The CAT 2026 admit card will be released on 4 November 2026 at the official website iimcat.ac.in. IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026 on 29 November 2026 across three sessions in approximately 170 cities nationwide. You must download and carry a printed copy of your admit card to be allowed entry at the exam centre.

The admit card will not be sent by post or email — you must download it yourself from iimcat.ac.in once it goes live on 4 November 2026.

  • The CAT 2026 admit card will be released on 4 November 2026 at iimcat.ac.in.
  • You can download your admit card using your User ID and Password once the portal goes live.
  • Details on the admit card include your name, roll number, exam centre, session, date, and reporting time.
  • Carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID to the exam centre.
  • In case of any discrepancy, contact the official CAT helpdesk through iimcat.ac.in immediately.
  • Exam centre allotment cannot be changed once the admit card is issued.
  • CAT 2026 will be held on 29 November 2026 (Sunday) in three sessions — the exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT).

What is CAT Admit Card 2026?

The CAT 2026 admit card is the official hall ticket issued by IIM Indore to all registered students. It is your mandatory entry pass to the exam centre — you will not be permitted to sit for the exam without it.

IIM Indore will release the CAT 2026 admit card on 4 November 2026 on the official website iimcat.ac.in. The admit card carries critical details such as your roll number, exam centre address, session timing, and reporting time. Verify each detail as soon as you download it.

You cannot appear in the exam without a valid printed admit card — no digital or soft copy is accepted at the exam centre.

The admit card will not be sent by post or email — you must download it from the official website.

Note: Downloading the CAT 2026 admit card does not confirm your admission to any IIM or B-school — it only authorises you to appear in the examination.

CAT Admit Card 2026 Release Date

IIM Indore will release the CAT 2026 admit card on 4 November 2026, approximately 25 days before the exam. The exam is scheduled for 29 November 2026 in three sessions. Students who have successfully registered for CAT 2026 can download the admit card from the official login portal at iimcat.ac.in.

Important Dates for CAT Admit Card 2026

Date Event
04 November 2026 CAT 2026 Admit Card Release
29 November 2026 CAT 2026 Exam Date (Three Sessions)
January 2027 (Expected) CAT 2026 Result Declaration
25 July 2026 (Over) CAT 2026 Official Notification Release
03 August 2026 (Over) CAT 2026 Registration Start
15 September 2026 (Over) CAT 2026 Registration End

Session-Wise Admit Card Schedule for CAT 2026

CAT 2026 will be held in three sessions on 29 November 2026. IIM Indore releases a single admit card per student — your specific session allotment appears on it. The table below lists expected session timings based on previous years; confirm your exact slot from the admit card once it is released.

Session Exam Time (Expected) Reporting Time (Expected)
Session 1 (Morning) 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM 7:30 AM
Session 2 (Afternoon) 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM 11:30 AM
Session 3 (Evening) 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM 3:30 PM

Note: Session timings are indicative and based on previous years’ pattern. Confirm your exact session, timing, and reporting time from your CAT 2026 admit card once it is released on 4 November 2026.

CAT Admit Card Release Date: Past Trends

IIM releases the CAT admit card approximately three to four weeks before the exam every year. The table below shows the release pattern from recent years as a reference.

Year Admit Card Release Date Exam Date Gap Before Exam
CAT 2025 05 November 2025 30 November 2025 ~25 days
CAT 2024 01 November 2024 24 November 2024 ~23 days
CAT 2023 07 November 2023 26 November 2023 ~19 days

Source: iimcat.ac.in (Official CAT Website)

How to Download CAT Admit Card 2026

Once the CAT 2026 admit card is live on 4 November 2026, follow the steps below to download it. Keep your User ID and Password ready — these were sent to your registered email and mobile number at the time of registration.

