Updated on Feb 07, 2025
Amrita Das
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria: IIM Kozhikode will conduct CAT 2025 on November 30, 2025. The official notification for CAT has been historically issued a little over two months ahead of July 30, 2025. Registration for CAT 2025 is likely to start from August 2, 2025, with the application deadline likely to be September 21, 2025. It is estimated that over 300,000 candidates will register for the computer-based CAT 2025 examination. Approximately 21 IIMs, IITs, and more than 1,200 business schools will consider CAT 2025 scores for admission into management programs throughout India.
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree from an Indian university or an institution approved by the Indian government in order to be eligible for the CAT 2025 Exam. They need to have graduated with at least 50% of the possible points or an equivalent CGPA. However, a minimum of 45% marks or an equal CGPA is necessary for applicants who fall into the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disability (PwD) categories.
Applications are also accepted from candidates who are in their last year of study or who have finished their degree but are awaiting the institution to announce their results. If such individuals are chosen, they will only be granted temporary admission to the program by the respective IIM, provided they provide a certificate from their university or institution's vice-chancellor or registrar. This certificate, which needs to be issued on or before the date specified by the relevant IIM, must attest to the candidate's completion of all prerequisites for a Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification as per the certificate's issuance date.
CAT 2025 General Eligibility Criteria
candidates must fulfil the requirements set forth by the institutes for selection. These requirements may include things like grades in secondary and senior secondary school, prior work experience, and above all performance on the CAT exam. The CAT 2025 General eligibility criteria are listed in the table below:
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Professional Degrees | CA/CS/ICWA/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) are also acceptable |
| Final Year Students | Eligible to apply if they can provide proof of eligibility at the time of admission |
| CAT Age Limit | No age limit for candidates applying for CAT |
CAT 2025 Detailed Eligibility Criteria
CAT 2025 is a national-level entrance exam for admission to IIMs and other top business schools in India. Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria to apply for the exam. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized university is required. There is no age limit to appear for CAT 2025. Candidates must meet the minimum percentage requirement based on their category. Final year students and also the candidates who have professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA. But the meeting of eligibility does not guarantee admission in IIMs. Check out the table below for CAT 2025 eligibility criteria in the below table.
| CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | The applicant must have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or hold a comparable credential accepted by the Indian government's Ministry of Education. |
| Age Limit | There is no age limit to apply for the CAT 2025 exam. Candidates of any age have the opportunity to appear in the CAT exam. |
| Minimum Score | In order to be considered for a qualifying degree, candidates must have earned at least 50% of the possible points for General, EWS, OBC-NC, or PWD (45% for ST, SC, or PWD). Students' percentage of marks earned will be determined using the procedures that the relevant institution or university follows. |
| Appearing | Candidates who are awaiting their results or who are in their last year of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent may also apply. |
| IIMs Criteria | Students need to be aware that during the selection process, IIMs will check candidates' eligibility at several points. Accordingly, meeting the requirements for admission to IIMs alone will not guarantee admission. |
| Professional Degrees | Candidates possessing professional degrees like Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, or Institute of Cost Accountants of India, along with the bachelors degree are also eligible to apply for the CAT exam 2025. |
CAT 2025 Special Reservation Criteria
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 includes specific reservation criteria to promote educational diversity and inclusion. These reservations are implemented during the admission process to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other participating institutions. Candidates seeking admission under these categories must ensure they meet the specified eligibility criteria and possess valid supporting documents. To know the application procedure in detail, one needs to go through the detailed reservation policies and requirements provided in the official CAT 2025 notification. Students can check below the CAT Reservation Criteria as legally prescribed by authority:
| Category | Seat Reservation |
|---|---|
| ST | 7.50% |
| SC | 15% |
| OBC-NC | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| PWD | 5% |
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria for Final Year Students
Candidates in their final year of graduation or those who have completed their bachelor's degree but are waiting for their final results can also apply for the CAT 2025 examination. However, they must provide proof of their eligibility during the CAT admission process. This proof should be presented in the form of a certificate from the Vice-Chancellor or Registrar of the respective university in which they are allotted a seat, stating that the candidate has met all requirements for receiving the Bachelor’s degree by the specified date set by the respective IIM.
It is important for candidates to fulfil the eligibility criteria to be able to apply for the CAT 2025 examination. However, it does not guarantee admission to any IIM or the other participating institutes. Applicants must also obtain a valid score in the CAT exam and meet the additional selection criteria set by each institute, which may include the candidate's academic merit and work experience.
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Who Can Apply? | Final-year graduation students or those awaiting final results. |
| Proof of Eligibility | A certificate from the Vice-Chancellor or Registrar confirming that all degree requirements will be met by the specified date set by the respective IIM. |
| Admission Requirement | Meeting the eligibility criteria allows application but does not guarantee admission. |
| Selection Process | Candidates must secure a valid CAT 2025 score and meet additional selection criteria set by each institute. |
| Other Factors | Academic performance and work experience may also be considered. |
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Who can apply for CAT 2025?
Those who have completed bachelor's degree from any recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks are eligible for CAT 2025. For SC/ST/PwD, the percentage is 45%.
Can final-year students apply for CAT 2025?
Final-year students can apply for CAT 2025. They have to mention that they will complete the required degree by the deadline submitted to the IIMs.
Is there an age limit for CAT 2025?
No, there is no age limit to apply for CAT 2025. Candidates of any age can appear for the exam.
Are professional degree holders eligible for CAT 2025?
Yes, candidates with professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA can apply for CAT 2025.
Does meeting CAT 2025 eligibility guarantee admission to IIMs?
No, meeting eligibility criteria allows candidates to apply, but admission depends on CAT 2025 scores and institute-specific selection criteria.
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