The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have officially released the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 Notification for admission to various postgraduate management programmes offered by IIMs and several other leading business schools across India. CAT is one of the country’s most prestigious national-level entrance examinations for candidates aspiring to pursue MBA, PGDM, Executive Management, Fellow, and Ph.D. programmes.

For the academic session 2026-27, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore will conduct the CAT 2026 Examination on 29 November 2026 (Sunday) in three sessions as a Computer-Based Test (CBT). Interested and eligible candidates can submit their online applications through the official CAT portal after checking the eligibility criteria, important dates, registration fee, and other examination details.

IIM CAT 2026 Highlights

The table below provides an overview of the CAT 2026 examination, including the conducting institute, examination mode, duration, and other key details.

IIM CAT 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should keep track of the important events related to CAT 2026 to avoid missing any deadlines during the admission process.

IIM CAT 2026 Registration Fee

Candidates are required to pay the prescribed registration fee while submitting the online application form. The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid through the available online payment modes.

Payment Mode

Candidates can make the payment using any of the following online methods:

• Debit Card
• Credit Card
• Net Banking
• UPI

IIM CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates should carefully verify that they satisfy all the eligibility conditions prescribed by the Indian Institutes of Management. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee admission to any management programme.

Age Limit

There is no minimum or maximum age limit for appearing in the CAT 2026 examination.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must satisfy any one of the following educational qualifications:

• Completed a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
• Completed a Professional Degree such as CA, CS, CMA (ICWA), or FIAI.
• Candidates appearing in the final year of their Bachelor’s Degree are also eligible to apply.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Applicants should possess the required educational qualification on or before the date specified in the official notification.

Participating IIMs

CAT scores are accepted by all Indian Institutes of Management as well as several other leading management institutes across India. The following IIMs will participate in the CAT 2026 admission process.

Apart from the IIMs, CAT scores are also accepted by numerous reputed government and private management institutes across the country.

IIM CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Candidates should understand the examination pattern before beginning their preparation. CAT 2026 will be conducted entirely in online mode and will assess candidates’ aptitude in various management-related skills.

The detailed section-wise exam pattern will be available in the official information bulletin.

Selection Process

Admission through CAT 2026 is conducted in multiple stages. After the declaration of the CAT result, participating institutes prepare their shortlist based on the CAT score and other admission criteria.

The selection process generally includes:

• CAT 2026 Score
• Shortlisting by Participating Institutes
• Written Ability Test (WAT) / Group Discussion (where applicable)
• Personal Interview (PI)
• Final Merit List

The admission criteria may differ from one institute to another.

How to Apply for IIM CAT 2026

Eligible candidates can complete the online registration process by following the steps below:

1. Visit the official CAT 2026 website.
2. Click on “New User Registration” and create your account.
3. Verify your registered email ID and mobile number.
4. Log in using your credentials.
5. Complete the application form with personal, academic, and communication details.
6. Upload the required documents, photograph, and signature in the prescribed format.
7. Pay the registration fee through the online payment gateway.
8. Verify all entered details carefully before final submission.
9. Submit the application form and download the confirmation page for future reference.

Documents Required

Candidates should keep the following documents ready before filling out the online application form:

• Passport-size Photograph
• Signature
• Graduation Marksheet and Degree Certificate
• Category Certificate (if applicable)
• PwD Certificate (if applicable)
• Government-issued Photo Identity Proof
• Valid Email ID and Mobile Number

IIM Shillong Online Admission for CAT

Important Instructions

Candidates are advised to read the official CAT 2026 notification carefully before submitting the online application form. Ensure that all personal and educational details are entered correctly, as incorrect information may lead to rejection of the application. Keep the registered email ID and mobile number active throughout the admission process and regularly visit the official website for the latest announcements regarding admit cards, examination schedules, answer keys, and results.