CAT 2026 Registration Opens at iimcat.ac.in: Application Process Begins for Aspiring MBA Candidates
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore has officially commenced the CAT 2026 registration process for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes offered by the 21 IIMs and over 1,300 leading B-schools across India. Eligible candidates can now submit their online applications through the official CAT 2026 portal. The registration window opened on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM IST) and will remain active until September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM IST). The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026 (Sunday) in three sessions across multiple cities in India.
CAT remains India's most competitive MBA entrance examination and serves as the primary admission gateway to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), besides institutions such as FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IIT Schools of Management, IMI Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, Great Lakes, FORE School of Management and numerous other reputed business schools. With registrations now live, candidates are advised to complete their applications early to avoid last-minute technical issues and secure their preferred examination city.
CAT 2026 Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Institute | IIM Indore |
| Registration Starts | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Exam Sessions | Three |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2026 Registration Begins
Candidates can now:
Register online.
Complete the application form.
Upload required documents.
Select preferred test cities.
Pay the application fee.
Download the confirmation after successful submission.
The application link has been activated on the official CAT portal from today.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Begins | August 3, 2026 |
| Registration Closes | September 15, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | Expected September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Expected November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | November 29, 2026 |
| Result | Expected December 2026 |
Candidates should avoid waiting until the final day because heavy traffic on the registration portal may slow down the application process.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates are eligible if they:
Hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
Have secured at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates).
Are in the final year of graduation and expect to complete the degree within the prescribed timeline.
Meet any additional eligibility requirements specified by individual participating institutes.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,350 |
The application fee can be paid online through debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI or other available payment options.
How to Apply for CAT 2026
Candidates should follow these steps:
Visit the official CAT website.
Click on New Registration.
Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
Verify the generated OTP.
Fill personal, academic and work experience details.
Upload photograph, signature and required documents.
Select preferred examination cities.
Choose the programmes and IIMs where applicable.
Pay the application fee.
Submit the form and download the confirmation page.
Documents Required
Keep the following ready before beginning the application:
Recent passport-size photograph.
Signature.
Class 10 and Class 12 details.
Graduation marksheets.
Category certificate (if applicable).
PwD certificate (if applicable).
Valid photo identity proof.
Active email ID and mobile number.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
| Section | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | Reading Comprehension, Verbal Ability |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | Analytical Reasoning & Data Sets |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Number System |
Key Features
Computer-Based Test.
Three sections.
Total duration: 120 minutes.
Sectional time limit of 40 minutes each.
MCQs and TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions.
Negative marking only for MCQs.
Conducted in three sessions on the examination day.
Top MBA Colleges Accepting CAT Scores
CAT scores are accepted by:
All Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi.
SPJIMR Mumbai.
MDI Gurgaon.
IIT Bombay (SJMSOM).
IIT Delhi (DMS).
IIT Kharagpur (VGSoM).
IMI New Delhi.
IMT Ghaziabad.
TAPMI Manipal.
FORE School of Management.
Great Lakes Institute of Management.
More than 1,300 MBA and PGDM institutes across India.
Why CAT is India's Most Popular MBA Entrance Exam
CAT offers admission opportunities to:
Premier IIMs.
Top Government MBA institutions.
Leading private B-schools.
Executive and specialised management programmes.
International partner institutions accepting CAT scores.
A strong CAT percentile can open doors to some of India's highest-ranked MBA programmes.
Preparation Tips
Candidates should:
Register early instead of waiting for the deadline.
Prepare a daily study schedule.
Focus equally on VARC, DILR and QA.
Solve previous years' CAT papers.
Attempt full-length mock tests every week.
Analyse mistakes after every mock.
Improve speed, accuracy and sectional time management.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting until September 15 to register.
Uploading incorrect photographs or signatures.
Entering inaccurate academic information.
Selecting unsuitable exam cities.
Ignoring sectional preparation.
Not practising enough mock tests.
Forgetting to download the confirmation page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has CAT 2026 registration started?
Yes. The online registration process began on August 3, 2026, through the official CAT website.
What is the last date to apply?
Candidates can submit the CAT 2026 application form until September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM).
When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
The examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026, in three sessions across India.
Who can apply for CAT 2026?
Graduates with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) and eligible final-year students can apply.
What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
The application fee is ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Which colleges accept CAT scores?
Apart from all IIMs, CAT scores are accepted by FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IIT management schools, TAPMI, Great Lakes and hundreds of other leading MBA institutions.
Final Update
The commencement of the CAT 2026 registration process marks the beginning of India's biggest MBA admission cycle. Candidates aspiring to join the IIMs and other top management institutes should complete their applications well before the September 15 deadline, verify all details carefully and begin focused preparation for the November 29 examination. With CAT scores serving as the primary admission criterion for more than 1,300 B-schools, early registration, consistent mock practice and a balanced preparation strategy will significantly improve the chances of securing admission to a preferred MBA programme.
