CAT 2026 Test City Allocation: How Centres Are Allotted, City Preference & Change Rules

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 closed and the admit card releasing on November 4, 2026, the question aspirants ask most right now is simple: which city will I actually get to write the exam in? This article explains exactly how IIM Indore allots CAT 2026 test cities and centres, what happens if a preferred city isn’t available, and why changes are not allowed once a centre is confirmed.

Key Takeaways

• Candidates select five preferred test cities, in order of preference, at the time of CAT 2026 registration.

• IIM Indore allots one of these five cities based on seat availability — the first preference is not guaranteed.

• If none of the five preferred cities can be allotted, a nearby city is assigned instead.

• Once a test centre is allotted, no change is permitted under any circumstances.

• A short edit window after registration closes allows changes to test city preference, photograph, and signature — but only before final allotment, and only for candidates who registered and paid successfully.

• CAT 2026 is being held in approximately 170 test cities across roughly 400 centres; the exact allotted centre is confirmed on the admit card released November 4, 2026.

How Is the CAT 2026 Test City Allotted?

At the time of registration, every candidate selects five preferred test cities from a drop-down list, ranked in order of preference. Once the CAT 2026 registration window closes, IIM Indore processes these preferences and allots one city to each candidate based on seat capacity and regional demand. The allotted city, along with the exact test centre name and address, is confirmed on the CAT 2026 admit card, which is released on November 4, 2026, on iimcat.ac.in. There is no separate “centre allotment” notice before the admit card — the admit card itself is the official confirmation.

Will I Get My First-Preference CAT 2026 City?

Not necessarily. IIM Indore makes a reasonable effort to allot one of a candidate’s five preferred cities, but allotment is ultimately subject to availability. In cities with very high demand relative to seat capacity, a candidate may be allotted a lower-ranked preference rather than their first choice. Selecting five genuinely acceptable cities — rather than five variations of the same metro — improves the odds of a smoother allotment.

What Happens If None of My Preferred Cities Are Available?

This is uncommon but does happen, particularly for candidates who select only high-demand metro cities. In the rare case that none of the five preferred cities can be allotted, IIM Indore assigns the nearest available city instead. This nearby-city allotment is final and, like any other allotment, is shown only on the admit card. Candidates in this situation should plan travel and accommodation as soon as the admit card is released, since the assigned city may differ from every option they originally selected.

Can the CAT 2026 Test City or Centre Be Changed After Allotment?

No. Once a test centre has been allotted for CAT 2026, IIM Indore does not permit any change to the city or centre under any circumstances — this holds even for candidates who have a genuine change in address, travel constraints, or a preference for a different city after the fact. The only point at which city preference can still be adjusted is the short edit window described below, which closes before final allotment is processed.

Is There a Window to Edit My CAT 2026 Test City Preference?

Yes, but it is brief and comes with conditions. After the CAT 2026 registration window closes, IIM Indore opens a short edit window during which registered and successfully paid candidates can revise a limited set of fields — photograph, signature, and test city preference. This window closes before city allotment is finalised, and it is the only opportunity to adjust test city choices after the original registration. Candidates who want to change a preferred city should watch for this window’s exact dates on iimcat.ac.in and act within it, since no changes are entertained once it closes.

How Many Test Cities Is CAT 2026 Being Held In?

CAT 2026 is being conducted across approximately 170 test cities in India, spread over roughly 400 test centres, spanning states and union territories from Jammu and Kashmir to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The full city list is published on iimcat.ac.in and is subject to being added to, removed from, or otherwise revised at IIM Indore’s discretion, so candidates should check the current list on the official website rather than relying on last year’s cities.

CAT 2026 Test City Allocation: Quick-Reference Rules

The table below summarises the key rules candidates ask about most often.

Note: These rules reflect the official CAT 2026 information bulletin and notices from IIM Indore as of September 28, 2026. IIM Indore reserves the right to add, remove, or change any test city or centre, so candidates should re-check iimcat.ac.in as the admit card release date approaches.

What Should CAT 2026 Aspirants Do About Test City Allocation?

• Select all five city preferences carefully at registration — include at least one or two lower-demand cities to improve the chance of getting a preference you’re comfortable with.

• Watch for the short post-registration edit window and use it if a preferred city genuinely needs to change — it will not reopen later.

• Do not finalise travel or accommodation bookings until the admit card confirms the allotted city and centre on November 4, 2026.

• If a nearby city is allotted instead of any preferred option, plan logistics immediately, since the allotment cannot be appealed or changed.

• Use the weeks before the admit card release to focus on a structured, mock-driven preparation plan with CATKing rather than city-allocation uncertainty.

Frequently Asked Questions About CAT 2026 Test City Allocation

How is the CAT 2026 test city allotted?

Candidates choose five preferred cities in order of preference at registration. After the registration window closes, IIM Indore allots one city based on seat availability, and the result appears on the CAT 2026 admit card released on November 4, 2026.

Will I get my first-preference CAT 2026 city?

Not guaranteed. IIM Indore tries to allot one of the five preferred cities, but a candidate may receive a lower-ranked preference in high-demand regions rather than their first choice.

What happens if none of my preferred cities are available?

A nearby city is allotted instead. This assignment is final and is confirmed only on the admit card.

Can the CAT 2026 test city be changed after allotment?

No. Once a centre is allotted, no change is permitted under any circumstances. Preferences can only be revised during the short edit window that opens after registration closes and before allotment is finalised.

When will the CAT 2026 test centre be announced?

The allotted test centre is confirmed on the CAT 2026 admit card, released on November 4, 2026, on iimcat.ac.in — there is no separate allotment notice before that.

How many cities can I select while registering for CAT 2026?

Five preferred test cities, chosen in order of preference from a drop-down menu at the time of registration.

How many cities is CAT 2026 being conducted in?

Approximately 170 test cities across India, spread over roughly 400 test centres, with the full list published on iimcat.ac.in.