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Common Admission Test (CAT)

Updated on 4 Sept, 2026 by Kollegeapply

The CAT 2021 OBC cutoff has been released by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). This page shows OBC cutoff trends across colleges and courses (All & Female where available). Check the official site https://iimcat.ac.in/ for notifications.

We’ve analyzed CAT cutoffs for 2021 to help you gauge admission chances at top colleges.


CAT 2021 OBC category cutoff ranges from 70 to 82 percentile. Candidates with percentile under 82 have high chances of getting top colleges like IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, and VGSOM IIT Kharagpur.


CAT 2021 Cutoff Highlights

The CAT 2021 cutoff represents the minimum percentile required to qualify for admissions into participating colleges.

The cutoff is released by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and is used for counselling and seat allocation.


Key Highlights

  • Exam Name: CAT 2021
  • Conducting Body: Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
  • Cutoff Type: Percentile
  • Total Counselling Rounds: 1
  • Total Colleges Participating: 10
  • Top Courses: Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Post Graduate Program in Management
  • Quota Types: All India

CAT 2021 Cutoff Overview

The table below provides complete details of the CAT 2021 cutoff including exam structure, categories, and admission scope.

ParticularsDetails
Exam NameCAT
Conducting BodyIndian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
Cutoff TypePercentile
Courses AcceptingMBA, PGDM, MBA/PGDM
Total Rounds1
Total Colleges Participating10
Official Websitehttps://iimcat.ac.in/
QuotasAll India
Top CoursesExecutive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Post Graduate Program in Management

Status

  • Cutoff Status: Released
  • Last Updated: August 2026

CAT 2021 OBC Cutoff Category Wise for Government and Private Colleges

The CAT 2021 OBC category-wise cutoff highlights the opening and closing percentile range for admission into government and private colleges across different categories. The cutoff varies based on factors such as category reservation, seat availability, and college type, with government institutes generally having more competition compared to private colleges.

CategoryGovernment
OBC70 - 82

Can You Get a College with Your Percentile?

The CAT 2021 percentile plays a crucial role in determining your chances of admission into top institutes across India. Based on previous cutoff trends, the table below highlights what type of colleges you can expect at different eligibility ranges.

Eligibility RangeTop Colleges
Below 1,000IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, VGSOM IIT Kharagpur, IIM Raipur, IIM Kashipur

CAT 2021 Score vs Percentile

The table below shows the relationship between score scored and the corresponding percentile in CAT 2021. Understanding this mapping helps candidates estimate their expected percentile based on score scored and compare it against historical cutoff trends.

  • A percentile of 99+ in CAT corresponds to approximately 85 - 92 Score.
  • A percentile of 95+ in CAT corresponds to approximately 62 - 75 Score.
  • A percentile of 90+ in CAT corresponds to approximately 51 - 61 Score.
ScorePercentile
93 - 204100
85 - 9299 - 100
76 - 8498 - 99
62 - 7595 - 98
51 - 6190 - 95
38 - 5080 - 90
20 - 3755 - 80
0 - 190 - 55

CAT Cutoff Trend (2021)

The CAT cutoff trend over the last few years helps candidates understand how competition and qualifying percentiles have evolved.


Year-wise Cutoff Trend

YearOBC-NCL
202182

Key Insights

  • Overall Stability: General cutoff remains stable around 90-91 percentile
  • Increase from 2022 to 2023: Due to higher competition post-COVID normalization
  • Minor Fluctuations (2021-2021): Caused by normalization and paper difficulty
  • Reserved Categories: Gradual increase in cutoff due to rising participation
  • ST Category: Shows highest variation due to lower applicant pool

Insight: Cutoff trends show consistent competition growth with slight yearly variation


Marks vs Percentile (CAT 2021)

The CAT marks vs percentile gives a clear idea of score required to achieve a target percentile.

  • 99 Percentile -> ~85 - 92 marks
  • 95 Percentile -> ~62 - 75 marks
  • 90 Percentile -> ~51 - 61 marks

Insight: Aim for 180+ marks for top colleges and 120+ for safe options.


College wise CAT 2021 Cutoff (Category-wise Opening & Closing Percentiles)

The CAT 2021 college-wise cutoff includes opening and closing percentiles for top colleges like VGSOM IIT Kharagpur, IIM Raipur, and IIM Kashipur across categories. These cutoffs are released during counselling and vary based on college, branch, category, and quota

CollegeBranchCategoryOpening PercentileClosing Percentile
VGSOM IIT KharagpurMaster of Business Administration (MBA)OBC8080
IIM RaipurExecutive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)OBC7474
IIM KashipurMaster of Business Administration (MBA)OBC7474
IIM AmritsarMaster of Business Administration (MBA)OBC7575
IIM Bodh GayaMaster of Business Administration (MBA)OBC7575
IIM JammuMaster of Business Administration (MBA)OBC7474
IIM SirmaurMaster of Business Administration (MBA)OBC7474

Insight: VGSOM IIT Kharagpur, IIM Raipur, and IIM Kashipur close within top 74-80 percentiles for core branches.

