CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 have been announced along with the detailed notification on the official website. Before applying for the CAT 2025 exam, candidates should check whether they are qualified for the entrance test. The CAT exam eligibility 2025 is one of the most important facts that every MBA aspirant must be aware of before applying for the exam. Common Admission Test 2025 is going to be conducted on November 30, 2025. Candidates aspiring to take CAT must know the CAT exam eligibility beforehand. The basic CAT exam eligibility is that a candidate must be a graduate and must have secured a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate or equivalent from a recognized university. As per the CAT age eligibility 2025 there is no upper age limit for this exam. This CAT eligibility criteria is applicable to all the business schools offering admission through CAT exam. The official notification about CAT exam eligibility 2025 is out now with the detailed eligibility information. Candidates can read further to know more about CAT exam eligibility criteria in detail. It is important for every aspirant to verify your category-wise eligibility before filling out the CAT 2025 application form. Check out the detailed CAT eligibility criteria covering aspects like the reservation criteria, academic requirements and final year student eligibility also.
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CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 – Highlights
Understanding the CAT exam eligibility 2025 is the very first step which is taken by every CAT aspirant for planning to appear for this highly competitive management exam. The CAT eligibility criteria ensures that aspirants from different academic and professional backgrounds will get an equal opportunity to apply for the CAT exam.
The CAT 2025 exam will conducted by IIM Kozhikode for aspirants seeking admission to various management courses like MBA/PGDM/PGP, etc., in the IIMs or top B schools in India. Gain insights about the CAT exam eligibility 2025 and other related parameters in the table shared below for the candidate’s reference.
CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 Overview
The CAT exam eligibility 2025 has been kept easy and simple to understand for CAT aspirants. As per the CAT eligibility criteria, candidates must hold a graduation degree with at least 50% marks and 45% marks for SC/ST/PwD whereas the final year students awaiting for their results are also eligible to apply for the CAT exam. Here is a table mentioned below that covers the basic information details about the CAT exam eligibility:
| Particulars | Details |
| Academic degree | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Minimum percentage of marks | 50% |
| Relaxation in percentage | 45% to SC/ST candidates |
| Final year students (results awaiting) | Can Apply |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory, but acceptable |
| Age eligibility for CAT exam | No age limit |
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025
The CAT exam eligibility 2025 is an important criterion that the candidate must fulfil in order to be a part of the entrance test. They must read the official notification PDF to determine whether they meet the necessary qualifications to appear in this admission test. It covers key details like CAT age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and other eligibility factors. If candidates are found ineligible, their applications might be rejected by the exam authorities. A few points related to the CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 are shared below.
- The official notification about CAT exam eligibility has already released. Meeting the CAT eligibility criteria 2025 is mandatory to register for the exam. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and must have 50% marks in their graduation. They must have a degree from a recognized university. This minimum CAT exam eligibility percentage is 45% for the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories.Â
- Apart from this, as per the CAT exam eligibility, candidates who are in the final year of their graduation and the results are awaited are also eligible. Their joining will be provisional and will be confirmed only once they submit their original marksheet.Â
- CAT criteria for eligibility also states that candidates if a candidate has professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with 50% marks then he/she is also eligible.
Aspirants should note that IIM’s may verify the eligibility during the selection process. Mere fulfilment of the minimum IIM CAT eligibility does not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMs for MBA admissions.
CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025 – Work Experience
As per the eligibility for CAT 2025, work experience is not mandatory. However, candidates with work experience are given weightage during the selection process of some management colleges.
When it comes to a CAT eligibility criteria 2025, the work experience always serves as an additional advantage although it is not mandatory. Candidates or if they are having work experience said to be a working professional carries extra practical exposure. At the same time, the fresh graduates also have well equal opportunities because CAT exam eligibility does not mandate the work experience criteria.
CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 for Final Year Students
Candidates who are in the final year of graduation and whose results are awaited can also apply for CAT 2025. But they have to submit their original marksheet during the document verification process of the selection process by the respective college. Below is the detailed analysis about the CAT exam eligibility for the final year students.
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Age Criteria for CAT Exam 2025
Aspirants must know that there is no age eligibility for CAT exam. Therefore graduates of any age are eligible for taking the Common Admission Test 2025. Since there is no age limit for CAT exam, it attracts aspirants of various age groups. So irrespective of the age if a candidate fulfills the academic criteria then one can apply for CAT 2025. Therefore as per CAT age eligibility neither is a upper limit nor there is a lower age limit. One must have simply have completed graduation.
CAT Age Limit 2025
In this section we are mentioning the CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 according to the age criteria for different categories that includes the General category, OBC, SC/ST/EWS as well as PwD.
| Category | Age Limit |
| CAT Age Limit for General Category | No age limit |
| CAT Age Limit for OBC | No age limit |
| CAT Age Limit for SC/ST/EWS and PwD | No age limit |
CAT Exam Eligibility 2025- Recognized Degrees
Candidates must ensure that they hold the qualifications from recognized universities/Institutions outlined by the exam authorities. To meet CAT exam eligibility, applicants should possess a graduate degree from a recognized university with at least the prescribed percentage of marks. Given below is the list of qualifying degrees with percentage and recognized universities accepted for CAT exam eligibility:
| Degree/Qualification | Authority |
| Bachelor’s Degree | UGC Approved/Ministry of Education |
| B.Tech/B.E | UGC Approved/Ministry of Education/AICTE |
| CS/CA/ICWA/FIAI | MHRD/ AICTE |
| Final year graduates | UGC Approved/Ministry of Education |
CAT Exam Eligibility: Minimum Percentage Required in Qualifying Degree
Here is the table mentioned below category wise that covers the CAT exam eligibility to ensure the minimum percentage required in qualifying degree.
| Category | CAT Exam Eligibility Percentage |
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 50% |
| NC-OBC | 50% |
| SC | 45% |
| ST | 45% |
| PwD | 45% |
CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 for Candidates with Backlogs
Many students with backlogs must be wondering whether they are eligible for CAT or not and the answer to this is yes. So even if you have a backlog you can apply for CAT 2025 but you should have an aggregate of 50% marks in graduation.
CAT Exam Eligibility 2025: Additional Information for SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS and PwD
- Aspirants belonging to the SC or ST categories, the particular caste/tribe should be mentioned in the Government of India schedule. The caste certificate to be produced by the aspirants to IIM should be in the Government of India-approved format and should clearly specify:
- (a) Caste/tribe Name
- (b) Whether the CAT aspirants belong to the Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe
- (c) District and State or Union Territory of the aspirant’s ordinary residence, and
- (d) The appropriate Government of India schedule under which the aspirant’s caste/tribe is approved by it as a Scheduled Caste or a Scheduled Tribe.
- Upload the scanned copy of the SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD certificate(s) during the CAT application registration. Those who fail to submit the caste/class certificate may face rejection of their candidature.
- The SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD certificate(s)and their xerox copies should be produced during interviews. Aspirants will also have to submit these certificates when joining the programmes of any of the IIMs. If they fail to do so after the CAT selection process, then they will not be accepted under the reserved category.
- Candidates should apply for a UDID card (PwD Category) and upload it for the CAT application.
Who is Not Eligible for CAT 2025?
There are certain parameters wherein one is not eligible for CAT 2025. They have been listed here:
- Candidates who have not completed their bachelor’s degree.
- One who has secured below 50% in their graduation. 45% in case of reserved categories.
- Candidates who are in process of pursuing their professional degree (CS/ CA/ ICWA) and have not yet completed their graduation.
