IIM CAT 2026 Notification Released: Apply Online for Common Admission Test, Exam Dates, & Eligibility

The Indian Institutes of Management officially released the CAT 2026 Information Brochure on July 25, 2026. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the mandatory entrance exam for admission to MBA/PGP and PhD/FPM programs at all 22 IIMs, as well as several top-tier non-IIM business schools.

IIM CAT Notification 2026 Out

According to the official CAT 2026 bulletin, the registration window is active from August 3 to September 15, 2026. The computer-based exam is scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026, across three sessions in approximately 170 cities. For comprehensive details, download the official notification PDF via the link below.

IIM CAT Notification 2026 PDF - Click to Download

IIM CAT 2026 Exam Overview

This year, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore is the conducting body responsible for organizing the CAT 2026 entrance exam for aspiring management students pursuing PGP/MBA and FPM/PhD degrees.

IIM CAT 2026 Important Dates

With the official notification now public, the IIM CAT registration window, admit card release timeline, and the final exam date have been officially confirmed.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Per the official CAT 2026 Information Bulletin, candidates must meet at least one of the following academic eligibility requirements:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates), awarded by a university incorporated by an Act of Parliament/State legislature, a deemed university under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India; or
• Hold a completed professional degree- CA, CS, ICWA (CMA), or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) – with the required percentage; or
• Be in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage, subject to submitting a completion certificate from the Principal/Registrar by the date stipulated by the respective IIM.

Note: Simply meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee a shortlist invitation from IIMs; each institute determines its own specific cut-offs and unique selection process.

CAT 2026 Application Fee

The application fee is payable one-time only and is non-refundable, regardless of the number of IIMs selected. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are required to upload valid category certificates during the registration process.

How to Apply for CAT 2026 Online?

1. Go to iimcat.ac.in and click on “New Candidate Registration.”
2. Provide your basic details including name, date of birth, email ID, mobile number, and nationality.
3. Activate your account through the verification link sent to your registered email.
4. Enter personal, academic, and work experience details.
5. Upload a scanned photograph, signature, and category certificate (SC/ST/PwBD, if applicable) in the prescribed format.
6. Choose 5 preferred test cities from the drop-down menu, in order of preference.
7. Choose the IIMs and programmes you wish to apply to.
8. Pay the application fee online.
9. Submit the form and keep the Information Bulletin for future reference.

Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration

• Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
• Graduation/Bachelor’s degree mark sheet or provisional certificate
• Passport-size photograph and scanned signature (prescribed format)
• SC/ST/PwBD category certificate, where applicable
• NC-OBC certificate (issued on/after April 1, 2026) or EWS certificate (valid 2026–27), where applicable
• Work experience certificate, if applicable

Participating IIMs: PGP/MBA Programmes

All 22 IIMs utilize CAT scores for their PGP/MBA and FPM/PhD admissions. Additionally, numerous premier non-IIM institutions accept these scores for their management programs.