You can download the CAT 2026 admit card from the official CAT website starting today, November 6, 2026.
With the Common Admission Test only weeks away, every registered candidate is asking the same thing: when can I actually get my hall ticket? The CAT 2026 admit card is the one document that decides whether you are allowed to walk into the test centre on exam day, so it pays to know exactly when it goes live, where to find it and what to check once it is in your hands.
This guide pulls together the latest announcement from IIM Indore, the official download process, slot timings, the rules printed on the hall ticket and the mistakes aspirants commonly make. If you have been refreshing the website since 4 November, read the next section first.
Is CAT 2026 Admit Card Released? Current Status
Yes, the Cat 2026 admit card has been released today, November 06, 2026. The hall ticket was originally listed for 4 November, but the date was pushed ahead. IIM Indore has now said the admit cards are generated for all eligible candidates and is now available for download from today, 6 November to 29 November 2026 on the official CAT website.
So if the login page is not showing a download option today, nothing is wrong with your application. The link simply has not been switched on.
CAT 2026 Admit Card Release Date and Time
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting institute | IIM Indore |
| Original admit card date | 4 November 2026 |
| Revised release date | 6 November 2026 (Friday) |
| Download window | 6 November to 29 November 2026 |
| Release time | Not officially announced |
| Official website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Login required | Registered CAT User ID and password |
| CAT 2026 exam date | 29 November 2026 (Sunday) |
| Exam mode | Computer-based test, three sessions |
The organisers have not shared a clock time for the activation. Education portals are guessing the link will appear in the morning, but treat that as speculation. The safest approach is to log in on 6 November and keep checking through the day rather than assuming a particular hour.
Why was the CAT admit card date changed?
No detailed reason has been given. What is known is that the portal had listed 4 November as a tentative date, later replaced by 6 November, while the exam date of 29 November stayed untouched. Since the download window runs right up to the test day, candidates still have more than three weeks to collect the hall ticket, check it and sort out any issue.
CAT 2026 Admit Card Download: Official Website and Requirements
The hall ticket is issued only online. Nothing is posted to your address and nothing is mailed to you, so the single trusted place for CAT admit card download is the official CAT portal, iimcat.ac.in. Be careful with websites that promise a “direct link” in exchange for your details; stick to the official domain.
Keep these ready before you log in:
- Your CAT User ID (the one created during registration)
- Your password
- A stable internet connection
- A laptop or desktop, if possible, since the PDF is easier to check and print from a larger screen
You cannot get into the candidate dashboard without these credentials. If you have forgotten them, use the “Forgot User ID / Password” option on the login page and reset them through your registered email well before the link opens, not after.
How to Download CAT 2026 Admit Card: Step-by-Step
- Open iimcat.ac.in in your browser.
- Select the candidate login option on the homepage.
- Type in your CAT User ID and password and complete any verification shown on screen.
- Once you are inside the dashboard, look for the admit card link and click it.
- Your hall ticket will open as a PDF. Go through every detail on it.
- Save the file to your device and also keep a backup in your email or cloud storage.
- Print all pages on A4 paper with a clear printer so the photograph and signature are readable.
A small tip: do the download on the first day itself. Even if you do not plan to travel for weeks, an early download gives you time to spot errors and contact the helpdesk without panic.
What Is Mentioned on the CAT 2026 Admit Card?
The hall ticket is not just a permission slip. It tells you where to be, when to be there and who the system thinks you are. The commonly printed details include:
- Name, application number and date of birth
- Category and PwD status
- Photograph and signature
- Emergency contact
- Test date, session and time
- Reporting time and gate closing time at the centre
- Test city and full centre address
- Instructions for the exam day
Check each item slowly. A wrong date of birth or a blurred photograph is far easier to fix now than at the gate on 29 November.
CAT 2026 Exam Slots and Reporting Time
CAT 2026 will be held on 29 November across three sessions. Each candidate gets one of them, and the session is fixed on your admit card. The timings below follow the usual three-session pattern reported by coaching and education portals; the time printed on your own hall ticket is the final word.
| Session | Reporting time | Last entry | Test timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 (Morning) | 7:00 AM | 8:15 AM | 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM |
| Slot 2 (Afternoon) | 11:00 AM | 12:15 PM | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM |
| Slot 3 (Evening) | 3:00 PM | 4:15 PM | 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM |
Registration for this cycle stood at roughly 2.84 lakh candidates, with the test spread over about 170 cities. You cannot swap your slot or centre once the admit card is out, so plan your travel around what is printed.
Documents to Carry on CAT Exam Day
The organisers are strict about paperwork, and a missing document can cost you the attempt. Carry:
- A printed copy of your CAT admit card. A phone screen or PDF on a device is not accepted as a replacement.
