| Updated On - Jul 26, 2026
The Indian Institutes of Management have released the CAT 2026 notification. Registration opens on August 3 and closes on September 15. The computer based exam will be held on November 29 in three sessions. The application fee is now Rs 2700.
The Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) has released the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 notification on the official website at iimcat.ac.in. The computer-based test will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026. It will be conducted in three sessions across more than 170 test cities in India.
Registration for CAT 2026 will open on August 3, 2026. The last date to submit the application form is September 15, 2026. Candidates seeking admission to the IIMs and other participating B-schools must apply within this window.
The CAT score is used for admission to MBA and PGDM programmes at all 21 IIMs. Several non-IIM institutes such as FMS, MDI, SPJIMR, and IITs also accept CAT scores for their management programmes.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification release | July 26, 2026 |
| Registration start | August 3, 2026 |
| Last date to apply | September 15, 2026 |
| Admit card release | November 4, 2026 to November 29, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 exam date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Result declaration | Second week of January 2027 |
CAT 2026 Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. The fee is non-refundable once submitted.
| Category | Fee (Rs) |
|---|---|
| General, EWS, and NC-OBC | 2,700 |
| SC, ST, and PwD | 1,350 |
Who Is Eligible to Apply for CAT 2026?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree with at least 50 percent marks. The minimum requirement is 45 percent for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. Equivalent CGPA is also accepted by IIM Indore.
Students in the final year of their graduation can also apply. There is no upper age limit or cap on the number of attempts. Foreign nationals and NRIs are also eligible under the prescribed rules.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
CAT 2026 will be conducted as a computer-based test of 120 minutes duration. The paper will carry 68 questions divided across three sections. Each correct answer will fetch three marks.
There will be a negative marking of one mark for every incorrect MCQ response. No marks will be deducted for unanswered questions or non-MCQ items. Candidates cannot switch between sections during the test.
| Section | Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
How to Apply for CAT 2026?
Candidates must complete the application process on the official CAT website. Registration requires a valid email ID, mobile number, and scanned documents. The uploaded photograph and signature must meet the specified format.
During the form, applicants will list their programme preferences. Candidates can select up to five preferred test cities in order of choice. IIM Indore will allot the centre based on availability.
CAT 2026 Test Session Slots
The exam will be conducted in three shifts on November 29, 2026. Each candidate will be assigned one slot on the admit card. The slot allotment is done through a computerised process.
| Session | Timing |
|---|---|
| Morning | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
| Afternoon | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM |
| Evening | 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
This is the fifth time IIM Indore is conducting the CAT exam. The institute last hosted CAT in 2023. Over 3.3 lakh candidates registered for CAT in the previous cycle, making it one of India's most competitive MBA entrance tests.
Action Plan for Candidates
- Visit the official CAT portal at iimcat.ac.in from August 3, 2026.
- Read the official information bulletin carefully before starting the form.
- Check the eligibility criteria and keep your graduation marksheet ready.
- Keep scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and category certificate ready.
- Pay the application fee online before September 15, 2026.
- Download the confirmation page after successful submission.
Watch iimcat.ac.in for the application correction window in late September. Admit cards will be released in the last week of October 2026.
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