CAT 2026 Official Notification: Registration, Dates, and Eligibility Details
Indian Institutes of Management — Department of Higher Education
Executive Summary & Key Facts
The Indian Institutes of Management has issued an official recruitment notification for Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026, announcing a total of multiple vacancies located in All India. The online application window opens on 03 August 2026 and closes on 15 September 2026. To be eligible, applicants must hold Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC/ST/PwBD)., with category relaxation applicable as per government guidelines. The selection procedure comprises Computer Based Test (CAT) followed by individual IIM selection processes including interviews and academic evaluation.. For complete guidelines, syllabus breakdown, and official notification PDF, refer to the verified information below on ApplySarkariJob.
📅 Important Dates & Schedule
| Exam Date | 29 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Admit Card Available | 04 Nov 2026 |
| Result Date | 01 Jan 2027 |
📝 Detailed Notification Guide
CAT 2026 Examination Overview
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have officially announced the schedule for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026. This computer-based entrance examination serves as the mandatory selection process for admission into MBA, PGP, and other management programmes across all 21 IIMs and various participating non-IIM institutions in India.
CAT 2026 Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | 3 August 2026 |
| Registration Closes | 15 September 2026 |
| Admit Card Availability | 4 November 2026 to 29 November 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Tentative) | January 2027 (First Week) |
Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026
To be eligible for the entrance test, candidates must meet one of the following academic requirements:
- A Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates) or equivalent CGPA.
- Completion of professional degrees such as CA, CS, ICWA, or FIAI with the required percentage.
- Final-year students of a Bachelor’s degree programme are eligible to apply provisionally.
Note: The application fee is a non-refundable one-time payment, regardless of the number of IIMs applied to.
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Document Upload: Candidates belonging to reserved categories must upload valid certificates at the time of registration. For NC-OBC/EWS candidates, certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026.
- Test Cities: Applicants must select five preferred test cities. Allotment is subject to availability and administrative discretion.
- Result Validity: CAT 2026 scores remain valid until December 31, 2027.
- Official Communication: Always rely on the official portal for updates. Avoid third-party websites for registration or notification downloads.
