The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have officially released the CAT 2026 Notification on the official website iimcat.ac.in. Along with the notification, the CAT 2026 Information Bulletin and Eligibility Criteria PDF have also been released, providing complete details about the exam, registration dates, eligibility, fees, important dates, and admission process.
If you are planning to pursue an MBA from an IIM or any top B-school in India, this guide covers everything you need to know about CAT 2026 in simple language.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Official Website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
| Notification Released | Officially Released |
| Registration Starts | 3 August 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Registration Ends | 15 September 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Admit Card Download | 4 November – 29 November 2026 |
| Result Expected | First Week of January 2027 |
CAT 2026 Notification Released
The CAT 2026 notification has been officially announced by the Indian Institutes of Management. The notification confirms the examination schedule, registration timeline, eligibility criteria, reservation policy, application fees, and other important instructions for candidates.
CAT is India’s most popular MBA entrance examination and is accepted by all IIMs along with hundreds of leading management institutes across the country. The official bulletin states that CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions as a computer-based examination.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
Below are the important dates announced in the official notification.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification | Released |
| Online Registration Starts | 3 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 4 November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | 29 November 2026 |
| Result Declaration | First Week of January 2027 |
Candidates are advised not to wait until the last day for registration to avoid technical issues.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
According to the official eligibility document, candidates must satisfy any one of the following conditions.
Bachelor’s Degree
Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree with:
- Minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates.
- Minimum 45% marks for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
Final Year Students
Students appearing in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree or awaiting results are also eligible to apply. However, they must submit the required certificate from their university if selected during admission.
Professional Degree Holders
Candidates who have completed professional qualifications such as:
- CA
- CS
- CMA (ICWA)
- Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)
with the required percentage are also eligible.
CAT 2026 Registration Process
The registration process will be conducted completely online through the official CAT website.
Candidates should:
- Visit the official website.
- Create a new registration account.
- Verify email ID and mobile number.
- Fill personal and academic details.
- Upload required documents.
- Select preferred test cities.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit the application and save the confirmation page.
Candidates must maintain the same registered email ID and mobile number throughout the admission process.
CAT 2026 Registration Fee
The official registration fee is:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2700 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹1350 |
The fee is to be paid only once, irrespective of the number of participating institutes selected.
Reservation Policy
The CAT 2026 notification follows the Government of India reservation policy.
Reservation includes:
- SC – 15%
- ST – 7.5%
- NC-OBC – 27%
- EWS – Up to 10%
- PwBD – 5%
Candidates claiming reservation must upload valid supporting certificates during registration.
CAT 2026 Test Cities
Candidates can choose five preferred test cities during registration.
Based on availability, one city will be allotted. If none of the selected cities are available, a nearby city may be allotted. CAT 2026 will be conducted in approximately 170 test cities across India.
Admit Card
The CAT 2026 admit card will be available for download from:
4 November 2026 to 29 November 2026
Candidates must carry:
- Printed Admit Card
- Valid Government Photo ID
to the examination centre.
CAT 2026 Result
The CAT 2026 result is expected in the first week of January 2027.
Candidates can download their scorecards from the official CAT website after the declaration of results.
The CAT 2026 score will remain valid until 31 December 2027.
Participating IIMs
The CAT 2026 score will be accepted by all participating IIMs, including:
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Bangalore
- IIM Calcutta
- IIM Lucknow
- IIM Kozhikode
- IIM Indore
- IIM Shillong
- IIM Mumbai
- IIM Rohtak
- IIM Udaipur
along with many other IIMs and several non-IIM management institutions.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Before applying, candidates should remember:
- Read the Information Bulletin carefully.
- Use only a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Upload all required certificates correctly.
- Choose test cities carefully.
- Keep copies of the application form and payment receipt.
- Ensure eligibility before submitting the application.
Why CAT 2026 is Important
CAT is the gateway to admission into:
- MBA
- PGP
- Executive MBA
- Specialized Management Programmes
- Various management programmes offered by IIMs and participating institutes.
A good CAT percentile can significantly improve your chances of securing admission to India’s top business schools.
Conclusion
The release of the CAT 2026 Notification officially begins the MBA admission season for 2027. Candidates should carefully review the official Information Bulletin, check their eligibility, and prepare all necessary documents before the registration window opens on 3 August 2026.
Starting your preparation early and staying updated with official announcements can improve your chances of achieving a high CAT percentile and securing admission to your preferred management institute.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Has the CAT 2026 notification been released?
Yes. The CAT 2026 notification has been officially released by the Indian Institutes of Management.
2. When will CAT 2026 registration start?
Registration begins on 3 August 2026 at 10:00 AM.
3. What is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM.
4. When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
CAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions.
5. Who is eligible for CAT 2026?
Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree (minimum 50% marks for General/EWS/NC-OBC and 45% for SC/ST/PwBD) or final-year students meeting the official requirements are eligible.
6. What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
The application fee is ₹2700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1350 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
7. When will the CAT 2026 admit card be available?
The admit card can be downloaded from 4 November 2026 to 29 November 2026.
8. When will the CAT 2026 result be declared?
The result is likely to be announced in the first week of January 2027.