The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have officially started the CAT 2026 Online Application Form for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes. Candidates who wish to pursue management education at the IIMs and other participating institutes can now complete the online registration process before the closing date.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is one of India's most competitive MBA entrance examinations. Every year, lakhs of graduates appear for the exam to secure admission into prestigious management institutes across the country. Interested candidates should check the eligibility criteria, important dates, application fee, participating institutes, and admission process before submitting the application form.
IIM CAT 2026 Important Dates
Application Begin: 03 August 2026
Last Date to Apply Online: 15 September 2026 (Up to 05:00 PM)
Last Date for Fee Payment: 15 September 2026
Admit Card Available: 04 November 2026
CAT 2026 Exam Date: 29 November 2026
Result Declaration: January 2027
Candidates are advised to complete their registration well before the last date to avoid server congestion during the final days.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹2700/- |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1350/- |
Payment Mode
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Debit Card
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Credit Card
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Net Banking
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E-Challan
IIM CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must satisfy the following eligibility requirements before applying:
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Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
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Minimum 50% marks or equivalent CGPA for General, OBC, and EWS candidates.
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Minimum 45% marks for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
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Final-year graduation students who are likely to complete their degree within the prescribed schedule are also eligible as per CAT admission guidelines.
Applicants should read the official notification carefully for complete eligibility conditions.
Participating IIMs in CAT 2026
Admission through CAT 2026 scores will be offered by the following Indian Institutes of Management:
- Ahmedabad , Amritsar , Bangalore ,Bodh Gaya ,Calcutta ,Guwahati, Indore , Jammu , Kashipur , Kozhikode
- Lucknow , Mumbai , Nagpur , Raipur , Ranchi , Rohtak, Sambalpur
- Shillong , Sirmaur ,Tiruchirappalli , Udaipur ,Visakhapatnam
Apart from these IIMs, several leading business schools across India also accept CAT scores for MBA admissions.
CAT 2026 Course Details
| Course Name | Programme |
|---|---|
| Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) | MBA / Management Programme |
| Fellowship Programme in Management (FPM) | Doctoral (PhD) Programme in Management |
Different IIMs may offer additional specialized management programmes based on their admission policy.
Why Choose CAT 2026?
CAT is recognized as one of India's most prestigious MBA entrance examinations. A good CAT percentile opens admission opportunities not only in the IIMs but also in numerous top-ranked management institutes.
Benefits include:
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Admission to premier IIM campuses.
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Better placement opportunities.
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High-quality management education.
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National-level recognition.
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Access to industry-oriented curriculum.
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Opportunities for leadership and management careers.
How to Apply for IIM CAT Online Form 2026
Candidates can complete the application process by following these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official CAT admission portal.
Step 2: Register using your email ID and mobile number.
Step 3: Verify the registration through OTP or email.
Step 4: Login with your credentials.
Step 5: Fill personal, academic, and communication details.
Step 6: Upload passport-size photograph, signature, and required documents.
Step 7: Select preferred IIM programmes and examination cities.
Step 8: Pay the application fee online.
Step 9: Submit the application form.
Step 10: Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before applying:
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Graduation Mark Sheets
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Degree Certificate (if applicable)
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Recent Passport-size Photograph
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Signature
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Category Certificate (if applicable)
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PwD Certificate (if applicable)
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Valid Email ID
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Mobile Number
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Government-issued Identity Proof
CAT 2026 Selection Process
Admission to participating institutes generally involves:
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CAT 2026 Computer-Based Test (CBT)
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Shortlisting based on CAT Score
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Written Ability Test (if applicable)
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Personal Interview
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Final Merit List
The selection process may differ from one participating institute to another.
Important Instructions
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Ensure all details entered in the application form are correct.
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Upload documents only in the prescribed format and size.
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Pay the application fee before the deadline.
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Keep the registration number and login credentials secure.
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Download the admit card once it becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When did the IIM CAT 2026 Online Form start?
The CAT 2026 application process started on 03 August 2026.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 15 September 2026 (up to 5:00 PM).
Q3. What is the CAT 2026 exam date?
The CAT 2026 examination will be conducted on 29 November 2026.
Q4. What is the minimum qualification for CAT 2026?
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
Q5. What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
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General/OBC/EWS: ₹2700
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SC/ST/PwD: ₹1350
Q6. Which IIMs accept CAT 2026 scores?
CAT scores are accepted by all participating IIMs including Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, Shillong, Udaipur, Ranchi, Raipur, Nagpur, Jammu, Bodh Gaya, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, Amritsar, Sirmaur, Sambalpur, Tiruchirappalli, Guwahati, Kashipur, and Rohtak.