The CAT Cutoff 2026 is the minimum percentile required by a candidate to qualify for the next round of the IIM selection process, which includes the Writing Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Each Indian Institute of Management (IIM) releases two types of cutoffs: the qualifying (pre-interview) cutoff and the final call cutoff. While the qualifying CAT Cutoff 2026 is usually mentioned in the official notification, the actual admission cutoffs for top IIMs like IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore often soar above the 99th percentile. In this guide, we break down the expected cutoffs for all categories and campuses.
CAT Cutoff 2026 Direct Link
Candidates can check the individual admission criteria and the CAT Cutoff 2026 for each IIM through their respective official websites.
- Official CAT Website: iimcat.ac.in
- Direct Link to IIM Admission Criteria: [View All IIM Selection Links Here (Link Active for 2026-28 Batch)]
Highlights
Understanding the CAT Cutoff 2026 structure is essential for setting your target score:
- Exam Name: Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026
- Types of Cutoffs: Sectional (VARC, DILR, QA) and Overall Percentile
- Status: Expected to be released in January 2027
- Factors Affecting Cutoff: Paper difficulty, number of applicants, and seat availability
- Login Details: Not required (Cutoffs are generally public documents)
Important Dates for CAT 2026 Cutoff
The timeline for the release of the CAT Cutoff 2026 coincides with the result declaration and the start of the IIM shortlisting process.
| Event | Expected Date |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result Declaration | December 21, 2026 |
| Release of Shortlist/Cutoffs | First week of January 2027 |
| Interview Calls (WAT-PI) | January – February 2027 |
| Final Admission Offer | April – May 2027 |
How to Check/Download IIM Cutoff List
To find the specific CAT Cutoff 2026 for your preferred IIM, follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of the specific IIM (e.g., iima.ac.in).
- Navigate to the ‘Admissions’ or ‘Programs’ section.
- Click on the ‘PGP/MBA Selection Process 2027-29’ link.
- Download the PDF containing the minimum CAT Cutoff 2026 for all categories (General, NC-OBC, SC, ST, EWS).
- Check both the Sectional and Overall percentile requirements.
Expected CAT Cutoff 2026 for Top IIMs (General Category)
The CAT Cutoff 2026 varies significantly between the “BLACKI” IIMs (Old IIMs) and the Baby/New IIMs. Below are the expected overall percentiles:
| IIM Campus | Expected Overall Cutoff (Percentile) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 99+ |
| IIM Bangalore | 99+ |
| IIM Calcutta | 99+ |
| IIM Lucknow | 98+ |
| IIM Indore | 97.5+ |
| IIM Kozhikode | 98+ |
| New IIMs (Rohtak, Udaipur, etc.) | 92 – 95 |
| Baby IIMs (Sirmaur, Sambalpur, etc.) | 85 – 90 |
Sectional Cutoff Details
Meeting the overall CAT Cutoff 2026 is not enough; students must also clear the sectional minimums. For top IIMs, the sectional cutoffs usually range between 75 to 85 percentile for General category students across VARC, DILR, and QA. Failing to clear even one section’s cutoff will result in no call from the IIM, regardless of a high overall score.
Details Mentioned in IIM Selection Criteria
The document detailing the CAT Cutoff 2026 will also explain how candidates are ranked:
- CAT Score Weightage (usually 30% to 60%).
- Class 10th and 12th Marks (Academic Diversity).
- Gender Diversity points (extra marks for female/transgender candidates).
- Work Experience weightage.
- Academic Discipline (Non-engineers often get additional points).
Important Links
Stay updated on the CAT Cutoff 2026 and further admission steps:
- CAP 2027 (Common Admission Process) Details
- IIM Ahmedabad Admission Policy PDF
- Top MBA Colleges with 80-90 Percentile Cutoff
- Difference Between Qualifying and Final Cutoff
FAQs on CAT Cutoff 2026
Q1. Is the CAT Cutoff 2026 different for reserved categories?
Yes, the CAT Cutoff 2026 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates is significantly lower (often ranging from 60 to 75 percentile overall) compared to the General category.
Q2. Does IIM Ahmedabad have a sectional cutoff?
Yes, IIM Ahmedabad has strict sectional cutoffs for all three sections. You must clear each to be eligible for the AWT-PI round.
Q3. Can I get into an IIM with a 90 percentile?
While the top 6 IIMs usually require 98+, you can certainly get calls from many New and Baby IIMs or non-IIM institutes with a 90 percentile in the CAT Cutoff 2026.
Q4. When is the final cutoff released?
The “Final Cutoff” is never explicitly released; it is the percentile of the last candidate who received an interview call, which is usually known through RTI or student data in January.
Conclusion
Cracking the CAT Cutoff 2026 is the first major hurdle toward an IIM seat. While aiming for a 99+ percentile is ideal for the top-tier campuses, remember that academic diversity and work experience also play a huge role. Start tracking the specific selection criteria of your target IIMs immediately after the results are out.
