CAT 2026 Notification Released: Check Exam Date, Eligibility, Registration and Exam Pattern

CAT Exam 2026 Notification Latest Updates

• This year, the CAT 2026 is expected to be conducted on 29th November 2026.
• CAT Notification will be released by the last week of July 2026. It will include all the details about registration dates, exam pattern, registration process, etc.
• More than 2 lakh+ Candidates are expected to register for CAT 2026 exam this year.
•  This year, the CAT exam fee is expected to be INR 2,600 for General candidates, same as last year and INR 1,300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

CAT Notification 2026

The CAT exam notification will be released on the official website. The CAT 2026 exam is expected to take place on November 29, 2026. The CAT 2026 registration process is most likely to start from the 1st week of August, 2026, and the last date to register for the same is expected to be the 2nd week of September, with a further possibility of extension.

The CAT Notification 2026 will entail all the important information like CAT 2026 registration window dates, CAT eligibility criteria, CAT exam dates, CAT syllabus, CAT exam fee, and more.

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CAT Notification 2026 Release Date

CAT 2026 notification release date hasn’t been announced yet on the official CAT website. CAT notification PDF will include details like – 

• CAT 2026 registration dates and process
• Eligibility criteria
• Full exam schedule and dates.
• Application form fees
• Important Instructions

Each year, CAT is conducted by one of the older IIMs. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), which conducts CAT, changes every year. For CAT 2026, the conducting IIM has not yet been released, and the official confirmation will come once the official CAT 2026 notification is out.

Also Check: CAT Exam Syllabus

CAT Notification 2026 Important Dates

The official CAT 2026 notification has been released on the official website of IIM – iimcat.ac.in. The table below provides information about all the important events and dates related to CAT 2026 exam – 

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before you apply, make sure you meet the CAT eligibility criteria:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university.
• At least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) in graduation.
• Final-year students can apply, but must provide proof of completion at the time of admission.
• There is no age limit to appear for the CAT exam.

Note: Work experience is not mandatory, but it may help during interviews and final admissions.

CAT Registration Process 2026 

The entire CAT registration process is online and will take place on iimcat.ac.in once the portal opens. The CAT 2026 application form is expected to be live from August 1, 2026, and the registration process will begin from 10:00 AM onwards. Candidates can fill out the application form by following these simple steps below.

1. Create a CAT ID using your email and mobile number.
2. Log in to fill out the application form.
3. Enter personal, academic, and work experience details.
4. Choose 6 preferred test cities.
5. Upload scanned images of your photograph, signature, and any required certificates (Caste/PwD).
6. Pay the application fee online via card/UPI/net banking. CAT application fees for Gen, EWS and OBC candidates are Rs. 2500 and for SC/ST and PWD fees is Rs. 1500. Application fees are non-refundable.

We have an entire article dedicated to how to register for CAT and the whole CAT application form-filling process.

CAT 2026 Application Fee (Revised)

The conducting IIM have increased the application form fees for CAT 2026 exam. Candidates can see the table below to check the revised CAT registration fees –

CAT Exam Pattern 2026 

The CAT 2026 exam pattern is expected to follow the same exam pattern as the previous year’s exam. Here’s a detailed look:

• There are 2 types of questions: MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) & TITA (Type in the answer)
• TITA questions carry no negative marking.
• CAT is conducted in multiple slots in a computer-based format.

Related Articles –

CAT VARC Syllabus 2026

CAT DILR Syllabus 2026

CAT Quantitative Aptitude syllabus 2026

Conclusion

The CAT 2026 notification will be the official green signal for your MBA journey. Keep an eye on the announcement and ensure you’re ready to register without missing any important steps. Once it’s out, the clock will start ticking. If you’re serious about making it to the IIMs & top B-schools, starting early gives you a solid edge.

At Career Launcher, we’ve helped 3,00,000+ aspirants crack CAT and make it to their dream B-Schools. You could be next.

Prepare for CAT 2026 with Career Launcher’s CAT programs. Check Out  – CAT Online Coaching| CAT Test Series

Best of Luck!!