IIM CAT 2026 registration closes today at 5 pm on iimcat.ac.in
IIM CAT 2026 registration ends today, September 15, at 5 pm on iimcat.ac.in. Admit card on November 4. Exam on November 29. Check steps, fees, pattern.
IIM CAT 2026 registration ends today, September 15, 2026, at 5 pm. The portal is iimcat.ac.in, run by IIM Indore. Admit cards will be released on November 4, 2026. The exam will be held on November 29, 2026. This update was confirmed in official notices this week.
IIM CAT 2026 registration deadline, fees and key dates
The application window opened on August 3, 2026, at 10 am. It will close today at 5 pm sharp, as per sources. Candidates must finish registration, form filling and fee payment by then. Late submissions will not be accepted, according to reports. The exam will be computer-based across multiple test slots.
The fee structure is fixed for all applicants. General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates must pay ₹2,700. SC, ST and PwBD candidates must pay ₹1,350. The fee is paid only once per candidate, as per guidelines. It is non-refundable under any circumstances, according to notices. Payment must be made through online mode on the portal.
Important dates for the cycle are as follows, as per official schedules:
- Registration start: August 3, 2026, 10:00 am
- Registration end: September 15, 2026, 5:00 pm
- Admit card release: November 4, 2026
- Exam date: November 29, 2026
- Result declaration: expected in December 2026 (tentative)
- Shortlisting for IIMs and other B-schools: January–March 2027 (tentative)
Eligibility rules are strict and must be met. Candidates need a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. Minimum marks required are 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA. For SC, ST and PwBD candidates, the threshold is 45%, as per norms. Final-year students can also apply, subject to conditions. They must submit proof of completion later during admission.
Documents needed for a smooth application include basic identity and academic proofs. Applicants should keep these ready before starting the form:
- Valid email ID and mobile number
- Scanned photograph and signature (as per size specs)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/PwBD), if applicable
- Bachelor’s degree mark sheets or provisional proof
- Identity proof (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, etc.)
How to apply for IIM CAT 2026 registration and exam pattern
Applicants should follow these steps to complete IIM CAT 2026 registration on iimcat.ac.in, as per official instructions:
- Visit the official website at iimcat.ac.in.
- Click on the CAT 2026 registration link on the home page.
- Enter registration details on the new page that opens.
- Complete the application form with personal and academic data.
- Upload required documents in the specified formats and sizes.
- Pay the application fee through the online payment gateway.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page.
- Keep a hard copy of the confirmation for future reference.
A correction window is usually opened after the last date. It allows edits to certain fields, as per past cycles. Exact dates for the 2026 correction window will be notified soon. Candidates should watch the portal for that update, according to sources.
The exam pattern is well-defined and time-bound. The paper has 68 questions in total, split across three sections. Each section has a 40-minute time limit, as per reports. Candidates cannot switch sections during the test. The total duration is 120 minutes.
Section-wise split and marking scheme are as follows:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC): 24 questions
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR): 22 questions
- Quantitative Aptitude (QA): 22 questions
- Marking: +3 for each correct answer
- Negative marking: −1 for each wrong MCQ
- No negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions
This pattern has remained stable in recent months. It tests speed, accuracy and conceptual clarity. The mix of MCQs and TITA items rewards precise problem-solving. TITA questions carry no penalty for wrong attempts, as per guidelines.
Why IIM CAT 2026 registration deadline matters for MBA aspirants
The IIM CAT 2026 registration deadline matters for several reasons. First, CAT remains the primary gateway to IIMs and top B-schools. A single missed window can delay plans by a full year. Many aspirants target IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore and Calcutta. Others aim for newer IIMs and leading private institutes. All rely on this exam for shortlisting, according to admission data.
Second, the timeline shapes preparation strategy. With the exam on November 29, candidates have about 10 weeks left. This period is critical for mock tests and revision. Strong performers often take 15 to 25 full-length mocks before D-day. They analyse accuracy, time allocation and section balance, as per coaching reports. A clear plan now can raise percentile significantly.
Third, the fee structure affects access and planning. The ₹2,700 fee for general candidates is moderate. The ₹1,350 fee for reserved categories improves affordability. Online payment reduces friction and speeds up processing. This supports wider participation from smaller cities, according to education observers.
Fourth, the exam’s design influences study focus. VARC rewards daily reading and inference skills. DILR needs practice with sets and time management. QA tests core maths and quick calculation. TITA items push candidates to avoid guesswork. This mix encourages balanced prep rather than rote learning, as per expert analysis.
Fifth, the admit card date sets a milestone for readiness. Admit cards arrive on November 4, 2026. This leaves about 25 days for final tuning. Candidates can lock test centres, plan travel and fix sleep cycles. Last-minute logistics often decide performance on test day, according to counsellors. IIM CAT 2026 registration
Cultural and social context adds weight to this cycle. MBA admissions shape career mobility for many families. A strong CAT score can open doors to high-growth roles. It can also enable shifts across sectors like tech, finance and consulting. For first-generation graduates, this exam can be life-changing, as per case studies.
Competition remains intense year after year. Total applicants often cross 2 to 2.5 lakh in recent cycles. Seats at top IIMs are limited and highly sought after. Percentile cut-offs for general candidates often sit above 99 for old IIMs. Reserved categories have lower but still competitive thresholds, according to past data. This raises the stakes for every attempt.
Policy stability this year supports predictability. IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026 with familiar rules. The 68-question, 120-minute format is unchanged. Marking scheme and sectional timing are also stable. This reduces uncertainty for aspirants, as per institute notices.
Outlook after IIM CAT 2026 registration closes
The close of IIM CAT 2026 registration marks a key milestone. The focus now shifts to admit cards and final prep. Candidates should download admit cards from November 4 onwards. They must verify name, photo, test city and slot details. Any discrepancy should be reported immediately, as per advisories.
Preparation should prioritise mocks and error logs in these weeks. Aim for two to three full tests per week initially. Increase frequency in the last fortnight if stamina allows. Review every mistake and note patterns. Work on time allocation per section, according to expert advice.
Test-day strategy can make a big difference in percentiles. Start with the strongest section to build confidence. Keep an eye on the clock every 10 to 12 minutes. Skip tough items early and return if time permits. Avoid blind guesses on MCQs due to negative marking. Use TITA attempts only when reasonably sure, as per guidelines.
After results, shortlisting processes begin across IIMs and other institutes. Criteria include CAT score, academic profile, work experience and diversity. Some institutes use written ability tests and personal interviews. Others add case discussions or group exercises. Preparation for these stages should start early, according to admission cells.
For those who missed the window, alternative exams exist. XAT, SNAP, NMAT, CMAT and MAT offer other routes. Some institutes also accept GMAT or GRE scores. Planning B options now can reduce stress later, as per counsellors. Yet, for most, CAT remains the primary target for top MBA seats. IIM CAT 2026 registration
The IIM CAT 2026 registration cycle thus sets the stage for a decisive exam. The November 29 test will determine shortlists for 2027–29 batches. A disciplined plan over the next 10 weeks can yield strong outcomes. The admit card date on November 4 is the next key checkpoint. Candidates should track the portal and official notices closely. IIM CAT 2026 registration
