Category-Wise CAT 2025 Expected Cutoff: The official CAT 2025 cutoff for IIMs and leading B-schools is anticipated to be announced in the first week of January 2026. Top-tier IIMs such as Ahmedabad and Bangalore generally require a 99+%ile for the General category, whereas institutions like FMS and JBIMS frequently set the threshold even higher at 99.3%ile or above. In addition to overall scores, meeting sectional cutoffs (usually between 70-85%ile) is required for being shortlisted. Since CAT cutoffs fluctuate based on exam difficulty and changing selection criteria, it is extremely important to be aware of the CAT 2025 category-wise cutoffs for General, OBC, and SC/ST candidates.
This blog provides insight into the expected CAT 2025 category-wise cutoff of IIMs and other top B-schools, along with qualifying and sectional cutoffs, to improve your chances of securing a seat at your dream B-school.
Table of Contents
CAT 2025 Cutoff: Qualifying vs. Final Cutoff
Before diving into the numbers, it is essential to distinguish between the two types of cutoffs:
- Qualifying Cutoff (Eligibility): This is the lowest percentile needed overall and in each section to even be taken into consideration for the subsequent round. Meeting this doesn’t guarantee a call; it only keeps you in the race.
- Final Cutoff (Shortlist): This is the actual percentile at which an IIM issues a call for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). For general category students this is significantly higher than the qualifying cutoff.
Also Check: CAT 2025 Result Live Updates
Expected Category-Wise CAT 2025 Final Cutoff for Top IIMs
Based on the difficulty level of CAT 2025 and previous trends, table below showcases the expected CAT 2025 cutoff for General, OBC, and SC/ST candidates:
| IIM Campus | General (Percentile) |
NC-OBC (Percentile) |
SC
(Percentile) |
ST (Percentile) |
PwD (Percentile) |
EWS (Percentile) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 93.76 | 79.02 | 73.68 | 74.52 | 79.32 | 98.2 |
| IIM Bangalore | 97.09 | 89.92 | 77.58 | 70.42 | 70.48 | 93.73 |
| IIM Calcutta | >85 | >75 | >70 | >65 | >55 | >75 |
| IIM Lucknow | 91.02 | 86.2 | 67.8 | 60.3 | 60.16 | 90.13 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 91.03 | 75.2 | 67.8 | 55.17 | 56.52 | 82.26 |
| IIM Indore | 92.43 | 81.26 | 64.71 | 49.25 | 63.68 | 92.14 |
| IIM Mumbai | 97.21 | 92.41 | 84.93 | 73.01 | NA | 90.55 |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 95.15 | 81.9 | 71.22 | 53.19 | 54.31 | 81.05 |
| IIM Shillong | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| IIM Raipur | 74.97 | 69.19 | 62.19 | 48.19 | 41.34 | 70.42 |
| IIM Ranchi | 75.146 | 70.44 | 61.64 | 51.196 | NA | 71.95 |
| IIM Kashipur | 95 | 81.02 | 66.06 | 42.05 | 50.74 | 81.05 |
| IIM Rohtak | 97 | 83 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 93 |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 93.01 | 74.19 | 57.89 | 41.83 | 44.70 | 76.09 |
| IIM Udaipur | 95 | 81 | 66 | 42 | 42 | 81 |
| IIM Nagpur | 95 | 85 | 65 | 40 | 40 | 85 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 82 | 72 | 50 | 40 | 40 | 72 |
| IIM Amritsar | 90 | 80 | 57 | 42 | NA | 90 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 94 | 77 | 60 | 40 | 40 | 77 |
| IIM Jammu | 90 | 78.16 | 60.12 | 38.55 | 49.91 | 78.36 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 95.05 | 81.23 | 66.53 | 42.15 | NA | 81.02 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 85.02 | 75.14 | 55.08 | 43.02 | 42.22 | 80.07 |
*We have collected similar IIM CAT cutoff data based on the previous year’s CAT cutoff.
Note:
- Cutoffs vary year-to-year and by programme. Many IIMs apply sectional cutoffs (VARC/DILR/QA) + composite scoring (academics, work-exp).
- Clearing the cutoff does not guarantee admission – it means eligibility for WAT/PI rounds. Final selection depends on multiple factors (academics, work experience, etc.).
