The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 notification was released on July 26, 2026. This national entrance exam is scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026. It will be conducted in three sessions across approximately 170 cities nationwide.
Online applications open on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The registration deadline is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Candidates seeking admission to postgraduate management programs at 22 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,000 other business schools can find detailed information at iimcat.ac.in .
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for CAT 2026, candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree. A minimum of 50% marks is required. This requirement is reduced to 45% for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories. Final-year undergraduate students are also permitted to apply.
Registration Fees
The application fee for General category candidates is ₹2,700 . For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the fee is ₹1,350 .
Exam Structure
The CAT 2026 exam comprises 68 questions. These questions are divided into three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA). Candidates will have 120 minutes to complete all sections.
Official Schedule and Key Dates
| Event | Official Date & Time |
| Release of CAT 2026 Notification | July 26, 2026 |
| Online Registration Starts | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date for Application Submission | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Application Form Correction Window | Late September 2026 |
| Admit Card Download Starts | November 4, 2026 (5:00 PM onwards) |
| CAT 2026 Examination Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Declaration of Results | First week of January 2027 |
How to Apply for CAT 2026
Candidates must visit iimcat.ac.in . Click on 'New Candidate Registration.' Create login credentials using your name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number. Log in using your User ID and password.
Complete the application by providing personal details, work experience, and academic scores from 10th grade, 12th grade, and undergraduate studies. Select preferred IIM programs and up to six test city options.
Upload a passport-size photo, signature, and category/PwD certificates if applicable. Ensure uploaded documents meet size requirements. Pay the application fee online. Save and print the confirmation page for your records.
