The IIM CAT Admission Online Form 2026 application deadline has been extended, giving eligible management aspirants additional time to complete their registration. The new last date to apply online is 22 September 2026 up to 05:00 PM. The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on 29 November 2026, while the admit card is expected to be available from 04 November 2026.
CAT is a major entrance examination for candidates seeking admission to postgraduate management programmes offered by participating Indian Institutes of Management. A valid CAT score can also be considered by other participating institutions according to their respective admission policies.
Candidates who have not completed their application should use the extended application window carefully and ensure that all required information, academic details, documents and fee payment are completed before the revised deadline.
Latest Update
The CAT 2026 online application last date has been extended to 22 September 2026 up to 05:00 PM.
The examination will be held on 29 November 2026. Candidates who successfully complete the registration process will be able to download their CAT admit card from 04 November 2026.
This extension is particularly useful for eligible candidates who had not completed their CAT registration within the earlier application schedule. Since the revised deadline includes a specific closing time, applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours.
Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | IIM CAT 2026 |
| Full Name | Common Admission Test 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | IIM CAT |
| Admission Type | Management Admission |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Begin | 03 August 2026 |
| Extended Last Date | 22 September 2026 |
| Last Time to Apply | 05:00 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 22 September 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Admit Card | 04 November 2026 |
| Result | January 2027 |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's Degree |
| Exam Frequency | Annual |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Begin | 03 August 2026 |
| Extended Last Date for Apply Online | 22 September 2026 |
| Application Closing Time | 05:00 PM |
| Last Date to Pay Exam Fee | 22 September 2026 |
| CAT Exam Date | 29 November 2026 |
| Admit Card Available | 04 November 2026 |
| Result | January 2027 |
The most important update is the extended application deadline of 22 September 2026. Candidates should complete both the online form and fee payment within the prescribed time.
Application Fee
| Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General | ₹2700 |
| OBC | ₹2700 |
| EWS | ₹2700 |
| SC | ₹1350 |
| ST | ₹1350 |
| PH | ₹1350 |
The examination fee can be paid through the available online payment methods, including Debit Card, Credit Card and Net Banking. The supplied application details also mention E-Challan as a payment mode.
Applicants should verify that the payment has been successfully completed and that the application status reflects the completed registration.
IIM CAT Eligibility 2026
Candidates applying for CAT 2026 should have a Bachelor's Degree in any stream with the prescribed minimum percentage.
| Candidate Category | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|
| General / Other Eligible Categories | 50% |
| SC / ST Candidates | 45% |
The degree should meet the eligibility conditions applicable to CAT 2026. Candidates should carefully check the detailed admission requirements before submitting the application because eligibility for subsequent admission to individual IIM programmes can include additional criteria.
Educational Qualification
A Bachelor's degree in any stream is accepted for CAT eligibility, subject to the prescribed minimum marks.
Candidates from different academic backgrounds can therefore appear for the examination. The CAT route is not restricted only to students who studied management, commerce or economics at graduation level.
Applicants should keep their academic information accurate while completing the form, particularly graduation details and marks, because these details can become relevant during the admission process.
Participating IIMs
The CAT 2026 participating IIMs listed in the provided admission details include:
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IIM Ahmedabad
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IIM Amritsar
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IIM Bangalore
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IIM Bodh Gaya
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IIM Calcutta
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IIM Guwahati
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IIM Indore
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IIM Jammu
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IIM Kashipur
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IIM Kozhikode
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IIM Lucknow
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IIM Mumbai
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IIM Nagpur
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IIM Raipur
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IIM Ranchi
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IIM Rohtak
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IIM Sambalpur
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IIM Shillong
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IIM Sirmaur
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IIM Tiruchirappalli
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IIM Udaipur
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IIM Visakhapatnam
Candidates should remember that the CAT examination is the entrance route, while individual IIMs can have their own programme-specific shortlisting and admission requirements.
