The CAT 2026 registration window will open on August 3, 2026, while the examination is scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026. CAT scores are accepted by more than 1,300 B-Schools across India for admission to MBA, PGDM, and other postgraduate management programmes.
CAT 2026 Registration Begins on August 3
With the release of the official notification, candidates can now prepare to submit their online applications through the official CAT portal. Before applying, applicants should ensure that they meet all the prescribed eligibility conditions laid down by IIM Indore.
CAT remains one of India's most competitive management entrance examinations and serves as the gateway to admission in the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and several other premier management institutes nationwide.
Who Is Eligible to Apply for CAT 2026?
Candidates seeking admission through CAT 2026 must satisfy any one of the following educational qualifications:
- Completed a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a UGC-recognised university with the prescribed minimum marks.
- Completed a recognised professional qualification, including:
- Chartered Accountant (CA)
- Company Secretary (CS)
- Cost and Management Accountant (CMA/ICWA)
- Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)
Candidates may submit their academic performance either in percentage or CGPA, depending on the evaluation system followed by their university or institution.
CAT 2026 Minimum Graduation Marks
Applicants must secure the following minimum marks in their qualifying degree to become eligible for CAT 2026.
| Category | Minimum Marks Required |
|---|---|
| General, EWS & NC-OBC | 50% |
| SC/ST/PwBD | 45% |
Candidates failing to meet the minimum qualifying percentage will not be considered eligible for admission through CAT.
CGPA to Percentage Conversion Rules
Many universities award grades or CGPA instead of percentage marks. In such cases, CAT 2026 applicants must follow the conversion guidelines prescribed by the examination authority.
- If the university has an official CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula, candidates must use the conversion certified by their institution.
- If no official conversion method exists, the percentage will be calculated using the following formula:
Percentage = (Candidate's CGPA ÷ Maximum CGPA) × 100
Candidates should ensure that the converted percentage satisfies the prescribed eligibility requirement for their respective category.
CAT 2026 Eligibility for Final-Year Students
Students currently pursuing the final year of their bachelor's degree are also eligible to apply for CAT 2026.
However, their admission will remain provisional until they successfully complete their qualifying examination and submit the final mark sheet and degree-related documents within the stipulated timeline.
Final-year candidates must also ensure that their aggregate marks obtained in the first and second years (or previous semesters) satisfy the minimum percentage requirement applicable to their category.
CAT 2026 Reservation Policy
Admissions to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other participating institutions accepting CAT scores will follow the Government of India's reservation policy.
The reservation structure is as follows:
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Non-Creamy Layer Other Backward Classes (NC-OBC) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
Candidates claiming reservation benefits must possess valid certificates in the prescribed format during the admission process.
CAT 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Institute | IIM Indore |
| Registration Begins | August 3, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Courses | MBA, PGDM & Other Management Programmes |
| Participating Institutes | Over 1,300 B-Schools |
| Minimum Qualification | Bachelor's Degree or Eligible Professional Degree |
| Accepted Academic Format | Percentage or CGPA |
Important Points for Aspirants
Candidates are advised to verify their educational qualifications, category certificates, and academic records before submitting the CAT 2026 application form. Those applying under reserved categories should ensure they possess valid supporting documents as per the prescribed guidelines.
Final-year students should also monitor their academic performance carefully, as failure to meet the required minimum marks or submit the final qualifying documents may result in cancellation of provisional admission.
With registrations commencing on August 3, aspirants should keep all necessary documents ready and complete the application process well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.