CAT 2026 Registration Open — IIM Exam on November 29, Eligibility, Fees & How to Apply on iimcat.ac.in
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have opened CAT 2026 registration on the official portal iimcat.ac.in. The registration window opened on August 3, 2026, and will close on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST. The CAT 2026 exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026. CAT scores are accepted by all 21 IIMs and over 1,200 B-schools across India for MBA/PGP admissions.
Registration Closes
Sep 15, 2026
Admit Card
Nov 4, 2026
Exam Date
Nov 29, 2026
Fee (General)
₹2,700
Key Highlights — CAT 2026 Registration
- Registration opened on August 3, 2026, on the official portal iimcat.ac.in
- Last date to register: September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST
- Admit card download begins from November 4, 2026
- CAT 2026 exam date: November 29, 2026 (computer-based test)
- Registration fee: ₹2,700 (General/EWS/NC-OBC) | ₹1,350 (SC/ST/PwBD)
- No age limit and no restriction on number of attempts
- Accepted by all 21 IIMs + 1,200+ B-schools across India
- Minimum qualification: Bachelor's degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD)
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | August 3, 2026 |
| Registration Closes | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM IST) |
| Admit Card Download | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam | November 29, 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Expected January 2027 |
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or institution |
| Minimum Marks — General/EWS/NC-OBC | 50% marks or equivalent CGPA |
| Minimum Marks — SC/ST/PwBD | 45% marks or equivalent CGPA |
| Final Year Students | Eligible to apply (must complete degree before IIM admission) |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Number of Attempts | No restriction |
Note: Candidates appearing for the final year of their bachelor's degree or awaiting results are also eligible to apply. However, they must provide proof of completing the degree requirements at the time of IIM admission.
CAT 2026 Registration Fee
| Category | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹1,350 |
Payment can be made via debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI through the iimcat.ac.in portal.
How to Apply for CAT 2026 — Step-by-Step
Visit iimcat.ac.in: Go to the official CAT portal. Ensure you are on the genuine website (look for the secure HTTPS padlock).
New Registration: Click "Register" and create an account using your email ID and mobile number. Verify via OTP.
Fill Application Form: Enter personal details, educational qualifications, category, work experience (if any), and test city preferences.
Upload Documents: Upload scanned photograph (JPEG, 10–200 KB), signature (JPEG, 10–100 KB), and category certificate (if applicable).
Pay Registration Fee: Pay ₹2,700 (General) or ₹1,350 (SC/ST/PwBD) via online payment. Save the payment receipt.
Submit & Download: Review all details carefully, submit the application, and download the confirmation page for future reference.
Caution: Be cautious of unsecured or unofficial websites. All registration must be done exclusively through iimcat.ac.in. Do not share your login credentials with anyone.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
| Section | Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 66 | 120 minutes |
Marking scheme: +3 for correct MCQ answers, −1 for incorrect MCQ answers. Non-MCQ (TITA) questions have no negative marking.
What Students Should Do Now
- Register immediately on iimcat.ac.in — do not wait until the September 15 deadline
- Keep documents ready: Graduation marksheet, photograph, signature, category certificate
- Choose test cities wisely: Select 6 preferred test cities during registration
- Start preparation: Focus on VARC, DILR, and QA sections with previous year papers
- Take mock tests: IIMs release official CAT mock tests closer to the exam date
- Check IIM shortlisting criteria: Each IIM has different weightage for CAT score, academics, work experience, and diversity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
The last date to apply for CAT 2026 is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST. Register on the official portal iimcat.ac.in.
What is the CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026. It is a computer-based test conducted in multiple slots across test centers in India. Admit cards will be available from November 4, 2026.
What is the CAT 2026 registration fee?
CAT 2026 registration fee is ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Payment is made online through the iimcat.ac.in portal.
What is the eligibility criteria for CAT 2026?
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD) from a recognized university. Final year students are also eligible. There is no age limit and no restriction on attempts.
Can final year students apply for CAT 2026?
Yes, candidates currently in the final year of their Bachelor's degree or those who have completed their degree requirements and are awaiting results are eligible to apply for CAT 2026.
How many IIMs accept CAT score?
All 21 IIMs across India accept CAT scores for admission to MBA/PGP programs. Additionally, over 1,200 B-schools accept CAT scores for their management programs.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on information available from the official CAT portal (iimcat.ac.in) at the time of writing. MeriShiksha does not guarantee admission or selection. Students are advised to verify all details from the official website before taking any action.
✅ Fact Checked by MeriShiksha Editorial Team | 📅 Last Updated: 17 August 2026 | 📌 Source: iimcat.ac.in
