The CAT exam is accepted by all 21 IIMs and several leading MBA colleges across India. Every year, IIMs release their minimum qualifying percentile requirements for different categories. These cutoffs help determine which candidates will be shortlisted for the next admission stages, such as WAT, GD, and PI.
The CAT 2026 cutoff has not been announced yet. However, based on the CAT 2025 admission cycle, candidates can estimate the CAT expected cutoff percentile for the upcoming session.
IIM Ahmedabad may continue to require around 95-96 percentile for General category candidates, while IIM Bangalore and IIM Calcutta are expected to maintain cutoffs in the 85-87 percentile range.
IIM Lucknow and IIM Indore may continue to require around 90 percentile, whereas IIM Kozhikode and IIM Mumbai are likely to remain around 85 percentile.
Candidates targeting top institutes should aim well above the minimum qualifying cutoff to improve their chances of final selection.
Read ahead to know the CAT 2026 expected cutoffs for all IIMs and top MBA colleges.
CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff for All IIMs
The table below presents the CAT 2026 expected cutoff percentile for all IIMs based on the previous year’s qualifying percentile requirements.
| CAT Expected Qualifying Cut Off Percentile | |||||
| IIM | GEN | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95-96+ | 95-96+ | 90-91+ | 85-86+ | 75-76+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 85-86+ | 75-76+ | 75-76+ | 70-71+ | 65-66+ |
| IIM Calcutta | 85-87 | 75-77 | 75-77 | 70-72 | 65-67 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90-91+ | 82-83+ | 82-83+ | 65-66+ | 60-61+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85-86+ | 75-76+ | 75-76+ | 65-66+ | 55-56+ |
| IIM Mumbai | 85-86+ | 75-76+ | 75-76+ | 70-71+ | 65-66+ |
| IIM Indore | 90-91+ | 90-91+ | 80-81+ | 60-61+ | 45-46+ |
| IIM Rohtak | 97-98+ | 93-94+ | 83-84+ | 60-61+ | 50-51+ |
| IIM Trichy | 90+ | 75+ | 75+ | 50+ | 30+ |
| IIM Amritsar | 90-91+ | 90-91+ | 80-81+ | 55-56+ | 40-41+ |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 82-83+ | 72-73+ | 72-73+ | 50-51+ | 40-41+ |
| IIM Kashipur | 90+ | 75+ | 75+ | 50+ | 30+ |
| IIM Udaipur | 94-95 | 81-82 | 81-82 | 66-67 | 42-43 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 95-96 | 81-82 | 81-82 | 66-67 | 42-43 |
| IIM Raipur | 90+ | 75+ | 75+ | 50+ | 30+ |
| IIM Ranchi | 90+ | 75+ | 75+ | 50+ | 30+ |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | 95-96 | 81-82 | 81-82 | 66-67 | 42-43 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 90-91+ | 80-81+ | 75-76+ | 55-56+ | 40-41+ |
| IIM Nagpur | 95-96 | 85-86 | 85-86 | 65-66 | 40-41 |
CAT Expected Cutoff 2026 for Top Non-IIM MBA Colleges
Several top MBA colleges outside the IIM system also accept CAT scores for MBA admission.
These institutes attract thousands of candidates every year because of their industry exposure, placements, alumni network, and return on investment.
Here are the CAT 2026 expected cutoff marks for top Non-IIM colleges in India
| Institute | CAT Cutoff Expected Percentile |
| JBIMS Mumbai | 97-98+ |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95+ |
| IIT Kharagpur | 90+ |
| SPJIMR | 85+ |
| IMT Ghaziabad | 71-72+ |
| FMS | 97-98+ |
What is the Expected CAT 2026 Cutoff for IIM Ahmedabad
IIM Ahmedabad continued to have one of the highest CAT cutoff requirements in 2025.
The gap between the General category cutoff (95+ percentile) and ST category cutoff (75+ percentile) was around 20 percentile points.
For CAT 2026, no major shift is expected, and the cutoff across all categories is likely to be similar to last year’s levels.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | 95+ | 95-96+ |
| EWS | 95+ | 95-96+ |
| OBC | 90+ | 90-91+ |
| SC | 85+ | 85-86+ |
| ST | 75+ | 75-76+ |
What is the CAT Expected 2026 Cutoff for IIM Bangalore
The CAT 2025 cutoff at IIM Bangalore was lower than IIM Ahmedabad but remained competitive across all categories.
The General category cutoff stood at 85+ percentile, while EWS and OBC candidates were eligible from 75+ percentile onwards.
Similar cutoff levels are expected for the 2026 admission cycle.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | 85+ | 85-86+ |
| EWS | 75+ | 75-76+ |
| OBC | 75+ | 75-76+ |
| SC | 70+ | 70-71+ |
| ST | 65+ | 65-66+ |
What is the CAT Expected Cutoff 2026 for IIM Calcutta
IIM Calcutta maintained a balanced cutoff structure in CAT 2025, with the General category cutoff at 85 percentile and the ST category cutoff at 65 percentile.
The difference between categories was narrower than at several other IIMs. Based on this trend, CAT 2026 cutoffs may remain within the same range.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | ≥85 | 85-87 |
| EWS | ≥75 | 75-77 |
| OBC | ≥75 | 75-77 |
| SC | ≥70 | 70-72 |
| ST | ≥65 | 65-67 |
What is the Expected CAT Cutoff 2026 for IIM Lucknow
Among the older IIMs, IIM Lucknow kept the General category cutoff at 90+ percentile in CAT 2025.
