CAT 2026 Notification Out: IIM Indore Announces Major Changes

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore has officially released the Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) notification, introducing critical structural updates, an application fee hike, and revised administrative guidelines for this year's management entrance cycle.

The computer-based entrance exam is scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026, and will take place across three separate sessions in more than 170 cities nationwide. The registration window opened on August 3, 2026. Eligible candidates can register via the official portal at iimcat.ac.in.

CAT 2026: Key Deadlines and Timeline

IIM Indore has shortened the standard operational window for applications this year, urging candidates to complete their registration early to secure their preferred regional test centers.

Major Changes Introduced in CAT 2026

Aspirants tracking the CAT 2026 latest news must adapt to four pivotal updates enacted by the convening authority this season:

• Application Fee Hike: Registration costs have risen. General, EWS, and NC-OBC applicants must pay INR 2,700 (up by INR 100), while SC, ST, and PwBD candidates will pay INR 1,350 (up by INR 50).

• Enhanced Test City Choice: Candidates can now choose up to 5 preferred test cities in order of priority, minimizing travel constraints.

• Category Nomenclature Alignment: The traditional "PwD" tag is now officially updated to PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) to comply strictly with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

• New Academic Programs: Leading institutions, including IIM Ahmedabad, have registered new executive and specialized master's programs that will accept CAT 2026 scores for final shortlist evaluations.

Exam Pattern and Eligibility Framework

The structural core of the examination remains uniform with past iterations. The test spans 120 minutes (2 hours), dedicating exactly 40 minutes to each of the three functional fields:

1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA)

The exam will feature roughly 68 questions, mixing standard Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) with Non-MCQ Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) variants. Correct entries score +3 marks, incorrect MCQs trigger a -1 mark penalty, and TITA mistakes incur no negative marking.

To qualify for application, General/OBC candidates require a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in their Bachelor’s degree, while SC/ST/PwBD candidates require 45%. Students in their final year of graduation are provisionally eligible to apply.