CAT 2026 Registration Opens: IIM MBA Admissions Now Live
The Indian Institutes of Management have officially opened CAT 2026 registrations, marking the start of the MBA admissions cycle for management programmes across IIMs and other top B-schools in India.
Key points
- CAT 2026 registration has officially opened for MBA and management programme admissions
- The exam is conducted by the IIMs on a rotational basis; scores accepted by 20 IIMs and 1,200+ B-schools
- Eligibility requires a Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
- CAT tests candidates on VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Ability in a Computer-Based format
- IITs and NITs with management schools also accept CAT scores for MBA admissions
Important details
| Organisation | Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) |
|---|---|
| Application starts | 2025 (Registration now open) |
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Official website | https://iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2026 Registration Begins for MBA and Management Programme Admissions
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 registration process has officially commenced, opening the gateway for thousands of MBA aspirants seeking admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and over 1,200 other management institutes across India. Candidates looking to pursue MBA, PGDM, and other management programmes can now visit the official CAT portal to begin their application process.
What is CAT 2026?
CAT (Common Admission Test) is a national-level management entrance examination conducted annually by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis. The exam evaluates candidates on Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Scores are accepted by all 20 IIMs and hundreds of other top business schools across India.
Key Details at a Glance
- Exam Name: Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026
- Conducting Body: Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- Registration Status: Open (as of registration start date)
- Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Official Website: iimcat.ac.in
Who Can Apply for CAT 2026?
Candidates who hold a Bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognised university or institution are eligible to apply for CAT 2026. Final-year graduation students are also eligible to appear provisionally.
How to Register for CAT 2026
- Visit the official CAT portal at iimcat.ac.in
- Click on the 'Register' or 'New User Registration' link
- Fill in personal, academic, and contact details
- Upload required documents including photograph and signature
- Select preferred test cities
- Pay the application fee online
- Submit and download the confirmation page
CAT 2026 Application Fee
The application fee for CAT 2026 is expected to follow the standard structure applicable in previous years. General and NC-OBC category candidates typically pay a higher fee compared to SC, ST, and PwD candidates. Candidates are advised to check the official notification on iimcat.ac.in for the exact fee applicable for CAT 2026.
Institutes Accepting CAT Scores
Apart from all 20 IIMs, CAT scores are accepted by several Institutes of National Importance and top B-schools including:
- IITs offering MBA/PGDM programmes (IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, etc.)
- NITs with management schools
- Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi
- S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research
- Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon
- NITIE Mumbai (now NIT for Industrial Engineering)
Prepare for CAT 2026
With registration now open, aspirants should begin structured preparation covering all three sections of the exam. Students can explore study resources and exam tips at CollegeUnify to plan their preparation strategy effectively. You can also explore top MBA colleges accepting CAT scores to shortlist institutes matching your profile.
Official Notification & Apply Link: Click here to register for CAT 2026 on the official portal
Important links
Links open the official website. Always verify details there before applying.
