New Delhi: The registration process for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026) has officially started today, August 3, from 10:00 am. Candidates seeking admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several leading business schools across India can now submit their applications through the official website, iimcat.ac.in.
This year's CAT examination will be conducted by Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore, with the entrance test scheduled to be held on November 29, 2026.
CAT 2026 Registration Deadline
Candidates can complete the online application process until September 15, 2026, 5:00 pm. Applicants are advised not to wait until the last date, as heavy traffic on the portal could lead to technical issues during the final hours of registration.
Encouraging students to apply early, Professor Aditya Billore, Convener of CAT 2026 from IIM Indore, said that early registration would help candidates avoid unnecessary last-minute complications and ensure a smooth application process.
CAT 2026 to Be Held Across 170 Cities
The CAT 2026 examination will be conducted in around 170 cities across India, providing candidates with wide access to examination centres. During registration, applicants will be able to select five preferred exam cities, after which the authorities will allot a test centre based on availability and administrative considerations.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates planning to appear for CAT 2026 must fulfil the following eligibility requirements:
- Hold a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or educational institution.
- Secure at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA in graduation.
- Candidates belonging to reserved categories are eligible for relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks as per the prescribed norms.
- Students in the final year of their undergraduate programme may also be eligible to apply, subject to the conditions mentioned in the official notification.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The examination will be conducted in computer-based mode and will have a total duration of 120 minutes.
The paper will be divided into three sections:
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA)
Each section will be allotted 40 minutes, and candidates will not be permitted to switch between sections before completing the allotted time for that particular section.
CAT 2026 Result T
he CAT 2026 results are expected to be announced in the first week of January 2027. Candidates will be able to download their scorecards from the official CAT website once the results are declared.
The CAT 2026 score will remain valid until December 31, 2027, allowing candidates to use their scores for admissions during the applicable academic cycle.
Important Dates for CAT 2026
Registration Begins August 3, 2026
Last Date to Apply September 15, 2026 (5:00 pm)
CAT 2026 Examination November 29, 2026
Expected Result First Week of January 2027
Management aspirants are encouraged to read the official information bulletin carefully before filling out the application form and ensure that all details are entered correctly to avoid any issues during the admission process.
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