CAT 2026 Percentage Requirement: General vs Reserved Category
Learn the CAT 2026 percentage requirement for General, EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST, and PwBD categories. Check the minimum graduation marks, CGPA conversion rules, eligibility criteria, final-year student eligibility, and understand whether meeting the required percentage guarantees admission to IIMs or not.
The CAT 2026 eligibility criteria specify the minimum graduation percentage required for candidates belonging to different categories. While the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026) follows category-wise minimum academic eligibility, meeting the minimum percentage does not guarantee admission to any IIM. Each IIM has its own shortlisting criteria, selection process, and academic requirements.
According to the CAT 2026 Information Bulletin, General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates must have at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in their bachelor's degree, whereas SC, ST, and PwBD candidates need 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
CAT 2026 Minimum Percentage Requirement
The table below shows the minimum graduation percentage required for CAT 2026 registration.
| Category | Minimum Graduation Percentage |
| General | 50% or equivalent CGPA |
| EWS | 50% or equivalent CGPA |
| NC-OBC | 50% or equivalent CGPA |
| SC | 45% or equivalent CGPA |
| ST | 45% or equivalent CGPA |
| PwBD | 45% or equivalent CGPA |
Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification approved by the Ministry of Education.
CAT 2026 Percentage Requirement: General vs Reserved Category
General, EWS and NC-OBC Candidates
Candidates belonging to the General, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and Non-Creamy Layer OBC (NC-OBC) categories must:
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Have completed a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
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Be pursuing the final year of graduation with the required percentage.
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Hold an eligible professional qualification such as CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), or FIAI with the required percentage.
Percentage Requirement for SC, ST and PwBD Candidates
Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) categories receive a relaxation of 5 percentage points.
They are eligible if they have:
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A bachelor's degree with at least 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
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A professional qualification with 45% marks.
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Final-year graduation status with the required percentage.
Who Can Apply for CAT 2026?
Apart from meeting the minimum percentage criteria, candidates fulfilling any one of the following conditions are eligible:
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Completed a bachelor's degree with the required percentage.
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Completed CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), or FIAI with the prescribed percentage.
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Currently studying in the final year of graduation.
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Completed graduation requirements and awaiting final results.
Final-year candidates who are selected must submit a certificate from their university confirming completion of all degree requirements within the deadline prescribed by the respective IIM.
How is Graduation Percentage Calculated?
The CAT 2026 Information Bulletin states that graduation percentage will be calculated according to the rules followed by the respective university or institution.
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If the university provides a CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula, that formula will be used.
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If no official conversion method exists, the percentage will be calculated by dividing the candidate's CGPA by the maximum CGPA and multiplying the result by 100.
Does Meeting the Minimum Percentage Guarantee IIM Admission?
No.
The prescribed 50% (General/EWS/NC-OBC) and 45% (SC/ST/PwBD) marks are only the minimum eligibility criteria for appearing in CAT 2026.
Individual IIMs may additionally consider:
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CAT percentile
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Class 10 and Class 12 academic performance
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Graduation marks
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Work experience
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Diversity factors
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Personal Interview (PI)
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Written Ability Test (WAT) or other evaluation stages
Therefore, satisfying the minimum graduation percentage does not ensure shortlisting or admission. Each IIM follows its own admission policy.
CAT 2026 Reservation Policy
The CAT 2026 admission process follows the Government of India's reservation policy.
| Category | Reservation |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| NC-OBC | 27% |
| EWS | Up to 10% |
| PwBD | 5% |
Candidates claiming reservation must upload valid category certificates during registration as prescribed in the CAT 2026 Information Bulletin.
Important Points for CAT 2026 Percentage Eligibility
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General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates require 50% graduation marks.
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SC, ST, and PwBD candidates require 45% graduation marks.
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Final-year students are eligible to apply.
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CA, CS, CMA, and FIAI qualified candidates can also apply.
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CGPA conversion follows university norms.
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Meeting the minimum eligibility does not guarantee admission to any IIM.
CAT 2026 Percentage Requirement General vs Reserved Category FAQs
What is the minimum percentage required for CAT 2026 for General category candidates?
What is the CAT 2026 percentage requirement for SC/ST candidates?
Can final-year graduation students apply for CAT 2026?
Is 50% in graduation enough for admission into IIMs?
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