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    CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for CA, CS, ICWA Graduates: Marks, Qualification & Documents
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    • CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for CA, CS, ICWA Graduates: Marks, Qualification & Documents

    CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for CA, CS, ICWA Graduates: Marks, Qualification & Documents

    Team Careers360Updated on 15 Sep 2026, 01:05 PM IST

    Candidates who are holders of a professional degree like CA, CS, ICWA, etc., can also appear for CAT 2026 just like every other student. CA, CS, ICWA graduates do not need to hold a traditional bachelor’s degree, given that they still meet the eligibility criteria (50% aggregate marks in the respective field and 45% for SC/ST/PwD). Just like the normal candidates, the CA, CS, ICWA graduates will need to fill out the CAT 2026 registration form and fill in the personal and professional details. After completing the form, they’ll have to pay the CAT 2026 registration fees of Rs.2700 (GEN/OBC/EWS) and Rs.1350 (SC/ST/PWD). The CAT 2026 registration window opened on August 3, 2026, and will remain open till September 22, 2026. Hence, the candidates are advised to complete their CAT 2026 registration on time to avoid any last-minute hassle. Explore this article further to know more about the eligibility checklist of CA, CS, ICWA graduates for CAT 2026.

    CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for CA, CS, ICWA Graduates: Marks, Qualification & Documents
    CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria for CA, CS, ICWA Graduates: Marks, Qualification & Documents

    Eligibility Checklist Professional Degree Holders Must Clear

    Even though the professional degree holders do not require a traditional bachelor’s degree, they’ll still require to clear the basic eligibility checklist to be eligible for CAT 2026.

    • Qualification - The candidates must’ve passed CA, CS, ICWA/CMA, or another professional qualification.

    • Marks Required- The candidates are required to have secured a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their respective field. Candidates belonging to the SC/ST/PwD category need to have a minimum of 45% aggregate marks.

    • Age Limit- There is no age limit for a candidate from a professional background who wants to appear for CAT 2026.

    • Work Experience- There is no compulsory requirement to have work experience as a professional candidate.

    Must Read- How to Prepare for CAT 2026: Study Plan, Books & Mock Tests

    Why DO CA, CS, ICWA Graduates Pursue an MBA?

    After interviewing multiple candidates who applied for CAT after pursuing a professional degree, we recorded consistent responses related to their shift towards an MBA. Here’s what they found attractive about pursuing an MBA.

    • MBA helps them get higher roles in leadership and management to enhance further career opportunities.

    • MBA adds professional skills like leadership, communication, marketing, operations, consulting, etc which highly complement the professional degree they already hold.

    Birla Institute of Management Technology, Greater Noida

    AACSB Accredited | Highest CTC: 22 LPA

    Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

    Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 18 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2026

    Advantages of Having CA, CS or CMA During MBA Admissions

    The candidates who hold a professional degree like CA, CS, or CMA often have strong soft and hard skills like-

    • Analytical ability

    • Financial Expertise

    • High academic performance

    • Discipline and perseverance

    • Business Understanding

    • Quantitative Aptitude

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    Having these qualities can significantly improve a candidate’s interview performance and overall academic profile to increase the chances of getting into a good MBA college.

    Documents Required For CAT Registration 2026

    Candidates must keep the CAT 2026 documents ready, as given below, to avoid any last-minute hassle while registering for 2026.

    • Academic marksheet documents- Class X and XII

    • Professional marksheet and other related documents

    • Work experience letter and related documents (if applicable)

    • CAT 2026 photograph (<80kb) and signature of the candidate

    • Proof of Identity- Aadhaar Card, Driving License, PAN Card, etc

    • Category certificate or reservation certificate, wherever applicable

    • Disability certificate (PwD), if applicable

    • Net Banking, UPI, debit card, credit card, or other payment facility for registration fee payment.

    K J Somaiya Institute of Management, Mumbai

    Highest Package 29.30 LPA | 12 LPA Median CTC | 230+ Recruiters | AACSB Accredited | Ranked 51 in Asia by QS International

    IBSAT

    Gateway to IBS Hyderabad & 8 other IBS campuses | Scholarships worth 10 CR

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: Where can I register for CAT 2026?
    A:

    A candidate can register for CAT 2026 by visiting the official website iimcat.ac.in. 

    Q: Can a Chartered Accountant pursue MBA?
    A:

    Yes, a candidate with a professional background like CA can pursue MBA. 

    Q: Yes, a candidate with a professional background like CA can pursue MBA.
    A:

    A CA student may not need a traditional bachelor’s degree for CAT 2026, but will require a professional degree with 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/STPwD). 

    Q: What is the CAT 2026 registration fees?
    A:

    The CAT 2026 registration fees is Rs.2700 for GEN/OBC/EWS candidates and Rs.1350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. 

    Q: Is there a different cutoff for professional candidates for CAT 2026?
    A:

    No, candidates with a professional background need to score same as the usual cutoff according to their category. 

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