CAT 2026 Admission Courses
The provided CAT 2026 admission details include management postgraduate and fellowship-level programmes.
Post Graduate Programmes in Management
The Post Graduate Programmes in Management (PGP) are among the major management study options associated with the participating IIMs.
Candidates seeking management education through the IIM system can use CAT as the entrance examination, subject to the admission rules of the individual institute and programme.
Fellowship Programmes in Management
The Fellowship Programmes in Management (FPM) / PhD are research-oriented programmes in management.
These programmes are different from regular postgraduate management courses because they are designed for advanced academic and research pursuits. Candidates interested in these programmes should carefully review the specific eligibility and selection requirements applicable to the institute and programme.
CAT 2026 Exam Date
The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for 29 November 2026.
Candidates should begin preparing well before the examination rather than waiting for the admit card release. Once the admit card becomes available, candidates should carefully check the examination instructions and venue details.
The CAT exam is important not only because of the examination score but also because the subsequent admission process can involve institute-specific criteria.
CAT Admit Card 2026
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be available from 04 November 2026.
Candidates who successfully complete registration should download the admit card once it becomes available and check all details carefully.
Important information to verify includes:
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Candidate name
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Registration details
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Examination date
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Examination centre
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Reporting information
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Photograph and other candidate details
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Examination instructions
Candidates should retain the admit card safely for examination day.
CAT Result 2026
The CAT 2026 result is expected in January 2027.
After the result is announced, candidates can use their CAT performance as part of the subsequent admission process, subject to the requirements of the individual participating IIM and programme.
A CAT score alone should not be treated as a universal guarantee of admission because each institute can apply its own selection and shortlisting criteria.
How to Apply for IIM CAT 2026
Candidates who are eligible and want to apply during the extended window can follow these general steps:
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Visit the CAT 2026 application portal.
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Complete the registration process using the required details.
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Enter personal and academic information carefully.
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Select the required examination-related preferences.
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Upload the documents, photograph and signature wherever required.
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Review the complete application form before final submission.
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Pay the applicable examination fee.
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Submit the application before 22 September 2026 at 05:00 PM.
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Save the confirmation/application details for future use.
Candidates should make sure that the information entered in the final application is accurate because incorrect academic or personal information can create problems later in the admission process.
Documents and Details Required
Applicants should keep their important information and documents ready before completing the online registration.
Depending on the application requirements, candidates may need information relating to:
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Personal details
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Valid contact information
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Academic qualification
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Graduation marks
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Category details, where applicable
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Photograph
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Signature
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Payment information
Candidates should ensure that uploaded files meet the prescribed format and size requirements shown in the application portal.
CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy
With the examination scheduled for 29 November 2026, candidates still have meaningful preparation time after completing the application.
A practical preparation approach is to divide study time between concept building, timed practice and mock examinations.
Candidates should:
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Build strong fundamentals before attempting advanced questions.
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Practise questions under time pressure.
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Maintain a record of mistakes.
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Regularly revise weak areas.
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Take full-length mocks and analyse performance.
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Work on speed without sacrificing accuracy.
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Keep separate revision notes for frequently missed concepts.
The final preparation stage should focus more on test strategy and revision rather than continuously adding new study material.
Important Points for CAT Applicants
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The CAT 2026 application last date has been extended to 22 September 2026.
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The application window closes at 05:00 PM on the last date.
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The last date for examination fee payment is also 22 September 2026.
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CAT 2026 is scheduled for 29 November 2026.
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The admit card is scheduled for 04 November 2026.
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The result is expected in January 2027.
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General eligibility requires a Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks.
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SC/ST candidates require at least 45% marks as provided in the eligibility details.
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The General/OBC/EWS fee is ₹2700.
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The SC/ST/PH fee is ₹1350.
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Candidates should carefully review the application before final submission.
