The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 on Sunday, 29th November 2026, in three sessions, in a computer-based format. IIM CAT 2026 serves as a prerequisite for admission into various Post Graduate Programmes in Management (PGP) and Fellow Programmes in Management (FPM/ PhD) offered by 22 participating IIMs across the country, including IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, and several others.
Before applying for IIM CAT 2026, candidates are advised to visit the official website and read the programme advertisement of the concerned IIM to confirm accurate and updated information on eligibility and admission processes, since each IIM independently decides its own selection criteria.
Also read: GATE 2027: Information Brochure is out; Here is all you should know about
Programmes Offered
Under IIM CAT 2026, candidates can apply for the following Post Graduate Programmes in Management (PGP) at the participating institutes:
| Institute | Programmes |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | PGP, PGP-FABM, MBA-BPGP: BA & AI |
| IIM Amritsar | MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, Executive MBA, MSDSM |
| IIM Bangalore | PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PGPPM |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | MBA, MBA (Digital Business and AI), MBA (Hospital and Healthcare Management), EMBA |
| IIM Calcutta | MBA |
| IIM Guwahati | MBA |
| IIM Indore | PGP, PGP-HRM, MSDSM, PGPMX |
| IIM Jammu | MBA, MBA (Healthcare), MBA (AI & Business Analytics), Executive MBA |
| IIM Kashipur | MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA, EMBA (Analytics) |
| IIM Kozhikode | PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-FINANCE, PGP-LSM, EPGP-IL, EPGP Kochi |
| IIM Lucknow | MBA, MBA-ABM, MBA-SM, PGPWE, Blended MBA, Tech-MBA |
| IIM Mumbai | MBA, MBA (Operations and Supply Chain Management), MBA (Sustainability Management) |
| IIM Nagpur | MBA, E-MBA, BMWP, EMBA-EM |
| IIM Raipur | MBA, Executive MBA, MBA in Public Policy and Governance (Chhattisgarh domicile only) |
| IIM Ranchi | MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA (Business Analytics) |
| IIM Rohtak | PGP, EPGDSM, PGPx |
| IIM Sambalpur | MBA, MBA-BA, MBA for Working Professionals |
| IIM Shillong | PGP, PGPEX, PGP(WE) |
| IIM Sirmaur | MBA, MBA (Tourism Management), MBA (Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management), PGPEX-LSM, ExMBA (AI) |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | PGPM (MBA), PGPM-HR, PGPBM |
| IIM Udaipur | MBA, MBA-DEM, MBA-GSCM, Executive MBA (Online) |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | PGP, EMBA, PGPMCI, PGDMEx, MBA-AI & Innovation |
Along with above-mentioned PG courses, multiple Fellow Programmes in Management/ PhD programmes are also offered by most of the above IIMs, ranging from a full-time Doctoral Programme in Management to Executive PhD tracks for working professionals.
| Institute | Programmes |
|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad | Doctoral Programme in Management |
| IIM Amritsar | PhD |
| IIM Bangalore | PhD |
| IIM Bodh Gaya | PhD |
| IIM Calcutta | Doctoral Programme (PhD) |
| IIM Indore | Doctoral Programme in Management |
| IIM Jammu | PhD, PhD (Working Professionals) |
| IIM Kashipur | PhD, Executive PhD |
| IIM Kozhikode | DPM, DPM (Teaching Track), DPM (Practice Track) |
| IIM Lucknow | PhD |
| IIM Mumbai | Ph.D., Ph.D. (Executive) |
| IIM Nagpur | PhD, E-PhD |
| IIM Raipur | PhD, PhD (Practice Track) |
| IIM Ranchi | PhD, EPhD |
| IIM Rohtak | PhD |
| IIM Sambalpur | PhD, Executive PhD |
| IIM Shillong | Doctoral Program, Doctoral Program (WP) |
| IIM Sirmaur | PhD, PhD (Executive) |
| IIM Tiruchirappalli | PhD, Executive PhD |
| IIM Udaipur | PhD, Executive PhD |
| IIM Visakhapatnam | Doctoral Program (PhD), Executive PhD Program (Exec-PhD) |
Note: The CAT 2026 score can also be used by listed non-IIM member institutions, whose list is published at iimcat.ac.in. IIMs have no role in the selection process of these non-IIM institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- To apply for IIM CAT 2026, a candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50 percent marks or equivalent CGPA, awarded by a recognised University or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
- SC, ST, and PwBD candidates need a minimum of 45 percent marks or equivalent CGPA.
Candidates applying for IIM CAT 2026 should fulfil any one of the following conditions:
- Completed Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage of marks.
- Completed a professional degree (CA/ CS/ ICWA (CMA)/ FIAI) with the required percentage.
- Currently in the final year of Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage.
Final Year Student:
- Candidates in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree, or those awaiting results, can also apply.
- Such candidates, if selected, will be allowed to join the programme only provisionally, subject to submitting a completion certificate from their University/ Institution by the date stipulated by the respective IIM.
Selection Process
- Performance in IIM CAT 2026 is an important component of the admission process, but each IIM is independent in mandating its own eligibility criteria, academic cut-offs, and relative weights, and follows its own selection process.
- IIMs may also consider previous academic performance, relevant work experience, and other similar inputs while shortlisting candidates. Candidates are advised to check the admissions policy of each IIM on its respective website.
- Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria alone does not guarantee shortlisting by IIMs.
Steps to Apply
- Visit the application portal by clicking on the link given below in the “Important Links” section.
- Register with a valid and unique e-mail account and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, academic, and other required details.
- Select any five preferred test cities from the drop-down menu.
- Upload the required category certificates, where applicable.
- Pay the applicable registration fee and submit the form.
- After completion, download a copy of the application form and the payment receipt for future reference
Application Fee
| SC/ ST/ PwBD | Rs. 1,350/- |
| All Other Candidates | Rs. 2,700/- |
Key Dates
| CAT 2026 registration opens | 3rd August 2026, 10:00 AM |
| CAT 2026 registration closes | 15th September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Admit card download | 4th to 29th November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 exam date | 29th November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 result declaration | First week of January 2027 (tentative) |
| CAT 2026 score validity | Till 31st December 2027 |
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
When will IIM CAT 2026 be held?
IIM CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, 29th November 2026, in three sessions.
When does CAT 2026 registration open?
Registration opens at 10:00 a.m. on 3rd August 2026 and closes at 5:00 p.m. on 15th September 2026.
What is the minimum qualification required for CAT 2026?
A Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50 percent marks (45 percent for SC/ ST/ PwBD candidates) or equivalent CGPA is required.
What is the CAT 2026 registration fee?
The fee is Rs. 1,350/- for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates, and Rs. 2,700/- for all other candidates.
When will CAT 2026 results be declared?
CAT 2026 results are likely to be declared in the first week of January 2027, and the score will remain valid till 31st December 2027.
For more Admission and Competitive Exam updates, keep checking Bohikitap regularly.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
