Crack IIM Admission with Planet E’s Expert Guidance
The CAT 2025 exam is the gateway to India’s top IIMs and elite MBA colleges. Before applying, you must understand the CAT eligibility criteria – covering education, age, reservation, foreign student eligibility, and more.
This comprehensive guide by Planet E covers everything you need to know about CAT 2025 eligibility — with facts, tables, examples, and myth-busting tips.
🔍 What is the Eligibility Criteria for CAT Exam 2025?
Let’s begin with the key qualifying points for appearing in the CAT 2025 exam.
| Eligibility Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | ✅ No minimum or maximum age limit |
| Educational Qualification | ✅ Graduation in any stream (UGC-recognized) |
| Minimum % in Graduation | ✅ 50% for Gen/EWS/OBC ✅ 45% for SC/ST/PwD |
| Final-Year Students | ✅ Eligible with provisional admission |
| Backlogs | ✅ Allowed to apply (must clear before admission) |
| Work Experience | ✅ Not mandatory (but beneficial during selection) |
| Reservation | ✅ Applicable as per Govt. of India norms |
🎓 Who Can Apply for CAT 2025?
You are eligible if:
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You have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
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Your score is ≥50% (Gen/OBC/EWS) or ≥45% (SC/ST/PwD).
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You’re in your final year of graduation.
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You have pending backlogs (can apply with conditions).
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You are an NRI or foreign national (criteria may differ slightly).
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You belong to a reserved category (per Government norms).
📊 CAT 2025 Reservation Policy: Category-Wise Seat Allocation
IIMs follow the Government of India’s reservation guidelines, ensuring opportunities for historically underrepresented groups.
🔴 CAT Reservation Percentages for IIMs:
| Category | Reservation % | Applicable In |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% | IIMs & Central Govt. B-Schools |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% | IIMs & Central Govt. B-Schools |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC – NCL) | 27% | Non-Creamy Layer only |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% | Gen candidates with family income < ₹8 lakh |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 5% | Across all categories |
| General (Unreserved) | Remaining | Open competition |
👁️🗨️ Detailed Explanation of CAT Reservation Categories
Let’s understand what each reserved category means and who qualifies under it.
✅ SC (Scheduled Caste) – 15%
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For communities listed under the SC category by the Constitution.
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Caste certificate required in Govt. of India format.
✅ ST (Scheduled Tribe) – 7.5%
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Applicable to tribes listed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
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ST certificate must be issued by a competent government authority.
✅ OBC – Non-Creamy Layer (27%)
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Annual family income < ₹8 lakh.
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Must not fall under the creamy layer.
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OBC-NCL certificate must be issued within one year prior to registration.
🛑 Creamy Layer candidates are treated as General.
✅ EWS (Economically Weaker Section) – 10%
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For General category candidates with annual household income < ₹8 lakh.
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Cannot own:
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Residential plot ≥ 100 sq. yards (non-municipal)
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Flat ≥ 1000 sq. ft
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Agricultural land ≥ 5 acres
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📄 Must produce valid EWS certificate (Form available on govt websites).
✅ PwD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) – 5%
Includes candidates with:
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Blindness/Low Vision
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Deaf/Hard of Hearing
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Locomotor disability
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Autism/intellectual disabilities
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Multiple disabilities
🦽 Extra time (20 minutes per hour) and scribe facility are provided.
🧑🎓 CAT Eligibility for Final-Year Students
Yes, final-year graduation students can apply for CAT 2025.
📌 Conditions:
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Must produce a certificate from the college stating they will complete their degree by June/July 2026.
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Admission to IIM will be provisional until final marksheet is submitted.
🔁 Can You Apply with Backlogs?
Absolutely! Candidates with backlogs/arrears are still eligible for CAT 2025.
🎓 IIMs only require that:
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You clear all backlogs before final admission.
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You submit proof of graduation (marksheets/degree certificate) by the date mentioned by IIMs.
🌍 CAT Eligibility for Foreign Nationals and NRIs
Foreign nationals and NRIs can appear for CAT (or GMAT for certain IIMs).
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree with ≥50% marks |
| Tests Accepted | CAT (for Indian seats), GMAT (for international quota) |
| Language Requirement | Fluency in English (TOEFL/IELTS optional unless required) |
| Visa | Student Visa post selection |
| Documents Required | Valid passport, degree certificates, test scores |
❌ Who is NOT Eligible for CAT 2025?
You are not eligible if:
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You do not hold a recognized bachelor’s degree.
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Your score is <50% (Gen/OBC) or <45% (SC/ST/PwD).
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You belong to OBC Creamy Layer and claim OBC reservation.
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You fail to provide valid category certificates.
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You do not meet final-year student requirements.
🧨 Common Myths Busted
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Only engineers can apply for CAT | ❌ Any graduate (B.A., B.Com, B.Sc., etc.) can apply |
| You must be a working professional | ❌ Freshers are equally eligible |
| CAT is only for IIMs | ❌ Over 1,200 B-schools accept CAT scores |
| There’s an age limit | ❌ No age bar for CAT |
| You can’t apply if you have backlogs | ❌ You can, as long as you clear them before admission |
| You need 90%+ in graduation | ❌ Minimum 50% (Gen/OBC) or 45% (SC/ST/PwD) is sufficient |
🛑 Consequences of Providing False Information
Misrepresenting your category or marks can lead to:
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Cancellation of admission
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Debarment from CAT
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Legal action
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Blacklisting by IIMs
👉 Always provide authentic documents during application and admission stages.
📘 CAT Eligibility vs IIM Admission: Know the Difference
| Criteria | CAT Eligibility | IIM Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Qualification | Graduation with 50% (Gen) / 45% (SC/ST/PwD) | Same, plus academic & extracurricular performance |
| Work Experience | Not required | Can boost profile during WAT-PI |
| Category Certificate | Required during registration | Verified during final selection |
| Final Year Eligibility | Allowed | Degree must be completed by admission date |
🧠 Final Thoughts – Powered by Planet E
Understanding CAT Exam Eligibility 2025 is your first step toward cracking IIM admissions. The rules are inclusive, fair, and open to all graduates — whether freshers, professionals, or final-year students.
At Planet E, we help you not just prepare for CAT — we help you understand every detail of your MBA journey, from eligibility to interview selection.
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