IIM Indore released the CAT 2026 notification on July 26, 2026 at the official website iimcat.ac.in. The registration window ran from August 3 to September 15, 2026 and is now closed. If you registered for CAT 2026, your next step is downloading the admit card — available from November 4, 2026 — ahead of the exam on November 29, 2026.
CAT (Common Admission Test) is India’s premier national MBA entrance exam. IIM Indore conducts CAT 2026 across approximately 170 test cities in three sessions on a single day. More than 3 lakh students register each year for seats at 20 IIMs and over 1,000 other participating B-schools across India.
- IIM Indore released the CAT 2026 notification on July 26, 2026 at iimcat.ac.in.
- The registration window ran from August 3 to September 15, 2026 — applications are now closed.
- CAT 2026 will be held on November 29, 2026 (Sunday) in three sessions across approximately 170 cities.
- The admit card will be available for download from November 4, 2026 on iimcat.ac.in.
- The application fee was ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD students.
- IIM Indore is the conducting institute for CAT 2026; Prof. Aditya Billore serves as the exam convener.
- You need a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) to be eligible — there is no age limit or attempt cap.
Key Summary
- IIM Indore released the CAT 2026 notification on July 26, 2026 at iimcat.ac.in.
- Applications were open from August 3 to September 15, 2026 — the registration window is now closed.
- CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026 (Sunday); the admit card will be available from November 4, 2026.
- The result is expected in the first week of January 2027, followed by IIM selection rounds in February–March 2027.
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (min 3 years) with 50% marks for General/EWS/NC-OBC; 45% for SC/ST/PwD; no age limit.
- Exam mode: Online (CBT), 120 minutes, 68 questions, 204 marks across approximately 170 test cities in India.
CAT Notification 2026: Important Dates
The table below lists all key CAT 2026 dates. Upcoming events appear first in chronological order; events that have already passed follow in the order they occurred.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Admit Card Release | November 4, 2026 |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) — Three sessions |
| Answer Key Release | Expected December 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Expected January 2027 (first week) |
| IIM Interview / Selection Process (WAT-PI) | Expected February–March 2027 |
| Notification Release | July 26, 2026 (Over) |
| Application Form Start | August 3, 2026, 10:00 AM (Over) |
| Application Form Last Date | September 15, 2026, 5:00 PM (Over) |
| Application Fee Payment Last Date | September 15, 2026, 5:00 PM (Over) |
Source: iimcat.ac.in
CAT 2026 Notification: Key Highlights
Use the table below for a quick reference to all essential CAT 2026 particulars as published in the official Information Bulletin.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore |
| Exam Convener | Prof. Aditya Billore, IIM Indore |
| Exam Level | National |
| Exam Mode | Online — Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (40 minutes per section) |
| Number of Sections | 3 (VARC, DILR, QA) |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Total Marks | 204 |
| Question Types | MCQ and TITA (Type In The Answer) |
| Medium of Exam | English |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Three sessions) |
| Number of Test Cities | Approximately 170 |
| Courses Offered | MBA / PGDM at IIMs and participating B-schools |
| Participating Institutes | 20 IIMs + 1,000+ other B-schools |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
Note: Each IIM sets its own shortlisting criteria independently. A high CAT 2026 score improves your chances, but every IIM applies different weightages for academics, work experience, gender diversity, and geographic diversity in its selection process. Check individual IIM admission pages for their specific criteria.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements for CAT 2026 are straightforward. Check all three criteria — nationality, age, and academic qualification — before you register.
Nationality
Indian nationals are eligible to apply for CAT 2026. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and foreign nationals may also apply, subject to the specific conditions in the official CAT 2026 Information Bulletin. If you are an NRI or international student, confirm programme-level requirements directly with the IIMs you plan to apply to, as admission norms can vary by institute.
Age Limit
There is no upper or lower age limit for CAT 2026. You can register and appear for the exam at any age, provided you meet the academic qualification requirement.
Academic Qualification
You need a recognised bachelor’s degree of at least three years’ duration. The minimum aggregate marks differ by category.
| Category | Minimum Qualification | Minimum Marks Required |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) | 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA |
| SC / ST / PwD | Bachelor’s degree (minimum 3 years) | 45% aggregate or equivalent CGPA |
| Final-Year Students (2026–27) | Currently in final year of graduation | Provisional eligibility — must meet marks on degree completion |
Note: Holders of professional degrees such as CA (Chartered Accountancy), CS (Company Secretary), and ICWA (Cost Accountancy) with the required percentage are also eligible. There is no lifetime cap on the number of times you can appear for CAT — one attempt is allowed per annual cycle.
