The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is one of India’s most prestigious entrance examinations for admission into MBA, PGDM, Executive Management, and Fellow/PhD programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several leading business schools across the country.
For the CAT 2026 examination, IIM Indore has been entrusted with conducting the test. The examination will be held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode on Sunday, 29 November 2026, across multiple cities in India in three separate sessions.
Candidates aspiring to build a successful career in management can check the complete details below, including eligibility, registration process, application fee, important dates, and participating IIMs.
IIM CAT 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Institute | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Examination Date | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Duration | 2 Hours |
| Total Questions | 68 |
| Maximum Marks | 204 Marks |
| Accepting Institutes | All IIMs and several top B-Schools |
| Official Website | www.iimcat.ac.in |
Helpdesk
- Toll-Free: 1800 210 0175
- Email: cathelpdesk@iimcat.co.in
Participating IIMs in CAT 2026
CAT scores are accepted by all 21+ Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), including:
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Amritsar
- IIM Bangalore
- IIM Bodh Gaya
- IIM Calcutta
- IIM Guwahati
- IIM Indore
- IIM Jammu
- IIM Kashipur
- IIM Kozhikode
- IIM Lucknow
- IIM Mumbai
- IIM Nagpur
- IIM Raipur
- IIM Ranchi
- IIM Rohtak
- IIM Sambalpur
- IIM Shillong
- IIM Sirmaur
- IIM Tiruchirappalli
- IIM Udaipur
- IIM Visakhapatnam
Apart from the IIMs, many reputed universities and private management institutes also consider CAT scores for MBA and PGDM admissions.
Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026
Candidates must satisfy any one of the following eligibility conditions:
Educational Qualification
Applicants should have:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognized university, or
- A professional qualification such as CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), or FIAI, or
- Be studying in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum Marks Required
| Category | Minimum Percentage |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | 50% |
| SC / ST / PwD | 45% |
Age Limit
There is no upper or lower age limit for appearing in the CAT 2026 examination.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
Applicants are required to pay the registration fee online using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
| Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,350 |
How to Apply for CAT 2026?
Candidates can complete the online application process by following these simple steps:
- Visit the official CAT 2026 website.
- Click on “New Candidate Registration”.
- Complete the registration using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Log in using the generated credentials.
- Fill in your personal, academic, and communication details.
- Upload the required documents and photograph.
- Pay the application fee according to your category.
- Submit the application form.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Begins | 03 August 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 September 2026 (05:00 PM) |
| Admit Card Download | 04 November – 29 November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Examination | 29 November 2026 |
Why Choose CAT?
The CAT examination is the gateway to some of India’s most prestigious management institutes. A good CAT score can help candidates secure admission to:
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- Top Government MBA Colleges
- Leading Private Business Schools
- Executive Management Programmes
- Fellow and Doctoral Management Courses
Preparing well for CAT not only opens doors to premier MBA programmes but also significantly enhances career opportunities in business, finance, consulting, analytics, marketing, and entrepreneurship.
Important Links
Official Notification: Available on the CAT 2026 portal
Online Application: Starts from 03 August 2026
Official Website: www.iimcat.ac.in
Important Web-Links of IIM CAT
| Online Application Form | 03/08/2026 |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
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