CAT 2026 Notification Released: Exam Date, Registration, Eligibility, Fees & Important Dates

The CAT 2026 notification has officially been released, giving MBA aspirants all the information they need to start their application journey. Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), CAT is the entrance exam for admission to 21 IIMs and hundreds of other leading B-schools across India.

This year, the exam will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three sessions. Along with the exam date, the notification also confirms the registration schedule, eligibility criteria, application fees, reservation policy, and important instructions for candidates.

If you're planning to appear for the exam, understanding the CAT 2026 notification is the first step. Whether you're preparing through self-study or CAT online coaching, knowing the latest rules and deadlines can help you plan your preparation better. This guide covers the latest updates, important dates, eligibility requirements, and everything else you need to know before registering.

CAT 2026 Notification: Key Highlights

The CAT 2026 notification answers most of the questions candidates have before registration begins. Here's a quick overview of the important details.

Particular	Details
Exam Name	Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026
Conducting Body	Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
Exam Date	November 29, 2026 (Sunday)
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test
Number of Sessions	3
Registration Starts	August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM)
Registration Ends	September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM)
Admit Card Release	November 4, 2026
Expected Result	First Week of January 2027
Registration Fee (General)	₹2,700
Registration Fee (SC/ST/PwBD)	₹1,350

The registration window opens on August 3, 2026, and closes on September 15, 2026. Candidates will be able to download their admit cards from November 4, 2026, while the results are expected in the first week of January 2027.

CAT 2026 Important Dates

Keeping track of important deadlines is essential. Missing the registration window or forgetting to download your admit card could delay your MBA plans by an entire year. Here's a complete timeline announced in the CAT 2026 notification.

Event	Date
CAT 2026 Notification Release	July 2026
Registration Opens	August 3, 2026
Registration Closes	September 15, 2026
Admit Card Download Begins	November 4, 2026
CAT 2026 Exam	November 29, 2026
Expected Result	First Week of January 2027

Instead of waiting until the final day, try completing your registration early. This gives you enough time to resolve any issues related to documents, payment, or test city preferences.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before filling out the application form, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria mentioned in the CAT 2026 notification. The requirements are straightforward, but it's important to understand them carefully to avoid mistakes during registration. Here's who can apply for CAT 2026.

Bachelor's Degree Requirement

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized university or institution. The minimum marks required are:

• General, EWS, and NC-OBC: 50% or equivalent CGPA
• SC, ST, and PwBD: 45% or equivalent CGPA

If your university follows a CGPA system, your percentage will be calculated according to your institution's conversion policy. If no conversion formula exists, the percentage will be calculated by dividing the CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying it by 100.

Can Final-Year Students Apply?

Yes. Students who are currently in the final year of their bachelor's degree or are waiting for their final results are eligible to apply. However, if they receive an admission offer, they must submit a certificate from their university confirming that they have completed all degree requirements within the timeline specified by the respective IIM. While you're waiting for your final results, it's a good time to start preparing with a structured CAT sectional test strategy to strengthen each section before the exam.

Are Professional Degree Holders Eligible?

Yes. Candidates who have completed professional qualifications such as:

• Chartered Accountant (CA)
• Company Secretary (CS)
• Cost and Management Accountant (CMA/ICWA)
• Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)

can also apply, provided they meet the minimum marks required under the CAT 2026 notification.

Does Eligibility Guarantee Admission?

No. Meeting the eligibility criteria only makes you eligible to take the CAT exam. It does not guarantee a call from an IIM or admission to an MBA programme. Every IIM has its own selection process and may consider multiple factors, including:

• CAT score
• Academic performance
• Work experience
• Personal Interview (PI)
• Written Ability Test (WAT) or other evaluation criteria

The CAT 2026 notification also states that candidates must maintain a valid email address and mobile number throughout the admission process, as all important communication will be shared through these channels.

