CAT Age Limit 2026: Attempt Limit, Eligibility and Related Key Factors

You are one among the lakhs of MBA aspirants preparing for CAT 2026. Securing your seat in any of the 22 IIMs or the 1300+ top management institutions demands that you are clear on certain factors, apart from making sure your preparation is on point. One such criterion that we will be talking about is the CAT age limit in 2026, an important mandate in the eligibility criteria. Every update summarised in this blog is as per the official CAT notification released by IIM Indore. Let’s get into it.

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Is There A CAT Age Limit In 2026 Exam?

A straightforward answer to the question is ‘No’. Irrespective of age, whether you are a fresh graduate, a working professional, or someone wishing to start their higher education after a break, you are eligible to appear for CAT 2026. But there’s a catch! Even though there is no CAT age limit, you must make sure you meet the academic requirements. 

Key Takeaway:

• Minimum Age: There is no minimum age requirement to appear for CAT 2026.
• Maximum Age: There is no upper age cap specified for appearing in CAT 2026.
• Number of Attempts: You can appear for CAT as many times as you wish to.

CAT Age Limit: Category-Wise Breakdown

Unlike the minimum aggregate score eligibility criteria for CAT 2026 among different categories. When it comes to age limit criteria, there are no such requirements. It’s the same across all categories – Unreserved, OBC, EWS, SC, ST or PwD. There is no upper age limit or lower age limit restriction for any candidate, regardless of category. 

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Here are the complete eligibility criteria other than the CAT age limit requirements:

Academic Qualification

• A candidate willing to appear in CAT 2026 must be a graduate with a minimum of three years of course duration. 
• The bachelor’s degree must be from a recognised university. The university must be recognised by AICTE, UGC or an equivalent statutory body.
• The candidate can be a graduate from any core stream or must hold an equivalent degree and must be recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Minimum Marks

• The candidate must obtain a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate or have a CGPA equivalent to it. This criterion is applicable to General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates.
• For reserved category CAT aspirants, the minimum aggregate score is 45%.

Final Year Students

• If you are a final-year student, you are eligible for CAT 2026, provided that you hold a certificate of degree certification duly signed by your institution’s principal or registrar.
• You need to submit the certificate to the concerned authority before the deadline announced by the concerned authority.

Professional Qualifications

• If you do not hold a conventional degree certificate but possess qualifications like CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), or Fellowship of the Institute of Actuaries of India, you are eligible for CAT.

Open University/Recognised Universities

• If your educational institution is recognised by UGC, your degree is acceptable and considered to evaluate your eligibility for CAT 2026.

CAT Age Limit 2026: Important Dates And Other Key Highlights

Particulars	Highlights
CAT Age Limit 2026 – Minimum	No Limit
CAT 2026 Age Limit – Maximum	No Limit
CAT 2026 Notification Release Date	July 26, 2026
CAT 2026 Registration Start Date	August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM), Monday
CAT 2026 Registration Last Date	September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM), Tuesday
CAT 2026 Exam Date	November 29, 2026 (Sunday)
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test (CBT)

The registration for CAT 2026 will begin on 03 August 2026 (Monday), and it is important to understand all the requirements of CAT. This blog talks about the CAT age limit 2026. Everything you need to know about the same is highlighted in this blog along with other details released by IIM Indore regarding CAT 2026.

FAQs: CAT Age Limit 2026