CAT 2026 Admit Card Release: Date, Download Steps, and What to Check Before November 29

CATKing is a Mumbai-based MBA entrance exam coaching company founded by Sumit Singh, offering preparation for CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CET, GMAT, and GRE through online and offline classes. With CAT 2026 registration and fee payment now closed, the next major milestone for aspirants is the release of the admit card. This article covers exactly when the CAT 2026 admit card will be released, how to download it, what to verify on it, and the complete updated CAT 2026 schedule that candidates preparing with CATKing should track.

Key Takeaways

• IIM Indore will release the CAT 2026 admit card on November 4, 2026, on the official website iimcat.ac.in.

• The admit card can be downloaded only by logging in with the registered User ID and password, and remains available for download until the exam date, November 29, 2026.

• CAT 2026 will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three sessions across roughly 170 test cities and around 400 test centres.

• Candidates must immediately verify their name, photograph, exam centre address, session/slot, and reporting time on the admit card, and report any error to IIM Indore without delay.

• Only candidates whose CAT 2026 registration and fee payment were both successful will be issued an admit card; there is no late-fee or late-registration route.

When Will the CAT 2026 Admit Card Be Released?

As per the official CAT 2026 information bulletin released by IIM Indore, the CAT admit card release date is November 4, 2026. On the release date, a “Registered Candidate Login” or “Download Admit Card” link becomes active on the iimcat.ac.in homepage. Candidates should log in with the User ID and password created at the time of registration to access and download their hall ticket. The admit card stays downloadable right up to the exam date, so candidates effectively get about three and a half weeks to download, verify, and print it, though downloading it as soon as it is released is strongly recommended in case a correction needs to be raised.

How to Download the CAT 2026 Admit Card (Step-by-Step)

• Go to the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in — the admit card is never issued through email, SMS, or any third-party portal.

• Click on “Registered Candidate Login” on the homepage.

• Enter the registered User ID and password created during CAT 2026 registration.

• On the candidate dashboard, locate and click the “CAT Admit Card 2026” option.

• Open the admit card and check every field carefully (see the checklist below).

• Download and save the PDF, then take at least one clear printout for exam day.

What Details Should You Check on the CAT 2026 Admit Card?

The CAT admit card is the primary identity and eligibility document at the exam centre — entry is not permitted on the strength of a registration confirmation email or a government ID alone. As soon as it is downloaded, candidates should verify:

• Name, photograph, and signature match the details submitted at registration.

• CAT 2026 registration number and category (General/EWS/OBC-NC/SC/ST/PwD).

• Exam date, session or slot timing (CAT 2026 is held in three sessions on November 29, 2026).

• Reporting time at the test centre, which is earlier than the actual test start time.

• Test centre name, city, and complete address.

• PwD-related provisions or compensatory time, where applicable.

Any mismatch should be flagged to IIM Indore through the official CAT helpdesk or grievance channel listed on iimcat.ac.in as early as possible, since corrections close to the exam date are harder to process.

CAT 2026 Exam Day: What to Carry and Key Rules

• A printed copy of the CAT 2026 admit card — a soft copy on a phone is not accepted as a substitute.

• A valid original photo ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence, or voter ID) that matches the name on the admit card.

• Arrival at the test centre by the reporting time printed on the admit card, well before the actual session start.

• No calculators, mobile phones, smartwatches, or study material inside the exam hall; a basic on-screen calculator is provided within the CAT interface itself.

• Candidates must sit only in the session/slot mentioned on their own admit card — slot changes are not permitted at the centre.

What If the CAT 2026 Admit Card Is Not Downloading or Shows an Error?

A few practical issues account for most admit card access problems, and most can be resolved before the exam date if flagged early:

• Confirm that both CAT 2026 registration and the fee payment (last date September 24, 2026) were completed successfully — an admit card is not generated for incomplete applications.

• Double-check the exact User ID and password created at registration; use the “Forgot Password” option on iimcat.ac.in if needed rather than repeated failed attempts.

• Clear the browser cache, disable pop-up blockers, or try an alternate browser or device if the download link does not load.

• For errors in the photograph, signature, or allotted test city, use the CAT 2026 correction window if it is still open, or raise a request through the official helpdesk once the admit card is out.

• If none of the above resolves the issue, contact the CAT 2026 helpdesk number and email listed on the official website rather than any unofficial source.

CAT 2026 Important Dates at a Glance

The table below brings together the confirmed CAT 2026 schedule in one place.

Note: These dates reflect the official CAT 2026 information bulletin and communications from IIM Indore as of September 28, 2026. IIM Indore may issue further notices, so candidates should cross-check the live schedule on iimcat.ac.in closer to each date.

Who Is Conducting CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 is being conducted by IIM Indore, with the exam convener overseeing the process, marking IIM Indore’s return as the convening institute for the first time since 2020. Responsibility for conducting CAT rotates among six older IIMs — Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore. CAT remains the gateway to 21 IIMs as well as over a thousand other participating B-schools such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, MDI Gurgaon, and IIFT.

What Should CAT 2026 Aspirants Do Before the Admit Card Releases?

• Keep the CAT 2026 registration confirmation and fee payment receipt handy — the login credentials on these are what unlock the admit card.

• Re-check spelling of name and other personal details submitted at registration so any discrepancy can be raised before November 4.

• Bookmark iimcat.ac.in and avoid clicking admit card “direct download” links shared on WhatsApp, Telegram, or unofficial sites.

• With roughly nine weeks left until the November 29 exam, use the time before the admit card release to lock in a structured, mock-driven preparation plan with CATKing rather than losing days to administrative uncertainty.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CAT 2026 Admit Card

When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?

IIM Indore will release the CAT 2026 admit card on November 4, 2026, on iimcat.ac.in. It can be downloaded using the registered User ID and password and remains available until the exam date, November 29, 2026.

How can I download the CAT 2026 admit card?

Visit iimcat.ac.in, click “Registered Candidate Login,” enter your CAT 2026 User ID and password, open the Admit Card section on the candidate dashboard, and download the PDF. The admit card is issued only through the official CAT website.

What details should I check on the CAT 2026 admit card?

Verify your name, photograph, signature, registration number, category, exam date, session or slot timing, reporting time, and test centre name and address as soon as the admit card is downloaded, and report any discrepancy to IIM Indore immediately.

What should I do if the CAT 2026 admit card is not downloading?

Confirm that CAT 2026 registration and fee payment were both completed successfully, use the exact User ID and password created at registration, and try clearing the browser cache or switching browsers. If the problem continues, contact the CAT 2026 helpdesk listed on iimcat.ac.in.

Who is conducting the CAT 2026 exam?

CAT 2026 is being conducted by IIM Indore, which returns as the convening institute for the first time since 2020. The exam will be held on November 29, 2026, in three sessions across roughly 170 test cities.

What should I carry to the CAT 2026 exam centre along with the admit card?