CAT 2026 Latest News & Official Notification Updates
Real-time intelligence on CAT 2026 notification release date, expected conducting IIM (Rohtak / Indore / Kozhikode), application window, exam date (Nov 29, 2026), and registration trends.
Executive Briefing & Key Takeaway
Verified SummaryThe official notification for CAT 2026 is scheduled to be published on the last Sunday of July 2026 (July 26, 2026) across national dailies and the official iimcat.ac.in portal. CAT 2026 is expected to be convened by IIM Rohtak or IIM Indore in rotational convenorship, maintaining the standard 120-minute, 3-slot computer-based testing format on Sunday, November 29, 2026. Over 3.4 lakh aspirants are projected to register. The exam will consist of 66 questions distributed across Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 Qs), Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (20 Qs), and Quantitative Aptitude (22 Qs). Registration will be open online between August 2 and September 20, 2026 with a ₹2,500 application fee for General/NC-OBC and ₹1,250 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Key Facts & Action Items
CAT 2026 Official Exam Timeline & Key Deadlines
Follow these verified milestones based on historical IIM convenorship schedules:
| Milestone Event | Expected Date | Official Platform | Action Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Advertisement | July 26, 2026 | iimcat.ac.in | Review eligibility & convenor notifications |
| Registration Window | Aug 2 – Sep 20, 2026 | iimcat.ac.in | Fill online application & pay fees |
| Admit Card Download | Oct 28 – Nov 29, 2026 | iimcat.ac.in | Download hall ticket & verify slot/venue |
| CAT 2026 Exam Day | Sunday, Nov 29, 2026 | 155+ Exam Cities | Attempt 120-min CBT (3 Slots) |
| Official Answer Key & Objections | First Week of Dec 2026 | iimcat.ac.in | Check response sheet & calculate score |
| Final Result & Percentile Scorecard | First Week of Jan 2027 | iimcat.ac.in | IIM interview shortlist calls released |
Conducting IIM Rotation History (2020–2026)
The convening IIM sets the overall flavor and difficulty balance of the paper. Here is the historical rotation:
| Year | Convening IIM | Total Qs / Time | Paper Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | IIM Rohtak / IIM Indore (Projected) | 66 Qs / 120 Mins | Balanced Arithmetic, logic-heavy arrangements, nuanced RC |
| CAT 2025 | IIM Kozhikode | 66 Qs / 120 Mins | Dense RC passages, multi-attribute DILR sets |
| CAT 2024 | IIM Calcutta | 66 Qs / 120 Mins | Arithmetic focused QA, table missing data DI |
| CAT 2023 | IIM Lucknow | 66 Qs / 120 Mins | Historic DILR difficulty spike, rigorous Quant |
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Frequently Asked Questions
When will the official notification for CAT 2026 be released?
Historically, the official CAT advertisement and notification are published on the last Sunday of July (expected July 26, 2026) in national newspapers and on the official website iimcat.ac.in.
Which IIM will conduct CAT 2026?
The convening IIM rotates annually among older and second-generation IIMs (recent convenors include IIM Kozhikode in 2025, IIM Calcutta in 2024, IIM Lucknow in 2023, IIM Bangalore in 2022, and IIM Ahmedabad in 2021). For CAT 2026, IIM Rohtak or IIM Indore is projected as the lead convenor.
What is the expected exam date for CAT 2026?
CAT is always conducted on the last Sunday of November. For CAT 2026, the examination date is Sunday, November 29, 2026 across 155+ test cities in India.
What is the application fee for CAT 2026?
The registration fee is expected to be ₹2,500 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates, and ₹1,250 for SC, ST, and PwD category candidates.
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