If you dream of pursuing an MBA or PGDM from one of the country’s top management institutes (IIMs) and best B-schools, there’s great news for you. The Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM Indore) has released the official notification for the Common Admission Test (CAT 2026).
Every year, millions of candidates await the country’s most prestigious management entrance exam, CAT. This time, the responsibility for conducting this exam rests with the IIM Indore has been assigned to. According to official information,CAT 2026 exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026 Sunday The online application process will be conducted in approximately 170 cities across the country in three different slots. August 3, 2026 From the official website iimcat.ac.in But it is going to start.
Let us understand every important information related to CAT 2026 like important dates, eligibility, exam pattern, application fee and the complete application process in this detailed blog.
CAT 2026: Key Dates
For the convenience of the candidates, a list of all the important dates related to the exam is given below:
| Event/Activity | Official date |
| Official notification release date | July 26, 2026 |
| Commencement of online application | August 3, 2026 from 10:00 am |
| Last date of application | September 15, 2026, till 5:00 PM |
| Admit card download starts | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Expected date of result | 1st week of January 2027 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates are required to fulfil the following conditions to appear for CAT 2026:
- of educational qualification. A candidate must have at least a degree from a recognized university 50% marksOr must have a Bachelor’s Degree with equivalent CGPA.
- Relaxation for reserved category: For SC, ST and PwD candidates, minimum graduation.45% marks are mandatory.
- Final Year Students: Students in their final year of graduation or awaiting their results can also apply for this exam. However, they will need to submit a certificate of passing the exam at the time of admission.
- Professional Qualification: Professional degree holders like CA, CS, CMA or ICWA are also eligible for this exam.
- Age Limit: To appear for CAT exam No upper age limit There is no restriction on the number of attempts.
Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
CAT 2026 will be conducted in the Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. The total exam time is2 hours 120 minutesThere will be a strict time limit of 40 minutes for each section.
There are 3 main sections of the exam:
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension : 24 questions approximately
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning : 22 questions approximately
- Quantitative Aptitude :22 questions approximately
- Total Questions:Almost in the exam 68 questions Questions will be asked which will include both Multiple Choice Questions MCQs and Type-in-the-Answer TITA type questions.
- Marking Scheme:for each correct answer+3 marks will be given. For each wrong MCQ-1 markThere will be a negative marking of 1.There will be no penalty for wrong answers to non-MCQ/TITA questions.
Application Fee
IIM Indore has set the category wise application fee for this year as follows:
- General / EWS / NC-OBC candidates: ₹2,700
- SC/ST/PwD candidates: ₹1,350
The application fee can be paid online only (credit card, debit card, net banking or UPI). This fee is non-refundable.
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How to apply for CAT 2026?
The application process is completely online. Candidates can fill out the form by following the simple steps below:
- Visit the official website: Firstly visit the official website of CAT iimcat.ac.in Go to.
- Register:Click on the ‘New Candidate Registration’ option. Complete the OTP verification by entering your name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number.
- Get login credentials: After verification, you will receive user ID and password on your registered mobile and email.
- Fill in your personal and educational details: Login and enter your personal details, educational records, work experience if any.
- Selection of cities and courses: Select up to 5 exam cities and your preferred IIM courses as per your preference.
- Upload Documents: Upload scanned passport size photo, signature and caste/disabled category certificate if applicable
- Fee Payment & Submission: Pay the fee online and take a printout of the form and keep it safe.
Important Tips for CAT 2026 Preparation
- With only four months left for the exam, start studying by creating a daily section-wise timetable.
- Give at least 2-3 mock tests a week and analyze your weak areas.
- Since there is a sectional time limit in the exam, it is very important to increase the speed along with accuracy.
- Solving CAT papers of the last 5-10 years will give a deep understanding of the level of the exam and the pattern of questions.
Conclusion
CAT 2026 will be conducted not only by the 21 IIMs of the country but also by FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIFT, IITs (DoMS). It’s a gateway to admission to over 1,000 of the country’s top B-schools. If you’re also looking to build a successful career in the corporate world, keep an eye out for registration, which begins on August 3, 2026, and submit your application on time to avoid last-minute technical issues
