CAT 2026 Registration Begins at iimcat.ac.in; Apply by Sept 15

| Updated On - Aug 3, 2026

IIM Indore has opened CAT 2026 registration at iimcat.ac.in from August 3. Candidates can apply until September 15. The exam will be held on November 29 in three shifts across 170 test cities in computer-based mode.

CAT 2026 Registration Begins at iimcat.ac.in; Apply by Sept 15

The Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) has opened CAT 2026 registration. The Common Admission Test application went live at iimcat.ac.in on August 3. Registration opened at 10 AM and closes on September 15, 2026.

The exam will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026. It will run as a computer-based test across three separate sessions. Nearly 170 test cities across India will host the paper.

CAT scores are accepted by all 21 Indian Institutes of Management. Over 1,200 other business schools also use CAT for MBA admissions. The window will remain open until 5 PM on the last day.

CAT 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should note the full schedule released by IIM Indore. The key milestones are listed below.

Event	Date and Time
Registration Start	August 3, 2026 (10 AM)
Registration Close	September 15, 2026 (5 PM)
Admit Card Release	November 4, 2026
CAT 2026 Exam	November 29, 2026
Result Declaration	First week of January 2027

CAT 2026 Registration Begins IIM Indore to Conduct Exam on November 29 — Source: iimcat.ac.in

CAT 2026 Application Fee

The application fee varies by candidate category. Payment must be made online through the official portal.

Category	Fee
General, EWS and NC-OBC	Rs 2,700
SC, ST and PwD	Rs 1,350

Who Is Eligible to Apply for CAT 2026?

The minimum eligibility is a bachelor's degree with 50 percent marks. SC, ST and PwD candidates need a minimum of 45 percent. Candidates in the final year of graduation can also apply.

The degree must be from a UGC-recognised university. There is no upper age limit for CAT 2026.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The paper follows a fixed structure across all three sessions. Each session lasts 120 minutes and covers three sections.

Section	Duration
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)	40 minutes
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)	40 minutes
Quantitative Ability (QA)	40 minutes

The paper carries multiple-choice and non-MCQ questions. Correct answers earn three marks and wrong MCQs lose one mark. There is no penalty for wrong non-MCQ answers.

Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration

Candidates should keep the following documents ready before applying. This will help complete the form without delays.

Valid email ID and active mobile number
Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
Graduation mark sheet or provisional certificate
Category certificate for SC, ST, NC-OBC and EWS candidates
Disability certificate for PwD candidates
Scanned photograph and signature in the prescribed format
Payment details for net banking, card or UPI

How to Apply for CAT 2026?

Candidates must complete the process on the official portal. The steps below explain the full flow.

First, visit iimcat.ac.in and click on the registration link. Next, enter your name, email and mobile number to create a login. Then log in and fill in personal, academic and work details.

Upload a passport photograph and signature as per the given format. Select up to six preferred test cities in order of choice. Pay the fee through net banking, card or UPI.

Save the confirmation page and download a copy for future reference.

How to Apply for CAT 2026? — Source: reddit.com/r/CATpreparation

Why This Matters

CAT is India's largest MBA entrance test with over two lakh candidates. A strong percentile opens doors to all 21 IIMs and top B-schools. The exam is offered only once each year.

Action Plan for Candidates

Follow these steps to secure your CAT 2026 attempt on time.

Visit iimcat.ac.in and register with a valid email and mobile number.
Keep scanned copies of your photo, signature and academic certificates ready.
Fill in academic, personal and work experience details carefully.
Choose your preferred test cities based on travel convenience.
Pay the application fee before 5 PM on September 15, 2026.
Save the final confirmation page for your records.