The wait is finally over. The CAT 2026 notification has been officially released. It brings clarity on everything aspirants have been tracking for weeks — the exact exam date, the registration timeline, the revised application fee structure, and the eligibility conditions every candidate must meet before applying. If you’re planning to appear for the Common Admission Test this year, this notification is the single most important document you’ll read all season, because every deadline in your CAT 2026 prep calendar now flows from it.
This guide breaks down the CAT 2026 notification in plain language — no jargon, no guesswork — so you know exactly what to do next and by when.
CAT 2026 Notification: Quick Snapshot
Before diving into the details, here’s a bird’s-eye view of what the notification confirms.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Indian Institute of Management (rotational basis) |
| Notification Release Date | 25 July 2026 |
| Exam Date | Sunday, 29 November 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Number of Sessions | 3 sessions |
| Test Cities | Approximately 170 cities across India |
| Application Fee (General/EWS/NC-OBC) | ₹2,700 |
| Application Fee (SC/ST/PwD) | ₹1,350 |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
Keep this table bookmarked—it’s your one-glance reference for the entire admission cycle.
What Does the CAT 2026 Notification Contain?
The CAT notification 2026 isn’t just a one-line announcement—it’s a detailed information bulletin that governs the entire exam cycle. Once released, it typically covers:
- The complete registration schedule, including start and end dates
- Eligibility criteria for general and reserved categories
- The application fee structure and accepted payment modes
- Reservation policy for SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates
- Test city preferences and allotment process
- Admit card release schedule
- Exam pattern and duration
- Score validity and result declaration timeline
Every candidate is expected to go through the official bulletin carefully before starting the registration process. Even small errors in the application form — an incorrect category selection or a mismatched document — can affect shortlisting later in the admission cycle.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
Here’s the complete timeline candidates need to track once the CAT 2026 notification is out. Mark these dates in your calendar the moment registration opens, since the CAT application window typically doesn’t stay open for more than about six weeks.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | 25 July 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Begins | 03 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Register | 15 September 2026 |
| Application Form Correction Window | Late September 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Early November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Early January 2027 |
A quick tip: registration windows tend to see a last-minute rush in the final week, which sometimes causes payment gateway delays. Completing your application at least a few days before the deadline is a small habit that avoids a lot of unnecessary stress.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
The application fee is one of the first practical details candidates check once the CAT 2026 notification goes live, since it directly affects how you plan your registration payment.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,350 |
How to Pay the CAT 2026 Application Fee
- Log in to your CAT 2026 registration account using your generated User ID and password.
- Complete all sections of the application form—personal details, academic records, work experience (if any), and program preferences.
- Select your test city preferences.
- Proceed to the payment gateway and choose your preferred payment method.
- Download and save the fee payment confirmation receipt for future reference.
Keeping a copy of this receipt is a small step that can save a lot of back-and-forth if there’s ever a payment discrepancy during verification.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is where most first-time applicants have questions, so let’s go section by section.
Educational Qualification
To meet the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria, a candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA) from a university incorporated by an Act of Parliament or State legislature, or an institution declared to be a deemed university.
For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum qualifying requirement is relaxed to 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
Candidates who hold a professional qualification such as CA, CS, or ICWA/CMA or are a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the required percentage.
Final-Year Students
Students currently in their final year of a bachelor’s degree, or those awaiting results, can also apply for CAT 2026. However, if shortlisted, they must submit proof of having completed their degree with the required percentage by the date specified by the respective institute — usually by the end of the admission year. Failing to produce this proof can lead to the offer being withdrawn, so final-year candidates should keep their documentation ready well in advance.
Age Limit
There is no upper or lower age limit to appear for CAT. The only requirement is meeting the educational qualification described above. There is also no restriction on the number of attempts—candidates can appear for CAT as many times as they choose.
Academic Gaps
A gap year does not disqualify a candidate from applying for CAT 2026. That said, candidates with academic or career gaps should be prepared to explain them clearly and constructively during the Written Ability Test and Personal Interview rounds later in the admission process, since institute panels often ask about this directly.
