Who Conducts CAT 2026? Organizing IIM & Timeline Details

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is India's most prestigious and highly competitive MBA entrance exam. For candidates aiming to secure a seat in one of the 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) or other top B-schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon, knowing who organizes the exam is one of the first steps of the journey.

A common question among aspirants preparing for the upcoming session is: Who conducts CAT 2026?

Based on the official rotation policy of the senior IIMs and early notifications, IIM Indore is the official conducting body for CAT 2026.

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1. The Rotational Policy: How the CAT Conducting IIM is Chosen

The responsibility of organizing the CAT rotates every year among the top six "older" IIMs:

1. IIM Ahmedabad
2. IIM Bangalore
3. IIM Calcutta
4. IIM Lucknow
5. IIM Indore
6. IIM Kozhikode

Each year, the selected IIM appoints a CAT Convenor who oversees the exam creation, registration process, test center management, and final result declaration.

Here is a quick look at the historical timeline of CAT conducting bodies:

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2. What to Expect from IIM Indore as the Organizing Body?

IIM Indore has a reputation for executing highly standardized, well-organized examinations. Historically, when IIM Indore conducts the CAT exam, there are a few patterns observed:

• Balanced Paper Difficulty: Unlike IIM Ahmedabad (which is known for historically challenging Quantitative Aptitude sections) or IIM Calcutta (known for tough DILR sections), IIM Indore generally sets a balanced paper across VARC, DILR, and QA.
• Streamlined Registration: The online portal is kept highly intuitive and responsive to handle over 3 lakh registrations smoothly.
• Test Center Coordination: IIM Indore has successfully expanded test locations in previous years to ensure accessibility for rural and semi-urban candidates.

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3. CAT 2026 Expected Timeline & Dates

While the official brochure will release on the official portal, here is the projected schedule for CAT 2026:

• Official Notification: Last week of July 2026 (usually the last Sunday)
• Registration Opens: First week of August 2026
• Registration Closes: Third week of September 2026
• Admit Card Release: Late October / Early November 2026
• CAT 2026 Exam Date: Sunday, November 29, 2026
• Answer Key & Response Sheet: First week of December 2026
• CAT 2026 Result Date: Second week of January 2027

To view a detailed date-by-date schedule, visit our guide on CAT 2026 Exam Date & Timeline.

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4. Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026

To apply for CAT 2026 under the management of IIM Indore, aspirants must fulfill the following:

1. Academic Qualification: A Bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates).
2. Final Year Students: Candidates currently in the final year of their Bachelor's degree or awaiting results can also apply, provided they submit proof of graduation completion later.
3. No Age Bar: There is no age limit to sit for the CAT exam.

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5. CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Structure

Under IIM Indore's coordination, the exam pattern is expected to remain consistent with recent years:

• Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Total Time: 120 Minutes (2 Hours)
• Sectional Time Limit: 40 minutes per section (extra time for PwD candidates)
• Total Questions: 66 Questions
• Negative Marking: +3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect MCQ options, and 0 for Type-in-the-Answer (TITA) questions.

Section-wise Breakup:

1. Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC): 24 Questions
2. Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR): 20 Questions
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA): 22 Questions

For a detailed look at the syllabus and section weightage, check CAT Exam 2026: Registration, Latest Syllabus, Pattern & IIM Cutoffs.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which IIM will conduct CAT 2026?

IIM Indore is the conducting body for CAT 2026. The convening responsibility shifts among the older IIMs annually.

When will the convenor for CAT 2026 be announced?

The name of the CAT 2026 Convenor will be officially announced in the media release during the last week of July 2026.

Is the syllabus of CAT different when a different IIM conducts it?

No. The core syllabus—comprising VARC, DILR, and Quantitative Aptitude—remains the same regardless of which IIM conducts the exam. However, individual question style and difficulty levels can vary slightly based on the faculty committee convening the exam.

What is the official website for CAT 2026?

The official portal is iimcat.ac.in. Be careful of phishing sites and always verify the URL before entering credentials or making payments.

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Related Posts:

• CAT 2026 Preparation Strategy & Roadmap
• Top 10 Tips to Crack CAT Exam 2026
• How to Prepare for CAT 2026 as a Beginner

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