CAT eligibility criteria have been released on IIM Indore portal along with the official CAT website on July 25, 2026. According to the official information bulletin, the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria remained unchanged from previous years.

To be eligible for CAT 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• CAT 2026 minimum marks are 50% for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and 45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates.

• There is no minimum or maximum CAT 2026 age limit required, so candidates of any age can apply if they meet the academic r

• equirements.

• CAT 2026 number of attempts is unlimited.

• CAT eligibility for final-year students is allowed, subject to completion of the degree requirements within the prescribed deadline.

• Work experience is not mandatory to appear for CAT 2026.

• Candidates can check the CAT 2026 notification, registration dates, form last date, registration fees and other details on the CAT official website

Related Articles:

• CAT 2026: Exam Date, Registration, Application Form, Eligibility, Syllabus

• CAT Registration 2026 - Check How to Apply @iimcat.ac.in

CAT 2026 Eligibility: Educational Qualification

The basic CAT eligibility criteria 2026 mostly depends on your undergraduate performance.

The CAT 2026 educational qualification includes:

• A recognised Bachelor's degree in any discipline.

• The degree should be awarded by a recognised university or institution.

• Candidates must meet the prescribed minimum graduation percentage for their category.

• Candidates in the final year of their bachelor's degree can also apply provisionally.

• Certain professional degree holders can apply under the professional qualification route.

Fulfillment of minimum eligibility criteria for CAT does not guarantee shortlisting by IIMs. The selection depends on CAT score, academic record, work experience, and other parameters.

CAT 2026 Category-wise Minimum Marks Required

The CAT eligibility criteria 2026 for category-wise candidates with minimum aggregate marks required to sit for the examination is tabulated below.

• CAT eligibility percentage for General/EWS/ NC OBC is 50% aggregate marks in graduation.

• The CAT exam eligibility criteria for SC/ST/PwD candidates are 45% aggregate marks in graduation.

Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin

How to Calculate Graduation Percentage for CAT 2026?

If your college awards letter grades or a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) instead of concrete percentages, you must convert it using the university's approved institutional formula.

In case your university does not maintain an official conversion methodology -

Source: iimcat.ac.in

Also Read: CAT Exam Pattern 2026: Section-wise Pattern, Marking Scheme, Syllabus, Question Paper

CAT Exam Eligibility: Age Limit & Number of Attempts

There is no CAT 2026 age limit. Candidates can apply at any age as long as they satisfy the prescribed educational qualification and minimum marks requirements

CAT 2026 Number of Attempts:

• There is no limit on the number of attempts for CAT 2026. 

• You can appear for CAT as many times as you want.

• Each CAT score is valid only for that particular admission cycle (CAT 2026 score is valid for 2027-29 batch admissions).

Also Read: CAT Syllabus 2026- Download Syllabus PDF, Section-wise Weightage and Preparation Tips

CAT Eligibility for Final Year Students

Candidates who are in the final year or have completed bachelor’s degree are eligible for CAT 2026. Check out below the action required to take for candidates awaiting final results:

This holds true only if the minimum marks requirement is fulfilled.

According to discussion on reddit, a user wanted to know whether he/she is eligible for CAT 2026 as final year student with a backlog which is not yet cleared. As per rule he/she will be able to clear it in seventh semester after the result gets updated in the end of December. So, as per discussion, other users said that he/she is eligible for CAT 2026.

Source: Reddit

CAT 2026 Eligibility: Professional Degree Holders

CAT permits candidates who followed non-traditional academic pathways. You do not need a standard 3-year or 4-year Bachelor's degree if you have successfully cleared specific professional qualifications.

The professional qualifications that make you directly eligible for CAT 2026:

• Chartered Accountancy (CA)

• Company Secretary (CS)

• Cost and Management Accountancy (ICWA/CMA)

• Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)

Is Work Experience Required for CAT 2026?

No, work experience is not mandatory for CAT 2026. According to CAT Eligibility requirements 2026:

• Candidates should have 50% (45% for reserved category) aggregate marks in graduation from recognized university

• Freshers are eligible to appear for CAT 2026

• The only advantage for candidates having work experience will be during preparation of composite scores as some IIMs have weightages assigned for experience.

Who is Not Eligibile for CAT 2026?

Check out below the following scenarios which makes you not eligible for CAT 2026:

• Candidates who have failed to meet the minimum graduation percentage (50% and 45% for reserved category) after completing Bachelor’s degree.

• If you do not hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.

• Students who are not yet in their final years of graduation.

• In case you fail to meet professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/CMA/FIAI)) with required percentage

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for IIM Admission

Class 12th marks are not required for CAT exam. 

• But IIMs consider the class 12 marks as a selection criteria for MBA admissions. It is used to release a Call for Personal Interviews (PI).

• IIM Ahmedabad rewards max 10 points for Class 12th scoresduring the pre-interview shortlisting stage. 10 points for above 90% and 1 point for below 45%.

• IIM Calcutta allocates up to 15 points for above 80% and 0 points if score is less than 60 %.

IIM Ahmedabad Class 12th Stream-Based Rating Scores

IIMs with a Class 12th Marks percentage weightage in Shortlisting:

Difference Between IIM Eligibility and CAT Eligibility Criteria

The basic difference between IIM Eligibility and CAT Eligibility Criteria lies in the shortlisting process.

• To qualify CAT, you must meet have 50% aggregate marks in graduation.

• To be eligible for IIM shortlisting process, candidate should have Bachelor’s degree with 50% aggregate marks and a valid CAT Cutoff 2026.

CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Seat Reservation in IIMS

Reserved category candidates have their fixed portion of seats reserved across all IIM’s. The percentage varies depending upon the category.