CAT 2026 Registration Begins Soon: Official Schedule, Application Form, Exam Date & Admit Card

27 Jul 2026

CAT 2026 registration begins soon, and this is one of the most important updates for MBA aspirants planning admission to IIMs and other top B-Schools for the 2027–29 batch. CAT, or Common Admission Test, is the most popular MBA entrance exam in India and is accepted by the Indian Institutes of Management as well as several leading non-IIM B-Schools.

The image highlights the official CAT 2026 schedule, including notification release, registration start date, last date to register, admit card availability, exam date, and expected result timeline. According to the schedule shown, CAT 2026 registration starts on 3 August 2026, the last date to register is 15 September 2026, the admit card will be available from 4 November 2026, the CAT 2026 exam will be held on 29 November 2026, and the result is expected in the first week of January 2027.

For MBA aspirants, this timeline is not just a set of dates. It is the beginning of a complete admission journey. Students must understand what CAT 2026 is, how to register, what documents are required, why the registration deadline matters, how to avoid mistakes, which colleges accept CAT scores, and how to plan preparation before the exam date.

This article provides complete information on CAT 2026 registration, official schedule, application process, exam date, admit card, result timeline, eligibility, MBA colleges, and FAQs.

What is CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 stands for Common Admission Test 2026. It is a national-level MBA entrance exam used for admission to postgraduate management programs at IIMs and several top MBA colleges across India.

CAT scores are accepted for programs such as:

• MBA
• PGDM
• PGP
• Executive management programs, where applicable
• Fellow or doctoral management programs, where applicable

CAT is considered one of the most competitive management entrance exams in India because it opens doors to top institutes such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Indore, IIM Kozhikode, FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IIT management departments and many other leading B-Schools.

CAT 2026 Official Schedule

The CAT 2026 schedule is important for every aspirant because missing one deadline can affect the entire MBA admission plan.

CAT 2026 Event	Date / Timeline
Official Notification Released	26 July 2026
Registration Starts	3 August 2026 at 10:00 AM
Last Date to Register	15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM
Admit Card Available	4 November 2026
CAT 2026 Exam Date	29 November 2026, Sunday
Result Expected	First Week of January 2027

Students should always verify final updates on the official CAT website before filling the form or making admission decisions.

CAT 2026 Registration Begins: Key Details

CAT 2026 registration begins on 3 August 2026 at 10:00 AM. The registration window will remain open until 15 September 2026 at 5:00 PM as per the schedule highlighted.

What students should do before registration starts

Before filling the CAT form, keep the following ready:

• Active email ID
• Active mobile number
• Class 10 marksheet
• Class 12 marksheet
• Graduation marksheets
• Degree certificate or provisional certificate, if available
• Category certificate, if applicable
• PwD certificate, if applicable
• Work experience details, if applicable
• Passport-size photograph
• Scanned signature
• Payment method
• Preferred test cities list
• List of IIM programs to apply for

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Students should check eligibility before applying. Eligibility details may vary as per the official notification, but CAT generally requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with the minimum required marks.

General CAT eligibility points

• Candidate should have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
• Final-year graduation students may also apply, subject to conditions.
• Minimum percentage requirement may vary by category.
• Reserved category candidates may receive relaxation as per rules.
• Professional degree holders may also be eligible, depending on official guidelines.

Students should verify the latest eligibility criteria before applying for CAT 2026.

CAT 2026 Registration Fee

The official registration fee is:

• Rs. 1,350 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates
• Rs. 2,700 for candidates belonging to all other categories

A candidate needs to pay the fee only once, irrespective of the number of IIM programmes selected in the application.

The registration fee is non-refundable under normal circumstances.

How to Fill the CAT 2026 Application Form

Step 1: Visit the official CAT website

Candidates should open the official CAT portal and select the option for new registration.

Avoid completing the application through an unofficial or third-party website.

Step 2: Create a new candidate account

Enter the required details, which may include:

• Candidate’s full name
• Date of birth
• Email address
• Mobile number
• Nationality
• Category

The name should match the candidate’s official academic and identity documents.

Step 3: Verify the registration

Candidates may receive:

• User ID
• Password
• One-time password
• Email confirmation

Save the credentials securely. Do not share the login password with another person.

Step 4: Enter personal details

The form may require information such as:

• Father’s or guardian’s name
• Mother’s name
• Gender
• Category
• Address
• Nationality
• State
• District
• Identity details

Candidates applying under a reserved category should enter the information exactly as mentioned in the valid certificate.

Step 5: Enter academic details

Candidates may need to provide:

• Class 10 board and marks
• Class 12 board and marks
• Diploma details, where applicable
• Bachelor’s degree information
• University name
• Degree discipline
• Year of completion
• Percentage or CGPA
• Master’s degree details, where applicable
• Professional qualifications, where applicable

The CAT authorities generally provide instructions for converting CGPA or grades into percentages. Candidates should follow the official calculation method rather than estimating marks independently.

Step 6: Add work experience

Working candidates may be asked to provide full-time experience completed up to a specified date.