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Admission after CAT depends on the applicable criteria of the individual institute and programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
The CAT 2026 application last date has been extended to 22 September 2026. The online application window closes at 05:00 PM on that date.
2. When will the CAT 2026 examination be conducted?
The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for 29 November 2026. Candidates should keep the date available and follow the instructions provided with the admit card.
3. When will the CAT 2026 admit card be available?
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be available from 04 November 2026. Candidates who complete the application successfully should download it when the facility opens.
4. What is the CAT 2026 application fee for General candidates?
The application fee for General, OBC and EWS candidates is ₹2700. The applicable fee should be paid within the prescribed application period.
5. What is the CAT 2026 fee for SC, ST and PH candidates?
The fee for SC, ST and PH candidates is ₹1350. Candidates should select the correct category while completing the application.
6. What is the minimum qualification for CAT 2026?
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree in any stream with at least 50% marks under the provided eligibility criteria. The minimum requirement for SC/ST candidates is 45% marks.
7. Can graduates from any stream apply for CAT 2026?
Yes. The provided eligibility permits candidates with a Bachelor's degree in any stream to apply, provided they meet the prescribed minimum marks requirement.
8. When will the CAT 2026 result be released?
The CAT 2026 result is expected in January 2027. The result date can be updated when the examination authority provides further information.
9. Which IIMs are participating in CAT 2026?
The participating institutes listed include IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Shillong, Udaipur and several other IIMs. The complete participating-IIM list is provided above.
10. What courses are mentioned under CAT 2026 admission?
The provided details mention Post Graduate Programmes in Management (PGP) and Fellowship Programmes in Management (FPM)/PhD. Individual institutes may have different programme-specific admission conditions.
11. Can I apply for CAT 2026 after the original deadline?
The application deadline has been extended, so eligible candidates can complete the application within the revised window ending 22 September 2026 at 05:00 PM.
12. What is the CAT 2026 exam date?
CAT 2026 is scheduled to be held on 29 November 2026. Candidates should also check their admit card for the examination instructions and centre information.
13. What payment methods are available for the CAT application fee?
The provided payment options include Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking and E-Challan. Applicants should complete payment successfully before the application deadline.
14. Is 45% marks enough for SC/ST candidates to apply for CAT 2026?
The supplied eligibility details specify 45% minimum marks for SC/ST candidates. Candidates should also satisfy the remaining eligibility conditions applicable to CAT 2026.
15. Is CAT score enough to guarantee admission to an IIM?
No. A CAT score is used as part of the admission process, but individual IIMs can apply their own shortlisting and selection criteria. Candidates should consider the programme-specific admission requirements as well.
16. What should I do after submitting the CAT 2026 application?
Save your application details and payment confirmation safely. Continue preparation for the 29 November 2026 examination and download the admit card once it becomes available.
17. What is the application closing time on 22 September 2026?
The CAT 2026 online application closes at 05:00 PM on 22 September 2026. Applicants should not wait until the final minutes to submit their form or payment.
18. When does CAT 2026 registration begin?
The CAT 2026 application process began on 03 August 2026. The deadline has subsequently been extended to 22 September 2026.
19. Is CAT 2026 only for management graduates?
No. Candidates with a Bachelor's degree in any stream can apply if they meet the prescribed eligibility requirements. The examination is therefore open to graduates from diverse academic backgrounds.
20. What is the current status of CAT 2026 admission registration?
The CAT 2026 application deadline has been extended. Eligible candidates now have until 22 September 2026 at 05:00 PM to complete the online application and fee payment.
Final Update
The IIM CAT Admission Online Form 2026 deadline has been extended, and eligible candidates now have until 22 September 2026 at 05:00 PM to complete their registration. The examination is scheduled for 29 November 2026, followed by the expected admit card release on 04 November and result in January 2027.
Candidates who are planning to pursue management education through the IIM system should use the extended window carefully. Complete the form, verify academic details, pay the applicable fee and preserve the application confirmation for future admission-related requirements.