The CAT 2026 official notification was released on July 25-26, 2026 by IIM Indore, the convener this year. It is the document that fixes the rules for the whole cycle: eligibility, dates, fee, exam pattern and the process followed after the result.
Always read the notification once in full before filling the form. It is the final word if any website, including this one, differs from it.
What the CAT 2026 notification contains
- Eligibility rules for graduation marks, final-year students and professional degrees
- Registration start and end dates, and the application fee
- Exam date, number of slots and test cities
- Exam pattern, section timings and marking scheme
- Rules for reservation, PwD candidates and documents
- How the result, scorecard and IIM selection process will work
Key dates announced
- July 25-26, 2026Official notificationJuly 25-26, 2026Out
- August 3, 2026Registration opensAugust 3, 2026Over
- September 22, 2026, 5:00 PMRegistration closes (extended)September 22, 2026, 5:00 PMOver
- September 24, 2026, 5:00 PMFee payment closesSeptember 24, 2026, 5:00 PMOver
- November 4, 2026Admit card releaseNovember 4, 2026NextUpcoming
- November 29, 2026 (Sunday)CAT 2026 examNovember 29, 2026 (Sunday)Upcoming
- First week of December 2026Provisional answer keyFirst week of December 2026Expected
- Second week of December 2026Answer key objection windowSecond week of December 2026Expected
- Second week of January 2027Result declarationSecond week of January 2027Expected
How to read the notification
Download the PDF from the homepage of iimcat.ac.in. Start with the eligibility and dates sections, then check the instructions for photo, signature and category certificates, since most rejected applications fail on these small details.
CAT 2026 Notification FAQs
When was the CAT 2026 notification released?+
The official notification came out on July 25-26, 2026.
Who conducts CAT 2026?+
IIM Indore is the convening institute for CAT 2026.
More on CAT 2026
Source & Disclaimer
Official source: iimcat.ac.in
Information on this page is compiled from the official CAT notification at iimcat.ac.in and trends from earlier cycles. Dates marked Expected are estimates, not official announcements. Please confirm all details on the official website.