CAT Cutoff For OBC 2026: Percentiles, IIM Admissions & Latest Trends
Cat Cutoff For OBC: IIM Ahmedabad at 75 percentile, IIM Indore at 80 percentile, and IIM Bangalore at 75 percentile for the 2025 academic year — with 2026 figures awaited. The CAT cutoff for OBC is the minimum percentile score required by candidates belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category to qualify for admission to various management programs, with 2025 cutoffs for top IIMs generally ranging from 45 to 82 percentile. The official 2026 cutoff data will be updated post-release.
Cat Cutoff For OBC 2026: Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 schedule is anticipated to follow similar timelines to the 2025 examination, with official dates for 2026 expected in July.
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 27, 2025 |
| Application Start | August 1, 2025 |
| Application Close | September 20, 2025 |
| Correction Window | September 22-25, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | November 12, 2025 |
| Exam Date | November 30, 2025 |
| Result Announcement | December 24, 2025 |
CAT 2025 Category-wise Cutoff: OBC, General, SC, ST & EWS Percentiles (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The CAT 2025 cutoffs varied across different Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and categories, with OBC percentiles generally lower than the General category but higher than SC/ST.
| IIM | OBC Percentile (2025) | General Percentile (2025) | EWS Percentile (2025) | SC Percentile (2025) | ST Percentile (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 75 | 95 | 80 | – | – |
| IIM Bangalore | 75 | 85 | 75 | 70 | 65 |
| IIM Calcutta | – | 85 | – | – | – |
| IIM Indore | 80 | – | – | – | – |
| IIM Lucknow | 82 | 90 | 82 | 70 | 60 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 45 | – | 40 | – | – |
| IIM Vizag | 63 | – | 63 | – | – |
Cat Cutoff For OBC 2026 Counselling Schedule: Registration, Choice Filling & Seat Allotment Dates (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The Common Admission Process (CAP) for IIMs, which includes counselling and seat allotment, typically commences in January following the CAT results.
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Counselling Registration Start (IIM CAP) | January 14, 2025 |
| Counselling Registration Close (IIM CAP) | January 23, 2025 |
| PI/WAT Rounds | February 17 – March 22, 2025 |
| Final Merit List & Offers | April – May 2026 |
FAQs
Q: When will the CAT 2026 cutoff be released?
A: The official CAT 2026 cutoff is expected to be released in December 2026, following the announcement of the CAT 2026 results. The CAT 2026 notification, which includes details on admission policies, is anticipated in July 2026.
Q: What is a good CAT percentile for OBC candidates?
A: For OBC candidates, a good CAT percentile for admission to top IIMs typically ranges from 75 to 85 percentile, though it can be lower for newer IIMs (e.g., 45-65 percentile) and higher for older, more competitive institutes.
Q: Do IIMs have sectional cutoffs for OBC?
A: Yes, many IIMs implement both overall and sectional cutoffs for all categories, including OBC. Candidates must meet the minimum percentile in each section (VARC, DILR, QA) in addition to the overall cutoff to be considered for further admission rounds.
Q: What was the CAT 2025 OBC cutoff for top IIMs?
A: For CAT 2025, the OBC cutoff for top IIMs varied, with IIM Ahmedabad at 75 percentile, IIM Bangalore at 75 percentile, and IIM Lucknow at 82 percentile, among others.
Q: How does the OBC cutoff compare to the General category cutoff?
A: The CAT cutoff for OBC candidates is generally lower than that for the General category. For instance, in 2025, while top IIMs required 95-100 percentile for General candidates, OBC cutoffs for similar institutes were in the 75-82 percentile range.
When will the official CAT Cutoff for OBC 2026 be announced?
The CAT Cut Off 2026 is expected to be announced in January 2026. IIM Kozhikode will be releasing the official cut-off scores for top IIMs and MBA Colleges after the results are declared.
Where can I check the CAT Cutoff for OBC 2026?
IIMs release the official CAT cut-off 2026 in their respective admission criteria. You can also find category-wise CAT 2026 cut-offs on Shiksha.com. The sectional-wise CAT cut-off 2026 will also be released by the CAT-a.
How do CAT cutoffs for OBC candidates compare to other categories for 2026?
IIMs publish significantly relaxed cutoffs for reserved categories, including OBC. For example, at IIM Ahmedabad for the 2026–28 cycle, the NC-OBC cutoff is 90, while the General category cutoff is 95. CAT 2026 cut-offs vary by institution, program, and candidate category.
What is the significance of meeting the CAT Cutoff for OBC 2026?
Meeting the CAT cutoff for OBC 2026 is a prime factor for GD/PI shortlisting. The IIM cutoff indicates the lowest score needed to proceed in the admissions process.
Will there be sectional CAT cutoffs for OBC candidates in 2026?
Yes, the CAT cutoff is available in category-wise and section-wise formats. The sectional-wise CAT cut-off 2026 will also be released by the CAT-a.
