CAT Exam Age Limit 2026: Check Eligibility Criteria and Reservation Policy

Overview: What is the age limit for the CAT exam in India? Is there any relaxation for the age limit in CAT exam 2026? Who is eligible for CAT 2026? Read the complete details to clear your doubt about CAT exam age limit!

✅Wondering whether there is an age limit for CAT 2026? The good news is that there is no upper or lower age restriction to appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT).

✅Candidates of any age can apply, provided they meet the academic eligibility criteria set by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

✅This makes CAT one of the most accessible MBA entrance exams in India, open to fresh graduates, working professionals, career switchers, and even candidates returning to academics after a long gap.

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✅To be eligible for CAT, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) or be in the final year of graduation.

✅Age does not affect your ability to register, write the exam, or be considered for admission through CAT scores.

Stay tuned for full details regarding the CAT exam age limit policy!

Read More | CAT Admission Process 2026 

Is there any Age Limit for CAT Exam 2026?

One of the most liberating facts about the CAT exam is that there is no upper age limit. Candidates of any age can appear for the CAT as long as they meet the academic eligibility criteria.

This means whether a candidate is a fresh graduate at 21 or a seasoned professional in their 40s or beyond, they are eligible to take the exam.

There is also no formal minimum age limit, but since a bachelor's degree is the basic requirement, aspirants typically are at least 20 years old when they take the exam.

This open-age policy encourages aspirants at all stages of life, fresh graduates, working professionals, and those seeking a career change, to prepare and apply without concerns about age restrictions.

Also Read | Reservation in the CAT Exam 2026

Check Now: QA Free Resources for CAT 2026

What is the Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026?

To be eligible for CAT 2026, candidates must satisfy the following:

• Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised university or institution is mandatory. The degree can be in any discipline or stream, offering flexibility across academic backgrounds.

• Minimum Marks:

  • For General and NC-OBC categories, a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA) is required.

  • For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum aggregate marks is 45%.

• Professional Degrees: Candidates possessing professional qualifications such as CA, ICWA, CS, or FIAI are also eligible, provided they meet the minimum marks criteria.

• Final Year Students: Those who are in the final year of their degree course can also appear for CAT 2026, but admission will be subject to the submission of proof of graduation.

Check Now: VARC Free Resources for CAT 2026

CAT Exam Age Limit 2026: Reservation Policy

When can I write CAT exam? Well, there is no upper age limit for the CAT entrance exam, but every IIM follows a reservation policy for its selection process, as per the government of India's reservation guidelines. 

Here are the following details to understand better:

Categories	Percentage of Seats Reserved in IIMs and other MBA colleges
SC	15%
ST	7.50%
NC-OBC	27%
PwD	5%

CAT Exam Age Limit 2026: Education Qualification 

Although there is no CAT age limit for the CAT exam, and anyone can take this exam, the only requirement is that you should have a bachelor’s degree. Here are some key academic eligibility criteria for CAT exam 2026:

✅You should have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognised university.

✅You should have a minimum of 50% (for the open category) or 45% (for the SC/ST/PwD category). 

✅Final-year bachelor's degree students can also apply for CAT 2026, but they must submit a certificate of completion from their university or institution before the respective IIMs specify a date.

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Also Read | Is Class XII Marks Important for CAT Exam

CAT Exam Age Limit 2026 - Registration with Backlogs

Will students with academic backlogs in their graduation be eligible for CAT exam 2026?

Well, it's okay, as the main eligibility criteria for the CAT exam is to have a 50% mark in their graduation (45% for the reserved category).

So, if you have that much percentage in your graduation, you can apply for CAT 2026.

Also Read |  CAT Exam Previous Year Question Paper

CAT Exam Age Limit 2026: Impact On Application And Selection Process

 While the CAT age limit is not a formal criterion for selection, it can have an indirect impact on the application and selection process in several ways:

#1 Work Experience

Older candidates may have an advantage in work experience, which can benefit the application and selection process.

#2 Maturity and Focus

Older candidates may be more focused and mature, which can help them perform better in the exam and during the selection process.

#3 Career Goals

Older candidates may have clearer career goals and better understand their motivations for pursuing a management education, which can be beneficial during selection.

Also Read | CAT Exam Syllabus 2026

Check Now: DILR Free Resources for CAT 2026

Conclusion

The absence of an upper CAT age limit for the CAT exam is a blessing for candidates from diverse backgrounds. Fresh graduates, working professionals, candidates with career gaps, and older candidates seeking career changes can all benefit from this flexibility.

With no CAT exam age limit, they can prepare quickly, gain valuable experience, and pursue their management dreams without age-related constraints.

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