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The CAT 2025 expects more than 3 lakh registrations, which makes it one of India’s most competitive entrance exams. IIM Kozhikode will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) on 30th November 2025. The exam opens doors to 21 IIMs and thousands of B-schools throughout India.
MBA aspirants must know the eligibility requirements before they start their preparation. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. The minimum marks required are 50% for the general category and 45% for the reserved categories. The CAT exam welcomes candidates regardless of their age, so professionals can pursue management education at any career stage. The exam allows unlimited attempts, which lets candidates take the test as many times as they want.
There are three sections in the CAT examination which are Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability. More than two lakh aspirants appear for CAT each year. Understanding the eligibility criteria will help candidates evaluate their qualification status and prepare for this competitive examination effectively.
Also Check: CAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Highlights
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s top entrance exam for management education. Students who want to get into prestigious business schools need to know if they qualify.
| Parameter | Requirements |
| Basic Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university |
| Minimum Marks | 50% for General/EWS/OBC categories; 45% for SC/ST/PwD categories |
| Age Limit | No restrictions |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory |
| Professional Degrees | CA/CS/ICWA/FIAI acceptable with the required percentage |
| Final Year Students | Eligible (must complete degree by June 2026) |
| Number of Attempts | No limit |
| Reservation | SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC-NCL (27%), EWS (10%), PwD (5%) |
CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria 2025: Educational Qualification Requirements
Academic qualifications are a vital aspect of the CAT eligibility criteria. Let’s take a closer look at the educational qualifications needed for CAT 2025 aspirants.
Minimum degree and recognised institutions
A bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution serves as the foundation for CAT eligibility. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree awarded by any university or educational institution established by an Act of Parliament or State legislature in India.
Candidates with international degrees need qualifications recognised by India’s Ministry of Education. The degree should represent 15 years of education according to the Indian system (10+2+3/4). A bachelor’s degree from any discipline works fine, which gives flexibility to students from different academic backgrounds.
The degree must have recognition from authorities like UGC/AICTE to be valid for CAT 2025. This will give a consistent standard for all applications and maintain quality measures for the examination.
Minimum Marks for Different Categories
Different categories have varying minimum mark requirements. General, EWS, and NC-OBC category candidates need at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in their bachelor’s degree.
SC, ST, and PwD category candidates need to secure at least 45% marks or equivalent CGPA. This 5% relaxation makes quality management education available to more candidates from these categories.
Note: The conversion to a percentage follows the university’s certified procedure. If there’s no official conversion scheme, you divide the CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiply by 100.
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 for professional degree holders (CA/CS/ICWA)
Professional degree holders can also take CAT 2025. The exam is available to those who have completed qualifications like Chartered Accountant (CA), Company Secretary (CS), or Cost Accountant (ICWA/CMA). Fellows of India’s Institute of Actuaries (FIAI) can also apply.
In spite of that, these professionals must meet their category’s minimum percentage criteria – 50% for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates and 45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. This keeps the standards consistent across all applicant profiles.
A professional degree alone won’t make you eligible for the CAT exam. You need a bachelor’s degree along with your professional qualification.
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Category-Wise Marks Requirement
The CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 outline the minimum marks and percentile requirements across different categories for candidates aspiring to get shortlisted by the IIMs. Given below is the category-wise marks requirement for aspirants to understand their eligibility and tailor their preparation accordingly.
| Category | Minimum Marks Required | Reservation Percentage |
| General | 50% | N/A |
| EWS | 50% | Up to 10% |
| NC-OBC | 50% | 27% |
| SC | 45% | 15% |
| ST | 45% | 7.5% |
| PwD | 45% | 5% |
Final year bachelor’s students can apply for CAT 2025. They need to complete their degree with the required percentage by the given date. Selected candidates get provisional admission until they submit their degree completion certificate from their university.
Candidates should meet all educational requirements during the admission process. Verification can happen at any stage. These educational qualification requirements matter a lot for anyone planning to take the CAT 2025.
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 For Final Year and Backlog Students
Students in their final year of a bachelor’s degree and those with academic backlogs frequently ask about their CAT examination eligibility. The CAT eligibility criteria welcome these candidates under specific conditions.
Can final year students apply?
Students can apply for CAT 2025 during their final year. The examination allows participation from students who are completing their bachelor’s degree or waiting for their results. Candidates receive provisional admission until they complete their degree requirements.
Final year applicants must meet these requirements:
- Complete their bachelor’s degree by June 2026
- Score the minimum required percentage (50% for the general category and 45% for reserved categories)
- Present proper documentation from their institution during the admission process
This opportunity helps candidates smoothly transition from undergraduate studies to management education without losing an academic year.