Details may include:

• Employer’s name
• Industry
• Joining date
• Leaving date
• Total experience
• Functional area

Internships, training periods, apprenticeships or unpaid experience may be treated differently from full-time employment. Candidates should refer to the CAT 2026 instructions before including them.

Step 7: Select IIM programmes

CAT registration normally enables candidates to select programmes offered by participating IIMs.

Applicants should study:

• Programme name
• Campus
• Eligibility requirements
• Academic background restrictions
• Work-experience requirements
• Programme duration

Candidates should not select programmes randomly. An IIM may apply separate eligibility and shortlisting requirements even when the applicant has successfully registered for CAT.

Step 8: Choose test-city preferences

CAT 2026 is scheduled to be conducted across test centres in approximately 170 cities.

Candidates can select up to five test cities in order of preference.

The final centre allotment may depend on:

• Availability
• Number of applicants
• Administrative requirements
• Operational feasibility
• Changes made by CAT authorities

Candidates should choose cities that are practical in terms of travel, accommodation and examination-day reporting.

Step 9: Upload documents

Candidates may need to upload:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Category certificate, where applicable
• PwBD certificate, where applicable
• Additional supporting documents specified in the form

The final file type, size, format, dimensions and background instructions will be mentioned in the CAT 2026 application guide.

Step 10: Pay the CAT registration fee

The application is generally treated as complete only after successful payment.

Candidates should:

• Use a stable internet connection.
• Avoid refreshing the payment page.
• Save the transaction reference.
• Download the payment receipt.
• Check the application status after payment.
• Avoid making a second payment until the first transaction status is confirmed.

Step 11: Preview and submit the form

Before final submission, verify:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Category
• Academic marks
• Graduation status
• Work experience
• Programme choices
• Test-city preferences
• Photograph
• Signature
• Contact details

Candidates should save or print the final submitted application for future reference.

CAT 2026 Admit Card

CAT 2026 admit card will be available from 4 November 2026 as per the schedule shown in the image. The admit card is mandatory for entry to the exam center.

Details mentioned on the CAT admit card

• Candidate name
• Registration number
• Roll number
• Exam date
• Exam slot
• Reporting time
• Test center address
• Candidate photograph
• Candidate signature
• Exam-day instructions

Steps to download CAT admit card

1. Visit the official CAT website.
2. Log in using your user ID and password.
3. Click on the admit card link.
4. Check all details carefully.
5. Download the admit card PDF.
6. Take a clear printout.
7. Keep extra copies for safety.

Students should verify the exam center and reporting time immediately after downloading the admit card.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Students should check the latest official CAT pattern before preparing. CAT generally tests three major sections:

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

Section-wise preparation areas

VARC

• Reading comprehension
• Para jumbles
• Para summary
• Odd sentence out
• Verbal reasoning

DILR

• Data interpretation sets
• Logical reasoning sets
• Tables
• Charts
• Arrangements
• Games and tournaments
• Caselets

QA

• Arithmetic
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Number system
• Modern math
• Mensuration

CAT 2026 Opens Doors to 1000+ B-Schools

CAT is accepted not only by IIMs but also by many leading non-IIM B-Schools and institutes. The image highlights that CAT 2026 opens doors to 1000+ B-Schools.

Popular colleges accepting CAT scores include:

• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Lucknow
• IIT Madras DoMS
• FMS Delhi
• MDI Gurgaon
• SPJIMR Mumbai
• XLRI, where applicable, through institutional criteria
• IMT Hyderabad
• Goa Institute of Management
• LBSIM Delhi
• Other CAT-accepting B-Schools

Students should verify the entrance score accepted by each college before applying.

Why CAT Score Matters for MBA Admission

CAT score is one of the most important shortlisting factors for many top B-Schools. However, final admission does not depend only on CAT percentile.

Final selection may include:

• CAT score
• Academic profile
• Work experience
• Diversity factors
• Written ability test
• Group discussion, if applicable
• Personal interview
• Statement of purpose, if required
• Final composite score

This is why students should prepare for both the exam and the admission process.

CAT Accepting Colleges by City

Students often search for MBA colleges by city. GEO-focused pages help capture local admission intent.

CAT accepting colleges in Delhi NCR

Popular options include:

• FMS Delhi
• MDI Gurgaon
• IMI Delhi
• FORE School of Management
• LBSIM Delhi
• IIT Delhi DMS

Delhi NCR is strong for consulting, BFSI, marketing, analytics, and corporate roles.

CAT-accepting colleges in Mumbai

Popular options include:

• SPJIMR Mumbai
• IIM Mumbai
• JBIMS Mumbai, depending on admission criteria
• Welingkar Mumbai
• K J Somaiya
• NITIE legacy programs under IIM Mumbai

Mumbai is strong for finance, consulting, FMCG, media, and corporate leadership.

CAT-accepting colleges in Bengaluru

Popular options include:

• IIM Bangalore
• TAPMI-related cross applications nearby
• Welingkar Bengaluru
• XIME Bengaluru
• IFIM / JAGSoM

Bengaluru is strong for IT, analytics, product management, start-ups, and consulting.