Also Read : CAT GDPI & WAT Preparation
Expected Minimum Qualifying Overall CAT Cutoff 2025 For IIMs
The minimum qualifying cutoff only decides whether you are eligible to appear for the GDPI round or not. Even if you score above this minimum cutoff, it does not mean you will definitely be shortlisted. It just means you have the bare minimum score needed to be considered for the GDPI process; the actual shortlist will depend on higher cutoffs and other criteria.
| IIMs | Qualifying CAT Cutoff 2025 (Percentile) |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 80 |
| IIM Bangalore | 85 |
| IIM Calcutta | 85 |
| IIM Lucknow | 90 |
| IIM Indore | 90 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 85 |
| IIM Mumbai | 85 |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 95 |
| IIM Shillong | 75 |
| IIM Raipur | 95 |
| IIM Ranchi | 95 |
| IIM Kashipur | 95 |
| IIM Rohtak | 96 |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | 95 |
| IIM Udaipur | 95 |
| IIM Nagpur | 94 |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | 82 |
| IIM Amritsar | 90 |
| IIM Bodhgaya | 92 |
| IIM Jammu | 92 |
| IIM Sirmaur | 95 |
| IIM Sambalpur | 95 |
Also Check: IIM Admission Process
Expected Category-Wise CAT 2025 Cutoff For Non-IIM Colleges
While the IIMs are prestigious, many non-IIM colleges offer comparable placements, world-class faculty, and better ROI. Colleges like FMS Delhi often have higher CAT cutoffs than several IIMs. Below is the expected CAT 2025 cutoff for non-IIM colleges for various categories:
| Top Non-IIM College | General (Percentile) |
NC-OBC (Percentile) |
SC
(Percentile) |
ST (Percentile) |
PwD (Percentile) |
EWS (Percentile) |
| FMS, Delhi | 98 | 95.6 | 80 | 70 | 60 | 90 |
| IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) | 94.73 | 89.1 | 67.21 | 79.82 | – | 94.4 |
| IIT Delhi (DMS) | 94.97 | 76.44 | 66.16 | 54.88 | 71.57 | 86.54 |
| IIT Roorkee | 87.23 | 80.98 | 74.73 | 57.99 | 57.47 | 82.63 |
| IIT Kanpur | 91.18 | 82.05 | 76.03 | 72.9 | 75.95 | 84.14 |
Sectional CAT 2025 Cutoff
A common mistake is focusing only on the overall score. Most of the top B-schools have strict guidelines on clearing the CAT sectional cutoff for each section, including VARC, DILR & QA.
| College Name | VARC | DILR | QA |
| IIM Ahmedabad | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| IIM Bangalore | 80 | 75 | 75 |
| IIM Calcutta | 80 | 80 | 75 |
| IIM Lucknow | 77 | 77 | 77 |
| IIM Kozhikode | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| IIM Indore | 80 | 80 | 80 |
| IIM Mumbai | 80.35 | 95.75 | 95.86 |
| IIM Trichy | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| IIM Udaipur | 73 | 73 | 73 |
| IIM Amritsar | 75 | 75 | 81 |
Candidates aspiring to gain admission to leading B-schools must meet the sectional cutoffs for the CAT examination. For the majority of IIMs, the cutoff generally falls within the 70-80 percentile range. IIM Indore and IIM Lucknow are recognized for their elevated sectional requirements, typically necessitating a percentile range of 80-95 in each of the three sections. Aspirants must keep in mind that failing to clear even a single sectional cutoff can result in not receiving a call from an IIM, even with an overall percentile as high as 99.8.
Also Read: CAT Section-wise Marks vs Percentile
Factors Influencing CAT 2025 Cutoff
CAT cutoffs vary annually due to fluctuations in the overall examination and admission landscape. Several critical factors influence the determination of whether the cutoff will increase, decrease, or remain similar to the previous year. These factors may include:
- Difficulty Level of the Paper: If any section in CAT comes out to be tougher than usual, the marks required to reach the 99%ile would decrease, thereby decreasing the overall cutoff scores.
- Number of Aspirants: With about 3 lakh candidates applying for the exam usually increases the competition for the top 1% spot.
- Number of Seats: If an IIM increases its seat intake, the cutoff might see a decrease.
- Academic Diversity: IIMs are now giving more weightage to female and non-engineer candidates, which can sometimes change the “Composite Score” needed to get a call.
Conclusion
It’s important for both aspirants who have appeared for the CAT 2025 intake and those who are aspiring to take the CAT 2026 one to have a know-how about the CAT cutoff. The numbers can be scary, especially the 99+ requirements for General category students, but keep in mind that a strong academic profile and balanced performance across sections can often make up the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the “Qualifying” and “Final” cutoff?
A: The final CAT cutoff is the overall percentile required to receive an interview call from any B-school. On the other hand, the qualifying CAT cutoff is the minimum percentile required to be eligible to receive a call from any B-school. The final cutoff is generally higher as compared to the qualifying cutoff.
Q: If my overall score is 99+%, do I still need to clear the sectional cutoff?
A: Yes. Many of the top IIMs establish minimum score requirements for each section. Failure in any single section (VARC, DILR, or QA) precludes admission, regardless of a high overall score.
Q: How much relaxation do OBC, SC, and ST candidates get in CAT?
A: Candidates belonging to reserved categories have reduced final call criteria. For instance, NC-OBC candidates require scores between 90 and 95, SC candidates need scores ranging from 80 to 85, and ST candidates need scores between 70 and 75 to gain admission to the top IIMs.
