CAT 2026 Notification Released LIVE: Check Registration Dates, Exam Schedule, and Detailed Notification at iimcat.ac.in

Evening exam times takes place from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, ideal for candidates who prefer a later start on the exam day of CAT.

According to the official information bulletin, the CAT 2026 results are slated to be announced in the first week of January 2027. Furthermore, the scores obtained in this session will remain valid for MBA admissions until December 31, 2027.

Candidates who successfully complete their registration and fee payment will be able to download their official hall tickets starting November 4, 2026. Admit cards will be available on the portal up until the exam day.

To apply, candidates must hold a recognized Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (or 45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates). Students currently in the final year of their undergraduate program or those awaiting their final results are also fully eligible to register.

For the 2026 session, the registration fee is strictly set at Rs. 2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC category candidates. For candidates belonging to the SC, ST, and PwD categories, the application fee is reduced to Rs. 1,350.

The online application window will officially open on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Aspirants will have over a month to apply, with the final deadline for submitting the form set for September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM via the official portal, iimcat.ac.in.

The IIMs have confirmed that the CAT 2026 examination will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026. The computer-based entrance test will take place in three separate shifts across approximately 170 test cities nationwide.

The CAT 2026 registration portal will be closed on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST. Forms need to be submitted, documents uploaded, and fees paid by candidates. It is important to note that any form received after the closure of the registration portal will not be entertained.

Time management for the CAT exam is essential in limiting the time taken by each question. Time should not be spent excessively on challenging questions since skipping them will allow enough time to solve other easy questions from different subjects.

Effective reading comprehension techniques for the CAT exam involve knowing the central theme and tone of the passage. Skimming difficult texts can be misleading; therefore, reading in an organized manner is very important. It helps to rule out wrong answers step-by-step.

The CAT Mathematics preparation technique comprises solving basic formulas and concepts on a daily basis. It is important to keep a formula book handy to go through the concepts like geometry theorems, identities in algebra, and tricks in arithmetic. 

Candidates can pay the CAT application fee using the following modes:

• Credit/Debit Card
• Internet Banking
• Paytm/PayU mobile wallets

The Quantitative Aptitude (QA) section comprises 22 questions focusing on arithmetic, algebra, geometry, modern math, and number systems. Candidates are given 40 minutes to solve these math problems using a basic on-screen digital calculator provided within the interface.

Time limits per section apply in the CAT examination during the test. The examinees cannot move from one section to another once the time for that particular section elapses. Time allocation for each question minimizes rush work and reduces errors in operations. 

IIM CAT notification has been released. Following are the key details related to CAT 2026 exam:

• CAT Application Fee: Increased to INR 2,700
• CAT Conducting IIM: IIM Indore
• CAT Exam Date: November 29
• CAT Registration Dates: August 3 to September 15

The registration fees are to be paid online through the embedded portal with Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking, or UPI methods. Application forms will be considered only when the payment is confirmed. Demand Drafts or cash or cheque payments are not accepted offline.

The Registration fees for the General, EWS, and NC-OBC are ₹2,700. The Registration fee is non-refundable and will include examination charges and application processing for all 21 participating IIMs chosen at the time of filling up the form.

Students who are presently in the final year of their bachelor’s program or awaiting the results of their final semester can apply for CAT 2026. Selected students get provisional admission, contingent on their submitting evidence of passing with the requisite percentage within the stipulated period of time.

Besides the IIMs, there are more than 1,000 top-ranking non-IIM management institutions that recognize CAT 2026. Some of the leading institutions accepting CAT 2026 scores are: FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIFT Delhi, SJ

Penalty for wrong answers is -1 mark for each question. Un-attempted questions do not have any penalty attached to them. Thus, it becomes very important to choose the questions wisely and correctly.

A fixed 40-minute limit is assigned for each of the sections. Once 40 minutes pass for the candidate in one of the sections, then he or she cannot move to another section or come back to the earlier section. The test pattern follows VARC-DILR-QA strictly.

This examination takes 120 minutes (2 hours) for normal candidates. PwD candidates who are entitled to compensatory time will get 13 minutes and 20 seconds extra per section, hence making their total test period as 160 minutes.

The registration portal for CAT 2026 will be closed on September 15, 2026, by 5:00 PM IST. It is very important for candidates to make sure that all the forms have been submitted and the required fees have been paid by the due date.

CAT 2026 would be held officially on Sunday, November 29, 2026. Like before, the examination would be held in online mode from specific centers across the nation. Students must note the day because CAT 2026 would not be held on any other dates or in offline mode in paper-and-pencil format.

CAT exam syllabus 2026 will be spread across three sections, i.e. 

• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
• Quantitative Aptitude

The CAT 2026 will be conducted in the computer based test format. The exam pattern is as follows:

CAT exam 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026. The exam will be held in the computer based test format across over 170 test cities in the country.  

