CAT 2026 registration is now open for candidates seeking admission to management programmes at Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The Common Admission Test will be held on November 29, 2026, across approximately 170 test cities in India. Eligible candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and minimum 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates) can register until September 15, 2026. This article is based on the official notification released by the IIMs.
The exam follows a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format with three sessions on a single day. CAT 2026 scores remain valid until December 31, 2027, and are used not only by all 20 IIMs for Post Graduate Programmes and doctoral admissions but also by several non-IIM institutions registered with the CAT consortium.
Key Highlights of CAT 2026
- Registration window: August 3, 2026 (10:00 a.m.) to September 15, 2026 (5:00 p.m.) on https://iimcat.ac.in
- Exam date: Sunday, November 29, 2026, with three separate sessions
- Admit card download: November 4 to November 29, 2026
- Application fee: ₹2,700 (General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates) and ₹1,350 (SC/ST/PwBD candidates)
- Score validity: Till December 31, 2027; result declaration expected in the first week of January 2027
- Test cities: Approximately 170 cities across India; candidates select five preferred cities during registration and are allotted one based on availability
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | 10:00 a.m., 03/08/2026 |
| Registration Closes | 5:00 p.m., 15/09/2026 |
| Admit Card Download Starts | 04/11/2026 |
| Admit Card Download Ends | 29/11/2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | 29/11/2026 |
| Result Declaration (Expected) | First week of January 2027 |
| Score Validity Expires | 31/12/2027 |
Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from a university incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State legislature, or deemed under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India |
| Minimum Marks (General/EWS/NC-OBC) | 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA |
| Minimum Marks (SC/ST/PwBD) | 45% aggregate or equivalent CGPA |
| Final Year Candidates | Eligible to apply; must submit Principal/Registrar certificate confirming degree completion by the date specified by the respective IIM if selected |
| Professional Qualifications | CA, CS, ICWA (CMA), or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with the required percentage are also eligible |
| Email and Mobile | Candidates must maintain a valid, unique email account and mobile number throughout the selection process |
CAT 2026 Reservation Policy
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Non-Creamy Other Backwards Classes (NC-OBC) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | Up to 10% |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 5% |
Persons with Benchmark Disability must be certified with not less than 40% of a specified disability as per the Schedule of the RPwD Act, 2016. SC/ST/PwBD candidates must upload their category certificates at the time of registration. NC-OBC certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026, and EWS certificates must be valid for 2026-27 and assessed for the financial year 2025-26. Candidates who have applied for but not yet received updated certificates may upload a properly filled undertaking form along with the older certificate and proof of application submission.
Before You Register for CAT 2026
- Verify you hold a Bachelor’s degree with the required minimum percentage (50% for General/EWS/NC-OBC; 45% for SC/ST/PwBD) – calculate your actual aggregate marks from your degree certificate before starting the registration.
- Confirm your email address and mobile number are active and accessible – you will receive all communications, including your admit card and result notifications, through these channels.
- Scan your Bachelor’s degree certificate (or final year admit card if you have not yet completed your degree) in the format and resolution specified in the official registration guide.
- If you belong to a reserved category, prepare your updated category certificate (SC/ST/PwBD/NC-OBC/EWS) in the format required – if your NC-OBC or EWS certificate is not yet issued, prepare the undertaking form, older certificate, and proof of application as per the guidelines.
- Keep a valid debit card, credit card, or net banking login ready – the application fee is non-refundable and must be paid during registration.
CAT 2026 Result and Score Validity
CAT 2026 results are expected in the first week of January 2027. Your scorecard will be made available on the official CAT website, and you may also receive an SMS notification. The CAT 2026 score remains valid until December 31, 2027. After this validity period, no queries regarding scorecard issuance or score-related matters will be entertained. Candidates are responsible for downloading and preserving their scorecard during the validity period.
Programmes Offered at IIMs Using CAT 2026 Scores
All 20 IIMs use CAT 2026 scores for admission to Post Graduate Programmes (PGP/MBA). Additionally, the following IIMs use CAT scores for doctoral programmes (PhD/FPM):
- IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bodh Gaya, Calcutta, Indore, Jammu, Kashipur, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Raipur, Ranchi, Rohtak, Sambalpur, Shillong, Sirmaur, Tiruchirappalli, Udaipur, and Visakhapatnam offer doctoral-level admissions using CAT scores.