CAT 2026 Registration Process

Once you've confirmed that you're eligible, the next step is to complete your registration. The CAT application process is entirely online, and while it isn't complicated, even a small mistake can lead to delays or rejection. The CAT 2026 notification outlines each step clearly, so it's important to fill in your details carefully and upload the required documents in the correct format.

Step 1: Register on the Official CAT Website

Visit the official CAT website and create your login using a valid email ID and mobile number. These credentials will be used throughout the admission process, so make sure they're active and accessible.

Step 2: Fill in Your Personal and Academic Details

After registration, complete the application form by entering details such as:

• Personal information
• Educational qualifications
• Work experience (if applicable)
• Category details
• Preferred IIM programmes

Double-check your information before moving to the next section, as incorrect details may create issues during admission.

Step 3: Upload the Required Documents

Candidates must upload the documents specified in the CAT 2026 notification. These generally include:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• PwBD certificate (if applicable)

Candidates applying under reserved categories should ensure that their certificates are valid and uploaded in the prescribed format. Missing or incorrect documents can result in the application being rejected.

Step 4: Select Your Preferred Test Cities

During registration, you'll be asked to choose five preferred test cities. Test centre allocation depends on availability, so filling out the application early can improve your chances of getting your preferred location. If none of your selected cities are available, a nearby test city may be allotted.

Step 5: Pay the Registration Fee

The final step is to pay the application fee online. Once the payment is successful, your CAT registration will be complete. Before submitting the form, review every section carefully. It's much easier to correct mistakes before submission than after the registration window closes.

CAT 2026 Registration Fees

The registration fee depends on the candidate's category. As per the official CAT 2026 notification, the fee has to be paid only once, irrespective of the number of IIMs or participating institutes you apply to.

Category	Registration Fee
General, EWS, NC-OBC	₹2,700
SC, ST, PwBD	₹1,350

Keep the following points in mind:

• The registration fee is non-refundable.
• Payment must be completed online during registration.
• Reserved category candidates must upload the relevant certificates while submitting the application.

CAT 2026 Reservation Policy

The CAT 2026 notification follows the reservation policy prescribed by the Government of India. Candidates applying under reserved categories must satisfy both the eligibility and documentation requirements to claim reservation benefits. If you're preparing through self-study or online courses, it's equally important to stay updated with these requirements to avoid any issues during the application process. The seat reservation is as follows:

Category	Reservation
Scheduled Caste (SC)	15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST)	7.5%
Non-Creamy OBC (NC-OBC)	27%
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)	Up to 10%
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)	5%

Simply belonging to a reserved category does not guarantee admission. Candidates must also meet the minimum eligibility criteria and perform well throughout the selection process.

Important Certificate Updates for 2026

The CAT 2026 notification also includes a few important updates regarding category certificates:

• NC-OBC certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026.
• EWS certificates must be valid for the academic year 2026-27.
• Candidates awaiting a fresh certificate can still register by uploading the prescribed undertaking along with the required supporting documents.
• No category changes will be allowed after the registration deadline.

To avoid unnecessary complications later, it's a good idea to arrange all required documents well before the registration window closes.

What's New in CAT 2026?

Every year, the CAT notification includes a few updates that candidates should carefully review before registering. While the overall exam pattern remains unchanged, the CAT 2026 notification introduces important clarifications around category certificates, the registration process, and admission guidelines. Understanding these updates early can help you avoid common mistakes during the application process.

Updated Category Certificate Requirements

Candidates applying under the NC-OBC or EWS categories should pay special attention to the updated certificate requirements. As per the CAT 2026 notification, NC-OBC certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026, while EWS certificates must be valid for the 2026-27 academic year and be based on the financial year 2025-26. These requirements are mandatory for candidates seeking reservation benefits.

If you've already applied for a fresh certificate but haven't received it yet, you can still complete your CAT registration. However, you'll need to upload an undertaking, your previous certificate, and proof that you've applied for a new one. Submitting incomplete documents may result in disqualification from the admission process, so it's important to check the requirements carefully before uploading your files.