How to Apply for CAT 2026
The CAT 2026 registration window closed on September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The steps below describe the application process for reference. If you already registered, log in to iimcat.ac.in with your CAT ID and password to check your application status and download your admit card from November 4, 2026.
- Visit the official registration portal at iimcat.ac.in.
- Click "New Registration" and enter your name, date of birth, email address, and mobile number.
- Verify your email and mobile using the OTP sent to each by the system.
- Log in with the CAT ID and password delivered to your registered email.
- Fill in your personal, academic, work experience, and contact details in the form.
- Upload a scanned photograph (JPEG, 10–80 KB) and signature (JPEG, 10–80 KB).
- Select up to four preferred test cities in order of preference.
- Choose the IIM programmes you wish to apply to — no extra fee applies for programme selection.
- Pay the application fee online via net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
- Download and save the registration confirmation page for your records.
Note: The CAT 2026 application fee is non-refundable under all circumstances, as stated in the official Information Bulletin. You could edit only certain fields (photograph, signature, and test city preferences) within the designated correction window after the registration close date.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
IIM Indore charges the CAT 2026 registration fee once, regardless of how many IIM programmes you select during the application. The 2026 fee saw a small increase over the previous year.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹2,700 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | ₹2,700 |
| NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Layer OBC) | ₹2,700 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | ₹1,350 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | ₹1,350 |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | ₹1,350 |
Payment mode: Online only — net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI. No offline or cash payment is accepted.
Note: The CAT 2026 registration fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, as specified in the official Information Bulletin. Pay only after verifying all the details you have entered in the application form.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
CAT 2026 is a 120-minute computer-based test split into three timed sections. Each section has a strict 40-minute window — you cannot move to another section or revisit previous sections during the allotted time.
| Section | Number of Questions | Total Marks | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 72 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 66 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 204 | 120 minutes |
Each section includes both MCQ (Multiple Choice Question) and TITA (Type In The Answer) questions. Only MCQ questions attract negative marking for wrong answers.
CAT 2026 Marking Scheme
| Response Type | Question Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Correct Answer | MCQ / TITA | +3 |
| Incorrect Answer | MCQ only | −1 |
| Incorrect Answer | TITA | 0 (no negative marking) |
| Unattempted Question | MCQ / TITA | 0 |
CAT 2026 Syllabus Overview
IIMs do not publish an official chapter-wise syllabus for CAT. The topics below reflect the working syllabus derived from CAT papers over many years, and are consistent with the pattern IIM Indore confirmed for CAT 2026.
Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC)
| Topic Area | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension (RC) | Passages from humanities, social sciences, business, and science; inference, tone, purpose, and author’s view questions |
| Para-Jumbles | Rearranging 4–5 sentences into a coherent paragraph (TITA format) |
| Para-Summary | Selecting the best one-line summary of a paragraph (MCQ) |
| Odd Sentence Out | Identifying the sentence that breaks the logical flow of a paragraph |
| Sentence Completion / Verbal Reasoning | Critical reasoning, logical sequence, word usage in context |
Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR)
| Topic Area | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Data Interpretation (DI) | Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Data Caselets, Mixed Charts |
| Logical Reasoning (LR) | Seating Arrangements, Blood Relations, Syllogisms, Venn Diagrams, Puzzles |
| Set-Based Reasoning | Team Formation, Games & Tournaments, Scheduling, Network Diagrams |
Quantitative Ability (QA)
| Topic Area | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Percentages, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Mixtures & Alligations |
| Algebra | Linear & Quadratic Equations, Functions, Inequalities, Arithmetic & Geometric Progressions |
| Geometry & Mensuration | Lines, Angles, Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Cylinders, Cones, Spheres |
| Number System | HCF/LCM, Remainders, Factors, Divisibility Rules, Surds & Indices |
| Modern Mathematics | Permutations & Combinations, Probability, Set Theory, Coordinate Geometry |
CAT 2026 Notification: Key Changes
The following changes apply to CAT 2026 compared to CAT 2025, as confirmed by the official Information Bulletin released by IIM Indore on July 26, 2026.
- Conducting Institute: IIM Indore conducts CAT 2026. The organising responsibility rotates among IIMs each year. IIM Indore last conducted CAT in 2020.
- Exam Convener: Prof. Aditya Billore of IIM Indore is the CAT 2026 convener.
- Application Fee Increase: The fee for General/EWS/NC-OBC students is ₹2,700 (up from ₹2,600 in CAT 2025). For SC/ST/PwBD students, the fee is ₹1,350 (up from ₹1,300 in CAT 2025).