The EWS and OBC cutoffs crossed the 82 percentile mark, highlighting the institute’s competitive admission process. Similar percentile requirements are expected for CAT 2026.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | 90+ | 90-91+ |
| EWS | 82+ | 82-83+ |
| OBC | 82+ | 82-83+ |
| SC | 65+ | 65-66+ |
| ST | 60+ | 60-61+ |
What is the Expected CAT 2026 Cutoff for IIM Kozhikode
The CAT 2025 cutoff for IIM Kozhikode ranged from 55+ percentile for ST candidates to 85+ percentile for the General category.
This 30-percentile spread was one of the wider category-wise variations among leading IIMs. The CAT 2026 cutoff is expected to follow a similar pattern.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | 85+ | 85-86+ |
| EWS | 75+ | 75-76+ |
| OBC | 75+ | 75-76+ |
| SC | 65+ | 65-66+ |
| ST | 55+ | 55-56+ |
What is the Expected CAT Cutoff 2026 for IIM Mumbai
IIM Mumbai kept its General category cutoff at 85+ percentile in CAT 2025, matching the level seen at IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode.
Reserved category cutoffs ranged between 65 and 75 percentile. Going by the previous year’s data, significant changes are unlikely for CAT 2026.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | 85+ | 85-86+ |
| EWS | 75+ | 75-76+ |
| OBC | 75+ | 75-76+ |
| SC | 70+ | 70-71+ |
| ST | 65+ | 65-66+ |
What is the Expected CAT Cutoff 2026 for IIM Rohtak
IIM Rohtak recorded the highest General category cutoff among the listed IIMs in CAT 2025 at 97+ percentile. Even the EWS category cutoff crossed 93 percentile.
This indicated a highly selective admission process. The CAT 2026 cutoff is expected to remain among the highest in the country.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | 97+ | 97-98+ |
| EWS | 93+ | 93-94+ |
| OBC | 83+ | 83-84+ |
| SC | 60+ | 60-61+ |
| ST | 50+ | 50-51+ |
What is the Expected CAT Cutoff 2026 for IIM Indore
CAT 2025 data shows that IIM Indore maintained a 90+ percentile cutoff for both General and EWS candidates. The OBC cutoff remained at 80+ percentile.
This created a noticeable gap between categories. Similar cutoff levels are expected in CAT 2026.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | 90+ | 90-91+ |
| EWS | 90+ | 90-91+ |
| OBC | 80+ | 80-81+ |
| SC | 60+ | 60-61+ |
| ST | 45+ | 45-46+ |
What is the CAT Expected Cutoff 2026 for IIM Trichy
IIM Trichy kept the General category cutoff at 90 percentile in CAT 2025. At the same time, the ST category cutoff stood at 30 percentile.
This makes it one of the largest category-wise differences among IIMs. The CAT 2026 cutoff is expected to remain around these levels.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | 90 | 90+ |
| EWS | 75 | 75+ |
| OBC | 75 | 75+ |
| SC | 50 | 50+ |
| ST | 30 | 30+ |
What is the CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff for IIM Visakhapatnam
With a General category cutoff of 82+ percentile in CAT 2025, IIM Visakhapatnam had one of the lowest cutoff requirements among IIMs.
The institute also maintained moderate cutoffs for reserved categories. This makes it accessible to a wider pool of CAT candidates. Similar trends are expected for CAT 2026.
| Category | CAT 2025 Cutoff Percentile | CAT 2026 Expected Cutoff Percentile |
| General | 82+ | 82-83+ |
| EWS | 72+ | 72-73+ |
| OBC | 72+ | 72-73+ |
| SC | 50+ | 50-51+ |
| ST | 40+ | 40-41+ |
Top Colleges Through the CAT 2026 Exam
Candidates should not compare colleges solely based on CAT cutoffs.
Factors such as fees, placements, ROI, industry reputation, and alumni network should play an important role in your final MBA admission decision.
| College | CAT Cutoffs (Approx, Expected) Percentile | Fees | Average Package |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95+ | INR 27 Lakhs+ | INR 35.22 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore | 85+ | INR 26 Lakhs+ | INR 34.88 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta | ≥85 | INR 27 Lakhs+ | – |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85+ | INR 23 Lakhs+ | INR 28.18 LPA |
| IIM Lucknow | 90+ | INR 20 Lakhs+ | INR 32.3 LPA |
| SPJIMR, Mumbai | 85+ | INR 25 Lakhs+ | INR 32 LPA |
| FMS Delhi | 98+ | INR 2.32 Lakhs+ | INR 30.1 LPA |
| MDI Gurgaon | 95+ | INR 25 Lakhs+ | INR 25.6 LPA |
Conclusion
The CAT 2026 expected cutoff may remain close to the previous cutoff trends for most IIMs. Institutes such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta attract the highest competition.
New IIMs and top non-IIM colleges also offer outstanding MBA opportunities. Candidates should aim for a percentile higher than the minimum qualifying cutoff to maximise their chances of receiving interview calls.
For structured preparation, expert mentorship, regular mock tests, and complete CAT guidance, candidates can join MBA KARO CAT Online Coaching and strengthen their chances of securing admission to top MBA colleges in India.
