CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 is the first thing you should check before filling out the application form.
As per the latest CAT 2026 notification, the registration process will begin on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM IST) and continue until September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM IST). The CAT 2026 exam will be conducted on November 29, 2026, in three sessions.
Before you register, ensure you meet all prescribed eligibility criteria, as incorrect information can lead to rejection during the admission process.
The CAT 2026 eligibility criteria mainly depend on your educational qualification, minimum qualifying marks, category, and supporting documents.
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum qualification required. Final-year students, working professionals, and candidates with professional qualifications like CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), and FIAI are also eligible under specified conditions.
This article explains who can register for CAT 2026, age limit, reservation, required documents, application fees, and the registration process.
Who Can Register for CAT 2026: Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | CAT 2026 |
| Notification Release Date | July 25, 2026 |
| CAT Registration 2026 | August 3 to September 15, 2026 |
| CAT Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Basic Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Minimum Marks (General/OBC/EWS) | 50% or equivalent CGPA |
| Minimum Marks (SC/ST/PwD) | 45% or equivalent CGPA |
| Professional Qualifications Accepted | CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), FIAI |
| Final Year Students | Eligible |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory |
| Number of Attempts | No limit |
Who Can Register for CAT 2026?
You can register for CAT 2026 if you satisfy any one of the following conditions:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
- Have secured at least 50% marks (General/EWS/NC-OBC) or 45% marks (SC/ST/PwD).
- Are currently in the final year of your bachelor’s degree.
- Have completed all degree requirements and are awaiting results.
- Hold a professional qualification such as CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with the required minimum marks.
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 Explained
Meeting the CAT eligibility criteria 2026 is mandatory for appearing in the examination. Every claim made in the application form must be supported with valid documents during the admission process. The eligibility is based on five major factors:
- Academic qualification
- Minimum qualifying marks
- Category
- Professional qualification
- Supporting documents
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Educational Qualification
CAT Educational qualification is the primary eligibility requirement. You are eligible if you have:
- A bachelor’s degree awarded by a recognised university.
- Minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (General, EWS and NC-OBC).
- Minimum 45% marks or equivalent CGPA (SC, ST and PwD).
- A recognised equivalent qualification approved by the Government of India.
Minimum Percentage Required for CAT 2026
Here is the minimum percentage required for applying for the CAT 2026 exam:
| Category | Minimum Marks Required |
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 50% |
| NC-OBC | 50% |
| SC | 45% |
| ST | 45% |
| PwD | 45% |
Can Final Year Students Apply for CAT 2026?
Yes. Final-year students are eligible for CAT 2026. You can apply if:
- You are currently studying in the final year of your bachelor’s degree.
- You have completed all degree requirements and are waiting for the final result.
If selected, admission will remain provisional until you submit a certificate issued by the Principal or Registrar confirming that all degree requirements have been completed.
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Professional Degree Holders
Candidates possessing recognised professional qualifications are also eligible. Accepted professional qualifications include:
- Chartered Accountant (CA)
- Company Secretary (CS)
- CMA/ICWA
- Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)
Minimum qualifying marks remain:
- 50% for General/EWS/NC-OBC
- 45% for SC/ST/PwD
CAT Eligibility for General Category
General category candidates must satisfy the following:
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks.
- Final-year students are eligible.
- Professional degree holders with 50% marks can also apply.
CAT Eligibility for OBC (NC-OBC)
Candidates belonging to the NC-OBC category must have:
- Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks.
- Final-year students or candidates awaiting results are eligible.
- Professional degree holders with 50% marks can apply.
CAT Eligibility for SC/ST Category
SC/ST candidates receive relaxation in qualifying marks. Eligibility includes:
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 45% marks.
- Final-year students are eligible.
- Professional degree holders meeting the prescribed relaxation criteria can apply.
CAT Eligibility for PwD Candidates
As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, 5% seats are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD). A benchmark disability means not less than 40% disability.
