IIM Indore has updated the official CAT 2026 website with exam dates, eligibility criteria, and the information brochure. The CAT 2026 exam will be held on November 29, 2026, across 170 test cities. Normally, the IIM CAT notification is released on the last Sunday of July. This year, the website update came a day earlier. Candidates can also access the CAT 2026 notification at iimcat.ac.in.
As per the official notification, CAT 2026 registration will begin on August 3, 2026, and continue until September 15, 2026. The exam fee has been revised from INR 2,600 to INR 2,700. There is no change in the CAT exam pattern or CAT syllabus for 2026.
CAT 2026 Official Brochure Download Link
As per the official CAT 2026 notification, the updated information brochure has been released online. The PDF download link is provided in the table below for easy access:
| Particular | PDF Download Link |
| CAT 2026 Information Bulletin | Click Here |
CAT 2026 Notification: Important Dates
IIM Indore has officially released the CAT 2026 notification. Candidates can check the important dates of the exam in the table below:
| Events | CAT 2026 Dates |
| CAT 2026 Registration Begins | August 03, 2026 at 10:00 AM (IST) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Ends | September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM (IST) |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Download Begins | November 04, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Day | November 29, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result | First week of January 2027 (Tentative) |
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Before starting the CAT 2026 application, candidates must check the eligibility criteria to confirm they can appear for the exam. The detailed CAT eligibility criteria are listed below:
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree of at least three years from a recognized university.
- For CAT 2026, general category candidates must secure at least 50% marks in graduation, while SC/ST candidates need a minimum of 45%.
- Students in the final year of graduation are eligible to apply for CAT 2026, provided they complete their degree within the specific timeframe.
- Work experience is not mandatory to apply for CAT 2026. However, having professional experience can provide an advantage during MBA admissions.
- As per the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria, there is no age limit for candidates applying to the exam.
CAT 2026 Registration Fees
The CAT 2026 registration fee has been revised this year. General category candidates will now pay INR 2,700 instead of INR 2,600, while SC/ST/PwD candidates will continue to pay INR 1,350.
| Category | CAT Registration Fee |
| General / NC-OBC | INR 2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | INR 1,350 |
CAT 2026 Reservation Criteria
As per the official CAT 2026 notification, the reservation policy follows Government of India guidelines. Candidates from different categories are allotted specific percentages of seats to ensure fair representation. The complete details are mentioned in the table below:
| Category | CAT 2026 Reservation Percentage |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes – NC‑OBC | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Disability (PwD) | 5% |
FAQs – CAT 2026 Notification
Ques: Does the CAT 2026 notification mention any changes in exam pattern or syllabus?
Ans: No changes have been announced in the CAT 2026 exam pattern or syllabus. The test will continue to have three sections – Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). The syllabus remains consistent with previous years, ensuring aspirants can prepare with standard resources.
Ques: How does the CAT 2026 notification address reservation criteria?
Ans: The notification clearly states that reservations will be applied as per Government of India norms. Candidates must submit valid certificates to claim benefits under SC, ST, OBC‑NC, EWS, or PwD categories. Without proper documentation, the application will be considered under the general category.
Ques: How many test cities are available for CAT 2026?
Ans: CAT 2026 will be conducted across 170 test cities in India. Candidates can select their preferred test city while filling out the application form. The final test center is allotted based on availability and preferences indicated during registration.
