CAT 2026 Registration Now Open: Key Dates, Eligibility, and Everything You Need to Know
The wait is finally over for MBA aspirants across India. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore has officially opened the registration process for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 . The registration window went live on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM and will remain active until September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM . This is the first and most crucial step for candidates aiming to secure admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,300 other top business schools across the country .
Candidates are strongly advised to complete the application process well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical glitches that could derail their plans . The registration is entirely online and can be accessed through the official CAT website, IIMCAT .
Important Dates for CAT 2026
- Notification Release: July 26, 2026
- Registration Window: August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) – September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM)
- Admit Card Release (Tentative): November 4, 2026
- Exam Date: November 29, 2026 (Sunday)
- Result Declaration: First week of January 2027
- Score Validity: Until December 31, 2027 (for programs commencing in 2027)
Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026
Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks for General, EWS, and NC-OBC categories, and 45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates . Final-year undergraduate students are also eligible to apply provisionally . There is no upper age limit or restriction on the number of attempts, opening the doors for a wide range of aspirants . Professional qualifications such as CA, CS, ICWA, and FIAI are also considered equivalent to a bachelor's degree for CAT eligibility .
Application Fee and Exam Pattern
The application fee varies based on the candidate's category:
- ₹2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates
- ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates
The fee is payable online through net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI. Candidates must ensure successful payment to complete their registration.
The CAT 2026 exam will be conducted in the following format:
- The exam consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA)
- The total duration of the test is 120 minutes, with exactly 40 minutes allotted to answer questions in each section
- The exam will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode
- The test will be held in three shifts across approximately 170 cities
- The expected number of questions is 68, though candidates should always refer to the official information bulletin for the final exam pattern
- There will be negative marking for incorrect answers, so candidates are advised to attempt questions wisely
Final Word
With the registration window open, Apply at IIM CAT, aspirants are advised to prepare their documents in advance and regularly check the official CAT website for the latest updates . A high percentile in CAT 2026 is the first step toward securing admission to India's premier business schools.