CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026-Who Can Appear and When to Apply

The CAT Exam Eligibility 2026 criteria are a list of requirements that one should meet to take and pass the test. Each year, the official CAT conducting authorities release the eligibility criteria for the upcoming exam. If you have been thinking about an MBA from a top II, CAT 2026 is your next big milestone. But there's one fundamental question before you begin the preparation: are you eligible to appear? If yes, then you can plan and join the best CAT coaching in Pune.  Though CAT eligibility is straightforward, it's important to check the eligibility criteria.

Basic eligibility criteria

To appear for CAT, a student requires a minimum of 50% in graduation or an equivalent CGPA from a recognized university. If you belong to the SC, ST, or PwD category, the minimum requirement is 45%. CAT does not restrict eligibility based on your stream or subject. Whether you're an engineer, a commerce graduate, a science student, or from a humanities background, you're all on equal footing here.

Every candidate must meet the following CAT 2026 eligibility requirements to appear for the CAT 2026

Qualification	Requirements
Age	NA
Educational Qualification	Bachelor’s Degree
Marks in Graduation	50% (General category)
Work Experience	Not Compulsory
Reservation	As Per Category

When does CAT 2026 registration open?

Historically, CAT notification is released in late July or early August, with registration windows typically open from August through September. The exam itself is usually held on the last Sunday of November. Results follow in January.

If you're targeting CAT 2026, now is exactly the right time to start preparing by enrolling in competitive exam coaching classes in Pune, not when the notification drops.

Conclusion

If you're serious about CAT 2026, the eligibility box is most likely already ticked. What remains is the preparation that you kick-start by enrolling at Career Launcher Pune. With over 30 years of expertise in CAT preparation, we offer mentorship from faculty who have scored in the 99th percentile in CAT, well-structured study material, interactive learning sessions, and a 24x7 learning portal. Their course structure is shaped in such a manner that it takes care of all MBA entrance exams, including.