Category Cannot Be Changed Later

One of the key instructions in the CAT 2026 notification is that candidates won't be allowed to change their category after submitting the application form. Whether you're applying under the General, EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST, or PwBD category, make sure you select the correct option while registering.

Before making the payment, review all the details you've entered, including your category and supporting documents. Spending a few extra minutes verifying your application can save you from unnecessary issues later in the admission process.

Admission Process Varies Across IIMs

While CAT is the common entrance exam, admissions are conducted independently by each participating IIM. Apart from your CAT score, institutes may also consider factors such as academic performance, work experience, written ability tests, personal interviews, and other evaluation parameters while preparing their final merit list.

In addition to the flagship MBA programme, several IIMs also use CAT scores for Executive MBA, PhD, and other management programmes. Before applying, it's a good idea to visit the websites of the institutes you're targeting and review their admission criteria carefully.

What Should You Do After Registering for CAT 2026?

Completing your registration is just the beginning of your CAT journey. With only a few months left before the exam, the choices you make now can significantly impact your final score. Instead of waiting for the admit card, start preparing as early as possible and follow a structured study plan.

Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Before you begin solving questions, take some time to understand the latest CAT syllabus and exam pattern. Knowing the weightage of different topics, sectional structure, and marking scheme will help you prepare more efficiently and avoid spending time on low-priority areas.

Create a Realistic Study Plan

A well-planned study schedule helps you stay consistent throughout your preparation. Divide your time across Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), while also keeping enough time aside for revision and mock test analysis. If VARC is one of your weaker sections, following a structured CAT VARC preparation plan can help improve both your reading speed and accuracy over time.

Start Taking Mock Tests Early

Many students wait until the final month to attempt mock tests, but that's a mistake. Mock tests help you understand the actual exam environment, improve your time management, and identify the areas where you're losing marks.

More importantly, analysing each mock is just as valuable as taking it. Review every mistake, understand why it happened, and work on eliminating those errors before your next test.

Revise Regularly

Revision is one of the most important parts of CAT preparation. As you learn new concepts, continue revisiting older topics to ensure you don't forget them. Maintaining short notes, revising formulas regularly, and solving previous years' questions can help strengthen your fundamentals.

A consistent revision schedule also boosts confidence and reduces exam-day stress, especially during the final few weeks before CAT. If you're short on time, a structured CAT 2026 crash course can also help you revise key concepts and focus on high-weightage topics before the exam.

Why Prepare for CAT 2026 With Rodha?

Cracking CAT requires more than completing the syllabus. It demands consistent practice, smart preparation, regular feedback, and a strategy that evolves with your progress. That's where the right mentorship can make a real difference.

Rodha offers a structured CAT preparation programme designed to help aspirants build strong fundamentals while improving their speed and accuracy. The platform combines live classes, recorded lectures, topic-wise practice, sectional tests, and full-length mock exams to ensure students are prepared for every stage of the exam.

What sets Rodha apart is its focus on learning from mistakes. Detailed mock analysis, personalised mentorship, doubt-solving sessions, and exam strategies help students understand not just what went wrong, but how to improve in the next attempt. Whether you're starting your preparation now or looking to push your mock scores higher, Rodha provides the guidance, resources, and support needed to prepare with confidence.

Explore all our CAT courses here!

FAQs on CAT 2026 Notification

When will CAT 2026 be conducted?

CAT 2026 will be held on November 29, 2026, in three sessions at test centres across India. Candidates should download their admit cards before the exam date.

When does CAT 2026 registration begin?

The registration window opens on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM and closes on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Applications submitted after the deadline won't be accepted.

Who can apply for CAT 2026?

Graduates with the required minimum marks, final-year students, and candidates holding eligible professional qualifications such as CA, CS, CMA, or FIAI can apply.

What is the CAT 2026 registration fee?

The registration fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates, and ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.

Can I change my category after submitting the application?

No. Once the application is submitted, the selected category cannot be changed. Candidates should verify all details carefully before completing their registration.