Updated on Jul 03, 2025
Santana Banerjee
As per CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026, CMAT applicants must be Indian citizens and hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Final-year students are also eligible, but their final-year results should be published before the 2026-2027 academic year. NTA does not prescribe a minimum percentage of marks. However, to secure admission to top business schools, candidates must secure a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for reserved candidates). There is no upper age limit for appearing in the CMAT 2026 Exam. Candidates with disabilities, such as blindness, cerebral palsy, or a locomotor disability, are eligible for assistance from a scribe, reader, or lab assistant.
- CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Education
- CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit
- CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality
- CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Reservation Policies
- CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: PwD Candidates
- CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Scribe/ Reader
- CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Education
As per NTA guidelines, CMAT aspirants must possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university in India. Detailed educational criteria for the CMAT 2026 are listed below:
CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Limit
NTA does not impose a strict age limit for appearing in CMAT 2026. Candidates who have completed or are pursuing their final year of graduation are eligible to apply for the exam. Additionally, there is no limit on the number of attempts to apply for the CMAT exam.
CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Nationality
As prescribed by the NTA, only Indian citizens are eligible to appear for the CMAT 2026 Exam. Foreign nationals, Persons of Indian Origin, Overseas Citizens of India, and Non-Resident Indians are not eligible to apply for the CMAT 2026 Exam.
CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Reservation Policies
The CMAT 2026 Exam aligns with the reservation regulations implemented by the Government. The percentage of reserved seats is as follows:
CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: PwD Candidates
Candidates who have 40% or more disability can claim admission through CMAT under the PwD category. The list of disabilities accepted for PwD candidates is as follows:
- Blindness and lower vision
- Deaf and hearing challenges
- Candidates with locomotor disability, such as leprosy, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, and acid attack victims.
- Learning disability, mental illness, intellectual disability, and autism.
- Other 'specified disabilities' cited in the RPwD Act 2016.
CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026: Scribe/ Reader
Candidates appearing for the CMAT 2026 Exam with disabilities, such as blindness, cerebral palsy, or locomotor disability, will be able to take help from a scribe or reader. However, these candidates must submit a request to the CMAT Test Centre Superintendent, along with disability certificates. The criteria to take help from a scribe/ reader are as follows:
- The CMAT Test Centre Superintendent will assign a scribe/ reader who is at least one year junior to the candidate.
- Candidates are allowed to verify the suitability and general acquaintanceship of the assigned scribe/ reader a day before the exam.
- Candidates with a scribe or reader will receive an additional 60 minutes in the CMAT 2026 Exam.
CMAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
Who is eligible for the CMAT 2026 Exam?
To appear for the CMAT 2026 Exam, the candidate must possess a bachelor's degree in any specialisation. Candidates must meet all the eligibility requirements before applying to the examination.
Can final-year students apply for the CMAT 2026 Exam?
Yes, final-year students are also eligible; however, their final-year results must be published before the 2026-2027 academic year.
What if I do not meet the minimum marks criteria for CMAT 2026?
Candidates who do not meet the minimum marks criteria for CMAT will not be able to apply for the admission process. However, they can attempt to take the test in the next academic year since there are no restrictions on the number of attempts for CMAT.
When will the CMAT Application Process 2026 start?
The CMAT Application Process 2026 is expected to start in November 2025 and will remain active till the last week of December 2025.
What is the age limit for the CMAT 2026 Exam?
There is no upper age limit to appear for the CMAT 2026 Exam. Candidates of any age group can register, but they must ensure that they have completed their graduation.
Can a 12th pass candidate apply for the CMAT 2026 Exam?
No, the only criterion for appearing for the CMAT 2026 Exam is to hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Therefore, a 12th pass candidate is not eligible to apply for the CMAT 2026 Exam.
I belong to the SC category. Is there any relaxation of marks to apply for CMAT for SC candidates?
NTA does not prescribe a minimum percentage of marks; however, some business schools may require a 50% aggregate mark in graduation for general category candidates. For reserved category candidates, they must secure a minimum of 45% marks in their graduation.
What are the reservation criteria for the CMAT 2026 Exam?
There are no reservation criteria for CMAT. But, top colleges accepting CMAT scores may adhere to the reservation policies of the Government of India. According to the reservation policy, 15%, 7.5%, 27%, and 5% of seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Other Backwards Classes (Non-Creamy Layer), and PwD candidates, respectively.
What will be the fees for the CMAT 2026 Exam for OBC females?
The fees for the CMAT 2026 Exam for OBC female candidates will be INR 1,250.
Who can claim to be a PwD candidate in the CMAT 2026 Exam?
Candidates who have Blindness and lower vision, Deaf and hearing challenges, locomotor disability, such as leprosy, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, and acid attack victims, learning disability, mental illness, intellectual disability, and autism can claim to be a PwD candidate in the CMAT 2026 Exam.
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