CAT Notification 2026 Release Date: The CAT 2026 Notification PDF will be released anytime soon. It is expected to be released in the last week of July 2026. Candidates aiming for the CAT 2026 exam should read the official notification PDF carefully before applying. Every year, the CAT exam is organised by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis.
The registration begins immediately after the CAT exam notification PDF is published. As of now, there is no official notice about the advertisement. Hence, candidates should check the official website for all the latest updates. This article covers everything about the CAT notification 2026 release date to guide candidates in the right direction.
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What is the CAT 2026 Notification?
The authorities will first release the CAT exam advertisement in English and Hindi on the official IIM CAT website. After 3-4 days, the detailed CAT notification 2026 PDF download link will be active. The advertisement for CAT 2026 is expected to be out by the third week of July 2026. And the CAT 2026 notification can be announced in the final week of July 2026. Here are the following details mentioned in the CAT exam notification PDF:
- Exam Name
- Exam Conducting Body
- Exam Date
- List of IIMs along with their course names
- Eligibility
- Reservation
- Registration Fee
- CAT Registration Details
- Test Centres
- Admission Process, etc.
CAT Notification 2026 Important Dates
The CAT Notification 2026 will be released in the coming months. You can expect it by the end of July 2026. Till the official notification PDF is announced, candidates can check the expected dates. It helps them get an idea of when which event will occur and stay alert. This lets them avoid missing any important deadline. Let’s discuss the CAT notification release date:
| Events | Dates |
| CAT Notification 2026 | Last Week of July 2026 (Expected) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Start Date | August 2026 |
| CAT Registration 2026 Last Date | 3rd or 4th Week of September 2026 |
| CAT Correction Window 2026 | Last Week of September 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Download | November 2026 |
| CAT Exam 2026 | November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result Announcement | December 2026 |
How to Check the CAT Notification 2026 PDF?
The CAT 2026 notification PDF will be released online. It will be declared in the PDF file at iimcat.ac.in. It comprises all the relevant details about the CAT exam. Check the steps to download the CAT Notification 2026 PDF:
- Go to the official CAT website, i.e., iimcat.ac.in.
- On the homepage, click the “CAT 2026 Information Bulletin” PDF link.
- The notification PDF will appear on the screen.
- Save, download or print the PDFs for future reference.
CAT Notification 2026: Overview
Candidates should be familiar with all the details of the CAT 2026 Notification. Some of the key information about the CAT 2026 exam is tabulated below:
| Particular | Details |
| CAT Full Form | Common Admission Test (CAT) |
| CAT 2026 Exam Conducting Body | Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) |
| Number of Registrations | 2.95 lakh (CAT 2025) |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Type of Questions | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) & Type in the Answer (TITA) |
| CAT Syllabus 2026 | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Ability |
| Total Number of Questions | 68 |
| Question Per Section | VARC: 24 DILR: 22 Quantitative Ability (QA): 22 |
| Total Marks in CAT 2026 | 204 |
| CAT 2026 Marking Pattern | +3 Every Correct Answer -1 Every Wrong Answer |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes (40 minutes Per Section) |
| CAT Exam Fee 2026 | SC, ST and PwD: Rs 1300 Other category: Rs 2600 |
| CAT Exam Important Documents | Passport-sized photograph Signature Valid government ID proof Caste Certificate (if applicable) PwD Certificate (if applicable) |
| CAT Official Website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2026 Notification: Key Details
One of the IIMs is expected to release the CAT 2026 notification in the last week of July 2026 on the official CAT website, i.e., iimcat.ac.in. It will comprise the following details:
- Exam Conducting Body: The notification will feature the name of the IIM that will be conducting the CAT 2026 exam.
- CAT Exam Date 2026: Candidates will get to know about the test date and the number of sessions in the CAT 2026 exam. Talking about last year, the CAT 2025 exam was conducted on November 30, 2025, in three sessions.
- List of IIMs along with programmes: The CAT notification also includes the complete list of names along with the management programmes offered.
- Eligibility: It comprises details about eligibility. Candidates who have completed graduation can apply.
- CAT Registration Dates: It comprises the starting and closing dates for applications with the time. Last year, the CAT registration window was open from 10.00 a.m. on August 1 and closed at 5:00 p.m. on September 13.
- Registration Fees: It provides registration fee details. The CAT 2025 application fee was Rs 1300 for reserved and Rs 2600 for other categories.
- Test Centres: It highlights the number of exam centres. Last year, the CAT exam was held in around 170 cities.
CAT Notification 2026 Release Dates: Past Trends
The CAT notification is usually released in July. The IIM authorities organise the CAT exam every year. The CAT exam notification release date in the past years is shared below:
| CAT Exam Year | CAT Notification Date |
| CAT 2025 | July 30, 2025 |
| CAT 2024 | July 28, 2024 |
| CAT 2023 | July 30, 2023 |
| CAT 2022 | July 31, 2022 |
| CAT 2021 | July 31, 2021 |
What after the CAT 2026 Notification Release?
The CAT 2026 notification will be released in the last week of July 2026, as per past trends. It provides complete details about registration, application fees, exam dates, etc. After the CAT Notification 2026 release, you must do the following things:
Read the Notification
Applicants should read the CAT 2026 Notification. It will be made available on the official website. Or, they can check the direct download link on the iQuanta website. It highlights eligibility, exam dates, application dates, registration fees, etc.
Confirm Your Eligibility
Checking CAT exam eligibility is the first step when applying. Candidates must ensure they fulfil all the eligibility criteria before applying. The minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree with 50% (45% for the reserved category). Candidates appearing for the final year of a bachelor’s degree can also apply.
Gather all Your Documents
Candidates should keep all their documents in one place. This helps them avoid any stress during registration. Some important documents/details are a valid Email ID, mobile number, 10th/12th/Graduation marksheet/certificates, scanned copies of photograph & signature, category certificate, etc.
Register Early
It’s a good idea to register early for the CAT exam. Candidates can submit their forms on time. They must fill out the online form with valid information. These include name, DOB, qualification, photo, signature, test centre, etc.
Start the CAT Preparation
Candidates should start preparing for the CAT 2026 exam with focus. This is where the iQuanta CAT 2026 course helps. It offers customised modules, doubt-solving sessions, mock analysis, etc. Their books and study materials are based on the latest exam trends.
Wrapping Up: CAT 2026 Notification
The CAT 2026 notification will be released soon. It’s high time to speed up your preparation. All you need is the right resources and guidance. That’s where the iQuanta 2026 CAT course helps you. It offers live classes, doubt-solving, mock analysis, etc. Enrol today and enhance your preparation.
FAQs
The CAT notification 2026 is expected in the last week of July 2026.
You can check the notification on the official CAT website.
One of the IIMs conducts the CAT exam on a rotational basis.
The CAT registration 2026 is likely to begin in August 2026.
The last date to submit the form will be out soon. It is usually around September 2026.
The last date to submit the form will be out soon. It is usually around September 2026.
The CAT exam is usually held in November. So, the CAT 2026 can be held in November 2026.
It comprises exam date, eligibility, registration, fees, etc.
Yes. The authorities open the application correction window. Candidates can edit their application during this window.
It varies by category. This will be announced in the notification. The CAT 2025 application fee was Rs 1300 for SC/ST/PwD and Rs 2600 for other categories
The CAT exam is a computer-based test. It is conducted via online mode.
