CAT Notification 2026 is expected to be officially released on July 26, 2026, by IIM Indore on the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in. This crucial document serves as the official announcement detailing the complete schedule, eligibility requirements, and application process for the Common Admission Test. MBA aspirants nationwide eagerly await this notification to plan their preparation and application strategy effectively.
Table of Contents
CAT 2026 Important Dates: Registration, Admit Card, Exam Day
The CAT 2026 exam is expected to be scheduled for November 29, 2026. This section provides a detailed overview of all crucial dates related to CAT 2026, including the CAT Notification 2026 release, registration period, admit card availability, and other key events for aspiring candidates.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release Date | July 26, 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Start Date | August 01, 2026 (10:00 am) (Expected) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | September 20, 2026 (5:00 pm) (Expected) |
| CAT 2026 Form Correction Window | September 24 – 27, 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT Admit Card 2026 Release Date | November 12, 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | November 29, 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT Answer Key 2026 Release Date | December 3, 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT Result 2026 Release Date | December 21, 2026 (Expected) |
The table above outlines the complete schedule for CAT 2026, from the initial CAT Notification 2026 to the final result declaration, helping candidates plan their preparation effectively.
How to Download CAT 2026 Official Notification PDF
To download the CAT 2026 Official Notification PDF, candidates must visit the official CAT website once it is released. This section outlines the straightforward steps to access and review the crucial CAT Notification 2026 details, including eligibility and key dates.
- Step 1: Head to the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in).
- Step 2: Look for the “CAT 2026 Notification” link on the homepage.
- Step 3: Click the link to view or download the CAT 2026 Notification PDF.
- Step 4: Read the notification carefully for eligibility, exam dates, and application dates.
- Availability: Once released, the CAT 2026 Notification PDF will be downloadable from the official CAT website.
- Official Website: iimcat.ac.in
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Age, Qualification, Reservation
For CAT 2026, there is no minimum or maximum age limit, nor any restriction on the number of attempts. The CAT Notification 2026 outlines specific academic qualifications and reservation policies to ensure equitable access for all eligible candidates aiming for management education.
- Age Limit: No minimum or maximum age criteria to apply for the CAT exam.
- Attempt Limit: There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the CAT exam.
- Minimum Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree (min three years) from a UGC/AICTE recognized institution.
- General/EWS/NC-OBC Marks: At least 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in Bachelor's Degree.
- SC/ST/PwD Marks: At least 45% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA in Bachelor's Degree.
- Final Year Students: Eligible to apply provisionally, awaiting results of their Bachelor's degree.
Beyond these core requirements, professional degrees like CA, CS, CMA, or FIAI are accepted. Work experience is not mandatory for CAT 2026, making it accessible for freshers. Degrees from recognized distance or open learning institutions are also valid.
| Categories | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| General (Unreserved) | 40.5% |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.50% |
| Other Backward Classes (NC-OBC) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) | 5% |
This table illustrates the reservation percentages applied by CAT 2026, adhering to the Government of India’s policy for various categories including SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates.
CAT 2026 Application Process: Steps, Fees, Required Documents
The CAT Notification 2026 is expected to be released on July 26, 2026, initiating the online application process from August 01, 2026 (Expected). With an expected fee of INR 2,600 for General category and INR 1,300 for Reserved categories, the application involves several key steps detailed below.
| No. | Step | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visit Official Website | Go to iimcat.ac.in, the official CAT registration portal. |
| 2 | Initiate Registration | Click the 'New Registration' button to start. |
| 3 | Provide Personal Information | Enter full name, date of birth, nationality, contact number, and email to create an account. |
| 4 | Access Application Form | Log in with credentials sent to your registered email to access the CAT 2026 form. |
| 5 | Fill in Details | Complete the form with personal information, academic qualifications, and family details. |
| 6 | Upload Documents | Attach a recent passport-sized photo and a scanned signature in specified formats. |
| 7 | Choose Programs and IIMs | Select preferred management programs and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). |
| 8 | Select Exam City | Choose a preferred test city from the dropdown menu options. |
| 9 | Complete Payment | Pay the application fee using a credit/debit card or online banking. |
This table outlines the nine essential steps for completing the CAT 2026 online application, ensuring candidates systematically navigate the registration portal from the initial CAT Notification 2026 release to final fee submission.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus Overview from Notification
The Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) is a national-level computer-based test conducted annually by one of the top IIMs. This section provides a detailed overview of the CAT 2026 exam pattern and syllabus, as outlined in the expected CAT Notification 2026, including sectional breakdown and question types.
| Course Section | No. of Questions | MCQs | TITA Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | 24 | 21-22 | 2-3 | 72 | 40 Mins |
| DILR | 22 | 14-16 | 6-8 | 66 | 40 Mins |
| QA | 22 | 14-15 | 7-8 | 66 | 40 Mins |
| Total | 68 | 49-53 | 15-19 | 204 | 120 Mins |
This table illustrates the expected CAT 2026 exam pattern, highlighting the distribution of questions, marks, and duration across the three sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Aptitude (QA), including both MCQs and TITA questions.
IIM Conducting CAT 2026: Expected Institute & Responsibilities
IIM Indore is strongly predicted to be the conducting institute for CAT 2026, continuing the rotation among the six senior-most IIMs. This section details the basis for this prediction, IIM Indore's past changes, and its expected responsibilities, offering insights ahead of the official CAT Notification 2026.
| Year | CAT Conducting IIM |
|---|---|
| 2025 | IIM Kozhikode |
| 2024 | IIM Calcutta |
| 2023 | IIM Lucknow |
| 2022 | IIM Bangalore |
| 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2020 | IIM Indore |
| 2019 | IIM Kozhikode |
| 2018 | IIM Calcutta |
| 2017 | IIM Lucknow |
| 2016 | IIM Bangalore |
| 2015 | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2014 | IIM Indore |
| 2013 | IIM Indore |
| 2012 | IIM Kozhikode |
| 2011 | IIM Calcutta |
| 2010 | IIM Lucknow |
| 2009 | IIM Ahmedabad |
| 2007 | IIM Bangalore |
The historical data clearly illustrates the rotational pattern among the senior IIMs, with IIM Indore having last conducted CAT in 2020 and IIM Kozhikode slated for 2025, strongly positioning Indore as the next in line for CAT 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the CAT 2026 notification be officially released?
The CAT 2026 notification is expected to be officially released on Sunday, July 26, 2026, by IIM Indore on the official CAT website.
What key information does the CAT 2026 notification typically contain?
The CAT 2026 notification, expected late July 2026 on iimcat.ac.in, details the exam date, registration, eligibility, fees, exam pattern, and admit card information.
How do I register for CAT 2026 after the notification is out?
CAT 2026 registration is expected to open in the first week of August 2026. Register with OTP, log in with your CAT ID, fill details, upload photo/signature, select preferences, and pay the fee.
What are the immediate next steps after the CAT 2026 notification is published?
Immediately review the CAT 2026 notification for exam pattern, syllabus, and important dates, then prepare for the registration process.
What is the expected CAT 2026 registration start and end date?
The official CAT 2026 notification, expected in July 2026, will announce the registration start and end dates. The exam is likely on November 29, 2026.
