Common Admission Test Notification 2026
Common Admission Test Notification
The CAT 2026 Information Bulletin and Registration Schedule are now available on the official website iimcat.ac.in. The online registration process will begin on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) and remain open until September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM)
The CAT 2026 Notification PDF contains all the important details related to the examination, including registration dates, eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, reservation policy, application fee, test cities, admit card schedule, result declaration, and admission process. The CAT registration link and CAT Login portal will also be activated on 3rd August 2026
- CAT 2026 registration will be open from August 3 (10:00 AM) to September 15 (5:00 PM), 2026.
- Application fee: ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.
- Candidates can select up to five preferred test cities from around 170 CAT exam cities.
- CAT 2026 admit card can be downloaded from November 4 to November 29, 2026.
- CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29, 2026, in three CBT sessions, while the result is likely in the first week of January 2027.
Related Links:
- Check CAT 2026 Notification LIVE Updates
- CAT 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide, Documents & Photo Specs
- CAT 2026 Registration: How to Apply, Fees & Documents Required
CAT Notification 2026: Release Date
The CAT 2026 notification is an official document released by the IIM’s. This year it was released by IIM Indore on July 26, 2026. The notification is an official announcement for the exam. It has information on eligibility criteria, exam fees, a list of test cities, and reservation policies.
- It also lists the specific deadlines for filling out the form, downloading the admit card, and the final exam date.
Students planning to apply must download this PDF to ensure they follow the official rules and guidelines.
Also Read: CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
CAT Notification 2026: Previous Year Release Trend
CAT Notification is released by the exam-conducting authorities. Over the years, they have preferred the final Sunday of July.
- Following the same pattern, the official advertisement for the CAT 2026 was released on July 26, 2026.
CAT Notification Release Date: Previous Year Trends
We have provided the previous year trends of CAT Notification to estimate the various CAT exam dates.
| CAT Notification Trends | Date Of Release | Conducting IIM |
|---|---|---|
| CAT Notification 2026 | July 26, 2026 | IIM Indore |
| CAT Notification 2025 | July 27 2025 | IIM Kozhikode |
| CAT Notification 2024 | July 28, 2024 | IIM Calcutta |
| CAT Notification 2023 | July 30, 2023 | IIM Lucknow |
| CAT Notification 2022 | July 31, 2022 | IIM Bangalore |
| CAT Notification 2021 | August 1, 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad |
| CAT Notification 2020 | August 2, 2020 | IIM Indore |
| CAT Notification 2019 | July 28, 2019 | IIM Kozhikode |
| CAT Notification 2018 | July 29, 2018 | IIM Calcutta |
| CAT Notification 2017 | August 9, 2017 | IIM Lucknow |
How to Download CAT Notification 2026 PDF
- Visit the official website: iimcat.ac.in.
- Look for the “CAT 2026 Notification” or “Advertisement” link (usually highlighted on the homepage).
- Download the PDF (available in English and other languages).
- The notification will also be published in leading newspapers.
CAT Exam Date 2026
- CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three computer-based test (CBT) sessions.
- The exam will be held across approximately 170 test cities in India, with candidates allotted one of their preferred test centres based on availability.
Also Read: CAT 2026 Exam Dates
CAT 2026 Important Dates & Timeline
| CAT 2026 Event | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | July 26, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Starts | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Release | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| CAT 2026 Result Date | First Week of January 2027 |
Source: CAT 2026 Notification PDF
Who will set the CAT 2026 paper?
The CAT 2026 question paper will be set by IIM Indore. IIM Indore will lead the process but a committee of faculty members from various IIMs may contribute to the paper-setting process.
- Every year, one of the older IIMs is responsible for conducting the CAT exam on a rotational basis.
- Mostly from the group of IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Indore, Kozhikode, and Lucknow
- The conducting IIM takes full responsibility for setting the question paper, finalizing the exam pattern, difficulty level, and overall conduction of the test.
For CAT 2026, IIM Indore has been confirmed as the conducting body ( IIM Kozhikode conducted CAT 2025).
IIM Indore's Previous CAT Exams
| CAT Year | Conducting Institute | Overall Difficulty | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | IIM Indore | Moderate | Exam duration reduced to 120 minutes due to COVID-19; 76 questions across three sections. |
| 2014 | IIM Indore | Moderate to Difficult | Balanced paper with a strong emphasis on logical reasoning and quantitative aptitude. |
| 2013 | IIM Indore | Moderate | Mix of conceptual and application-based questions across all sections. |
Note: Based on recent editions, CAT 2026 is expected to follow the current format with 66–68 questions, three sections, and a 120-minute computer-based test. Any official changes will be announced in the CAT 2026 notification.
CAT Notification 2026: Details Mentioned
CAT 2026 notification informs the candidates of various updates and information tabulated below:
What is the Last Date for CAT Registration 2026?
The last date to register for CAT 2026 is September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM). The online application process will begin on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) through the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in.
- CAT 2026 registration is available only in online mode.
- The application fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.
- Candidates must complete the application form and fee payment before 5:00 PM on September 15, 2026
CAT 2026 Registration Dates (OUT)
| Event | Official Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Start Date | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM)* |
Source: CAT 2026 Notification PDF
Also Read:
CAT Notification 2026: Reddit Discussion
CAT 2026 aspirants are actively discussing the CAT 2026 registration dates and application fees on Reddit.
- Students are worried about last-minute server issues and strongly recommend completing registration in the first 7–10 days.
- Many final-year students are asking whether they should register for CAT 2026 or wait for better preparation.
- Queries regarding fee payment, whether it will remain ₹2600 (General) or increase.
It is confirmed to start from 3rd week of August 2026/
Ques. Is CAT registration open for 2026?
Ans. No, the registration portal for CAT 2026 is currently closed. The registration process will begin in the on 3rd August. Once the official portal is live, candidates will have until the third week of September 2026 to fill out their details
Ques. Is it possible to score 100% in CAT ?
Ans. Yes, scoring 100 percentile is possible in the CAT exam. But it is rare. On average, only about 9 to 11 candidates out of over 2 lakh achieve this score each year. Scoring 105–115 marks out of the total 198 marks is enough to secure a 100 percentile
Ques. How to get a 100% scholarship in IIM?
Ans: Securing a 100% full fee waiver at IIM relies on your family's financial profile.Not only on CAT rank alone. If your gross annual family income falls below the low income boundaries (between ₹4.5 Lakhs and ₹15 Lakhs depending on the specific campus), the financial aid committee can grant up to a full 100% scholarship.
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