{"id":17832,"date":"2025-09-29T05:30:12","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T05:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/?p=17832"},"modified":"2025-09-29T05:30:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T05:30:12","slug":"cat-2026-eligibility-criteria-step-by-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/blog\/cat-2026-eligibility-criteria-step-by-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria \u2013 Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Common Admission Test, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/exam\/6\/cat-2024\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is one of India&#8217;s most coveted entrance exams for MBA and PGDM courses. Organized each year by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the CAT test leads to admissions not just in IIMs but also in more than 1,200 other top-rated B-schools in the country. If you&#8217;re going to take CAT 2026, it&#8217;s important to check if you&#8217;re eligible. This guide will make you aware of who is eligible, what are the requirements, and other important information about the exam.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why Take CAT?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gateway to 21 IIMs and 1,200+ other B-schools.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High ROI programs with packages between \u20b915\u201335 LPA at best institutions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chance to join profiles such as consulting, finance, analytics, and operations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Known worldwide by most premier institutions for management education.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria:<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be eligible to apply for CAT 2026, candidates must satisfy the following academic, age, and reservation-based eligibility criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Educational Qualification:<\/b><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Requirement<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Details<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum Qualification<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bachelor&#8217;s Degree (any stream)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimum Marks<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General: 50% (or equivalent CGPA) SC\/ST\/PwD: 45%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">University Recognition<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Degree must be from a recognized university by UGC\/AICTE or an equivalent authority<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Note: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final-year students are also eligible to apply, subject to completion of degree requirements by June 202<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Age Limit<\/b><\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Category<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Age Limit<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Categories<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No upper or lower age limit to appear for CAT<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><b>Nationality:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should be an Indian citizen.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NRIs and foreign nationals are eligible to apply but need to verify specific IIMs for eligibility criteria and other test options (GMAT, GRE).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Who is Eligible to Apply for CAT 2026? (Quick Table)<\/b><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Candidate Type<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Notes<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Year UG Student (2025\u201326)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Must submit proof of degree completion later<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working Professional with Bachelor\u2019s<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No specific work experience required<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Distance Learning Graduate<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Degree must be recognized<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diploma Holder (Without Bachelor&#8217;s)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bachelor&#8217;s degree is mandatory<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foreign Graduate (Indian Citizen)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Must ensure Indian equivalency recognized by AIU<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Reservation Criteria (As per Government Norms)<\/b><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Category<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Reservation<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SC<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ST<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7.50%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">OBC-NCL<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">27%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">EWS<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PwD<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5% (across categories)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>Documents Required During CAT Registration:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scanned passport size photograph and signature<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Category certificate (if required)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PwD certificate (if required)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final year certificate (for appearing candidates)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>CAT 2026Important Dates (Tentative)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>EventDate<\/b><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Event<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Date<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notification Release<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">July 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registration Starts<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">August 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last Date to Apply<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">September 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Admit Card Download<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT Exam Date<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">November 2025<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Result Declaration<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">January 2026<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>My Career Mantra<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have faith in yourself and prepare wisely. Eligibility is just the beginning \u2014 a well-knitted preparation plan, clear concepts, and regular practice can lead you to crack CAT. Be dedicated and don&#8217;t get discouraged by doubts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>FAQs about CAT 2026 Eligibility<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Q1. Can a final-year student apply for CAT 2026?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: Yes, final-year students can apply, but they must complete their degree before the academic session of 2026 begins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q2. Is there an age limit for CAT 2026?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: No, there is no age limit for appearing in CAT.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q3. Is work experience mandatory to appear for CAT?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: No, work experience is not required, but it may help during interviews.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q4. Can diploma holders apply for CAT?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: No, a diploma is not comparable to a bachelor&#8217;s degree for CAT eligibility.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Q5. Can foreign nationals apply?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A: Foreign nationals cannot appear for CAT, but they can apply to IIMs on GMAT or GRE, as the case may be.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Knowing CAT 2026 eligibility criteria is the initial big step towards your MBA. If you are eligible according to the academic criteria and serious about seeking management education, prepare early. CAT is competitive, but with the right attitude, guidance, and effort, top B-schools are within reach.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Related Articles You Might Like:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/exam\/6\/cat-2025\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAT 2025 Syllabus &amp; Pattern: What&#8217;s New?<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/careermantra.net\/course\/1\/mba\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Common Admission Test, or CAT, is one of India&#8217;s most coveted entrance exams for MBA and PGDM courses. Organized each year by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the CAT test leads to admissions not just in IIMs but also in more than 1,200 other top-rated B-schools in the country. If you&#8217;re going to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[660],"tags":[175,590,847],"class_list":["post-17832","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cat-exam","tag-cat-2026-cutoff-colleges","tag-cat-2026-eligibility-criteria","tag-cat-course"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria \u2013 Step-by-Step Guide - Career Mantra<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Common Admission Test, or CAT, is one of India&#039;s most coveted entrance exams for MBA and PGDM courses. 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