- Specific programmes vary by institute: some offer PhD, others offer PhD (Executive), PhD (Working Professionals), DPM (Doctoral Programme in Management), or other specialised doctoral formats.
- Each IIM publishes separate advertisements for doctoral programmes; candidates must verify eligibility and admission criteria on the respective IIM website before applying.
Non-IIM Institutions Using CAT 2026
CAT 2026 scores can be used by several non-IIM management institutions that have registered with the CAT consortium. The complete list of such institutions is available at https://iimcat.ac.in. The IIMs have no role in the selection process followed by these non-IIM institutions, and candidates must refer to each institution’s admission policy independently.
Important Instructions and Admission Process
Each IIM independently sets its own academic cut-offs, eligibility criteria, relative weightage for CAT performance, and follows its own selection methodology. While CAT performance is an important component, IIMs also consider your prior academic performance, relevant work experience, and other inputs at various shortlisting stages. You must refer to the individual admission policies published on each IIM’s website to understand their specific requirements.
Candidates must declare and maintain a valid, unique email account and mobile number throughout the entire selection process. Any incorrect information or process violation detected at any stage will result in immediate disqualification, and you will not be permitted to appear for CAT in future years. If such violations are discovered after the current process concludes, disqualification will apply with retrospective effect. Retain the CAT 2026 Information Bulletin for future reference. Any disputes concerning CAT 2026 are subject to the jurisdiction of competent courts within Indore only.
Important Links
| Particular | Link |
|---|---|
| Register for CAT 2026 | Register Now |
| Download CAT 2026 Notification | Download Notification |
| IIM Ahmedabad | Visit Website |
| IIM Amritsar | Visit Website |
| IIM Bangalore | Visit Website |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | Visit Website |
| IIM Calcutta | Visit Website |
| IIM Indore | Visit Website |
| IIM Jammu | Visit Website |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the minimum percentage required to register for CAT 2026?
Ans. General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates require a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their Bachelor’s degree. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates require a minimum of 45% aggregate marks. Percentage is calculated as per your university’s practice; if your institution uses CGPA, conversion follows your institution’s certified procedure or a standard formula (CGPA ÷ maximum CGPA × 100).
Q2. Can I register for CAT 2026 if I am in my final year of graduation?
Ans. Yes, candidates in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree or awaiting results after completing degree requirements are eligible to apply. However, if you are selected for admission at an IIM, you must submit a certificate from your Principal or Registrar confirming completion of all degree requirements by the date specified by that IIM.
Q3. My NC-OBC certificate was issued before April 1, 2026. Can I still register?
Ans. NC-OBC certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026. If your certificate was issued before this date and you have applied for an updated one but have not yet received it, you can still register by uploading a PDF containing: (1) a properly filled undertaking form available on the CAT website, (2) your older NC-OBC certificate, and (3) proof of your certificate application submission (screenshot, acknowledgement, or communication). Failure to upload the complete set of documents may result in disqualification.
Q4. What should I do after I have registered for CAT 2026? (Parent’s perspective)
Ans. After registration closes on September 15, 2026, your child will be allotted one test city from the five cities they selected during registration. The admit card can be downloaded from November 4, 2026, onward. Ensure your child downloads the admit card well before the exam date (November 29, 2026), as it contains the assigned test centre, session timing, and other critical exam instructions. Advise your child to keep this information safe and plan their travel to the test centre in advance.
Q5. What happens if I miss the registration deadline of September 15, 2026?
Ans. The registration deadline is final, and late applications are not accepted. There are no extensions or exceptions to this deadline. If you miss the registration window, you will not be able to take CAT 2026 and will have to wait for the next year’s exam. Register as early as possible to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Q6. How much is the application fee, and is it refundable?
Ans. The application fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates, and ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. The fee is paid only once, regardless of how many IIMs or programmes you apply to. Fees are non-refundable under any circumstances, so verify your eligibility fully before submitting payment.
Q7. When will CAT 2026 results be declared, and how long is my score valid?
Ans. CAT 2026 results are expected to be declared in the first week of January 2027. Your scorecard will be available on the official CAT website; you may also receive an SMS notification. Your CAT 2026 score remains valid until December 31, 2027. After this date, no queries regarding scorecard issuance will be entertained, so download and preserve your scorecard during the validity period.
