The CAT 2026 notification is the single most awaited announcement of the MBA admission calendar, and it is expected to arrive in the last week of July 2026. If you are targeting the IIMs and other top B-schools, this is the moment your preparation clock officially starts. The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to all 21 IIMs and over 1,200 management institutes across India, and the CAT 2026 notification will lock in the exam date, registration window, eligibility norms and fee structure. This guide walks you through every confirmed and expected detail — sourced only from official announcements — so you can register on day one and build a winning study plan.
CAT 2026 Notification: Key Dates at a Glance
As per prevailing trends and pre-notification reporting, here is the expected CAT 2026 schedule. Treat every date as expected / as per official notice until the official notification PDF is published on iimcat.ac.in.
| Event | Expected Date (subject to official notice) |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | Last week of July 2026 (expected) |
| Registration Begins | Early August 2026 (expected) |
| Registration Closes | Mid–late September 2026 (expected) |
| Admit Card Download | Last week of October 2026 (expected) |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | 29 November 2026 (expected) |
| Result Declaration | Second week of January 2027 (expected) |
CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted by IIM Indore in a computer-based format across three sessions in 170+ cities. Please confirm all dates from the official notification before acting on them.
Who Conducts CAT 2026?
The convening IIM rotates each year among the older IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode and Indore). Based on the rotation trend, IIM Indore is expected to conduct CAT 2026. The convening institute finalises the exam pattern, the normalisation methodology and the official timeline — all of which will be spelt out the moment the notification goes live. The identity of the convener will be officially confirmed only in the notification, so verify it on iimcat.ac.in.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility bar for CAT is deliberately wide, but you must meet it before you register:
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognised university.
- Final-year students of any bachelor’s programme are eligible to apply and appear.
- There is no age limit to appear for CAT.
- Percentage is calculated as per the process certified by the respective university/institution.
Individual IIMs may set their own shortlisting weights (academics, work experience, diversity), so read each institute’s admission policy alongside the CAT notification.
CAT 2026 Registration & Fees
Registration is expected to open in early August 2026 on the official portal. Based on recent cycles, the fee is expected to be around Rs 2,600 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and approximately Rs 1,300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates (to be confirmed in the notification). Keep a scanned photograph, signature, category certificate (if applicable) and a valid ID ready before you begin. A short correction window is usually offered after the registration deadline.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus
CAT is a two-hour computer-based test split into three timed sections, and section-switching is not allowed:
- Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) — reading passages, para-jumbles, summary and inference.
- Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) — sets on tables, charts, arrangements and puzzles.
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA) — arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number systems and modern maths.
Scoring uses +3 for correct answers and −1 for incorrect MCQs, with no negative marking on TITA (type-in-the-answer) questions. Scores are normalised across the three slots. Our subject-focused courses map exactly to this structure — see Drishti VARC, Drishti DILR and Drishti Quantitative Aptitude to strengthen any weak area.
How to Prepare for CAT 2026: A 5-Month Roadmap
With roughly five months to the expected exam date, discipline beats intensity. A proven sequence:
- August–September: Build fundamentals across all three sections and lock a daily practice habit.
- October: Shift to sectional tests, error logs and speed drills; identify your scoring sections.
- November: Take full-length mock tests under exam conditions and analyse every attempt.
If you want a structured, mentor-led path, the Sankalp 2026 Complete CAT Preparation program covers the entire syllabus, while working professionals often prefer the Pariksha Weekend CAT 2026 Program. Test-readiness comes from volume under pressure, which is exactly what the Siddhi CAT Mock Test Series is built for.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the CAT 2026 notification be released?
The CAT 2026 notification is expected in the last week of July 2026 on the official portal iimcat.ac.in. The exact release date will be confirmed by the convening IIM; candidates should treat all pre-notification dates as tentative until the official PDF is published.
What is the expected CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 is expected to be held on 29 November 2026 in a computer-based format across three sessions. This date is as per current expectations and will be officially confirmed in the CAT 2026 notification.
Who is eligible to apply for CAT 2026?
Any candidate with a bachelor’s degree carrying at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) is eligible, and final-year students of any degree programme may also apply. There is no upper age limit to appear for the exam.
What is the expected CAT 2026 registration fee?
Based on recent cycles, the fee is expected to be around Rs 2,600 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and about Rs 1,300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. The exact fee will be confirmed in the official notification.