Key Insights

  • Cutoffs vary significantly by college tier and branch popularity.
  • Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) has the lowest closing percentile (74), indicating highest competition.
  • 7 colleges close within top 20,000 percentiles, while 7 are within top 30,000 percentiles.
  • Final cutoff depends on counselling rounds, preferences, and seat matrix.

College-wise CAT 2021 Cutoff (OBC Opening & Closing Percentiles)

CollegeAll
IIM Lucknow77 - 82
IIM Indore80
VGSOM IIT Kharagpur80
IIM Raipur74
IIM Kashipur74
IIM Visakhapatnam70
IIM Amritsar75
IIM Bodh Gaya75
IIM Jammu74
IIM Sirmaur74

Safe Score for CAT 2021

The CAT safe score is the minimum marks range required to secure admission into good colleges without high risk. It varies based on category, branch preference, and competition level.


Safe Score for IIMs

62-75+ marks

What this means:

  • Strong chance in top colleges with competitive branches.
  • Possible entry into Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) in good institutes.
  • Percentile range typically under 74-74 for stronger options.

Safe Score for IITs

51-61+ marks

What this means:

  • Good chance in institutes offering Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA).
  • Access to mid to top institutes with strong placement records.
  • Percentile range typically under 74-75.

Pro Tip: Always keep a buffer of +10-20 marks above the safe score due to normalization and yearly cutoff variation.


What Percentile is Required for Top Colleges?

The CAT percentile is the most critical factor in securing admission to top colleges. Based on previous trends, the table below shows what percentile is required for IIM Raipur, IIM Kashipur, and IIM Jammu across categories.


Percentile under 75

College NameGeneral
IIM Lucknow77 - 82
IIM Indore80
VGSOM IIT Kharagpur80
IIM Raipur74
IIM Kashipur74
IIM Visakhapatnam70
IIM Amritsar75
IIM Bodh Gaya75

Percentile under 74

  • Strong chance in colleges like IIM Raipur, IIM Kashipur, and IIM Jammu.
  • Likely branches: Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA).
  • Category advantage applies for better branch outcomes.

Insight: Best range for highly competitive colleges in current trends.


Percentile under 74

  • Admission possible in colleges like IIM Raipur, IIM Kashipur, and IIM Jammu.
  • This range keeps more realistic options open across counselling rounds.
  • Wider branch flexibility is usually available compared to lower percentile bands.

Insight: Ideal for balanced college and branch targets with strong placement potential.


Final Takeaway: Under 75 percentiles target top-tier options, under 74 percentiles strengthen access to IIT, and under 74 percentiles open broader options like other iit.

  • Under 74: 4 strong cutoff outcomes in current trend set.
  • Under 74: 4 broader cutoff outcomes in current trend set.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT 2021 Cutoff

Explore the top management colleges accepting CAT 2021 scores. Click below to check detailed branch-wise opening & closing percentiles and cutoff trends.

CollegeFeesMedian SalaryCoursesRanking
VGSOM IIT Kharagpur₹ 13.60 Lakhs₹ 20.35 Lakhs4Times #10
IIM Raipur₹ 20.00 Lakhs₹ 17.50 Lakhs13Times #3
IIM Kashipur₹ 20.00 Lakhs₹ 14.46 Lakhs22Times #8
IIM Amritsar₹ 21.50 Lakhs₹ 18.00 Lakhs16Outlook #22
IIM Bodh Gaya₹ 28.50 Lakhs₹ 15.25 Lakhs13NIRF #31
IIM Jammu₹ 22.75 Lakhs₹ 15.00 Lakhs15NIRF #35
IIM Sirmaur₹ 22.73 Lakhs₹ 13.00 Lakhs26NIRF #51

Top Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) Colleges - 2021 Cutoff (OBC Opening & Closing Percentiles)

The CAT 2021 cutoff for Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) highlights category-specific closing ranks for top colleges. This branch continues to see strong demand among candidates.

CollegeAll
IIM Raipur74

Key Insights

  • Top 3 colleges (IIM Raipur) close within top 74 ranks.
  • Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) remains a high-demand branch across top colleges.

Insight: To secure Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) in top colleges, aim for under 59 rank for stronger outcomes.


Top Master of Business Administration (MBA) Colleges - 2021 Cutoff (OBC Opening & Closing Percentiles)

The CAT 2021 cutoff for Master of Business Administration (MBA) highlights category-specific closing ranks for top colleges. This branch continues to see strong demand among candidates.

CollegeAll
VGSOM IIT Kharagpur80
IIM Kashipur74
IIM Amritsar75
IIM Bodh Gaya75
IIM Jammu74
IIM Sirmaur74

Key Insights

  • Top 3 colleges (IIM Kashipur, IIM Jammu, and IIM Sirmaur) close within top 74 ranks.
  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) remains a high-demand branch across top colleges.

Insight: To secure Master of Business Administration (MBA) in top colleges, aim for under 59 rank for stronger outcomes.


