CAT 2026 Registration Begins at iimcat.ac.in: Exam on November 29, Check Application Fee and Eligibility

CAT 2026 Registration: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore has opened the application window for the Common Admission Test on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates who wish to appear for the country's largest management entrance examination can fill the CAT 2026 exam form until September 15, 2026.

The CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29, 2026, in three sessions, and the test is expected to be conducted in approximately 170 cities across India. Scores from the examination are used for admission to the postgraduate management programmes as well as the fellow and doctoral programmes offered by the IIMs, along with hundreds of other participating B-schools.

CAT 2026 Date: Key Details at a Glance

Registration start: Application window now open at iimcat.ac.in CAT 2026 registration last date: September 15, 2026 CAT 2026 exam date: November 29, 2026 Sessions: Three Exam cities: Approximately 170 Conducting body: IIM Indore Official website: iimcat.ac.in

How to Fill the CAT 2026 Application Form

Candidates unfamiliar with the CAT application process can follow the steps below to complete registration without errors.

Step 1: Go to the official website, iimcat.ac.in.

Step 2: Click on "Register" under the "New Candidate Registration" section.

Step 3: Fill in the details asked for during registration.

Step 4: A user ID will be generated on successful registration.

Step 5: Log in using the generated user ID and the password.

Step 6: Fill the CAT 2026 application form with the required academic, personal and work-experience details.

Step 7: Upload the documents in the prescribed format.

Step 8: Pay the CAT registration fee online.

Step 9: Submit the completed application form.

Step 10: Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.

Applicants are advised to keep a soft copy of their photograph and signature ready before beginning, as incorrect uploads are among the most common reasons for form rejection.

CAT 2026 Registration Fee

The CAT registration fee has been revised upward this year. General category candidates are required to pay Rs 2,700, while candidates belonging to the SC, ST and PwD categories will pay Rs 1,350. Payment can be made online through debit card, credit card or net banking. The fee, once paid, is non-refundable and non-transferable.

CAT 2026 Eligibility: Who Can Apply

To be eligible for CAT 2026, a candidate must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 50 per cent marks or an equivalent CGPA from a recognised university. The minimum requirement is relaxed to 45 per cent for candidates in the SC, ST and PwD categories.

Students who are in the final year of their graduation are also permitted to apply, provided they complete the degree requirements within the stipulated timeline. Candidates holding professional qualifications such as CA, CS, CMA or ICWAI are equally eligible to register for the IIM CAT examination.

CAT 2026 Admit Card

The CAT admit card will be released on the official website ahead of the examination. Candidates will be able to download it by logging in with their registered user ID and password. The admit card will carry the exam city, test centre address, reporting time and session details, and candidates must carry a printed copy along with a valid photo identity document to the centre.

What Candidates Should Keep in Mind

Aspirants are advised to fill the form well before the September 15 deadline, as heavy last-minute traffic on the CAT 2026 login portal often slows the site. Details such as name, date of birth, category and academic percentages should match the original documents exactly, since discrepancies at a later stage can affect candidature. Candidates should also select their preferred test cities carefully, as allotment is subject to availability.

For all updates on the CAT 2026 exam, including corrections in the application form, admit card release and result declaration, candidates should regularly check the official website at iimcat.ac.in.