- One original government photo ID, such as Aadhaar, PAN card, passport, driving licence or voter ID, in good, undamaged condition.
- The same photograph you used at registration, if the admit card asks you to paste one in the marked space.
Photocopies of ID cards are not a safe bet. Always read the instruction panel at the bottom of your own hall ticket, because that panel is the official checklist.
New Security Measures for CAT 2026
The IIMs have announced extra security for this edition. Face matching will be used to verify identity, and mobile jammers will be installed at select test centres. In practical terms, that means your photograph on the admit card and your appearance on exam day need to be consistent, and you should be prepared for thorough frisking and verification at entry. Arrive early so these checks do not eat into your reporting window.
Past instructions have also stated that phones, smartwatches, calculators, wallets, goggles, metal accessories, thick-soled shoes and bulky buttons are not allowed inside the lab, and there is no counter to store your belongings. A pen and a rough-work pad are provided at the centre, which you must return after the test. Carry only what you need.
CAT 2026 Mock Test Opens on 6 November
The official mock test is scheduled to open on the same date as the admit card. It is a sample run designed to show you the interface, the navigation panel, section timers and the on-screen calculator. If you have only practised on third-party platforms, spend an evening on the official one. Getting comfortable with the exact screen you will see on 29 November removes a surprising amount of exam-day stress.
Common Problems While Downloading the CAT Admit Card
| Problem | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Site is slow or not loading | Heavy traffic on release day is common. Wait a while and retry instead of refreshing continuously. |
| Wrong password | Use the forgot-password option and reset it through your registered email. |
| No download link on dashboard | The link may not be active yet. Check back later on the confirmed release date. |
| PDF will not open or looks blank | Try another browser or device, or install a PDF reader and download again. |
| Photograph looks blurred | First check whether it is a preview issue. If the downloaded file and printout are still unclear, contact the CAT helpdesk rather than editing anything yourself. |
| Admit card not generated | This usually relates to an incomplete application, duplicate registration or an unpaid fee. Verify your application status and reach out to the helpdesk. |
What If You Find a Mistake on Your Admit Card?
Do not ignore it and do not try to correct it yourself. Note down the exact error, take a screenshot, and contact the official CAT helpdesk through the contact details given on iimcat.ac.in as early as possible. Spelling slips, a mismatched photograph and incorrect category details are the kind of issues you want resolved long before the gate closes on exam day. Keep in mind that a request to change the test city, centre or session is not entertained after the hall ticket is issued.
Quick Checklist Before 29 November
- Download the admit card on or soon after 6 November
- Verify every personal detail and the photograph
- Print two clear A4 copies
- Keep the original photo ID with the admit card in one folder
- Locate your centre a day before and plan for travel time
- Take the official mock test
- Avoid new topics in the last week and focus on revision and timed practice
What Comes After the Admit Card?
The broad timeline, based on past cycles and what education portals have indicated, looks like this: the response sheet and provisional answer key typically appear within the first week or two after the test, the final key follows, and the CAT 2026 result is expected in December. IIM shortlisting then runs into early 2027. Treat these later dates as indicative and rely on iimcat.ac.in for confirmed announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is CAT 2026 admit card released?
Not yet, as of 5 November 2026. The release has been moved to 6 November 2026 on iimcat.ac.in.
2. What is the CAT 2026 admit card release date?
The revised date is 6 November 2026. The download link is expected to stay active until the exam day, 29 November 2026.
3. How can I do the CAT 2026 admit card download?
Visit iimcat.ac.in, log in with your CAT User ID and password, click the admit card link, then save and print the PDF.
4. Can I download the CAT admit card without a password?
No. You need your registered credentials. If they are lost, reset them using the recovery option on the login page.
5. Will the admit card be sent by post or email?
No. It is available only for online download from the official website.
6. Is a mobile copy of the admit card accepted?
No. Carry a clear printout along with an original photo ID.
7. Can I change my exam centre or slot after downloading the admit card?
No. Changes to the city, centre or session are not accepted once the hall ticket is issued.
8. When is the CAT 2026 exam?
CAT 2026 will be held on 29 November 2026 in three sessions, conducted by IIM Indore.
9. Will the official mock test also be available?
Yes. The mock test is scheduled to open from 6 November on the official website.
Final Thoughts
The delay from 4 November to 6 November is a small wrinkle, not a reason to worry. Keep your login details ready, download the hall ticket the day it goes live, verify everything on it and spend the remaining time sharpening your preparation. Bookmark the official site, ignore unverified links, and walk into the centre on 29 November with the right documents and a calm mind.
