IIM CAT 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online for Common Admission Test, MBA Admission, Exam Date, Fees

The Indian Institutes of Management has released the CAT 2026 Information Brochure on 25th July 2026. The CAT is the mandatory entrance test for admission to Post Graduate Programmes (PGP/MBA) and Fellow Programmes (FPM/PhD) in Management at all 22 IIMs, and many listed non-IIM institutions also accept its score.

According to the brochure for the Common Admission Test 2026, the registration window will be open from 3rd August to 15th September 2026. The computer-based test will be held on Sunday, 29th November 2026, in three sessions across approximately 170 test cities.

IIM CAT 2026 Exam Overview

This year, the Indian Institute of Management, Indore, is held responsible for conducting the IIM CAT 2026 Exam.

IIM CAT 2026 Important Dates

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

As per the official CAT 2026 Information Bulletin, candidates must fulfil any one of the following conditions:

• 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: Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee shortlisting by IIMs — each IIM sets its cut-offs and selection process.

CAT 2026 Application Fee

The fee is payable only once, regardless of the number of institutes to which a candidate applies, and is non-refundable under any circumstances. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates must upload a copy of their category certificate at the time of registration.

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 accept CAT scores for their PGP/MBA and FPM/PhD programmes, along with several listed non-IIM institutions.