IIM CAT Notification 2026: Apply Online, Eligibility & Exam Date

IIM CAT Notification 2026 has been officially released for candidates seeking admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several top B-schools across India. This year, IIM Indore will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) on 29 November 2026 in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. If you are planning to pursue a management career, this article covers the eligibility, application process, registration fee, important dates, and participating IIMs.

IIM CAT 2026 Overview

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s most popular entrance examination for MBA admissions. Apart from the 21 IIMs, many leading management institutes also accept CAT scores for admission.

Participating IIMs

CAT 2026 scores will be accepted by all Indian Institutes of Management.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must satisfy any one of the following educational qualifications to apply for CAT 2026.

• Completed a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
• Completed a professional qualification such as CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), or FIAI.
• Candidates studying in the final year of their Bachelor’s Degree are also eligible.

Minimum Marks Required

Age Limit: There is no upper or lower age limit for appearing in CAT 2026.

CAT 2026 Registration Fee

Applicants need to pay the registration fee during the online application process using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

How to Apply for IIM CAT 2026

Candidates can submit their application online through the official CAT portal by following these steps:

1. Visit the official CAT 2026 website.
2. Click on New User Registration and complete the registration.
3. Log in using your registered credentials.
4. Fill in personal, academic, and communication details carefully.
5. Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
6. Pay the application fee according to your category.
7. Submit the application form and download the confirmation page for future reference.

Important Web-Links of IIM CAT

Important Dates

Why Appear for CAT 2026?

A good CAT score opens the door to admission in prestigious IIMs and several reputed management institutes across India. MBA graduates from these institutes receive excellent placement opportunities, industry exposure, leadership training, and competitive salary packages. Candidates preparing seriously for management careers should complete their registration before the last date and begin exam preparation early.

FAQs

1. What is the exam date of CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 will be conducted on 29 November 2026.

2. Who is conducting CAT 2026?
IIM Indore is the conducting institute for CAT 2026.

3. What is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
The last date for online registration is 15 September 2026.

4. Is there any age limit for CAT 2026?
No. There is no age limit to appear for the CAT examination.

5. Can final-year graduation students apply?
Yes. Candidates in the final year of their Bachelor’s Degree are eligible to apply.

6. What is the application fee for General category candidates?
General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates need to pay Rs. 2,700.

7. What is the mode of the CAT 2026 examination?
The examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.