CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualification, Marks Requirement, Reservation & Age Limit

Before starting your CAT preparation, it is important to understand the CAT eligibility criteria. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to admission into the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other top management institutes across India.

The eligibility requirements cover educational qualifications, minimum marks, reservation benefits, and special provisions for final-year students. Knowing these requirements in advance helps candidates avoid application issues and prepare for the admission process confidently.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Overview

Before applying for CAT 2026, candidates must ensure they meet the minimum educational qualifications prescribed by the conducting authority. The eligibility criteria cover academic qualifications, minimum marks requirements, provisions for final-year students, and category-wise relaxations for admission to IIMs and other participating B-schools.

Educational Qualification Required for CAT 2026

Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree awarded by a recognised university or educational institution (incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State legislature in India, or deemed a university under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956), or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The degree can be in any discipline, provided it is recognised by the appropriate authorities. Candidates who have completed their graduation or are currently pursuing the final year of their degree course can apply for CAT.

Minimum Marks Required for CAT

The minimum qualifying marks for CAT vary across categories and are calculated based on a candidate’s bachelor's degree performance. Candidates must meet the prescribed percentage criteria set by the IIMs to be considered eligible for the examination.

If a university follows a CGPA or grading system, the conversion formula approved by that university will be used to determine eligibility. If the university/institution confirms it has no CGPA-to-percentage conversion scheme, the equivalence is established by dividing the candidate's CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying by 100.

CAT Eligibility for Final-Year Students

Candidates who are in the final year of their Bachelor's Degree program can also appear for CAT. Students awaiting their final results at the time of registration are eligible to apply. However, if they receive admission offers from participating institutes, they must submit a certificate from the Principal/Registrar of their University/Institution (issued on or before the date stipulated by the respective IIM), confirming completion of all requirements for the degree, in order to join the programme provisionally.

Can Professional Degree Holders Apply for CAT?

Yes. Candidates holding professional qualifications are eligible to apply if they meet the minimum percentage requirements.

Eligible professional qualifications include:

• Chartered Accountant (CA)

• Company Secretary (CS)

• Cost and Management Accountant (CMA/ICWA)

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

• Other equivalent professional qualifications recognised by the authorities

These candidates must satisfy the same minimum marks criteria applicable to their category.

CAT Reservation Policy

The CAT admission process follows the reservation guidelines prescribed by the Government of India. These provisions ensure that candidates from different categories receive fair opportunities during admissions to IIMs and other participating management institutes.

Candidates claiming reservation benefits must provide valid supporting documents during the admission process. A copy of the SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwBD certificate must be uploaded at the time of CAT registration itself — failure to do so will result in rejection of the registration. For NC-OBC, the certificate must be issued on or after April 1, 2026; for EWS, it must be valid for 2026–27 and specifically assessed for financial year 2025–26. Candidates awaiting a fresh NC-OBC/EWS certificate may still apply by uploading an undertaking, their older certificate, and proof of application for the new one — in a single PDF. No change of category is permitted after registration.

CAT Eligibility for PwD Candidates

Candidates belonging to the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category are eligible for reservation benefits.

The reservation applies to candidates with not less than 40% of a specified disability as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Applicants must possess a valid disability certificate issued by the competent/certifying authority. The specified disability categories are: (a) blindness and low vision; (b) deaf and hard of hearing; (c) locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, and acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy; (d) autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness; (e) multiple disabilities from among (a)–(d); and (f) other specified disabilities under the Schedule of the RPwD Act, 2016. Candidates are encouraged to apply for and upload a UDID card.

PwBD candidates are required to meet the minimum educational qualifications and category-specific percentage requirements.

Is There Any Age Limit for CAT?

No. There is no upper or lower age limit specified for CAT applicants. Any candidate who fulfills the educational qualification and minimum marks requirements can apply for the examination regardless of age.

Important Points to Remember About CAT Eligibility

CAT follows the reservation guidelines prescribed for admissions to IIMs and other participating institutes. Candidates applying under reserved categories must ensure they have the required valid certificates and meet the specified eligibility conditions.

• A Bachelor's Degree from a recognised institution (or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education) is mandatory.
• General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates need a minimum of 50% marks.
• SC, ST, and PwBD candidates require at least 45% marks.
• Final-year students are eligible to apply, subject to submitting proof of completion if selected.
• Professional degree holders such as CA, CS, CMA, and FIAI can apply.
• Reservation benefits are available for eligible categories, subject to uploading the relevant certificate at the time of registration.
• There is no age limit for CAT. (Unverified against the official bulletin — see note.)
• Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee admission to IIMs. IIMs may verify eligibility at any stage of selection, and each IIM independently sets its own additional cut-offs and selection process.

Understanding the CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 is the first step toward planning your MBA admission journey. Candidates should carefully verify their educational qualifications, percentage requirements, and category-related documents before applying. Since CAT serves as the entry point to some of India's most prestigious management institutes, ensuring eligibility well in advance can help avoid complications during the admission process.