CAT 2026 Reservation Policy
As per Government of India norms for centrally funded institutions, CAT 2026 reserves seats across categories as follows:
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|
| SC | 15% | 45% |
| ST | 7.5% | 45% |
| NC-OBC | 27% | 50% |
| EWS | Up to 10% | 50% |
| PwD | 5% (horizontal, across all categories) | 45% |
Reserved-category candidates must upload valid certificates in the prescribed format during registration — this includes caste certificates for SC/ST/NC-OBC candidates, income and asset certificates for EWS candidates, and disability certificates from a government medical board for PwD candidates. Certificates issued well before the application window, but within the validity period specified in the notification, are generally accepted; it’s worth double-checking the exact issue-date requirement in the official bulletin before uploading.
Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration
Keep the following ready before you begin the application, so the process doesn’t get interrupted midway:
- A recent, clear colour photograph against a white background
- A scanned signature in black ink
- A valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID)
- Class 10, Class 12, and graduation mark sheets
- Category certificate (SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD), if applicable
- Work experience proof, if claiming work experience points
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern at a Glance
While the notification’s primary focus is dates, fees, and eligibility, it’s useful to know what the exam itself looks like once you’ve registered.
| Section | Approximate Duration |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 40 minutes |
Each section carries a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions. MCQs typically carry a negative marking of one mark for every wrong answer, while TITA questions usually don’t attract negative marking, which makes smart question selection just as important as raw accuracy while attempting the paper.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During CAT 2026 Registration
Every year, a small but avoidable percentage of applications run into trouble simply because of last-minute errors. Here’s what to watch for once the CAT 2026 registration window opens:
- Mismatched category details: Selecting the wrong category or uploading a certificate that doesn’t match the selected category can lead to your application being processed at the general fee or flagged during verification.
- Blurry or non-compliant photographs: The photograph and signature specifications are strict. A photo with a colored background, poor resolution, or an outdated signature scan is one of the most common reasons applications get sent back for correction.
- Incorrect test city preferences: Candidates are usually asked to rank multiple test city preferences. Selecting only one, or ranking cities inconsistently with your actual availability, can reduce your chances of getting a convenient allotment.
- Submitting the form at the last minute: Server load tends to spike sharply in the final 48 hours before the deadline. Payment failures during this window are common, and a failed payment close to the deadline can be difficult to resolve in time.
- Skipping the correction window: The correction window that typically follows registration exists precisely to fix genuine errors. Ignoring it because “the form is already submitted” means any mistake stays uncorrected for the rest of the cycle.
Treating registration as a task to finish early—rather than one to squeeze in before the deadline—solves almost all of these problems on its own.
Why the CAT 2026 Notification Matters for Your Preparation
It’s easy to treat a notification as an administrative formality, but it actually does something more useful for serious aspirants—it converts an uncertain prep timeline into a fixed one. Once the exam date and registration window are confirmed, you can work backward and build a realistic month-by-month study plan instead of preparing against a moving target.
With the exam date now locked for 29 November 2026, aspirants have a clear runway to structure their preparation—strengthening fundamentals first, moving into sectional practice, and dedicating the final weeks to full-length mock tests under timed conditions. If you haven’t already mapped out a structured study plan, this is the right moment to build one around the confirmed timeline.
For a deeper look at how to structure your months, check out our CAT 2026 preparation strategy.
For the most accurate, up-to-date information, always cross-check details against the official CAT website.
Conclusion
The release of the CAT 2026 notification marks the official start of this year’s MBA admission cycle. With the exam date, application fee, eligibility conditions, and reservation policy now confirmed, aspirants no longer need to prepare around estimates — every deadline from here on is fixed. The best next step is simple: read the official bulletin carefully, keep your documents ready, register well before the deadline, and use the confirmed exam date to build a focused, structured preparation plan for the months ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When will the CAT 2026 notification be released?
The CAT 2026 notification was officially released on 25 July 2026 on the official website, iimcat.ac.in.
Q2. What is the CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, 29 November 2026, in three sessions across approximately 170 test cities.
Q3. What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
The application fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
Q4. What is the minimum eligibility for CAT 2026?
Candidates need a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.
Q5. Can final-year students apply for CAT 2026?
Yes. Final-year students can apply, but they must submit proof of degree completion with the required percentage by the deadline specified by their shortlisting institute.
Q6. Is there an age limit for CAT 2026?
No, there is no minimum or maximum age limit to appear for CAT, and there is no cap on the number of attempts.
Q7. When does CAT 2026 registration close?
Based on the notification, registration is expected to close on 15 September 2026, with a possible correction window later in September.
Q8. Is the CAT 2026 application fee refundable?
No, the application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, including withdrawal or rejection of the application.
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