CAT 2026 Notification Released at iimcat.ac.in; Check Exam Date, Registration Schedule, and Fee

Good news for everyone waiting on CAT 2026 — the notification is finally here. IIM Indore, which is running the show this year, has updated its website with all the important stuff: exam dates, eligibility rules, and the full information brochure. Head over to iimcat.ac.in to see it for yourself.

Here's the big one — CAT 2026 will be held on November 29, and it'll be conducted in over 170 cities across the country, so there's a good chance a test centre isn't too far from you. Usually, this notification drops on the last Sunday of July, but this year IIM Indore jumped the gun a little and put it out a day early. Don't worry if you're someone who likes seeing things in print — the official notification will still show up in newspapers tomorrow, right on schedule.

Registration, Fees, and What's New This Year

Here's what you need to know about registering and the fee this year:

• Registration opens: August 3, 2026
• Registration closes: September 15, 2026
• Total window: About six weeks — plenty of time, but don't wait till the last minute. Registering early actually improves your odds of getting your preferred test city, since seats at each centre fill up on a first-come basis.

So apart from the fee bump, it's pretty much business as usual — IIM Indore is sticking with the same exam format it's used for two years running.

CAT 2026 Key Details at a Glance

Exam Slots and Timing

You won't just get one shot at a fixed time — CAT 2026 runs in three slots on exam day, so there's some flexibility depending on what works for you.

Each section gets a strict 40-minute window. If you're a PwD candidate, you'll get 13 minutes and 20 seconds extra per section, as per the standard accommodation rules.

How to Register for CAT 2026 (Step by Step)

Registering is fairly simple if you just follow these steps in order:

1. Go to iimcat.ac.in and click on 'New Registration'.
2. Fill in your name, date of birth, nationality, phone number, and email ID.
3. Verify yourself with the OTP sent to your phone or email.
4. Log in and start your CAT 2026 application form.
5. Add personal details like category, gender, address, and communication info.
6. Enter your academic scores — Class 10, Class 12, your bachelor's degree, and PG marks if you have them.
7. Mention your work experience, if you have any. It's not compulsory, but IIMs sometimes look at it during WAT-PI shortlisting.
8. Pick up to five test cities in order of preference — put your current city first for a better chance of getting it.
9. Upload a recent photo, your signature, and any required certificates (self-attested, in PDF format).
10. Pay the fee through card, net banking, or Paytm/PayU, and make sure you save the payment confirmation.

A Few Things Worth Remembering

Once you hit submit, you can't change much. Only your photo, signature, or city can be edited — and that too only during a short 2-3 day correction window. So take your time and check everything carefully before submitting. Also, don't lose the fee payment slip — you'll need it later when it's time to download your admit card.

Why This Matters

CAT is still the main gateway into IIMs and a whole bunch of other top B-schools in India. With registration opening August 3, you've now got a clear timeline ahead of you — enough time to sort out your documents, think through your test-city choices, and get everything in well before the September 15 deadline.

Keep an Eye On

Keep checking iimcat.ac.in for the admit card release, updates on your test city allotment, and any other announcements as November 29 gets closer.