CAT CUTOFF 2026
General category CAT cutoff for top IIMs in 2025 typically ranged from 98-100+ percentile, while OBC category qualifying cutoffs were generally lower, around 75-85 percentile. This reflects consistent high competition for premier institutes, with slight variations observed year-on-year. The CAT 2026 cutoff will be updated post-release.
Exam & Application Dates 2026
The table below outlines the key dates for the CAT 2026 exam and application process.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 26 |
| Application Start | August 1 |
| Application Close | September 20 |
| Admit Card Release | November 12 |
| Exam Date | November 29 |
| Answer Key Release | December 3 |
| Result Announcement | December 21 |
CAT Cutoff: Category-wise Cutoff (2025 – Latest — 2026 awaited)
The following table presents the qualifying CAT cutoff percentiles for various categories at top IIMs for the 2026-28 admission cycle, based on CAT 2025 scores.
| 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: Year-on-Year Trend
Below is the overall CAT cutoff trend for top IIMs (General Category) over recent years, providing insight into the cutoff of CAT exam.
| Year | Overall Percentile (General) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 98-100+ |
| 2024 | 99-100 |
| 2023 | 98-100 |
| 2022 | 99+ |
| 2019 | 97-99 |
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. Official admission policies for the 2027-29 batch will be released in July 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. 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, or actual shortlist cutoff, is typically higher and represents the percentile at which candidates actually receive interview calls, depending on the applicant pool and other factors.
Q. What was the CAT cutoff for 2025 for top IIMs?
For the General category, the qualifying CAT cutoff 2025 for top IIMs like Ahmedabad was 95 percentile, while Bangalore and Calcutta had 85 percentile. Actual call cutoffs for these institutes were often higher, ranging from 98-100+ percentile.
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 CAT expected cutoff for 2026?
Based on previous year trends, the CAT expected cutoff for 2026 for top IIMs is anticipated to remain high, likely in the 98-100+ percentile range for the General category, with corresponding relaxations for reserved categories.
When will the CAT 2026 cutoffs be announced and who releases them?
The CAT Cut Off 2026 is expected to be announced in January 2026. IIM Kozhikode will be responsible for releasing the official cutoff scores for top IIMs and other MBA Colleges after the CAT result is declared.
How do CAT 2026 cutoffs vary for different candidates and institutions?
CAT 2026 cutoffs vary significantly based on the specific institution, program, and candidate category, including General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD. There are distinct IIM-wise cutoffs as well as those for other top MBA colleges.
What types of CAT 2026 cutoffs are there?
CAT 2026 cutoffs include both overall percentiles and sectional cutoffs. Sectional cutoffs are specified for individual sections like VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension), DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning), and QA (Quantitative Ability).
What factors influence the CAT 2026 cutoffs?
CAT 2026 cutoffs are influenced by several factors, including the expected percentile, category-wise requirements, and sectional performance. The specific institution and program also play a role in determining these cutoffs.
How are CAT 2026 cutoffs used in the MBA admission process?
CAT 2026 cutoffs serve as a benchmark, indicating the minimum percentile realistically needed for candidates to receive interview calls from IIMs and other top B-schools. Clearing these cutoffs allows candidates to proceed further in the final admission process.
