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CAT 2026 Registration: Starts 3 Aug, Fee ₹1350/₹2700, Apply Online

Posted: 26 Jul 2026 Views: 2 Admission, Latest Job

CAT 2026 – Quick Summary:
IIMs will conduct Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 on November 29, 2026. Registration opens August 3, 2026, closes September 15, 2026. Fee: ₹1,350 (SC/ST/PwBD), ₹2,700 (Others). 170+ test cities. Score valid till December 31, 2027. Apply at iimcat.ac.in.

CAT 2026 Registration: Exam Date Nov 29, Apply Online at iimcat.ac.in

Candidates waiting for the CAT 2026 notification can now prepare as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) will conduct the Common Admission Test 2026 on Sunday, November 29, 2026. CAT 2026 is the prerequisite for admission to various management programmes of IIMs including Post Graduate Programmes in Management (PGP) and Fellow Programmes in Management (FPM) across 22 IIMs. The registration window opens on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) and closes on September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM). The computer-based test will be held in three sessions across approximately 170 test cities nationwide. CAT 2026 scores are also used by non-IIM member institutions for their admission processes. The registration fee is ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and ₹2,700 for all other candidates.

Quick Snapshot: CAT 2026
Organisation Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
Exam Name Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026
Exam Date November 29, 2026 (Sunday)
Registration Start Date August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM)
Registration End Date September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM)
Admit Card Download November 4-29, 2026
Test Cities Approximately 170 cities
Registration Fee (General/NC-OBC/EWS) ₹2,700
Registration Fee (SC/ST/PwBD) ₹1,350
Score Validity Until December 31, 2027
Official Portal iimcat.ac.in
Helpline Number 1800 210 0175

Based on official CAT 2026 Information Bulletin by IIMs. Verified: July 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check for CAT 2026

You MAY be eligible if:

  • You hold a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD).
  • You are appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification.
  • You have completed a professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA/FIAI) with required percentage.
You are NOT eligible if:

  • You do not have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent qualification.
  • You have less than the required percentage in your Bachelor’s Degree (50% for General/OBC, 45% for SC/ST/PwBD).

Expert Note: IIMs may verify eligibility at various stages of the selection process. Mere fulfillment of minimum eligibility criteria does not ensure consideration for shortlisting by IIMs.

📌 Also Read: CGSSB Teacher 2026: 2292 Posts, Level 6 Pay, Apply Online, Exam 11 Oct

CAT 2026 Important Dates

Event Date
Registration Start Date August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM)
Registration End Date September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM)
Admit Card Download Start November 4, 2026
CAT 2026 Exam Date November 29, 2026 (Sunday)
Scorecard Declaration First Week of January, 2027
Score Validity Until December 31, 2027
The CAT 2026 registration window is open for about 6 weeks. Candidates are advised to register well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.

IIMs Accepting CAT 2026 Scores

22 IIMs will accept CAT 2026 scores for the following programmes:

  • IIM Ahmedabad: PGP, PGP-FABM, MBA-BPGP: BA & AI
  • IIM Amritsar: MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, Executive MBA, M.Sc. in Data Science and Management
  • IIM Bangalore: PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PGPPM
  • IIM Bodh Gaya: MBA, MBA (Digital Business and AI), MBA (Hospital and Healthcare Management), Executive MBA
  • IIM Calcutta: MBA
  • IIM Guwahati: MBA
  • IIM Indore: PGP, PGP-HRM, MSDSM, PGPMX
  • IIM Jammu: MBA, MBA (Healthcare), MBA (AI & Business Analytics), Executive MBA
  • IIM Kashipur: MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA, EMBA (Analytics)
  • IIM Kozhikode: PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-FINANCE, PGP-LSM, EPGP-IL, EPGP Kochi
  • IIM Lucknow: MBA, MBA-ABM, MBA-SM, PGPWE, Blended MBA, Tech-MBA
  • IIM Mumbai: MBA, MBA (Operations and Supply Chain Management), MBA (Sustainability Management)
  • IIM Nagpur: MBA, E-MBA, BMWP, EMBA-EM
  • IIM Raipur: MBA, Executive MBA, MBA in Public Policy and Governance
  • IIM Ranchi: MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA (Business Analytics)
  • IIM Rohtak: PGP, EPGDSM, PGPx
  • IIM Sambalpur: MBA, MBA-BA, MBA for Working Professionals
  • IIM Shillong: PGP, PGPEX, PGP(WE)
  • IIM Sirmaur: MBA, MBA (Tourism Management), MBA (Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management), PGPEX-LSM, ExMBA (Artificial Intelligence)
  • IIM Tiruchirappalli: PGPM (MBA), PGPM-HR (MBA-HR), PGPBM
  • IIM Udaipur: MBA, MBA-DEM, MBA-GSCM, Executive MBA (Online)
  • IIM Visakhapatnam: Post Graduate Program (MBA), Executive MBA, PGPMCI, MBA-AI & Innovation