CAT notification 2026 was released on July 25, 2026. The CAT registration 2026 will begin on August 3, 2026, as per the official notification. Candidates should check the eligibility criteria before applying for the exam. 

When submitting an online form, applicants claiming reservations for EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST, or PwD must upload legitimate official credentials in PDF format. Certificates must adhere to the official templates found on the CAT website.

During the shortlisting and final merit list compilation process, a number of management institutes give extra diversity points to female and non-binary candidates in an effort to promote balanced gender representation.

In addition to the IIMs, over 1,000 top non-IIM business schools accept CAT 2026 scores. Notable participating institutions include FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIFT Delhi, SJMSOM IIT Bombay, and DoMS IIT Delhi.

In order to register for the CAT, candidates must upload the following documents. Therefore, before the online registration begins, make sure you have the documents listed below.

• Passport-size photo: 1200 x 1200 pixels, <80 KB, 150 ppi, .jpg/.jpeg.
• Signature: <80 KB, 150 pixels, 80 x 35 mm,.jpg/.jpeg.
• NC-OBC/SC/ST certification, if relevant.

The 120-minute computer-based test (CBT) format is still used in CAT 2026. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA) are the three sectionally timed modules that make up the exam.

Credit cards, debit cards, Net Banking, or UPI services must be used to pay registration costs online using the integrated site. Only after payment confirmation are applications processed. Demand drafts, cash, and checks are examples of offline methods that will not be accepted.

Candidates from General, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and Non-Creamy Layer OBC (NC-OBC) must pay a registration fee of ₹2,700. Exam administration and application processing for all 21 participating IIMs chosen during form submission are covered by the non-refundable cost.

Applicants must hold a recognised bachelor’s degree with at least 50 % marks, or 45 % for SC/ST/PwD candidates; final‑year students and professional degree holders such as CA, CS, CMA are also eligible.

Candidates may take the CAT 2026 exam if they have professional credentials such as a CA (Chartered Accountancy), CS (Company Secretaryship), ICWA/CMA, or FIAI. To satisfy eligibility requirements, applicants must reach the minimum percentage level equal to graduation requirements.

All administrative activities for CAT 2026 will be conducted solely on iimcat.ac.in, including registration, the download of admit cards, the publication of response sheets, and scorecards.

CAT 2026 will be held in three separate timed sessions on November 29: Morning (Slot 1), Afternoon (Slot 2), and Evening (Slot 3). Slot allocation is handled automatically by the system and printed on the admit card. Requests to change assigned test sessions or exam centers will not be entertained.

All administrative activities for CAT 2026 will be conducted solely on iimcat.ac.in, including registration, the download of admit cards, the publication of response sheets, and scorecards. Candidates are advised not to use unofficial registration links or third-party portals that purport to receive registration fees on behalf of IIMs or submit CAT applications.

The CAT 2026 registration window will close at 5:00 PM IST on September 15, 2026. Before the deadline, candidates must fill out forms, upload the necessary files, and pay the fees. The authorities stress that incomplete or late forms will not be accepted when the registration portal closes.

• The CAT website offers EWS, NC-OBC, and SC/ST certificates for download.
• Verify the necessary dimensions and self-test the PDF.
• The certificate should be uploaded with your CAT application.
• Before submitting, verify the caste or tribal name on the NCBC website.

In order to register for the CAT, candidates must upload the following documents. Therefore, before the online registration begins, make sure you have the documents listed below.

• Passport-size photo: 1200 x 1200 pixels, <80 KB, 150 ppi, .jpg/.jpeg.
• Signature: <80 KB, 150 pixels, 80 x 35 mm,.jpg/.jpeg.
• NC-OBC/SC/ST certification, if relevant.

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree with at least 50 cnet points or an equivalent CGPA in order to be eligible for CAT 2026. Applicants who are General, EWS, or NC-OBC must meet this criteria. However, applicants from the Scheduled Tribe (ST), Scheduled Caste (SC), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) groups must receive at least 45% of the possible points. A university established by a state legislature, an Act of Parliament, or an organization recognised as a university must provide the degree.

For over a month, the CAT 2026 application window will be available. The registration form must be submitted by September 15, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Before this deadline, candidates must finish paying their fees and uploading their supporting documentation. After the CAT registration is finished, no category modifications will be accepted, therefore candidates must be careful when completing their forms. The registration guide will contain further information about the application process.

Applications for the IIM CAT will be accepted starting next week. On August 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., the CAT 2026 registration window formally opens. Online submission is required for all applications. Before beginning the registration procedure, candidates are encouraged to review the specific qualifying requirements.

The Information Bulletin for the CAT 2026 exam has been formally released by IIM Indore. Admission to a number of management programs, such as PGP, MBA, and PhD courses at all 22 IIMs, requires passing the entrance exam.

The comprehensive eligibility requirements, reservation procedures, and registration guidelines are available to candidates who intend to enrol in postgraduate management courses. All candidates will receive sequential updates on the recently published criteria and important instructions through this live blog.