CAT 2026 Exam Notification Released - Dates, Registration & Eligibility

What is CAT 2026?

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have released the official notification for CAT 2026. CAT stands for Common Admission Test. It is the entrance exam you need to pass if you want to get admission to MBA and other management courses at 21 IIMs across India. The exam is also accepted by many other business schools outside IIMs.

Who Can Apply for CAT 2026?

Check the official notification for complete eligibility details. Generally, CAT is open to graduates from any field. You need a bachelor's degree (any stream) to apply. If you are in your final year of graduation, you can also apply.

Exam Details and Important Dates

The exam will be held on a single day: Sunday, November 29, 2026. It will be a computer-based test (CBT), meaning you will take the exam on a computer at a test center. There will be three sessions (morning, afternoon, evening) on the same day.

Event	Date and Time
Registration Opens	August 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Registration Closes	September 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Admit Card Download Starts	November 4, 2026
Admit Card Download Ends	November 29, 2026
Exam Date	November 29, 2026
Result Declaration (Expected)	First week of January 2027
Score Validity	Till December 31, 2027

Application Fee

Check the official CAT 2026 notification PDF for the application fee amount. This information is not clearly mentioned in the current details.

Test Centers

The exam will be conducted in approximately 170 test cities across India. You can choose your preferred city while registering.

Which IIMs Are Participating?

CAT 2026 scores will be accepted by 21 IIMs for admission to their MBA and other management programs. These include:

• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Indore
• IIM Kozhikode
• IIM Lucknow
• IIM Amritsar
• IIM Bodh Gaya
• IIM Guwahati
• IIM Jammu
• IIM Kashipur
• IIM Mumbai
• IIM Nagpur
• IIM Raipur
• IIM Ranchi
• IIM Rohtak
• And others

How to Register for CAT 2026

Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Go to https://iimcat.ac.in

Step 2: Click on Registration Link

Look for the CAT 2026 registration link on the homepage. It will be active from August 3, 2026.

Step 3: Fill Your Details

You will need to provide:

• Your personal information (name, date of birth, address)
• Email address and phone number
• Educational qualifications
• Preferred test cities (you can choose up to 5 cities)

Step 4: Upload Documents

Upload a recent passport-size photograph and your signature as per the given specifications.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

Complete the payment through online mode (credit card, debit card, or net banking).

Step 6: Submit and Save Your Confirmation

After submission, you will get a confirmation message. Save your registration number and password safely. You will need them to download your admit card.

Download Your Admit Card

Admit cards will be available for download from November 4, 2026. You must download it before the exam date. You will need your registration number and password to log in and download the admit card.

Selection Process

CAT is a single-stage exam. Your final score will be used by IIMs for shortlisting candidates for further rounds like group discussion (GD) and personal interview (PI). Different IIMs may have different cutoff scores and selection processes.

Important Points to Remember

• Register only on the official CAT website. Do not use any third-party website.
• Keep your registration number and password safe.
• Download your admit card well before the exam date.
• Your CAT score is valid till December 31, 2027. You can use it to apply to IIMs and other business schools during this period.
• The exam will have negative marking. Wrong answers will reduce your score.

Official Links

• Official Website: https://iimcat.ac.in
• Registration Link: Will be active from August 3, 2026 on the official website

For any further questions or clarification, visit the official CAT website or download the complete CAT 2026 Information Bulletin PDF from the link provided above.