Fellow Programmes in Management (FPM/PhD): All 22 IIMs offer Doctoral programmes.

CAT 2026 Registration Fee

Category Registration Fee
SC / ST / PwBD ₹1,350
General / NC-OBC / EWS ₹2,700

Payment Details:

  • A candidate needs to pay the registration fee only once, irrespective of the number of institutes he/she is applying for.
  • SC, ST and PwBD candidates must upload a copy of their SC/ST/PwBD certificates at the time of registration.
  • Fees once paid cannot be refunded under any circumstances.
Important: The registration fee is non-refundable. Candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before registering.

CAT 2026 Reservation Details

Category Reservation Percentage
Scheduled Caste (SC) 15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST) 7.5%
NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Layer OBC) 27%
EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) Up to 10%
PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) 5%

PwBD Categories:

  • Blindness and Low Vision
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Locomotor Disability (including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, muscular dystrophy)
  • Autism, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability and Mental Illness
  • Multiple Disabilities
  • Other specified disabilities as per RPwD Act 2016

Note: Only candidates with not less than 40% disability are eligible for PwBD reservation.

NC-OBC & EWS Certificate Requirements for CAT 2026

Important Note for NC-OBC and EWS Candidates:

Since the certificates are renewed every year, candidates who have applied for a valid NC-OBC/EWS certificate and have not yet received it should upload the following:

  1. A properly filled-in “Undertaking for NC-OBC/EWS Certificate” (available on the CAT 2026 official website).
  2. The older NC-OBC/EWS certificate issued prior to April 1, 2026.
  3. A copy of the communication/acknowledgement/screenshot received from the issuing authority confirming submission of the application for a valid certificate.

Failure to upload the complete set of documents as specified above may result in disqualification from the entire admission process.

No change in the category will be entertained after CAT registration. Applicants are advised to pay attention while registering.

Detailed Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026

Requirement Details
Educational Qualification Bachelor’s Degree from a University incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State legislature in India or deemed to be a University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of Education
Minimum Marks (General/NC-OBC/EWS) 50% marks or equivalent CGPA
Minimum Marks (SC/ST/PwBD) 45% marks or equivalent CGPA
Final Year Students Eligible to apply (must produce completion certificate on or before the date stipulated by the respective IIM)
Professional Degree Holders CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with required percentage

Percentage Calculation:

  • The percentage of marks obtained would be calculated based on the practice followed by the respective University/Institution.
  • In case of grades/CGPA, the conversion to percentage would be based on the procedure certified by the respective University/Institution.
  • If the University confirms there is no scheme for converting CGPA into equivalent marks, the equivalence would be established by dividing the candidate’s CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result by 100.

CAT 2026 Test Cities & Admit Card

Test Cities:

  • CAT will be conducted in centres spread across approximately 170 test cities.
  • At the time of registration, candidates have to select any five test cities as per their preference.
  • After the last date of registration, candidates will be allotted one among the five preferred cities, subject to availability.
  • In the rare case that a candidate is not allotted any of the preferred cities, he/she will be allotted a nearby city.
  • IIMs reserve the right to add/remove, change or cancel any test centre/city.

Admit Card:

  • Admit cards can be downloaded from November 4, 2026 until November 29, 2026.
  • The name of the test centre will be indicated in the Admit Card.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Score

Exam Pattern:

  • Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
  • Date: Sunday, November 29, 2026
  • Sessions: Three sessions
  • Sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude

Score:

  • CAT 2026 scorecards will be made accessible on the CAT website.
  • Results are likely to be declared by the First Week of January, 2027.
  • CAT 2026 score is valid only till December 31, 2027.
  • After December 31, 2027, no queries related to the issuance of CAT 2026 scorecards will be entertained.

