CAT 2026 Admit Card: Download, Upload & Join Your Slot Community

CAT 2026 Admit Card: Release Date, Download Steps, Slot Timings & Exam Day Instructions

The CAT 2026 admit card has been officially released by IIM Indore on 6th November 2026, two days later than the originally scheduled date of 4th November. Candidates appearing for the Common Admission Test can download their hall tickets from the official portal iimcat.ac.in using their registered login credentials. The download window remains open until the exam date, 29th November 2026.

Sources: NDTV Education, Jagran Josh, Careers360

CAT 2026 Admit Card Release Date: What Changed?

The official CAT 2026 information bulletin initially listed 4th November 2026 as the admit card release date. However, IIM Indore subsequently revised this to 6th November 2026. All eligible candidates' hall tickets were generated and made available for download on the revised date. The official mock test link was also activated on iimcat.ac.in simultaneously.

Source: Jagran Josh

CAT 2026 Exam Slot Timings

CAT 2026 will be held in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode on 29th November 2026 (Sunday) across approximately 170 test cities and 400 test centres. The exam has three sessions, each lasting 2 hours:

Source: Times of India, Careers360

What Details to Verify on the CAT 2026 Admit Card

The admit card is the primary identity and eligibility document at the exam centre. Verify the following immediately after downloading:

• Name, photograph, and signature: must match details submitted at registration.
• Application/registration number and category (General / EWS / OBC-NC / SC / ST).
• PwD status and compensatory time provisions, if applicable.
• Exam date and session/slot timing: confirm it matches one of the three slots above.
• Reporting time: printed separately from the exam start time.
• Test centre name, city, and complete address: visit the centre at least a day before to check accessibility.
• Shift code (S1, S2, or S3) printed on the admit card.

If you find any mismatch, report it immediately through the CAT helpdesk or grievance channel listed on iimcat.ac.in.

What to Carry to the CAT 2026 Exam Centre

Mandatory Documents

• Printed admit card on A4 paper (laser printer recommended). A soft copy on your phone is not accepted.
• Passport-size photograph (same as uploaded during registration): affix at the indicated place on the admit card.
• One original, valid government photo ID: PAN Card, Driving License, Voter ID, Passport, Aadhaar Card (with photograph), E-Aadhaar, Ration Card, or Identification Affidavit. The ID must not be damaged or smudged.

Items NOT Allowed Inside the Test Centre

• Mobile phones, smart watches, smart glasses, regular watches, calculators.
• Stationery items, papers, wallets, goggles.
• Jewellery or any items containing metal.
• Shoes/footwear with thick soles; garments with large buttons.

Source: CAT 2026 Admit Card, "Instructions to the Candidate" section, iimcat.ac.in

CAT 2026 Exam Day Rules & Guidelines

• Candidates must sit only in their assigned slot; slot changes at the centre are not permitted.
• No candidate can leave the test centre before the exam ends.
• A writing pad and pen will be provided for rough work. Write your name and application number on it. Return it after the test.
• Bio-breaks: To be avoided unless emergency or medical condition. If taken, you will be re-frisked on re-entry. Lost time will not be compensated.
• Parents/guardians are not allowed inside the test centre premises.
• Candidates attempting to appear more than once will be disqualified from CAT 2026.
• An on-screen calculator is provided within the CAT interface; no physical calculators needed.
• The admit card is provisional, subject to verification of eligibility (academic qualification, category, PwD status) in subsequent selection stages.
• Violation of any rule including impersonation leads to cancellation of candidature and/or legal action.

CAT 2026 Admit Card Not Downloading? Troubleshooting Steps

1. Verify registration is complete: Both CAT 2026 registration and fee payment (deadline: 24th September 2026) must be successful. Incomplete applications do not get admit cards.
2. Check login credentials: Use the exact User ID and password from registration. Use "Forgot Password" on iimcat.ac.in rather than repeated failed attempts.
3. Login to iimcat.ac.in to report the problem to the official team.
4. Click on "Grievance Portal" on the candidate dashboard.
5. Select Problem Category "Admit Card" and select the relevant Problem Type to submit your issue.

CAT 2026 Complete Schedule: Important Dates

Source: CAT 2026 Information Bulletin, IIM Indore, iimcat.ac.in

About CAT 2026: Who Is Conducting It?

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 is conducted by IIM Indore, which returns as the convening institute for the first time since 2020. The responsibility for conducting CAT rotates among six older IIMs: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore.

CAT scores are accepted by all 22 IIMs and over 1,000 other B-schools across India including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIFT, XLRI, and NMIMS for admission to MBA/PGDM programmes.

Source: Telegraph India

Pre-Exam Checklist: What to Do Before 29th November

• Download admit card now: do not wait until the last day.
• Verify every detail: name, photo, centre, slot, reporting time.
• Affix photograph at the indicated place (same as uploaded during registration).
• Visit your test centre at least a day before to plan the commute.
• Attempt the official mock test on iimcat.ac.in to get comfortable with the interface.
• Keep registration confirmation + fee receipt handy as backup proof.
• Focus on mock-driven preparation with CATKing in the final weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions: CAT 2026 Admit Card