and OBC-NCL students must have at least 50% aggregate marks in graduation, while SC, ST, and PwD students need a minimum of 45%.

CAT 2026 eligibility criteria are set by the convening IIM and published in the official notification on iimcat.ac.in. The minimum graduation percentage is the single most important eligibility condition, and it varies by category. Students in the final year of their bachelor’s degree are also eligible to apply on a provisional basis, provided they can submit their final mark sheet at the time of joining the IIM programme if selected.

• General, EWS, and OBC-NCL students need a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their bachelor’s degree.
• SC, ST, and PwD students need a minimum of 45% aggregate marks in their bachelor’s degree.
• There is no age limit for CAT 2026.
• Work experience is not mandatory to appear in CAT 2026.
• Students appearing in the final year of graduation in 2026 are eligible to apply provisionally.
• CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted in November 2026; the notification is typically released in July–August.

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CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria Overview

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) define the eligibility conditions for CAT every year. Any student who holds or is pursuing a recognised bachelor’s degree with the required minimum aggregate percentage can appear for CAT 2026. The conditions cover educational qualification, minimum marks, age, work experience, and the number of attempts allowed.

Students who completed their bachelor’s degree through distance learning or correspondence programmes from a university recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) or any statutory authority are also eligible for CAT 2026, subject to meeting the minimum percentage requirement.

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Minimum Graduation Percentage for CAT 2026 (Category-Wise)

The minimum graduation percentage required for CAT 2026 is 50% for General, EWS, and OBC-NCL students, and 45% for SC, ST, and PwD students. This percentage is calculated on the aggregate marks across all subjects and all years or semesters of the entire bachelor’s degree programme — not just one year or one semester.

It is important to note that OBC-NCL students do not receive a percentage relaxation — they must meet the same 50% threshold as General category students. The 5% relaxation applies only to SC, ST, and PwD students. Students who fall under the OBC creamy layer are treated as General category candidates and must meet the 50% graduation requirement.

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Category-Wise Reservation in CAT 2026

CAT 2026 seat reservation follows the Government of India’s reservation policy applicable to centrally funded institutions. The percentage relaxation in minimum graduation marks is a part of this broader policy. Here is how seats are reserved at IIMs:

Students claiming EWS reservation must produce a valid EWS certificate issued by a competent authority. OBC-NCL students must ensure their non-creamy layer certificate is valid at the time of both application and admission. Both EWS and OBC-NCL students must still score 50% in graduation, as no percentage relaxation is given to these categories under the current CAT eligibility framework.

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CAT 2026 Eligibility for Final Year Students

Students appearing in the final year or final semester of their bachelor’s degree in 2026 are eligible to apply for CAT 2026 on a provisional basis. They can sit for the exam without having completed their degree, but they must fulfil the minimum percentage requirement before the IIM admission process is finalised.

• Final year students must submit their complete mark sheet or a provisional degree certificate before joining the IIM programme if selected.
• If your final results show a percentage below the required threshold, your provisional admission may be cancelled.
• Students whose graduation results are delayed beyond the IIM’s stipulated date must inform the respective IIM and follow their individual policy on proof submission.
• Students pursuing professional qualifications such as CA, CS, or ICWA — even without a conventional bachelor’s degree — are eligible if they meet the minimum percentage criteria.

Final year students should keep documents such as their college bonafide certificate, semester mark sheets completed so far, and the institution’s calendar ready at the time of CAT 2026 application.

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How to Convert CGPA to Percentage for CAT 2026

Many Indian universities award a CGPA or letter grade instead of a percentage. If your bachelor’s degree uses a CGPA system, you must convert it to a percentage equivalent as per your university’s official conversion formula. Where no official formula exists, IIMs apply their own conversion method during the admission process.

IIMs calculate the aggregate percentage based on all subjects including electives across all semesters or years of the entire degree. Marks from a single year or semester are not taken in isolation; the overall aggregate of the full bachelor’s degree is considered. If your university provides an official percentage on the mark sheet, use that figure directly — do not apply a separate conversion formula over an already-declared percentage.