- Exam Pattern: Unchanged from CAT 2025 — three sections (VARC 24 questions, DILR 22 questions, QA 22 questions), 120 minutes total, MCQ and TITA format.
- Marking Scheme: Unchanged — +3 for correct answers, −1 for wrong MCQ answers, no negative marking for TITA questions.
- Eligibility Criteria: Unchanged — 50% for General/EWS/NC-OBC; 45% for SC/ST/PwD; no age limit; no attempt cap.
- Reservation Policy: Unchanged — follows Government of India reservation norms for all categories.
- Test Cities: Approximately 170 cities across India — consistent with CAT 2025.
Note: IIM shortlisting criteria, WAT/PI weightages, and individual selection process parameters are announced separately by each IIM and are not part of the CAT 2026 notification. These may differ from the criteria each IIM used in the 2025 admission cycle.
CAT 2026 Notification FAQs
Ques. When was the CAT 2026 notification released?
Ans. IIM Indore released the CAT 2026 notification on July 26, 2026 at the official website iimcat.ac.in. The Information Bulletin covers eligibility, exam pattern, important dates, and the application process.
Ques. Where can I download the CAT 2026 official notification PDF?
Ans. You can download the CAT 2026 Information Bulletin directly from iimcat.ac.in. The PDF contains complete details on eligibility, exam pattern, fee structure, test cities, and the IIM selection process.
Ques. What was the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
Ans. The CAT 2026 registration window closed on September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM. New applications are no longer accepted for this cycle. Students who registered should now focus on downloading the admit card from November 4, 2026.
Ques. What is the eligibility criteria for CAT 2026?
Ans. You need a bachelor’s degree of at least three years from a recognised university with a minimum 50% aggregate (General/EWS/NC-OBC) or 45% (SC/ST/PwD). Final-year students were eligible to apply with provisional status. There is no age limit or lifetime attempt cap.
Ques. What is the application fee for CAT 2026?
Ans. The CAT 2026 application fee was ₹2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC students, and ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwBD students. The fee is non-refundable once paid and is charged only once regardless of the number of IIM programmes selected.
Ques. How many times can you appear for CAT?
Ans. There is no lifetime limit on CAT attempts. You can appear for CAT every year as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Only one attempt is allowed per annual cycle — CAT 2026 is held on November 29, 2026.
Ques. Is there any age limit for CAT 2026?
Ans. No, there is no upper or lower age limit for CAT 2026. Students of any age can register and sit the exam, provided they meet the academic qualification requirements.
Ques. What is the exam pattern for CAT 2026?
Ans. CAT 2026 is a 120-minute online (CBT) test with three sections: VARC (24 questions, 72 marks), DILR (22 questions, 66 marks), and QA (22 questions, 66 marks) — totalling 68 questions and 204 marks. Each section has a separate 40-minute time limit. Questions are a mix of MCQ (+3 correct, −1 wrong) and TITA (no negative marking).
Ques. Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
Ans. IIM Indore conducts CAT 2026. Prof. Aditya Billore of IIM Indore is the exam convener. The conducting responsibility rotates among IIMs each year — IIM Indore last conducted CAT in 2020 before this cycle.
Ques. Are there any changes in CAT 2026 compared to CAT 2025?
Ans. The primary confirmed change is the application fee: ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC (up from ₹2,600) and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD (up from ₹1,300). The exam pattern, marking scheme, eligibility criteria, and reservation policy remain unchanged from CAT 2025.
Ques. Can final-year students appear for CAT 2026?
Ans. Yes, students in the final year of their bachelor’s degree were eligible to apply for CAT 2026 with provisional status. They must meet the minimum aggregate percentage requirement on degree completion to confirm eligibility for IIM admissions. Check individual IIM admission policies for their specific requirements for final-year applicants.
Ques. When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
Ans. The CAT 2026 admit card will be available from November 4, 2026 at iimcat.ac.in. Log in with your CAT ID and password to download it. You must carry both the printed admit card and a valid government-issued photo ID to the exam hall — digital copies on mobile phones are not accepted.
Ques. What is the selection process after CAT 2026?
Ans. After IIM Indore declares CAT 2026 results in January 2027, each IIM shortlists students independently based on CAT score, academic record, work experience, and diversity parameters. Shortlisted students appear for Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds, expected in February–March 2027. Final selection depends on composite scores — the weightage given to CAT score versus other factors varies by IIM.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is based on the official CAT 2026 notification and may be subject to change. Students are advised to visit the official website at iimcat.ac.in for the latest updates.
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