CAT 2026 Registration Opens Today at iimcat.ac.in: Key Changes, Eligibility, and Application Steps
CAT 2026 registration process has started today, that is, August 3, at the official site iimcat.ac.in. This year, CAT is being organized by the Indian Institute of Management, Indore, and it serves as a key entrance test for admission into MBA and postgraduate management courses in the Indian Institutes of Management and several hundred other top B-schools in India.
Applications will have to be submitted online before September 15, 2026 (5 PM), whereas the date for CAT 2026 is set as November 29, 2026.
What Is CAT 2026?
Common Admission Test or CAT is the leading entrance exam in India for pursuing an MBA program at the national level. Every year, the test is conducted by any of the IIMs on behalf of all the participating institutes.
A high percentile in the CAT can get you admission not only into the 21 IIMs but also into other highly reputable institutions offering management courses in India.
Key Changes in CAT 2026
The largest change this year is the hike in the registration fees across all the categories. But there are no changes made in the pattern of the examination and syllabus, which helps the candidates prepare without any issues.
CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore, and the application process is completely online.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The candidate should have at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA in the bachelor’s degree course. The minimum percentage for candidates in SC, ST, and PwD categories is 45%.
Final-year candidates of the bachelor’s degree course can also apply, if they fulfill the eligibility criteria before the stipulated time period fixed by the participating institutes.
Important Dates You Should Remember
CAT 2026 application process started from August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM, and will continue till September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. CAT exam is to take place on November 29, 2026, and will be held in different test centers located throughout India in different sessions.
It is recommended to not postpone application till the very last day due to heavy traffic on the website.
How to Apply for CAT 2026
The procedure starts with logging into the official CAT website as a new candidate using a valid e-mail ID and mobile number.
After performing the OTP verification process, the candidates have to login to their account using the provided credentials and then complete the online application form. This form asks for information such as personal information, educational qualification, experience (if any), preference in management courses, and five preference exam cities.
Candidates are supposed to attach a latest photograph, scanned signature, and category certificates (if needed). Once everything is completed, candidates have to make the payment and submit the application form.
Documents Required Before Applying
Before starting the application process, the applicants should have all the relevant data handy so that there is no hassle during the registration process.
This would include a valid email ID and mobile number, latest photo of size passport with white background, scanned signature, Class 10 and above academic data, category or PwD certificates (if any), and work experience data for those applicants having some work experience.
Why CAT Is Very Competitive
Yearly, lakhs of candidates apply for CAT in order to fight for very few seats available in the topmost management schools of India.
CAT tests the aspirants in Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Success in CAT depends not only on precision but also on time management.
Tips Before You Submit Your Form
It is essential that the candidate verifies all his or her personal and academic information before submitting the form because some of the information once submitted cannot be edited further.
Similarly, careful selection of exam cities and uploading of documents in the correct format is crucial to avoid the rejection of the application.
Login ID and proof of payment should also be saved by the candidate.
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Conclusion
The opening of the CAT 2026 registration window is the first step towards admission in the best MBA colleges in India. It is time now that candidates fulfill their applications well before the due date to prevent any trouble in last minute.
This will also give them enough time to concentrate fully on preparing for the exam coming later this year.
For an IIM or other best B-school aspirant, CAT 2026 registration is the first step.