  1. Once released on 4 November 2026, visit the official website at iimcat.ac.in.
  2. Click on the "CAT 2026 Admit Card" link on the homepage.
  3. Enter your User ID and Password in the login fields.
  4. Click Login to proceed to your dashboard.
  5. Click the "Download Admit Card" option on your dashboard.
  6. Your admit card will appear on screen — verify all details carefully before downloading.
  7. Download the admit card as a PDF and take a colour printout on A4 paper.
  8. Keep at least two to three copies — one to submit at the exam centre and one as a backup for future use such as admission or counselling.

Note: If you have forgotten your User ID or Password, click the "Forgot User ID/Password" link on the login page and follow the steps to recover your credentials via your registered email address.

Details Mentioned on CAT Admit Card 2026

Check every detail on your CAT 2026 admit card immediately after downloading. If any information is incorrect, report it to the official helpdesk before the exam date.

Detail Description
Candidate’s Name As registered in the CAT 2026 application form
Roll Number Unique identifier assigned for the exam
Registration Number As generated at the time of CAT 2026 registration
Exam Date 29 November 2026 (Sunday)
Exam Session / Shift Session 1, 2, or 3 with specific start and end time
Reporting Time Time by which you must arrive at the centre — typically 60 minutes before the session start
Exam Centre Name Name of the allotted test centre
Exam Centre Address Full address including city and state
Category General / NC-OBC / SC / ST / PwD / EWS
Candidate’s Photograph Passport-size photo as uploaded during registration
Candidate’s Signature As uploaded in the application form
Important Instructions Exam rules, prohibited items, and reporting guidelines

Check all details on your admit card immediately after downloading — report any discrepancy to the helpdesk before the exam.

Documents to Carry Along with CAT Admit Card 2026

You must carry a printed copy of the CAT 2026 admit card along with a valid government-issued photo ID to the exam centre. Entry will be denied if either document is missing.

You must carry a hard copy of the admit card and a valid photo ID — entry will be denied without both.

Document Notes
Printed Admit Card Colour printout on A4; photograph must be legible; carry 2–3 copies
Passport-Size Photographs 2–3 copies; same as uploaded in the CAT 2026 application form
Aadhaar Card Most widely accepted; masked Aadhaar and e-Aadhaar are also valid
PAN Card Valid government-issued photo ID
Voter ID Election Commission issued; must carry photo
Passport Valid and unexpired
Driving Licence Must carry photo
School / College Photo ID Accepted if no government-issued document is available

Note: CAT 2026 is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) — no pen or stationery needs to be brought. Rough work sheets are provided at the exam centre.

CAT Admit Card 2026: Important Instructions

IIM Indore publishes exam day rules on the admit card. Read every instruction carefully before 29 November 2026 to avoid any issues at the centre.

Guideline Instruction
Reporting Time Report at least 60 minutes before your session start time; the gate closes after a specified cut-off and late entry is not permitted
Identity Verification Carry both the printed admit card and a valid photo ID; entry is denied without both documents
Electronic Devices Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, Bluetooth earphones, and all electronic devices are strictly prohibited inside the exam hall
Books and Papers No books, notes, or printed material are allowed; rough work sheets are provided at the centre
Calculator No physical calculator is permitted; an on-screen calculator is available within the CBT interface
Section Time Limits CAT 2026 has strict sectional limits of 40 minutes each — you cannot switch between VARC, DILR, and QA sections during the allotted time
Dress Code No formal dress code; avoid clothing with concealed pockets or metal accessories that may trigger security checks
Photograph Match Your appearance on exam day must match the photograph on the admit card; significant changes in appearance may cause issues at verification
Biometric Verification Fingerprint or biometric verification may be conducted at the centre; cooperate fully with invigilators

Report to the exam centre at least 60 minutes before your session — late entry is not permitted under any circumstances.

What to Do If There Is a Discrepancy in CAT Admit Card 2026

If you find any error in your CAT 2026 admit card — such as a wrong name, incorrect category, unclear photograph, or wrong exam centre — act immediately after downloading. Do not wait until exam day to raise a concern.

