CAT 2026 Registration: Important Dates, Exam Date and Application Details
CAT 2026 Registration: Important Dates, Exam Date and Application Details
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is being conducted by IIM Indore on behalf of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). CAT is a major entrance examination for candidates aspiring to pursue management education at IIMs and other participating institutions.
According to the official CAT 2026 press release, CAT 2026 registration will begin on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM and close on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Candidates planning to appear for CAT 2026 should complete their registration well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
CAT 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Common Admission Test 2026 |
| Short Name | CAT 2026 |
| Conducting Institute | IIM Indore |
| Exam Convener | Prof. Aditya Billore, IIM Indore |
| Registration Starts | August 3, 2026 |
| Registration Time | 10:00 AM |
| Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Number of Sessions | Three |
| Approx. Test Cities | 170 |
| Preferred Cities | Candidates can choose five |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes |
| Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
The official release states that CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026 (Sunday) in three sessions.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should keep the following CAT 2026 dates in mind:
| Event | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Registration Begins | August 3, 2026 |
| Registration Start Time | 10:00 AM |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Registration Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
| Registration Form Edit Window | To be announced after registration closes |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Exam Sessions | Three |
The registration edit window will be available for a short period after registration closes.
CAT 2026 Registration
CAT 2026 registration opens on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
The last date to complete registration is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Candidates are advised to register well in advance rather than waiting until the final day.
CAT 2026 Registration Schedule
Registration Start: August 3, 2026
Registration Time: 10:00 AM
Last Date: September 15, 2026
Last Time: 5:00 PM
The official CAT Centre has advised candidates to register early to avoid a last-minute rush.
CAT 2026 Exam Date
The CAT 2026 examination will be conducted on November 29, 2026 (Sunday).
The examination will be conducted in three sessions.
However, IIMs reserve the right to change the examination date and time if circumstances require such a change.
CAT 2026 Test Cities
CAT 2026 will be conducted in approximately 170 cities across India.
Candidates will have the option to select five preferred test cities while completing the registration form.
The CAT Centre will make efforts to allot a test centre from the candidate’s preferred choices. However, in case of high demand in a particular region, a centre close to one of the preferred cities may be allotted.
Important: Once a test centre is allotted, candidates cannot request a change.
CAT 2026 Application Form Edit Window
After the registration deadline, a short edit window will be provided to successfully registered candidates.
According to the official notification, candidates will be able to edit the following details, if required:
- Photograph
- Signature
- Test City Preferences
This facility will be available only to candidates who have successfully registered and paid the applicable registration fee within the prescribed deadline.
Important
Candidates should not assume that every field in the application form can be edited. The official release specifically mentions only the above fields for the edit window.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2026 examination will have a total duration of 120 minutes.
The test consists of three sections:
| Section | Subject |
|---|---|
| Section I | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
| Section II | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
| Section III | Quantitative Ability |
Candidates will receive 40 minutes for each section.
An important rule is that candidates cannot switch between sections while answering questions in a particular section.
CAT 2026 Section-Wise Time
| Section | Time |
|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability | 40 minutes |
| Total | 120 minutes |
A mock examination will also be made available on the official CAT website to help candidates understand the examination format.
CAT 2026 Official Website
Candidates should be extremely careful while accessing the CAT application portal.
The official CAT 2026 press release clearly states that the sole official website for CAT 2026 is iimcat.ac.in. Candidates should verify the website address before entering personal information or making any payment.
Official Website: CAT 2026 Official Website
Candidates are advised not to provide personal details or make payments through suspicious or unauthorized websites.
CAT 2026: Important Safety Advisory
Candidates should follow these precautions:
- Always verify that the website address is iimcat.ac.in.
- Do not share personal information on suspicious websites.
- Do not make payments through unofficial platforms.
- Be careful about fraudulent CAT-related websites and links.
- Report suspicious activity to the CAT help desk.
The official press release provides the CAT help desk email as cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in.
Who Should Register for CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 is relevant for candidates planning to pursue management education and seeking admission through the IIM admission process.
Candidates should carefully check the official CAT website and the applicable admission requirements before applying. The press release provided here focuses primarily on the CAT 2026 examination schedule, registration, test cities, edit window and examination structure; it does not provide detailed eligibility criteria. Therefore, eligibility details should be checked from the official CAT information before publishing specific qualification requirements.
How to Apply for CAT 2026?
Candidates can follow these general steps when the registration portal opens:
- Visit the official CAT website.
- Complete the CAT 2026 registration process.
- Enter the required personal and academic details.
- Select the preferred test cities.
- Upload the required documents as specified in the application form.
- Pay the applicable registration fee.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
- Save or download the submitted application for future reference.
Important: Candidates should follow the instructions displayed on the official CAT 2026 portal while completing the application.
CAT 2026 Registration Last Date
The last date to register for CAT 2026 is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Candidates are strongly advised not to wait until the last day. The CAT Convener has specifically encouraged test takers to register early to avoid a last-minute rush.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will CAT 2026 registration start?
CAT 2026 registration will start on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
2. What is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
The last date to register for CAT 2026 is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
3. When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026 (Sunday) in three sessions.
4. How many cities will host CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 will be conducted in approximately 170 cities. Candidates can select five preferred cities.
5. Can I change my CAT test centre after it is allotted?
No. The official release states that once a centre is allotted, no change is permitted.
6. Can I edit my CAT 2026 application after registration closes?
A short edit window will be provided after registration closes. The specified editable fields are photograph, signature and test city preferences.
7. What is the duration of CAT 2026?
The total duration of CAT 2026 is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each of the three sections.
8. What are the sections in CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 has three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- Quantitative Ability
9. What is the official website for CAT 2026?
The official website is iimcat.ac.in. Candidates should be cautious of unauthorized websites claiming to provide CAT 2026 registration services.
10. Is the CAT 2026 exam date final?
The scheduled CAT 2026 examination date is November 29, 2026. However, the IIMs reserve the right to change the date or time if circumstances warrant.
CAT 2026: Key Points for Candidates
Before applying, candidates should remember:
✔ Registration starts: August 3, 2026
✔ Registration ends: September 15, 2026
✔ Exam date: November 29, 2026
✔ Test cities: Approximately 170
✔ City preferences: Five
✔ Exam duration: 120 minutes
✔ Sections: Three
✔ Edit window: Photograph, signature and test city preferences
✔ Official website: iimcat.ac.in
Final Words
CAT 2026 is an important opportunity for management aspirants planning to pursue admission to IIMs. Candidates should complete their registration within the prescribed deadline and carefully verify all information before submitting the application.
Most importantly, applicants should use only the official CAT 2026 website for registration and examination-related updates. The CAT Centre has advised candidates to regularly check the official website because information may change based on decisions and directives of the IIMs and governments.
Source: Official CAT 2026 Press Release issued by IIM Indore, dated July 26, 2026.
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