Eligible disability categories include:
- Blindness and low vision
- Deaf and hard of hearing
- Locomotor disability
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy
- Autism
- Intellectual disability
- Mental illness
- Multiple disabilities
- Other specified disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016
CAT Exam Age Limit 2026
One of the most searched questions is “What is the CAT age limit?” There is no minimum or maximum age limit mentioned in the CAT 2026 notification.
| Criteria | Details |
| Minimum Age | Not Specified |
| Maximum Age | Not Specified |
If you satisfy the educational qualification requirements, you can register for CAT irrespective of your age.
CAT Eligibility for Working Professionals
Working professionals can also register for CAT 2026. The eligibility remains exactly the same. Requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree with minimum qualifying marks.
- Professional qualification with required percentage.
- Work experience is not compulsory.
Although work experience is not required for CAT registration, several IIMs consider it during the final admission process.
CAT Reservation Criteria 2026
The reservation policy applicable during admission is shown below.
| Category | Reservation |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| NC-OBC | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| PwD | 5% seats reserved under RPwD Act |
Documents Required for CAT Eligibility 2026
The list of documents required for CAT registration 2026 is as follows:
- Valid email ID
- Mobile number
- Passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Graduation details
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Work experience details
- Valid ID proof
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 for All IIMs
Although every IIM uses CAT scores, the basic eligibility remains almost identical.
| IIM | Basic Eligibility |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Bachelor’s degree with 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD); final-year students eligible |
| IIM Bangalore | Bachelor’s degree with 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD); professional degrees accepted |
| IIM Calcutta | Bachelor’s degree with 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD); final-year students eligible |
| IIM Lucknow | Bachelor’s degree with 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD); final-year students eligible |
| IIM Mumbai | Bachelor’s degree with 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD); final-year students and awaiting-result candidates eligible |
How to Register for CAT 2026?
Follow these steps to complete the CAT 2026 registration process.
- Visit the official CAT website.
- Click on New Candidate Registration.
- Register using your name, email ID, mobile number and date of birth.
- Log in using the generated credentials.
- Fill in personal, academic and work experience details.
- Upload photograph, signature and category certificate (if applicable).
- Select five preferred test cities.
- Review all entered details carefully.
- Pay the CAT application fee online.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page.
CAT Application Fee 2026
The CAT 2026 notification has revised the application fee. The CAT application fee must be paid online during the registration process.
| Category | CAT Application Fee |
| General, EWS, NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC, ST, PwBD | ₹1,350 |
CAT 2026 Registration Dates
| Event | Date |
| CAT Notification Release | July 25, 2026 |
| CAT Registration Begins | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM IST) |
| CAT Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM IST) |
| CAT Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
Conclusion
The CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 primarily require a recognised bachelor’s degree with the prescribed minimum percentage.
Final-year students, working professionals, and candidates holding recognised professional qualifications such as CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), and FIAI are also eligible to apply.
Since the CAT 2026 registration window is open from August 3 to September 15, 2026, you should verify your eligibility, keep all required documents ready, and complete your application well before the deadline.
If you are preparing for CAT 2026, MBA KARO CAT Online Coaching can help you build a structured preparation plan with expert mentorship, comprehensive study material, and performance analysis to improve your percentile and strengthen your chances of success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can register for CAT 2026?
Candidates with a recognised bachelor’s degree and at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) can register. Final-year students and eligible professional degree holders can also apply.
What is the minimum qualification for CAT 2026?
A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university is the minimum educational qualification required for CAT 2026.
Is there any age limit for CAT 2026?
No. The CAT 2026 notification does not prescribe any minimum or maximum age limit.
Can final-year students apply for CAT 2026?
Yes. Candidates appearing in the final year of their bachelor’s degree or awaiting results are eligible to register.
What is the CAT application fee for 2026?
The CAT 2026 application fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates, while SC, ST and PwBD candidates need to pay ₹1,350.
Is work experience compulsory for CAT 2026?
No. Work experience is not mandatory for appearing in CAT. However, several IIMs consider work experience during their final admission process.
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