  1. Download your CAT 2026 admit card from iimcat.ac.in and verify every detail against your original registration information.
  2. Note the exact nature of the discrepancy — name spelling, date of birth, category, photograph, or exam centre.
  3. Contact the CAT 2026 helpdesk through the official website iimcat.ac.in — do not wait until close to the exam date.
  4. Provide your registration number and the specific discrepancy along with any supporting documents if requested.
  5. Follow up until you receive written or official confirmation that the issue has been addressed.
  6. If the error remains unresolved before exam day, carry original supporting documents such as your government-issued ID and registration confirmation to the centre and inform the invigilator.

Note: Exam centre allotment is final once the CAT 2026 admit card is issued — no requests for centre change will be entertained under any circumstances.

CAT 2026 Helpline and Contact Details

For any issue related to the CAT 2026 admit card or exam, contact IIM Indore through the official CAT helpdesk. All active contact details will be published on the official website after the admit card is released.

Contact Type Details
Official Website iimcat.ac.in
Helpdesk Email Published on iimcat.ac.in after admit card release
Conducting Body IIM Indore (CAT 2026 Convenor)

Source: iimcat.ac.in (Official CAT Website)

CAT 2026 Admit Card FAQs

Ques: When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?

Ans: The CAT 2026 admit card will be released on 4 November 2026 on the official website iimcat.ac.in. IIM Indore is the convenor for CAT 2026 and will activate the download link on that date.

Ques: How do I download the CAT 2026 admit card?

Ans: Once the admit card is live, visit iimcat.ac.in and log in using your User ID and Password. Click "Download Admit Card" on your dashboard, verify all details, and save the PDF. Take a colour printout on A4 paper and keep at least two to three copies.

Ques: What if I have forgotten my CAT 2026 User ID or Password?

Ans: Click the "Forgot User ID/Password" link on the iimcat.ac.in login page. Enter your registered email address and complete the verification. Your credentials will be sent to your registered email.

Ques: Can I use a digital or soft copy of the CAT 2026 admit card at the exam centre?

Ans: No. Only a printed hard copy is accepted at the exam centre. A digital copy shown on a phone, tablet, or laptop will not be accepted, and you will be denied entry without the physical printout.

Ques: What details are printed on the CAT 2026 admit card?

Ans: The CAT 2026 admit card includes your name, roll number, registration number, exam date (29 November 2026), session timing, reporting time, exam centre name and address, category, photograph, signature, and important exam instructions.

Ques: What if there is a spelling mistake in my name on the CAT 2026 admit card?

Ans: Contact the CAT 2026 helpdesk through iimcat.ac.in immediately after downloading the admit card. Provide your registration number and supporting documents. If the correction is not made before exam day, carry your original government-issued ID showing the correct spelling to the exam centre.

Ques: What if my photograph is unclear on the CAT 2026 admit card?

Ans: If your photograph is blurry or unrecognisable, contact the official helpdesk through iimcat.ac.in without delay. Also carry 2–3 recent passport-size photographs to the exam centre as additional identification.

Ques: Can I appear for CAT 2026 without an admit card?

Ans: No. Entry to the CAT 2026 exam centre will be denied without a valid printed admit card. There are no exceptions — you must carry a physical printout on exam day.

Ques: Will the CAT 2026 admit card be sent by post or email?

Ans: No. IIM Indore will not send the admit card by post or email. You must download it yourself from iimcat.ac.in after 4 November 2026 using your User ID and Password.

Ques: What ID proof should I carry along with the CAT 2026 admit card?

Ans: Carry a valid government-issued photo ID such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, Voter ID, passport, or driving licence. A school or college photo ID is also accepted if you do not have a government-issued document.

Ques: How many copies of the CAT 2026 admit card should I carry?

Ans: Carry at least two to three printed copies — one to submit or show at the exam centre, one for your personal records, and one as a backup for future use such as counselling or admission processes.

Ques: Can I change my exam centre after the CAT 2026 admit card is released?

Ans: No. Exam centre allotment is final once the admit card is issued. IIM Indore does not accept requests for centre change after the admit card is released, regardless of the reason.