CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Qualification, Attempts & Reservation

Before applying for CAT 2024, it’s important to check the age criteria set by IIM Calcutta. The Common Admission Test does not specify a strict upper age limit for candidates. This means that individuals of any age who meet the academic qualifications are eligible to appear for the examination. Similarly, there is no minimum age criteria set beyond the requirement of possessing a Bachelor's Degree or an equivalent qualification. Consequently, relaxations typically offered for age limits for categories such as Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backward Classes-Non Creamy Layer, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are not applicable, as no age restriction exists for this examination. Knowing the age rules in advance ensures you apply within the permitted criteria and make full use of any relaxation benefits.

CAT 2024 may offer relaxations for candidates belonging to specific reserved categories as per IIM Calcutta guidelines. These benefits primarily include reduced qualifying marks in the academic eligibility criteria. For General, Economically Weaker Sections, and Non-Creamy Layer Other Backward Classes candidates, a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their Bachelor's Degree is required. However, for candidates from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities categories, the minimum aggregate marks required are 45%. To avail these benefits, candidates must upload valid and up-to-date category certificates during the registration process. The reservation policy also stipulates 15% of seats for Scheduled Caste candidates, 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe candidates, 27% for Other Backward Classes candidates belonging to the Non-Creamy layer, up to 10% for Economically Weaker Sections candidates, and 5% for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. Verification of these certificates will follow the official protocol set by the authority, and no change in the category will be entertained after CAT registration. By understanding and following the process, eligible candidates can make full use of the category-based benefits available for CAT.

CAT 2024 is open to Indian citizens as per IIM Calcutta rules. For candidates who are Overseas Citizens of India or Persons of Indian Origin, it is generally expected that they may apply, but specific eligibility should be verified with individual Indian Institutes of Management, as admissions criteria can vary among them. As CAT is a national-level examination for admission to management programs across various IIMs, there are no specific domicile requirements tied to state-level quotas. NRI and foreign applicants are strongly advised to verify their eligibility directly with the individual colleges or authorities of the management programs they wish to apply to, as the admission criteria for these categories might include additional requirements beyond the CAT score. By understanding these rules early, candidates can ensure they meet the required nationality or domicile conditions before applying.

Before preparing for CAT 2024, it’s essential to know if there’s a cap on the number of attempts. Most national-level examinations, including the Common Admission Test, allow unlimited attempts. This means there is no restriction on how many times a candidate can appear for the CAT examination. Unlike some other competitive exams that impose specific limits on the number of attempts, CAT does not have such a constraint. Therefore, the maximum number of attempts allowed for CAT is unlimited, providing candidates the flexibility to take the exam multiple times to achieve their desired score. Since there is no maximum limit, category-based relaxations for additional attempts are not applicable. Being aware of attempt limits helps you plan your preparation strategy effectively and avoid exhausting your chances prematurely.

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