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The CAT eligibility criteria define who can apply for the Common Admission Test. For CAT 2026, candidates need a recognised bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. The minimum is 45% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
Final-year undergraduate students and candidates who have completed their degree requirements but are waiting for results can also apply. Candidates with specified professional qualifications such as CA, CS, ICWA/CMA and FIAI are covered under the eligibility rules, subject to the required marks.
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
| Eligibility condition | General, EWS and NC-OBC | SC, ST and PwBD |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | Minimum 50% | Minimum 45% |
| Final-year bachelor’s students | Eligible | Eligible |
| Degree result awaited | Eligible, subject to conditions | Eligible, subject to conditions |
| Professional qualification | Eligible if the qualification and marks meet the rules | Eligible if the qualification and marks meet the rules |
| Age limit | No age limit stated in the supplied eligibility material | No age limit stated in the supplied eligibility material |
The percentage requirement applies to the qualifying examination. Candidates must also hold a degree or qualification recognised under the applicable rules.
Who Is Eligible for CAT 2026?
A candidate can apply through one of the qualifying routes specified in the CAT eligibility criteria:
- A completed bachelor’s degree with the required percentage.
- A recognised professional qualification such as CA, CS, ICWA/CMA or FIAI with the required percentage.
- A candidate in the final year of a bachelor’s degree who meets the required academic conditions.
The degree must come from a recognised university or educational institution under the applicable Indian rules. The eligibility material also allows equivalent qualifications recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
1. Bachelor’s Degree
Candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree can apply if they meet the minimum percentage requirement.
For the General, EWS and NC-OBC categories, the requirement is 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. For SC, ST and PwBD candidates, the requirement is 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
The undergraduate degree can be from any academic stream, provided it satisfies the recognition and percentage requirements. This covers degrees such as BA, BCom, BSc, BTech and other recognised bachelor’s programmes.
2. Final-Year Students
Students currently pursuing the final year of their bachelor’s degree can apply for CAT.
Candidates who have completed all degree requirements but are waiting for their results can also apply. If such a candidate receives an offer from an IIM, admission remains provisional until the candidate provides the required certificate confirming completion of the degree requirements.
The certificate must come from the appropriate authority, such as the Principal or Registrar, and must confirm that the candidate has completed all requirements for the qualifying degree by the date specified by the respective IIM.
3. Professional Qualifications
Candidates with specified professional qualifications can also meet the CAT eligibility requirement. The supplied eligibility criteria include:
- Chartered Accountancy (CA)
- Company Secretary (CS)
- ICWA/CMA
- FIAI
Candidates using a professional qualification must satisfy the applicable percentage requirement.
CAT Eligibility Percentage Requirement
The minimum marks depend on the candidate’s category.
| Category | Minimum marks in qualifying degree |
|---|---|
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 50% |
| NC-OBC | 50% |
| SC | 45% |
| ST | 45% |
| PwBD | 45% |
The same thresholds apply when eligibility is based on the equivalent CGPA requirement.
Candidates should use the percentage calculation method prescribed by their university or institution. The CAT eligibility material states that the institution’s own conversion method should be followed when grades or CGPA are used. If the institution does not provide a conversion scheme, the supplied criteria specify this calculation:
Percentage = CGPA ÷ Maximum possible CGPA × 100
For example, if a university awards a CGPA of 7.2 out of a maximum 10, the calculation under this formula would be:
7.2 ÷ 10 × 100 = 72%
The candidate should still follow the conversion rules applicable to the institution when such rules exist.
Also Check: Online CGPA to Percentage Calculator
Is There an Age Limit for CAT?
The supplied competitor material states that there is no age limit for CAT. Candidates can therefore apply based on their academic eligibility without an upper-age condition being listed in that material.
The official eligibility excerpt supplied with the source focuses on the qualifying degree, percentage, final-year status and recognised professional qualifications. It does not separately state an age-limit rule in the excerpt.
Is Work Experience Required for CAT?
Work experience is not listed as a requirement for taking CAT in the supplied competitor material.
A candidate can therefore apply while having no prior work experience. The source material covers both fresh graduates and candidates with work experience under the same basic academic eligibility framework.
Is There Any Limit on CAT Attempts?
The supplied competitor content states that CAT does not impose an attempt limit.
A candidate who satisfies the eligibility requirements can therefore appear for CAT in different years. Eligibility must still be checked against the rules applicable to the particular CAT year.
CAT Eligibility Criteria for Different Academic Backgrounds
- CAT does not restrict applicants to one undergraduate stream.
- Candidates from Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering and other recognised disciplines can apply if their degree and marks satisfy the eligibility conditions.
- For example, a candidate with a BSc degree and 52% marks meets the stated academic threshold for the General category, provided the degree comes from a recognised institution. A BTech graduate with the same percentage is assessed under the same basic percentage requirement.
CAT Eligibility Criteria for SC, ST and PwBD Candidates
SC, ST and PwBD candidates have a minimum qualifying percentage of 45% in the bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
The supplied eligibility material also sets out reservation provisions for these categories. The stated reservation percentages are:
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| NC-OBC | 27% |
| EWS | Up to 10% |
| PwBD | 5% |
Reservation eligibility depends on the applicable Government of India category lists and certificates. The CAT material states that the relevant central list on the last date of CAT registration determines reservation status for that CAT cycle.
PwBD Eligibility for CAT
PwBD refers to candidates covered under the applicable disability provisions. The supplied criteria specify a benchmark of at least 40% disability for the relevant disability categories under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Candidates claiming PwBD reservation need the required disability certification and supporting documents. The source also advises eligible candidates to apply for a UDID card and upload the required documentation during registration.
Documents Required for Reserved Categories
- Candidates applying under SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS or PwBD categories need to provide the relevant certificate or supporting document during CAT registration.
- The supplied eligibility criteria state that failure to provide the required certificate can result in rejection of the registration. Candidates may also need to produce the original or required documents during later admission stages.
- Category certificates must meet the applicable Government of India requirements. For SC and ST candidates, the caste or tribe must appear on the relevant Government of India schedule.
- Candidates should also note that category changes are not permitted after CAT registration under the supplied rules.
CAT Eligibility and IIM Admission Are Different
Meeting the CAT eligibility criteria allows a candidate to appear for the examination. It does not by itself guarantee admission to an IIM.
IIMs apply their own admission processes after CAT. These processes can include CAT performance requirements and other selection criteria specified by the individual institute.
A candidate can therefore satisfy the basic CAT eligibility requirement and still need to meet additional conditions for a particular IIM.
Who Is Not Eligible for CAT?
A candidate would not meet the stated academic eligibility conditions if the candidate:
- Does not hold a qualifying bachelor’s degree or an accepted professional qualification.
- Has marks below the applicable minimum percentage.
- Is not eligible as a final-year student or result-awaited candidate under the stated conditions.
- Holds a qualification from an institution that does not meet the required recognition conditions.
- Cannot provide required category documentation when claiming reservation.
Eligibility can be checked by the IIMs at different stages of the selection and admission process. Candidates should keep their academic records and supporting documents available for verification.
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