CAT 2026 Official Release: Exam Date, Application Fees, Revised Eligibility

INDORE, JULY 26— The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have officially launched the notification for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026. Convened by IIM Indore this year, the official examination portal at iimcat.ac.in has gone live with the complete information bulletin and eligibility guidelines. CAT 2026 will be conducted as a computer-based test across three separate sessions on Sunday, November 29, 2026, covering approximately 170 test cities nationwide. Apply to any top 250 B Schools from one window. Shortlist, save. CLICK ▶️ REGISTER HERE For More MBA Updates. CAT 2026 Notification Released: IIM Indore Sets Exam Date for Nov 29; Registrations Open August 3 INDORE / NEW DELHI — July 26, 2026 — The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have officially launched the notification bulletin for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026. Convened by IIM Indore for this edition, the official examination portal iimcat.ac.in has gone live with complete eligibility criteria, important deadlines, and fee structures. CAT 2026 will be administered as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) across three sessions on Sunday, November 29, 2026, spanning approximately 170 test cities across India. The test serves as the mandatory entrance gateway for postgraduate management programs (MBA/PGDM) across 22 IIMs, 16+ DMS IITs, NITs and over 300 non-IIM partner institutions, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and IIT management schools. https://campusutra.com/cat-2026-registration-starts-aug1-eligibility-exam-pattern-fees/ Key Exam Schedule & Important Dates: Online registration for CAT 2026 opens on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) and closes on September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM). Candidates can download their admit cards starting November 4, 2026. CAT 2026 Important Dates & Schedule Event Official Date Notification Release July 25–26, 2026 Registration Start Date August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) Registration End Date September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) Admit Card Download November 4, 2026 CAT 2026 Exam Date November 29, 2026 Result Declaration First week of January 2027 (expected) MDI SIP 2027: Average Stipend Up 32.5% With Record Growth in PGDM-BA https://campusutra.com/iim-bodh-gaya-mba-placements-2026/ Key Changes in CAT 2026 Revised Application Fee: The application fee has been adjusted to ₹2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates (up by ₹100), and ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. Updated Terminology: The official designation for candidates with disabilities has been updated to PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities). New Academic Programs: The portal reflects updated postgraduate program selections across participating institutes, including a newly added program from IIM Ahmedabad. Join our MBA 2027 HelpLine WhatsApp Group https://campusutra.com/how-to-score-in-verbal-and-reading-comprehension/ CAT 2026 Exam Blueprint & Structure The exam duration remains fixed at 120 minutes (2 hours) with a strict 40-minute sectional timer per section. Candidates cannot switch between sections during the test. Section Focus Area Questions Time Limit Section I VARC 24 40 mins Section II DILR 22 40 mins Section III QA 22 40 mins Total All Three Sections 68 Q 120 Minutes CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria Eligibility: Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates). Students in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply. Exam Pattern Structure: The exam duration remains 120 minutes (40 minutes per section) with 68 questions divided across three core sections: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) Quantitative Ability (QA) https://campusutra.com/quantitative-aptitude-overview/ CAT 2026 scores will be used for admission into postgraduate management programs across all 22 IIMs and over 300 top non-IIM business schools in India, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and IIT management schools. For candidates preparing for the application process, watching a breakdown of the notification highlights can clarify key documentation requirements before registering. Marking Scheme Highlights Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): +3 marks for correct answers; -1 penalty for incorrect responses. Type-In-The-Answer (TITA / Non-MCQ): +3 marks for correct answers; no negative marking for incorrect responses. Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026 Academic Qualification: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification awarded by any recognized university with at least 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates). Final Year Students: Final-year undergraduate students expecting to complete their degree requirements are also fully eligible to apply. https://campusutra.com/how-to-crack-the-quantitative-ability-section/ Campusutra Tip for Aspirants: Keep your government identity proof, category certificates (if applicable), and academic transcripts ready ahead of August 3 to ensure a seamless registration process on the official portal.