The CAT 2026 notification has been released by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). CAT 2026 will be conducted for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes offered by IIMs and participating B-schools. Candidates should carefully track the registration, correction, admit card and examination dates.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | CAT 2026 Date |
| CAT 2026 Notification | August 2026 |
| Registration Starts | August 3, 2026 |
| Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Answer Key | December 2026 |
| CAT Result | December 2026/January 2027 |
CAT 2026 Registration
CAT 2026 registration started on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM IST. The last date to submit the CAT 2026 application form is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST. Candidates should complete registration before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
The application process includes creating a registration account, entering personal and academic details, selecting preferred test cities, uploading documents and paying the application fee.
CAT 2026 Exam Date
The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026. Candidates will be able to download their admit cards before the examination from the official CAT website.
CAT is conducted in multiple sessions and tests candidates in VARC, DILR and QA. The examination is used for admission to various management programmes at IIMs and several other participating institutions.
Official CAT 2026 Website
Candidates should rely on the official CAT website for the latest notification, application form, admit card, exam instructions, answer key and result updates.
CAT 2026 Notification: Important Dates FAQs
When is the CAT 2026 exam scheduled?
The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026.
When will the CAT 2026 notification be released?
The CAT 2026 notification is expected to be released in August 2026 on the official CAT website.
When will CAT 2026 registration begin?
CAT 2026 registration is scheduled to begin on August 3, 2026.
What is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
The CAT 2026 application window is scheduled to close on September 15, 2026.
When will the CAT 2026 result be announced?
The CAT 2026 result is expected to be declared in December 2026 or January 2027, subject to the official schedule.
Is CAT 2026 mandatory for admission to IIMs?
Yes, CAT is the primary entrance examination used for admission to various postgraduate management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Each IIM has its own eligibility and selection criteria.
Where can candidates check the CAT 2026 notification?
Candidates can check the official notification, registration details and important updates on the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in.
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
The CAT 2026 admit card is expected to be available in November 2026 before the examination.
When will the CAT 2026 answer key be released?
The CAT 2026 answer key is expected to be released after the examination, tentatively in December 2026.
Which sections are included in CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 includes three major sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA).