CAT Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Age Limit, Qualification and Marks
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most prestigious national-level MBA entrance examination conducted for admission to IIMs and other top management institutes. Before applying, candidates must carefully understand the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria, as meeting these requirements is mandatory to appear for the exam and participate in the admission process.
The eligibility criteria mainly cover educational qualifications, minimum marks, category-wise relaxation, age limit, attempts allowed, and eligibility for final-year students. This page explains each aspect in detail to help aspirants avoid mistakes during registration.
Table of Contents
- CAT Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Key Highlights
- Educational Qualification for CAT Exam 2026
- Minimum Percentage Required for CAT 2026
- CGPA to Percentage Conversion Rules
- Eligibility for Final-Year Students
- Age Limit for CAT Exam 2026
- Number of Attempts Allowed for CAT 2026
- Reservation Policy for CAT 2026
- Work Experience Requirement for CAT Exam 2026
- Academic Stream Eligibility
- Who Is Not Eligible for CAT 2026
CAT Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Key Highlights
| Eligibility Component | CAT 2026 Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) |
| Minimum Marks | 50% (General/OBC/EWS), 45% (SC/ST/PwD) |
| Final-Year Students | Eligible (provisional admission) |
| Professional Degrees | CA / CS / ICWA / FIAI accepted |
| Age Limit | No age restriction |
| Attempt Limit | No limit on attempts |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory |
| Academic Stream | All streams eligible |
| Reservation | As per Government of India norms |
Educational Qualification for CAT Exam 2026
To be eligible for CAT 2026, a candidate must satisfy the minimum educational qualification prescribed by the IIMs.
Minimum Qualification Requirement
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree of at least three years duration from a recognised university or institution.
The degree must be awarded by a university recognised by central or state authorities or approved statutory bodies.
Candidates from any academic discipline are eligible to apply.
Accepted Qualifications
The following qualifications are considered valid for CAT 2026:
Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Medicine, or any other discipline.
Professional qualifications such as:
Chartered Accountant (CA)
Company Secretary (CS)
Cost and Management Accountant (ICWA)
Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)
Minimum Percentage Required for CAT 2026
Candidates must meet the minimum aggregate marks requirement in graduation to be eligible for CAT.
Category-Wise Minimum Marks
| Category | Minimum Percentage in Graduation |
|---|---|
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 50% |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 50% |
| SC | 45% |
| ST | 45% |
| PwD | 45% |
Important Notes
The percentage is calculated based on aggregate marks obtained in graduation.
Candidates who do not meet the minimum percentage criteria are not eligible to appear for CAT 2026.
The same percentage rules apply to professional degree holders.
CGPA to Percentage Conversion Rules
Many universities award grades or CGPA instead of marks. In such cases:
The conversion of CGPA to percentage must follow the formula specified by the candidate’s university.
If the university does not provide a conversion method, the percentage is calculated using the standard formula:
(CGPA / Maximum CGPA) × 100
Candidates must ensure accuracy while entering academic details, as incorrect data can lead to cancellation of candidature.
Eligibility for Final-Year Students
Candidates appearing in the final year of their bachelor’s degree or those awaiting final results are eligible to apply for CAT 2026.
Conditions for Final-Year Candidates
Admission will be provisional until degree completion.
Candidates must submit a certificate from their institution confirming completion of graduation by the specified deadline.
Failure to meet the required percentage or submit proof on time may result in cancellation of admission.
Age Limit for CAT Exam 2026
One of the major advantages of CAT is its flexible age policy.
Age Criteria
No minimum age limit
No upper age limit
This allows fresh graduates, working professionals, and career-switchers of any age to appear for CAT 2026.
Number of Attempts Allowed for CAT 2026
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CAT exam.
Attempt Policy
Candidates can appear for CAT multiple times.
There is no gap or waiting period required between attempts.
Candidates may retake CAT to improve their scores in subsequent years.
Reservation Policy for CAT 2026
CAT follows the reservation norms prescribed by the Government of India for admissions to IIMs.
Category-Wise Reservation
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | Up to 10% |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 5% |
Important Reservation Guidelines
Valid and updated category certificates are mandatory at the time of admission.
PwD candidates must have a benchmark disability of 40% or more as per applicable norms.
Reservation benefits apply only during the admission process, not during CAT score calculation.
Work Experience Requirement for CAT Exam 2026
There is no compulsory work experience requirement to appear for CAT 2026.
Key Points
Fresh graduates can apply without any prior work experience.
Working professionals are also eligible.
Some IIMs may award additional weightage for relevant work experience during final selection, but it is not an eligibility condition.
Academic Stream Eligibility
CAT 2026 is open to candidates from all academic backgrounds.
Eligible Streams Include
Engineering and Technology
Science
Commerce
Arts and Humanities
Medical and Allied Sciences
Any other recognised discipline
There is no stream restriction, making CAT a truly inclusive management entrance exam.
Who Is Not Eligible for CAT 2026
Candidates falling under the following categories are not eligible:
Candidates who have not completed or are not pursuing a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
Candidates scoring below the minimum required percentage in graduation.
Candidates with degrees from unrecognised institutions.
Candidates providing incorrect or false academic or category information.
CAT FAQs
To appear for CAT 2026, candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree of at least three years duration from a recognised university with a minimum required percentage of marks as per their category.
No. Work experience is not mandatory to appear for CAT 2026. Fresh graduates and students with no work experience are equally eligible to apply.
Yes. Candidates appearing in the final year of their bachelor’s degree or awaiting results are eligible to apply. However, admission will be provisional until they submit proof of graduation completion within the specified deadline.
Yes. CAT follows Government of India reservation norms for admissions to IIMs, including reservations for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwD categories.
Yes. Candidates who have completed their graduation through distance or correspondence mode are eligible, provided the degree is awarded by a recognised university.