CAT 2026 notification is officially out: Registration opens on August 3, 2026.

CAT 2026 will be a computer-based test which will be held on November 29 in three sessions. CAT will be conducted in test centres spread across around 170 test cities. Candidates will be given the option to select any five test cities in order of their preference. The list of cities may be subject to changes based on the discretion of the CAT authorities.

The registration process for CAT 2026 will begin at 10 am on August 3 and conclude at 5 pm on September 15. The registration window will be available at the official CAT website — iimcat.ac.in. Candidates must declare and maintain a valid and unique email account and a mobile phone number throughout the selection process.

Once the registration process is completed, Admit card will be release  between November 4 and 29. After the exam in November, the result for CAT 2026 is expected release in the first week of January 2027.

Registration fees:
The registration fee is Rs 1350 for SC, ST and PwD category candidates. It is Rs 2700 for all other categories of candidates.

CAT is a prerequisite for admission to various Post Graduate and Fellow/Doctorate programmes of IIMs:
CAT scores are allowed to be used by listed non-IIM member institutions. A list of such institutions is provided on the CAT website. IIMs have no role in the selection process of non-IIM institutions..

While IIM institutions seeking admission through CAT score are — 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, and IIM Visakhapatnam.

Important Days: 

1. Registration opens:  August 03,2026

2. Registration closes: September 15, 2026

3. Admit Card Download: November 4 , 2026

4. Test Date: November 29, 2026

(CAT) 2026:  Notification Overview

• Organized by IIM ( Not official announced )
• Computer-based test
• Test Date: November 29, 2026
• Conducted in three sessions

Test Centres

Approximately 170 test cities

Candidates can select up to five preferred cities

Cities subject to change at the discretion of CAT authorities

Registration Process

Registration Window: Begins August 3, 2026, 10 am

Registration Window: Ends September 15, 2026, 5 pm

Website: iimcat.ac.in

Requirements

Valid and unique email account

Mobile phone number

Fees and Payment

Registration Fees for SC, ST, PwD: Rs 1350

Registration Fees for Other Categories: Rs 2700

Note: Fee is non-refundable and must be paid once irrespective of the number of institutes applied to

Admit Card and Result: Admit Card Release: November 5 - November 29, 2026

Result Announcement: Expected in the first week of January 2027

Contact Information: For queries, visit the official website or contact the support team

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1.What is the date of CAT 2026?
Answer: The CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29, 2026, in three sessions.

2. When does the registration for CAT 2026 start and end?
Answer: Registration starts at 10 am on August 3, 2026, and ends at 3 pm on September 15, 2026.

3. Where can I register for CAT 2026?
Answer: You can register on the official IIM CAT website: iimcat.ac.in.

4. What are the registration fees for CAT 2026?
Answer: The registration fee is Rs 1350 for SC, ST, and PwD category candidates, and Rs 2700 for all other categories.

5. Can I change my test city preference after submitting the application?
Answer: Changes to the test city preference are subject to the discretion of the CAT authorities and may not always be possible.

6. When will the admit cards be released?
Answer: Admit cards will be released between November 4 and 29, 2026.

7. How many cities will the CAT 2026 test be conducted in?
Answer: The CAT 2026 test will be conducted in approximately 170 test cities.

8. Is the registration fee refundable?
Answer: No, the registration fee once paid cannot be refunded under any circumstances.

9. When can we expect the results for CAT 2026?
Answer: The results for CAT 2026 are expected to be released in the first week of January 2027.

10. Which institutions accept CAT scores?
Answer: CAT scores are accepted by all IIMs and many non-IIM member institutions. Some of the IIMs include IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, and many others.