CAT Cutoff For SC Category: Iims, Top B-Schools & Admission Percentiles 2026
CAT Cutoff For SC Category is the minimum percentile required for admission to MBA programs across IIMs and other top B-schools, with qualifying cutoffs for SC candidates at IIM Ahmedabad reaching an overall 85 percentile for the 2026-28 batch. This threshold, while significantly lower than the General category, still demands consistent performance across all sections of the Common Admission Test. The 2026 cutoff will be updated post-release, with current data reflecting the 2025 admission cycle.
CAT Cutoff For SC Category 2026: Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 schedule outlines key dates for notification, application, and examination, providing a roadmap for aspiring candidates.
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 26, 2026 |
| Application Start | August 1, 2026 |
| Application Close | September 20, 2026 |
| Correction Window | Last Week of September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | November 12, 2026 |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Result Announcement | December 21, 2026 |
IIMs CAT 2025 Category-wise Cutoff: SC Overall & Sectional Percentiles (Latest — 2026 awaited)
The CAT cutoff for SC category in 2025 varied across the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), with specific overall and sectional percentile requirements for shortlisting candidates for further admission rounds.
| IIM | Overall Percentile (SC) | VARC Percentile (SC) | DILR Percentile (SC) | QA Percentile (SC) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | 85 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| IIM Bangalore | 70 | 65 | 60 | 60 |
| IIM Calcutta | 70 (Qualifying) / 80-85+ (Actual Shortlisting) | – | – | – |
| IIM Lucknow | 65 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| IIM Indore | 60 (Expected) | – | – | – |
| IIM Kozhikode | 65 (Expected) | – | – | – |
| IIM Raipur | 54 (Expected) | – | – | – |
CAT 2026 Counselling Schedule: Registration, Choice Filling & Seat Allotment Dates
The counselling process for MBA/PGP admissions based on CAT 2025 scores for the 2026-28 batch involves several stages, from shortlisting to final seat allotment.
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Counselling Process Start | January 2026 |
| WAT/PI Shortlisting | February – April 2026 |
| Interviews Conducted | February – April 2026 |
| Final Admission Offers | May 2026 |
| Document Verification & Formalities | June 2026 |
FAQs
Q: When will the CAT 2026 cutoff for SC category be released?
A: The official CAT 2026 cutoff for the SC category is expected to be released by IIMs in their admission policies around July 2026, after the CAT 2026 notification, with results coming out in December 2026.
Q: What is a good CAT percentile for SC candidates to get into top IIMs?
A: For top IIMs like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta, SC candidates typically need an overall percentile in the range of 70-85 for qualifying, with actual shortlisting often requiring 80-92+ percentile. For newer IIMs, a percentile around 55-70 can be considered good for shortlisting.
Q: Are there sectional cutoffs for SC candidates in CAT?
A: Yes, most IIMs apply sectional cutoffs in addition to the overall CAT percentile for SC candidates. These sectional cutoffs are generally lower than for the General category, but candidates must clear them in each section (VARC, DILR, QA).
Q: What is the reservation percentage for SC candidates in IIMs?
A: There is a 15% reservation for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates in the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
Q: Do non-IIMs also have relaxed CAT cutoffs for SC category?
A: Yes, many top non-IIM MBA colleges also offer relaxed CAT cutoffs for SC category candidates. For instance, some IIT B-schools and other reputable institutions may have cutoffs around the 60-80 percentile range for SC candidates.
Q: What is the CAT 2026 exam date?
A: The CAT 2026 exam is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026.