CAT-accepting colleges in Chennai

Popular options include:

• IIT Madras DoMS
• Great Lakes Chennai
• LIBA Chennai
• IFMR GSB

Chennai offers opportunities in IT, manufacturing, automobile, analytics, and operations.

CAT-accepting colleges in Kolkata

Popular options include:

• IIM Calcutta
• IIFT Kolkata, where applicable
• IMI Kolkata

Kolkata is useful for finance, consulting, trade, manufacturing, and eastern India career opportunities.

CAT 2026 Result

CAT 2026 result is expected in the first week of January 2027, as per the image. After the result, students should download the scorecard and check college shortlists.

What to do after CAT result

• Download CAT scorecard.
• Check sectional and overall percentile.
• Track IIM shortlist announcements.
• Apply to non-IIM B-Schools, if deadlines are open.
• Prepare for WAT, GD and PI.
• Update resume.
• Prepare answers for academic and work-experience questions.
• Compare college options carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions About CAT 2026 Registration

When will CAT 2026 registration begin?

CAT 2026 registration will begin on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM.

What is the CAT 2026 registration last date?

The registration window will close on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

What is the CAT 2026 exam date?

CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026.

How many sessions will be held?

The computer-based test will be conducted in three sessions.

Where can candidates complete the CAT application form?

Candidates can register through the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.

What is the CAT 2026 registration fee?

The fee is Rs. 1,350 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates and Rs. 2,700 for candidates belonging to other categories.

Is the CAT application fee refundable?

The official advertisement states that the registration fee cannot be refunded under normal circumstances.

Is a separate fee required for every IIM?

No. Candidates pay the CAT registration fee once, irrespective of the number of IIM programmes selected.

How many test cities can a candidate select?

Candidates can select up to five preferred test cities.

How many CAT 2026 test cities are available?

The examination is planned across approximately 170 test cities.

Can the test-city list change?

Yes. The CAT authorities may revise the city list based on administrative requirements.

When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?

The admit-card download will begin on November 4, 2026.

Until when can the admit card be downloaded?

It will remain available until November 29, 2026.

How can candidates download the admit card?

Candidates can log in to the official CAT portal using their registration credentials and download the admit-card PDF.

What details will be mentioned on the admit card?

It is expected to show the exam centre, session, reporting time, candidate details and test-day instructions.

When will the CAT 2026 result be declared?

The result is tentatively expected in the first week of January 2027.

Is CAT compulsory for admission to IIM programmes?

CAT 2026 is a prerequisite for admission to various postgraduate and Fellow or Doctorate programmes offered by participating IIMs, subject to programme-specific rules.

Does meeting the eligibility criteria guarantee an IIM shortlist?

No. Minimum eligibility does not guarantee shortlisting. Individual IIMs apply their own admission criteria.

Can non-IIM colleges use CAT scores?

Yes. Listed non-IIM institutions can use CAT scores independently for their admission processes.

Do IIMs control admission to non-IIM institutions?

No. IIMs have no role in the selection processes conducted by non-IIM institutions.

Can candidates change their category after registration?

The official advertisement states that category changes will not be entertained after CAT registration.

Why should candidates use a unique email address and phone number?

These contact details are required for registration, exam communication and the subsequent selection process.

Can candidates submit more than one CAT application?

Candidates should avoid multiple registrations. They should follow the instructions in the official application guide if an error occurs.

Will there be an application correction window?

A correction window may be provided for selected fields, but candidates should wait for the official announcement. Not every field may be editable.

Can final-year graduation students apply?

Final-year candidates have historically been eligible subject to conditions, but the official CAT 2026 eligibility notification should be checked for the final requirements.

Why should candidates register before the last date?

Early registration reduces the risk of website congestion, payment problems, document-upload errors and missed deadlines.

Conclusion

The official announcement confirms that CAT 2026 registration begins on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM and closes on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026, in three sessions. The admit-card window will remain open from November 4 to November 29, 2026, while the result is tentatively expected in the first week of January 2027.

Candidates should remember the following:

• Register through the official CAT website.
• Use a valid and unique email address and phone number.
• Check the eligibility notification before applying.
• Select the category carefully.
• Keep academic and supporting documents ready.
• Choose five practical test-city preferences.
• Pay the fee only through the official portal.
• Download the application confirmation.
• Obtain the admit card before the exam.
• Verify all updates through the CAT website.

The CAT authorities have stated that information on the official website will be treated as final. Candidates should therefore check the portal regularly for the detailed notification, registration guide, test-city list, eligibility rules and examination instructions.

How My College Route Helps CAT Aspirants

• CAT Exam Dates 2026
• CAT Syllabus 2026
• CAT Preparation Strategy
• CAT Preparation Books
• CAT Previous-Year Papers
• CAT Mock Test
• Colleges Accepting CAT Scores

Editorial Disclaimer

The dates, fees and instructions in this article are based on the official CAT 2026 advertisement. Candidates should verify the detailed eligibility requirements, document specifications, test-city list and application instructions through the official CAT website because information published there will be considered final.