- As per the CAT exam eligibility criteria, candidates who have a bachelor’s degree obtained from an educational institute that is not recognized by UGC/MHRD/ AICTE are not eligible.
| Criteria | Not Eligible If | Reason |
| Graduation Status | You have not completed your bachelor’s degree | A recognized undergraduate degree is mandatory |
| Minimum Marks | You have less than 50% in graduation (General/EWS/OBC) or less than 45% (SC/ST/PwD) | Doesn’t meet minimum percentage requirement |
| Professional Course Status | You are pursuing CS/CA/ICWA but have not completed graduation | Graduation must be complete or in final year to be eligible |
| Institution Recognition | Your degree is from a university not recognized by UGC/MHRD/AICTE | Unrecognized degrees are not valid for CAT exam eligibility |
CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 – Reservation Criteria
There are certain reservation criteria for reserved categories seeking MBA admissions. Candidates from reserved categories must carefully check the CAT exam eligibility conditions before applying. While IIMs aim to admit students from SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD categories as per legal requirements, these applicants must still fulfil the minimum eligibility and performance standards to be considered for admission. Here is the table mentioned below that ensures the CAT exam eligibility category-wise along with the percentage of reservation.
| Categories | Percentage of Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| NC-OBC | 27% |
| PwD | 5% |
CAT Exam Eligibility vs Others Exams
Here is the detailed information table mentioned below that covers the CAT exam eligibility as well as the eligibility of other exams too like XAT Exam and NMAT Exam.
| Criteria | CAT Exam 2025 | XAT Exam 2025 | NMAT Exam 2025 |
| Minimum Education | Bachelor’s Degree | Bachelor’s Degree | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Min % Required | 50% (Gen), 45% (SC/ST) | No Minimum % | No Minimum % |
| Final Year Eligible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Age Limit | No | No | No |
| Work Experience Needed | No | No | No |
Is the CAT Exam Eligibility and IIM Eligibility Criteria the Same?
Yes the CAT exam eligibility and IIM eligibility criteria is same as the admission to all IIMs for MBA is based on CAT exam only. However, IIMs have some additional requirements after CAT that includes a good profile, minimum cutoff requirement to be met, etc.
| Criteria | CAT Exam Eligibility | IIM Admission Eligibility |
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% (45% for SC/ST/PwD) | Same as CAT eligibility |
| Recognized University Requirement | Degree must be from a UGC/AICTE/MHRD recognized institution | Same requirement applies |
| Final Year Students | Eligible to apply provisionally | Eligible but final result submission required during admission |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but may add weightage during selection |
| Additional Requirements | None for CAT registration | Yes minimum sectional cutoffs academic profile WAT-PI performance |
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CAT Exam 2025: Other Related Links
| CAT Exam 2025 | CAT Syllabus 2025 |
| CAT Eligibility Criteria | CAT Preparation Strategy |
| CAT Books | CAT Exam Pattern |
| CAT Exam Date | CAT Age Limit |
Conclusion: CAT Exam Eligibility 2025
The CAT exam eligibility is simple to understand and also very important because it allows graduates with 50% marks( and 45% marks if they belong to the SC/ST/PwD) category. As per the CAT eligibility criteria there is no age limit and even final-year students can appear for the exam if they are awaiting for their exam results. This make CAT exam a fair opportunity for working professionals as well as freshers.
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CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 – FAQs
CAT eligibility criteria is that the aspiring candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognised university. The minimum CAT exam eligibility percentage is 50% in graduation for the general category and 45% for the reserved category.
B.Tech students must have a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate and must have pursued their degree from an educational institute that is approved by the UGC or Ministry of Education.
No there is no age criteria for CAT exam. Therefore candidates of any age possessing a bachelor’s degree with 50% marks can apply for CAT 2025.
CAT eligibility criteria does not state any particular stream. Candidates from any stream can appear for CAT 2025 irrespective of their streams.
No, work experience is not necessary for CAT exam 2025.
No, there is no limit to appear for the CAT exam 2025. You can appear for the CAT exam as many time as you want.
