CAT 2026 Eligibility: Marks, Final Year and CGPA Rules

CAT 2026 minimum marks by category

The category distinction is important: the 45% relaxation applies to SC, ST and PwBD, not automatically to every reserved category. General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates need at least 50%. These are eligibility thresholds, not CAT percentile cutoffs.

Which qualifications are covered?

The bulletin covers a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institution, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education. It also lists completed professional qualifications: CA, CS, ICWA (CMA) and Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI), with the required percentage.

The listed routes are a completed eligible degree, a completed eligible professional qualification, or the final year of a bachelor’s degree. A short coaching certificate or a standalone online course is not a substitute for these qualifications. Check the precise status of an unusual qualification with the official authority.

Can final-year students and candidates awaiting results apply?

Yes. Candidates appearing for the final year of the bachelor’s or equivalent qualification, and those who completed degree requirements but are awaiting results, are covered by the bulletin.

If selected, admission can be provisional. A Principal or Registrar certificate must confirm completion of all degree requirements, issued by the date stipulated by the respective IIM. There is no single completion-certificate deadline supplied here for every programme: follow the institution making the offer.

Keep your latest marksheets, expected completion information and institution contact details ready. Do not present a pending degree as already completed.

How should CGPA be converted to percentage?

Use the conversion procedure certified by your university or institution. Do not automatically multiply CGPA by 9.5, 10 or another internet formula.

Only if the university confirms that it has no conversion scheme does the bulletin prescribe: obtained CGPA ÷ maximum possible CGPA × 100. For example, 7.2 out of 10 gives 72% under that fallback; if the university has its own formula, its certified procedure takes precedence.

Marks and rounding must follow the applicable institutional rules. A worked example is not permission to round a below-threshold result upward.

Category documents and verification

For CAT 2026, the bulletin specifies NC-OBC certificates issued on or after April 1, 2026. EWS certificates must be valid for 2026–27 and assessed for financial year 2025–26. Applicants should use the official proformas and the applicable Central Government criteria.

The bulletin describes a conditional undertaking process for certain pending NC-OBC/EWS certificates and warns that an incomplete document set can lead to disqualification. It also says category changes will not be entertained after registration. Read the actual provisions rather than treating a certificate from another admission cycle as automatically sufficient.

Eligibility is the first check, not an admission prediction

IIMs can apply their own academic cutoffs, CAT requirements and selection weights. Prior academics, relevant work experience and other inputs may influence shortlisting; later interview or assessment stages also vary by programme.

The general eligibility section does not prescribe a minimum period of work experience for all CAT applicants. A specialised or executive programme can nevertheless have additional requirements. Read the target programme’s admission policy separately.

As registration is now closed, satisfying the academic criteria does not create a late-application route. Existing candidates should retain documents for later verification.

Sources and verification notes

Official sources were checked on 7 October 2026. Later dated notices take precedence over the original bulletin where a deadline has changed. Study plans and worked examples are editorial guidance, not official exam rules.

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