The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have officially released the CAT 2026 Notification on the official website. Along with the notification, the authorities have announced the complete examination schedule, registration dates, eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, admit card schedule, and other important information.
According to the official announcement, the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode across approximately 170 test cities in India. The online registration process will begin on August 3, 2026, and candidates can submit their applications until September 15, 2026.
CAT is one of India’s most prestigious MBA entrance examinations and is accepted by all Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) along with hundreds of leading B-schools across the country.
CAT Notification 2026 Overview
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Registration Starts | 3 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 September 2026 |
| Admit Card | 4 November 2026 |
| Result | First Week of January 2027 (Expected) |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
Candidates are advised to read the complete Information Bulletin before submitting the application form to avoid mistakes during registration.
Also Read:-UTET Notification 2026Â
CAT 2026 Important Date
| Event | Date |
| CAT Notification Release | 25 July 2026 |
| Registration Starts | 3 August 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 September 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Admit Card Download | 4 November – 29 November 2026 |
| CAT Exam Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Result Declaration | First Week of January 2027 (Expected) |
Candidates should complete their application before the last date to avoid server issues during peak traffic.
CAT 2026 Notification PDF
The CAT 2026 Notification PDF contains all the essential information related to the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026. It includes important details such as the registration schedule, eligibility criteria, application fee, reservation policy, exam date, test cities, exam pattern, admit card release, result process, and admission procedure for IIMs and other participating B-schools. Candidates are strongly advised to read the official Information Bulletin carefully before submitting the online application form to ensure all details are entered correctly and to avoid any errors during the registration process. According to the official announcement, registrations are scheduled to begin on August 3, 2026, and the notification also outlines the complete application guidelines and examination process.
CAT 2026 Notification PDF Download Link
CAT 2026 Registration
The online registration process for CAT 2026 will begin on 3 August 2026. Interested candidates can apply only through the official CAT website.
- Visit the official CAT website.
- Click on New Registration.
- Verify the OTP sent to your mobile and email.
- Log in using your generated User ID and Password.
- Fill in the application form with:
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
The application fee has been revised for CAT 2026.
| Category | Fee |
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹1,350 |
The fee can be paid using:
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Net Banking
- UPI
- Other Online Payment Modes
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must satisfy the following eligibility conditions.
Educational Qualification
Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
Minimum Marks Required:
- General/OBC/EWS – 50%
- SC/ST/PwBD – 45%
Equivalent CGPA is also accepted.
Final Year Students
Candidates appearing in the final year of graduation or awaiting their final results are also eligible to apply.
They must produce the required qualifying certificate during the admission process.
CAT 2026 Qualifications
The following professional qualifications are also accepted:
- Chartered Accountant (CA)
- Company Secretary (CS)
- Cost & Management Accountant (CMA/ICWA)
- Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)
CAT 2026 Age Limit
There is no upper or lower age limit for CAT 2026.
There is also no restriction on the number of attempts.
Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before filling out the application form:
- Passport-size Photograph
- Signature
- Class 10 Marksheet
- Class 12 Marksheet
- Graduation Marksheet
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD Certificate
- NC-OBC Certificate (issued on or after 1 April 2026)
- EWS Certificate (valid for 2026–27)
- Valid Email ID
- Mobile Number
- Debit/Credit Card or UPI for fee payment
CAT 2026 Exam Cities
The examination will be conducted in approximately 170 cities across India.
During registration, candidates can choose five preferred exam cities. The final allotment will depend on availability.
Some major test cities include:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Pune
- Jaipur
- Ahmedabad
- Lucknow
- Patna
- Chandigarh
CAT 2026 Notification FAQs
Q1. When was the CAT 2026 Notification released?
The official notification was released on 25 July 2026.
Q2. When will CAT 2026 registration begin?
Registration starts on 3 August 2026.
Q3. What is the last date to apply?
The last date for online registration is 15 September 2026.
Q4. What is the CAT 2026 Exam Date?
The examination will be conducted on 29 November 2026.
Q5. What is the application fee?
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹2,700
- SC/ST/PwBD: ₹1,350
Q6. Is there any age limit?
No. There is no age restriction for CAT.
Q7. Can final-year students apply?
Yes. Final-year graduation students are eligible.
Q8. How many exam cities are available?
Approximately 170 test cities.