CAT 2026 important dates
Every date we track for CAT in one place, from notification to the final stage. Each row is marked done, confirmed (from an official notice) or expected (an estimate).
✓ Data verified 4 Oct 2026
| Date | Event | Status | Reminder |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jul 2026 | Notification released (IIM Indore) | Done | |
| 3 Aug 2026 | Registration window (closed 22 September, extended from 15 September) Fee payment accepted until 24 September for registered candidates. | Done | |
| 5 Oct 2026 | Application correction window (limited edits: photo, signature, test city) Reported to run 5–6 October (until 5 PM on 6 October); exact window per iimcat.ac.in announcements. | Expected | Add to Google Calendar |
| 4 Nov 2026 | Admit card download opens From iimcat.ac.in with your user ID and password; available until exam day. | Expected | Add to Google Calendar |
| 29 Nov 2026 | CAT 2026 exam — 3 slots, single day City and slot appear on the admit card; sessions at 8:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM. | Confirmed | Add to Google Calendar |
| 10 Dec 2026 | Provisional answer key + response sheet, objection window CAT 2025 ran key on 4 December with objections 8–10 December. | Expected | Add to Google Calendar |
| 5 Jan 2027 | Result (scaled score + percentile) Recent results landed 3–5 weeks after the exam (CAT 2025: 24 December 2025; CAT 2024: 19 December 2024). | Expected | Add to Google Calendar |
| 20 Jan 2027 | Institute-wise shortlists (IIM admission policies) Each institute announces its own policy and shortlist dates. | Expected | Add to Google Calendar |
| 15 Feb 2027 | WAT/GD and PI rounds Typically February–April, institute by institute; CAP rounds for the newer IIMs follow. | Expected | Add to Google Calendar |
Dates marked expected are projections from past CAT cycles or prep-portal coverage — the conducting IIM confirms them on iimcat.ac.in. The exam date and admit-card date are per the official notification.
Expected dates can move, and the exam body announces changes only on its own website (iimcat.ac.in). Add reminders for the confirmed dates and look at the official site again a few days before each one. For the 2026 cycle summary, see the CAT guide.
CAT important dates: FAQs
What are the important dates for CAT 2026?
Notification released (IIM Indore): 26 Jul 2026 (done). Registration window (closed 22 September, extended from 15 September): 3 Aug 2026 (done). Application correction window (limited edits: photo, signature, test city): 5 Oct 2026 (expected). Admit card download opens: 4 Nov 2026 (expected). CAT 2026 exam — 3 slots, single day: 29 Nov 2026 (confirmed). Provisional answer key + response sheet, objection window: 10 Dec 2026 (expected). Result (scaled score + percentile): 5 Jan 2027 (expected). Institute-wise shortlists (IIM admission policies): 20 Jan 2027 (expected). WAT/GD and PI rounds: 15 Feb 2027 (expected).
Which CAT dates are confirmed and which are only expected?
Dates marked confirmed come from an official notice. Dates marked expected are estimates based on how earlier cycles ran, and they can move. Check iimcat.ac.in for the official notice.