Overview
The IIM Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 registration window has opened for candidates seeking admission to postgraduate management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management and other participating business schools. CAT is an entrance examination rather than a recruitment drive, so the total number of posts or vacancies is not applicable; admission seats will vary across participating institutes.
Applicants should complete the online registration process through iimcat.ac.in and carefully review the CAT 2026 information bulletin before submitting their forms.
Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Organization | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
| Post Name | CAT 2026 for postgraduate management admissions |
| Total Vacancies | Not applicable; institute-wise admission seats vary |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Application Start | Open now; exact date TBA |
| Last Date | TBA, likely in September 2026 |
| Exam Date | TBA, expected in November 2026 |
| Result Date | TBA, expected in January 2027 |
Candidates should treat the expected schedule as tentative until the detailed CAT 2026 notification confirms the dates. The registration deadline, correction window, admit card schedule and test-day timings will be published on the official portal.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university or educational institution.
- General, EWS and NC-OBC applicants are generally required to have at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA in the qualifying degree.
- SC, ST and PwD candidates are generally required to obtain at least 45% marks or an equivalent CGPA.
- Candidates appearing in the final year of their bachelor’s degree, as well as those awaiting final results, may apply subject to the conditions specified in the official notification.
- Applicants possessing recognised professional qualifications such as CA, CS, CMA or equivalent credentials may also be eligible under the prescribed CAT rules.
- Meeting the CAT eligibility requirements does not automatically guarantee admission. Each IIM and participating institution may apply separate academic, work-experience and category-based shortlisting criteria.
Age Limit
- There is generally no upper age limit for appearing in CAT.
- No minimum age has been separately prescribed beyond the requirement to possess, or be completing, the qualifying degree.
- Candidates must ensure they satisfy the admission conditions of the institution to which they intend to apply.
Fees
- The CAT 2026 application fee is TBA and will be confirmed in the official information bulletin.
- A concessional fee is generally provided to eligible SC, ST and PwD candidates.
- The fee must be paid online using the available payment methods, such as debit card, credit card, net banking or UPI.
- Registration charges are normally non-refundable. Applicants should verify all entered information before making payment.
Selection Process
- CAT 2026 examination: Registered candidates will take the computer-based admission test, which generally assesses Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability.
- Institute-level shortlisting: Participating IIMs and business schools will prepare shortlists using CAT scores, academic performance, category, work experience and other criteria specified in their admission policies.
- Final admission stages: Shortlisted applicants may have to attend a Personal Interview, Written Ability Test, Group Discussion or other assessment before the final merit list is prepared.
How to Apply
- Visit the official CAT website at iimcat.ac.in using a secure browser and open the CAT 2026 registration section.
- Select the new candidate registration option and enter a valid name, date of birth, mobile number, email address and other basic details. These details should match the applicant’s official records.
- Complete mobile number and email verification, if required, and use the generated user ID and password to sign in.
- Fill in personal, communication, academic and work-experience information carefully. Candidates must also select their category, preferred interview cities and test-city choices as instructed.
- Upload a recent photograph, signature and applicable category or disability certificates in the specified format and file size.
- Review the completed application form, pay the prescribed fee through the online payment gateway and submit the form before the deadline.
- Download the confirmation page and retain the application number, payment receipt and a copy of the submitted form for future reference.
Applicants should not create multiple registrations unless specifically permitted. Errors in the name, date of birth, category or academic details may affect candidature and admission verification.
Important Links
FAQs
1. Who can apply for IIM CAT 2026?
Graduates from any discipline who meet the prescribed percentage requirements can apply. Final-year bachelor’s degree students may also register provisionally, subject to the official conditions.
2. Is there an age limit for CAT 2026?
CAT generally has no upper age limit. Eligibility is primarily determined by the candidate’s educational qualification and marks.
3. Does qualifying CAT guarantee admission to an IIM?
No. A qualifying CAT score only makes a candidate eligible for further consideration. Each IIM applies its own cut-offs, shortlisting formula, interview process and final admission criteria.
