IIM CAT Admissions Online Form 2026: Official Notification, Exam Dates & How to Apply
If you are dreaming to pursue MBA from prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) or top B-schools across the country, here is a big news for you. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore has released official notification for Common Admission Test (CAT 2026).
The online registration portal will open from August 03, 2026 onwards on official portal iimcat.ac.in. In this article, we have covered all the essential details like eligibility criteria, exam fees, important dates, selection process and step-by-step guide to fill your application form without any mistakes.
What is the Key Highlights of IIM CAT 2026 Admission Notification?
Before filling the registration form, every candidate should quickly go through the basic highlights of the examination mentioned below in table:
| Exam Particulars | Information Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Exam Level | National Level Management Entrance Exam |
| Mode of Exam | Computer Based Test (CBT) in 3 Sessions |
| Exam Duration | 120 Minutes (2 Hours) |
| Score Validity | 1 Year (Till December 31, 2027) |
What are the Important Dates for CAT 2026 Registration & Exam?
Knowing important dates in advance helps you in planning your exam strategy properly. Make a note of these crucial schedule dates:
| Events | Dates & Time |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release Date | July 26, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Online Registration Starts | August 03, 2026 (10:00 AM IST) |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | September 15, 2026 (05:00 PM IST) |
| Application Form Correction Window | Last week of September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Admit Card Download Start Date | November 04, 2026 onwards |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Declaration of Result | First week of January 2027 |
How Much is the Application Fee for CAT 2026?
Candidates need to pay application fee strictly through online mode using credit card, debit card, UPI or net banking during form submission. The fee details for different categories is given below:
- General / EWS / NC-OBC Candidates: ₹2,700/-
- SC / ST / PwD Category Candidates: ₹1,350/-
Note: Application fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances. Candidates belonging to reserved categories must upload valid caste/category certificates to avail fee relaxation.
Who is Eligible to Apply for CAT Exam 2026?
Candidates should double check their educational criteria before applying on the official portal to prevent rejection at later stage:
1. Educational Qualifications:
- Graduation Degree: Must possess a Bachelor Degree with at least 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA from a recognized university.
- Relaxation for Reserved Classes: For SC, ST and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD), the minimum aggregate mark required is 45%.
- Final Year Students: Students who are currently in their final year of bachelor degree or awaiting final semester results are also eligible to apply provisionally.
- Professional Qualifications: Candidates having completed CA, CS, ICWA (CMA) or Fellow of Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with required percentage marks can also fill the form.
2. Age Limit & Nationality:
- Age Restriction: There is no upper age limit to appear in CAT exam 2026.
- Nationality: Indian national candidates as well as NRI/PIO/OCI candidates can apply under specified norms.
What is the Exam Pattern for CAT 2026?
The CAT exam will be conducted across approximately 170 test cities in India. The question paper contains three major sections:
| Section Name | Expected Questions | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 Questions | 40 Minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 Questions | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 Questions | 40 Minutes |
| Total | 68 Questions | 120 Minutes (2 Hours) |
Marking Scheme: Each correct answer carries +3 marks. For every wrong MCQ answer, 1 mark is deducted (-1 marking). There is no negative marking for non-MCQ (Type-In-The-Answer) questions.
How to Fill IIM CAT Admission Online Form 2026 Step by Step?
Follow these easy steps to complete your CAT 2026 registration online without errors:
- Visit Official Website: Go to official website of CAT at iimcat.ac.in.
- New Candidate Registration: Click on "New Candidate Registration" link to create your account using your valid Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, and Mobile Number.
- Get Credentials: After submitting details, user ID and password will be sent on your registered mobile number and email.
- Fill Application Form: Login using your user ID and password. Enter personal details, academic qualifications, work experience (if any), and select preferred IIM courses.
- Select Exam Cities: Choose top 6 preferred test cities from available list in order of preference.
- Upload Scanned Documents: Upload recent passport size photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable) in prescribed file formats.
- Pay Application Fee: Pay registration fee through available online payment gateway.
- Print Confirmation Sheet: After successful payment submission, download and save print out of completed application form for future reference.
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