Abstract: Process for the preparation of a catalyst and a catalyst comprising enhanced mesoporosity is provided herein. Thus, in one embodiment, provided is a particulate FCC catalyst comprising 2 to 50 wt % of one or more ultra stabilized high SiO2/Al2O3 ratio large pore faujasite zeolite or a rare earth containing USY, 0 to 50 wt % of one or more rare-earth exchanged large pore faujasite zeolite, 0 to 30 wt % of small to medium pore size zeolites, 5 to 45 wt % quasi-crystalline boehmite 0 to 35 wt % microcrystalline boehmite, 0 to 25 wt % of a first silica, 2 to 30 wt % of a second silica, 0.1 to 10 wt % one or more rare earth components showiomg enhanced mesoporosity in the range of 6-40 nm, the numbering of the silica corresponding to their orders of introduction in the preparation process.