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Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 will be held on November 30, 2025. If you are planning to appear for the CAT exam, it is important to know the eligibility criteria. To be eligible, candidates must have a graduation degree from a recognized university with at least 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA). For SC/ST/PwD candidates, a minimum of 45% marks (or equivalent CGPA). Candidates in the final year of their studies after graduation can also apply, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria.
There is no upper age limit for the CAT exam, which makes it accessible to candidates of all ages. These eligibility criteria are applicable to all business schools that accept CAT scores for admission. Detailed information about CAT eligibility criteria 2025 is discussed below.
Candidates wishing to appear for the CAT 2025 exam must meet the specific Eligibility Criteria set by the conducting authority. Below is a detailed summary of the CAT 2025 Eligibility Requirements.
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Academic Degree | Bachelor's degree from a recognized university/institution |
| Minimum Percentage of Marks | General/EWS/OBC: 50% SC/ST/PWD: 45% |
| Relaxation in Percentage | 5% relaxation for SC/ST/PWD candidates |
| Final Year Students | Eligible to apply, subject to completing the degree before admission |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory |
| Age Eligibility | No age limit |
Below is some important information about CAT Eligibility Criteria, Education Qualification and Final Year Students.
Aspirants must know that there is no age qualification for CAT exam. Hence, graduates of any age are eligible to appear in Common Admission Test 2025. Since there is no age limit for CAT exam, it attracts candidates of different age groups. Therefore, irrespective of age, if a candidate fullfils the educational criteria, then a candidate can apply for CAT 2025.
Work experience is not mandatory for appearing in the CAT 2025 exam. However, some top B-schools like IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, SPJIMR Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon often give extra weight to candidates with prior work experience during the admission process. This is because experienced candidates usually bring practical knowledge, leadership qualities, and valuable insights that enrich the classroom discussions. So, while freshers are equally qualified, having work experience can give you an edge in the final selection.
CAT Eligibility 2025 for Candidates with Backlogs
Candidates with backlogs in their undergraduate courses can still apply for CAT 2025. However, they must ensure that they have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (or 45% for SC/ST/PwD) after clearing all their backlogs. Most IIMs and participating institutions may ask for proof of payment of all dues at the time of admission. Therefore, candidates must meet the educational eligibility criteria before the final admission process begins.
There are different kinds of degrees out there — here’s a quick look at some examples and who recognizes them.
| Degree Type | Examples | Recognized By |
| Bachelor’s Degree | B.A. (Bachelor of Arts), B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science), B.Com. (Bachelor of Commerce), B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology), B.E. (Bachelor of Engineering), BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications), BSW (Bachelor of Social Work), BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) | UGC (University Grants Commission), AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource Development) |
| Professional Degrees | CA (Chartered Accountant), CS (Company Secretary), CMA/ICWA (Cost and Management Accountant), MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery), BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), B.Arch. (Bachelor of Architecture), BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy), LLB (Bachelor of Law), BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery) | ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India), ICSI (Institute of Company Secretaries of India), ICMAI (Institute of Cost Accountants of India), MCI/NMC (Medical Council of India/National Medical Commission), DCI (Dental Council of India), COA (Council of Architecture), BCI (Bar Council of India), NCISM (National Commission for Indian System of Medicine) |
| Deemed/Autonomous University Degrees | Degrees from UGC/AICTE-approved autonomous institutions like IITs, NITs, IISc, BITS Pilani, VIT, etc. | UGC, AICTE |
| Foreign Degrees | Bachelor’s degrees from international universities such as B.A., B.Sc., B.Eng., BBA from Harvard University, University of Oxford, University of Toronto, etc. | Association of Indian Universities (AIU) |
There are certain parameters under which one is not eligible for CAT 2025. Here is the list of them:
CAT does not have a separate reservation policy, but IIMs and other participating institutions follow the reservation guidelines of the Government of India while conducting admissions. As per CAT eligibility, SC, ST and PwD candidates get 5% relaxation in terms of graduation marks. The department-wise seat distribution of IIMs is given in the table below.
| Category | Percentage of Seats Reserved in IIMs and Other MBA Colleges |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 5% |
Ans: Yes, candidates with backlog can apply for CAT 2025. However, they must ensure that they meet the aggregate percentage requirement of their graduation level.
Ans: No, work experience is not mandatory to appear for the CAT exam. Both fresh graduates and working professionals can apply.
Ans: Yes, reservation is done as per the rules of the Government of India. Generally, 15% seats are reserved for SC candidates, 7.5% for ST candidates, 27% for OBC candidates (non-creamy layer) and up to 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Additionally, 5% of seats are reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PWD).
Ans: The admission process for international candidates or Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) may be different, often requiring GMAT scores instead of CAT scores. Such candidates are advised to check the specific requirements of each IIM or institution.
Ans: No, there is no age limit for appearing in the CAT exam. Candidates of any age can apply, provided they have the educational qualifications.
Ans: Candidates holding a diploma equivalent to a bachelor's degree recognized by the Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD) are eligible to apply, provided they meet the minimum percentage criteria.
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