Quick Facts
- CAT 2026 registration opens August 3, 2026 at 10 AM on iimcat.ac.in, run by IIM Indore.
- Fees rose to Rs 2,700 (General, EWS, NC-OBC) and Rs 1,350 (SC, ST, PwD) this year.
- Last date to apply is September 15, 2026 at 5 PM. Exam falls on November 29.
In This Article
CAT 2026 registration opens on August 3, 2026 at 10 AM on the official portal iimcat.ac.in, with IIM Indore conducting the exam this year (IIM Indore notification dated July 26, 2026).
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India’s largest entrance exam for MBA admission. Around 2.95 lakh candidates registered for CAT 2025, IIM Indore data shows. This year brings a small fee rise and a firm September 15 deadline. The exam itself stays on Sunday, November 29, 2026, across about 170 cities.
Key Takeaways
- Apply early on iimcat.ac.in to lock your preferred test city, since cities are allotted by availability.
- The application fee increased by Rs 100 for every category this year, so budget for the revised amount.
- Eligibility stays unchanged: a Bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, PwD), with no age limit.
CampusFeed Take
The headline this year is not the fee hike but the calendar. CAT 2026 registration runs a tight six weeks, and the November 29 exam date leaves serious candidates roughly four months to prepare. Working professionals should watch the September 15 cutoff most closely, because a missed form means a full year’s wait. The exam pattern is expected to hold at 68 questions across three sections, so the smart move is to start timed mocks in August rather than treating registration as the finish line. Expect city allotment stress to peak in the final week of applications. By Avinash.
CAT 2026 Key Dates and Fees
CAT 2026 registration is the online application window for the MBA entrance exam, open from August 3 to September 15, 2026. The schedule below lists every major milestone confirmed or expected for this cycle, based on the IIM Indore notification and past-year trends.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | July 26, 2026 |
| Registration starts | August 3, 2026 (10 AM) |
| Registration closes | September 15, 2026 (5 PM) |
| Admit card release | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 exam date | November 29, 2026 |
| Result (as per notification) | First week of January 2027 |
The most important number for applicants is the fee. It rose to Rs 2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and Rs 1,350 for SC, ST and PwD candidates, up Rs 100 in each category from CAT 2025 (IIM Indore notification).
About IIM Indore
The Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore), established in 1996, is a public business school and one of the six older IIMs that conduct CAT by rotation. It governs CAT 2026 through the official portal iimcat.ac.in. CAT scores are accepted by all 22 IIMs and over 1,000 B-schools, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi. Prof Aditya Billore is the CAT 2026 Convener.
When Does CAT 2026 Registration Begin?
CAT 2026 registration begins on August 3, 2026 at 10 AM and closes on September 15, 2026 at 5 PM. Candidates must complete the entire form on the official CAT portal within this window. Announcing the exam, Prof Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore, said the institute remains committed to conducting the test with high standards of fairness, transparency and security. The form covers six steps: personal details, academics, work experience, programmes, test city and declaration. During filling, you pick five preferred test cities in order, and one is allotted after the deadline based on availability. Verify the latest schedule directly on the official CAT portal before you apply.
What Documents Do You Need to Apply?
CAT 2026 registration requires a set of scanned documents kept ready before you log in. Missing or wrongly sized files are the most common reason candidates lose time during the CAT 2026 registration process. Keep the following ready as per the official information bulletin.
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photograph | Passport size, as specified in the bulletin |
| Signature | Scanned, within 80mm x 35mm, under 80 KB |
| Email and mobile | Valid for the entire exam duration |
| Academic marks | Class 10, Class 12, and graduation details |
| Category certificate | EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST if applicable |
| PwD certificate | Valid certificate if applicable |
The signature file size trips up many first-time applicants, so resize it before you start. Reserved category and PwD candidates should have valid, current certificates ready to upload.
What This Means For You
If you are a student
You have a firm deadline of September 15, 2026 and an exam on November 29. Register early on the official portal to secure your first-choice test city, since allotment depends on availability. Final-year graduation students can apply now, with admission staying provisional until you clear your degree.
If you are a parent
The fee this year is Rs 2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and Rs 1,350 for reserved categories. Help your child gather documents like the signature scan and category certificate before August 3, so form filling stays calm and error-free rather than rushed near the deadline.
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If you are a school principal or teacher
Guide your Class 12 pass-outs and college students on the CAT 2026 timeline. Point them to the official CAT information bulletin for eligibility and reservation rules. A short awareness session in early August can prevent last-minute panic over document formats and the September 15 cutoff.
If you run a college or university
If your institution accepts CAT scores, align your MBA admission calendar with the January 2027 result window. Update your admission page and counselling schedule early, so candidates know your CAT cutoff and selection weights well before results arrive.
What Is Next
The registration window is now the immediate priority. Mark these dates:
- August 3, 2026: Registration opens at 10 AM
- September 15, 2026: Last date to apply, 5 PM
- November 4, 2026: Admit card release
- November 29, 2026: CAT 2026 exam day
Have you decided your five preferred test cities yet?
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: August 01, 2026 at 11:30 IST
Last verified: August 01, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information at the time of publishing. Exam dates, cutoffs, fees, deadlines, eligibility criteria, and scholarship details can change without notice. Always verify the latest information from the official portal of IIM CAT (iimcat.ac.in) before taking any action. CampusFeed and its authors are not responsible for decisions made based on this article. This is not legal, financial, or career advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual guidance.
Written by Avinash. Published: August 01, 2026. Updated: August 01, 2026. Have a tip or correction? Write to us at editorial@campusfeed.in.