Backlog rules and conditional admission
The CAT 2025 welcomes students with academic backlogs, which comes as good news for many aspirants. CAT eligibility criteria and IIM admission policies allow candidates with backlogs, but they need to follow certain conditions:
| Backlog Situation | Eligibility Status | Requirements |
| Currently pursuing supplementary exams | Eligible to apply | Must clear all backlogs before admission |
| Awaiting backlog results | Eligible with provisional status | Certificate from the institution stating supplementary exams have been taken |
| Completed degree with backlogs | Eligible if the overall percentage meets criteria | Minimum 50% (45% for reserved categories) despite backlogs |
Students with backlogs can get provisional admission. Their admission becomes confirmed after they submit proof of clearing all backlogs.
Required documents for provisional CAT 2025 eligibility
Candidates need specific documents for provisional admission:
Final year students should submit a certificate from their Principal/Head of Department/Registrar/Director. This certificate must state:
- The candidate’s final year status or result-awaiting status
- Achievement of minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) based on the latest available grades
- Expected completion of bachelor’s degree requirements by the specified date
Selected students must submit an additional certificate by June 30, 2026, confirming their degree completion. They can submit their final degree certificate and marksheet until December 31, 2026.
The institution will automatically cancel provisional admission if students fail to submit the required documents by the deadlines. Students should stay in touch with their admitting institution since verification can happen anytime.
CAT Non-Academic Eligibility Criteria 2025
CAT 2025 has several eligibility factors besides academic qualifications that candidates need to really understand. The non-academic criteria make CAT different from other competitive examinations with its flexible approach. Given below are the CAT eligibility criteria 2025 for non-academics parameters.
| Parameter | CAT 2025 Requirement |
| Age Limit | No minimum or maximum age restrictions |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory, but valued during admission (5-10% weightage) |
| Number of Attempts | No restrictions on the Number of Attempts |
| Work Experience Consideration | Experience of less than 6 months is typically not considered |
| Documents for Work Experience | Work certificate, joining letter, salary slips |
Also Check: CAT 2025 Admission Process
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Reservation Criteria and Category Guidelines
CAT 2025’s reservation policy adheres to government guidelines that promote diverse representation in management institutions.
CAT 2025 Eligibility documents required for reserved categories
Reserved category candidates must submit specific documentation. SC/ST applicants need certificates that specify their caste/tribe name, category identification, district, and state of residence, along with government approval status. The registration process requires candidates to upload these certificates, present them during interviews, and submit them while joining programmes. Missing or improper documentation leads to registration rejection or disqualification.
PwD category: Accepted disabilities under RPwD Act
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 reserves 5% seats for candidates with at least 40% standard disability. Qualifying disabilities include:
- Blindness and low vision
- Deaf and hard of hearing
- Locomotor disabilities (including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy)
- Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, mental illness
- Multiple disabilities from these categories
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025: Reservation Breakdown by Category
The CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 include a detailed reservation breakdown to ensure fair representation of candidates from various social and economic backgrounds. Understanding the category-wise reservation policies is essential for aspirants to know the seats allocated for General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and other reserved categories across the IIMs and participating institutes.
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Minimum Marks Required | Key Document Requirement |
| SC | 15% | 45% | Valid SC certificate |
| ST | 7.5% | 45% | Valid ST certificate |
| NC-OBC | 27% | 50% | NCL certificate |
| EWS | Up to 10% | 50% | Valid EWS certificate |
| PwD | 5% | 45% | Disability certificate/UDID |
Also Check: Best Books For CAT Preparation 2025
Conclusion
Every aspiring management student needs to know the CAT eligibility criteria 2025 well. The exam offers great flexibility with no age limit and lets you take it as many times as you want. Students from any field can apply if they meet the basic percentage requirements – 50% for General, EWS, and OBC categories, and 45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories.
Final year students can apply even with backlogs through provisional status, but they must complete their degree by June 2026. Professional degree holders like CA, CS, and ICWA can take the exam too if they meet the percentage criteria.
CAT 2025 ranks among India’s toughest exams with over three lakh expected registrations. Starting preparation early is vital while keeping these eligibility rules in mind. Meeting these basic requirements is your first step toward getting into IIMs and other top B-schools and building a successful management career.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there an age limit for taking the CAT 2025 exam?
No, there is no minimum or maximum age limit for CAT 2025. Candidates of any age can appear for the exam as long as they meet the educational requirements.
2. What are the reservation quotas for different categories in CAT 2025?
The reservation quotas are as follows: 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for NC-OBC, up to 10% for EWS, and 5% for PwD candidates.
3. Can final year students apply for CAT 2025?
Yes, final year students can apply for CAT 2025. They must complete their bachelor’s degree with the required percentage by June 2026 and provide necessary documentation.
4. What are the minimum marks required for CAT 2025 eligibility?
The minimum marks required for the CAT eligibility criteria 2025 are 50% marks in their bachelor’s degree for General, EWS, and OBC category candidates. SC, ST, and PwD category candidates require at least 45% marks.
5. Is work experience mandatory for the CAT eligibility criteria 2025?
No, work experience is not mandatory for CAT eligibility criteria 2025. However, it is valued during the admission process, typically carrying 5-10% weightage at premier institutions.