Top Post Graduate Program in Management Colleges - 2021 Cutoff (OBC Opening & Closing Percentiles)

The CAT 2021 cutoff for Post Graduate Program in Management highlights category-specific closing ranks for top colleges. This branch continues to see strong demand among candidates.

CollegeAll
IIM Indore80
IIM Raipur74

Key Insights

  • Top 3 colleges (IIM Raipur and IIM Indore) close within top 80 ranks.
  • Post Graduate Program in Management remains a high-demand branch across top colleges.

Insight: To secure Post Graduate Program in Management in top colleges, aim for under 64 rank for stronger outcomes.


All India Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) Cutoff 2021 – Opening & Closing Percentiles


The CAT 2021 cutoff for Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) shows the opening and closing percentiles for top colleges under the All India quota. Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) remains highly competitive, with relatively lower closing percentiles in top institutes.

CollegeAll
OpeningClosing
IIM Raipur7474

All India Master of Business Administration (MBA) Cutoff 2021 – Opening & Closing Percentiles


The CAT 2021 cutoff for Master of Business Administration (MBA) shows the opening and closing percentiles for top colleges under the All India quota. Master of Business Administration (MBA) remains highly competitive, with relatively lower closing percentiles in top institutes.

CollegeAll
OpeningClosing
IIM Amritsar7575
IIM Bodh Gaya7575
IIM Jammu7474
IIM Kashipur7474
IIM Sirmaur7474
VGSOM IIT Kharagpur8080

Course-wise Cutoff Range (All India) 2021 — OBC

CourseOBC
Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)74
Master of Business Administration (MBA)74 - 80
Post Graduate Program in Management74 - 80
MBA in Business Analytics75

All India and Home State Cutoff 2021 — OBC

All India Cutoff 2021

College TypeOBC
IIM70 - 82
IIT80

College Wise Cutoff 2021

Explore college-wise cutoff pages for 2021 to check detailed branch-wise opening & closing percentiles and admission trends.


CAT Cutoff Percentiles for Top IIM

NameCutoff Links
IIM VisakhapatnamView Cutoff
IIM RaipurView Cutoff
IIM KashipurView Cutoff
IIM JammuView Cutoff
IIM SirmaurView Cutoff
IIM AmritsarView Cutoff
IIM Bodh GayaView Cutoff
IIM IndoreView Cutoff
IIM LucknowView Cutoff

CAT Cutoff Percentiles for Top IIT

NameCutoff Links
VGSOM IIT KharagpurView Cutoff

CAT 2021 Cutoff FAQs

What is the cutoff for CAT 2021?
The cutoff for CAT 2021 is expected to be around 70-82 percentile for General category, while reserved categories may have lower cutoffs based on previous year trends and exam difficulty.
What is the expected cutoff for CAT 2021 (category-wise)?
The expected cutoff for CAT 2021 is:
  • General: data not available yet
  • OBC: 70-82 percentile
  • SC: data not available yet
  • ST: data not available yet
These values are based on trend analysis and difficulty level.
What was the cutoff for CAT 2020?
In 2020, the cutoff for CAT was:
  • General: data not available yet
  • OBC: data not available yet
  • SC: data not available yet
This helps estimate the expected cutoff for 2021.
What marks are required for top percentile in CAT 2021?
To achieve 99 percentile in CAT 2021, candidates typically need around 85-92 marks, depending on exam difficulty and normalization.
What marks are required for 90 percentile in CAT 2021?
Candidates scoring around 51-61 marks can expect approximately 90 percentile in CAT 2021, based on previous session data.
Is 95 percentile good in CAT 2021?
Yes, 95 percentile in CAT 2021 is considered good, and may allow admission to good to excellent colleges, depending on category and branch preference.
What percentile is required for top colleges through CAT 2021?
For top colleges accepting CAT 2021:
  • Top tier colleges: Percentile under 74
  • Mid-tier colleges: Percentile under 74
Admission depends on branch and category.
What is a safe score for CAT 2021?
A safe score for CAT 2021 is typically 51-61 to 62-75, which increases the chances of admission to top colleges based on previous year trends.
Will the cutoff for CAT 2021 increase or decrease?
The cutoff for CAT 2021 is expected to stable due to factors like similar difficulty level, candidate participation, and seat availability.
What factors affect the cutoff for CAT 2021?
The cutoff for CAT 2021 is influenced by:
  • Difficulty level: similar difficulty level
  • Total seats: 10+ participating college options
Can I get a top college with my percentile in CAT 2021?
With a good percentile, candidates may get into VGSOM IIT Kharagpur, IIM Raipur, and IIM Kashipur, depending on branch preference and category cutoff trends.
What is the difference between qualifying and admission cutoff in CAT 2021?
The qualifying cutoff for CAT 2021 is data not available yet, while admission cutoffs vary by college and can go much higher depending on demand and seat availability.
Where can I check college-wise cutoff for CAT 2021?
Candidates can check detailed college-wise and branch-wise cutoff for CAT 2021 on KollegeApply, including opening and closing percentiles for top institutes.

Related Cutoff Links