CAT Cutoff For Top MBA Colleges 2026: IIM Percentiles, Category-Wise Admission & Trends
At 99+ percentile, the CAT cutoff for top MBA colleges like IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta is the qualifying threshold for General category candidates, reflecting intense competition for the 2026-28 admission cycle. While the official CAT 2026 cutoffs are yet to be released, expected trends indicate similar high percentiles, with significant relaxations for reserved categories. 2026 cutoff will be updated post-release.
CAT 2026 Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The following table outlines the key dates for the CAT 2026 examination, including notification, registration, and exam day details.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July (Expected) |
| Application Start | August 1 (Expected) |
| Application Close | September 20 (Expected) |
| Correction Window | September 25-27 (Tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | November 5 (Tentative) |
| Exam Date | November 29 |
| Result Announcement | December 21 (Expected) |
CAT 2025 Category-wise Cutoff: General, OBC, SC, ST & EWS Closing Ranks (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The table below presents the qualifying CAT 2025 cutoff percentiles for various categories at top IIMs, serving as an indicator for the upcoming 2026 admissions.
| IIM | General (Percentile) | OBC (Percentile) | SC (Percentile) | ST (Percentile) | EWS (Percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 95 | 75 | 70 | 60 | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 75 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 | 75 | 70 | 65 | 75 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 | 82 | 65 | 60 | 82 |
| IIM Indore | 90 | 80 | 60 | 50 | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 | 75 | 65 | 55 | 75 |
CAT Cutoff Trends: Overall Percentile 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited)
This table illustrates the overall CAT cutoff percentile trends for the General category at top IIMs over recent years, highlighting consistent high benchmarks.
| Year | Overall Percentile (General) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 98-100+ |
| 2024 | 99-100 |
| 2023 | 98-100 |
CAT Cutoff For Top MBA Colleges 2026 Counselling Schedule: Registration, Choice Filling & Seat Allotment Dates
The Common Admission Process (CAP) for 2026, involving several IIMs, has a structured schedule for shortlisting, interviews, and seat allocation.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| CAP Shortlisting / Registration Start | January 21 |
| EOI Submission Deadline | January 25 |
| CAP Slot Booking Window | January 30 – February 3 (Expected) |
| PI/WAT (Interview) Period | February 15 – March 22 (Expected) |
| CAP Result / Offers Release | April 20 – May 10 (Expected) |
FAQs
Q. When will the CAT 2026 cutoff be released?
The official CAT 2026 cutoff will be released by individual IIMs and other participating institutes after the CAT 2026 results are announced, which is expected around December 21, 2026.
Q. What is considered a good CAT percentile for IIMs?
For top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, a CAT percentile of 98-100+ is generally considered very good for the General category. For newer IIMs, a percentile in the 90-95 range can lead to interview calls.
Q. Do all IIMs have sectional cutoffs?
Yes, most IIMs implement sectional cutoffs in addition to the overall CAT cutoff. Candidates must meet the minimum percentile in each section (VARC, DILR, QA) to be considered for further admission rounds.
Q. Are CAT cutoffs different for reserved categories?
Yes, CAT cutoffs are significantly lower for reserved categories such as OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD compared to the General category. For instance, the CAT 2025 cutoff for OBC in top IIMs ranged from 75-85 percentile for qualifying rounds.
Q. What is the difference between qualifying and final CAT cutoff?
The qualifying CAT cutoff is the minimum percentile required to be eligible for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds. The final CAT cutoff is the actual percentile at which candidates are shortlisted for these rounds, which is usually higher than the qualifying cutoff.
Q. Can one enter an IIM with a score less than 90 percentile?
It is possible to enter an IIM with a score less than 90 percentile, particularly through diversity profile shortlisting or if belonging to reserved categories, where cutoffs are generally lower.