How to Register for CAT 2026 (Online Process)

  1. Visit Official Portal: Go to https://iimcat.ac.in.
  2. Read Information Bulletin: Carefully read the full Information Bulletin and understand all eligibility criteria.
  3. Click on Registration Link: Click on the registration link available from August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM).
  4. Fill Personal Details: Enter personal details, educational qualifications, category, and other required information.
  5. Select Test Cities: Choose any five test cities from the drop-down menu as per your preference.
  6. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of photograph, signature, and category certificates (if applicable).
  7. Pay Registration Fee: Pay the prescribed fee (₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD, ₹2,700 for others) online.
  8. Submit Application: Review all details and submit the application. Note down the registration number.
  9. Download Admit Card: Download the admit card from November 4, 2026 onwards.
Required Documents Checklist
  • ✔ Bachelor’s Degree Certificate (or Final Year proof)
  • ✔ Marksheets of all years/semesters
  • ✔ Category Certificate (SC/ST/PwBD – if applicable)
  • ✔ NC-OBC/EWS Certificate (with undertaking if not received)
  • ✔ Professional Degree Certificate (CA/CS/ICWA – if applicable)
  • ✔ Recent Passport-size Photograph
  • ✔ Signature Scan
  • ✔ Valid Email ID & Mobile Number
Avoid these 3 Rejection Mistakes:
1. Not uploading NC-OBC/EWS certificate documents correctly – ensure the undertaking and old certificate are uploaded.
2. Selecting wrong category – no change in category will be entertained after registration.
3. Not meeting the minimum percentage requirement – ensure you have 50% (General/OBC) or 45% (SC/ST/PwBD) in your Bachelor’s degree.

CAT 2026 Admission Process

Important Points:

  • Each IIM is independent to mandate their own eligibility criteria (including academic cut-offs and relative weights) and follow different selection processes.
  • Performance in the CAT 2026 examination is an important component for consideration in the selection process.
  • IIMs may also use the previous academic performance of the candidates, relevant work experience and other similar inputs in short-listing of candidates at various stages.
  • For more information, refer to the admissions policies of individual IIMs on their respective websites.

📌 Also Read: AIIMS NORCET 11 2026: 2500+ Nursing Posts, Level 7 Pay, Apply Online

Important Instructions for CAT 2026

  • Disqualification: Instances of any incorrect information or process violation detected at any stage of the selection process will lead to immediate disqualification.
  • Future Bans: Candidates found violating rules will not be allowed to appear for CAT in future.
  • Retrospective Effect: If violations are detected in subsequent years, disqualification will take effect retrospectively.
  • Email Account: Candidates must declare and maintain a valid and unique email account and a mobile phone number throughout the selection process.
  • Jurisdiction: Any dispute concerning CAT 2026 would be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts within the territorial jurisdiction of the city of Indore only.
  • Retain Bulletin: Candidates must retain this Information Bulletin for future reference.

CAT 2026: Frequently Asked Questions

When is CAT 2026 exam?
CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026 in three sessions across approximately 170 test cities.
When does CAT 2026 registration start?
CAT 2026 registration opens on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) and closes on September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM).
What is the CAT 2026 registration fee?
₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and ₹2,700 for all other candidates (General/NC-OBC/EWS).
Can final year students apply for CAT 2026?
Yes, candidates appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification can apply. However, they must submit a certificate confirming completion of all requirements on or before the date stipulated by the respective IIM.
What is the eligibility for CAT 2026?
Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) from a recognized University. Professional degree holders (CA/CS/ICWA/FIAI) are also eligible.
Is there any age limit for CAT 2026?
No, there is no age limit for appearing in CAT 2026.
How many IIMs accept CAT scores?
All 22 IIMs accept CAT scores for their MBA/PGP and FPM/PhD programmes.
How long is CAT 2026 score valid?
CAT 2026 score is valid only till December 31, 2027.
Can I apply for multiple IIMs with one CAT registration?
Yes, a candidate needs to pay the registration fee only once, irrespective of the number of IIMs he/she is applying for.
What documents are required for CAT 2026 registration?
Bachelor’s degree certificate, marksheets, category certificate (if applicable), photograph, signature, and valid email ID and mobile number.


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