If you are preparing for CAT 2026, one of the most common questions is: Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
The answer is IIM Indore. CAT 2026 is being conducted by the Indian Institute of Management Indore. The official CAT 2026 information is available through the CAT website, and IIM Indore’s own admissions page also provides a CAT 2026 website and advertisement.
CAT 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in multiple sessions.
The responsibility for conducting CAT generally rotates among the older IIMs. In recent years, the conducting institutes have included IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Calcutta, IIM Kozhikode and IIM Indore. CAT 2025 was conducted by IIM Kozhikode, while CAT 2026 is being conducted by IIM Indore.
CAT 2026 Conducting IIM
| Particular | Details |
| Exam | Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 |
| Conducting IIM | IIM Indore |
| Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test |
| Sessions | Multiple sessions |
| Official CAT Website | iimcat.ac.in |
| Purpose | Admission to IIMs and other participating B-schools |
IIM Indore’s official website lists CAT 2026 information under its PGP 2026–28 Batch Admissions Details, including the CAT 2026 advertisement and CAT website.
Why Does IIM Indore Conduct CAT 2026?
CAT is conducted every year by one of the older IIMs. The responsibility has historically rotated among six institutes:
- IIM Ahmedabad
- IIM Bangalore
- IIM Calcutta
- IIM Lucknow
- IIM Kozhikode
- IIM Indore
The recent sequence shows the rotation clearly:
- CAT 2021: IIM Ahmedabad
- CAT 2022: IIM Bangalore
- CAT 2023: IIM Lucknow
- CAT 2024: IIM Calcutta
- CAT 2025: IIM Kozhikode
- CAT 2026: IIM Indore
This makes IIM Indore the conducting institute for CAT 2026.
Does IIM Indore Conducting CAT 2026 Mean the Paper Will Be Difficult?
Not necessarily.
A common misconception among CAT aspirants is that the IIM conducting the examination determines whether CAT will be easy or difficult. While the conducting IIM is responsible for important aspects of organizing and administering the examination, candidates should not prepare based on assumptions about a particular institute’s “paper style.”
The safest approach is to prepare for the standard CAT syllabus and build strong performance across all three sections:
- VARC – Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
- DILR – Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
- QA – Quantitative Ability
Instead of trying to predict the difficulty level based on IIM Indore, aspirants should focus on concepts, previous-year CAT papers, sectional tests and mock-test analysis.
When Is CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026. IIM Indore will conduct the examination across test centres in India. The CAT 2026 registration process began on August 3, 2026, according to the published examination notification information.
Candidates should always verify dates, registration information, admit-card details and other announcements on the official CAT website before taking action.
What Should CAT 2026 Aspirants Do Now?
Knowing the conducting IIM is useful, but it should not change your preparation strategy.
If you are targeting CAT 2026, focus on:
- Build your fundamentals: Strengthen the basics of Quantitative Ability, VARC and DILR.
- Practice regularly: Consistent practice is more valuable than studying randomly for long hours.
- Solve previous-year CAT questions: Previous CAT papers help you understand the types of questions and reasoning required.
- Start taking mocks: Full-length mocks help develop time management and exam temperament.
- Analyze every mock: Do not focus only on your score. Identify why you lost marks and which areas need improvement.
- Work on accuracy: CAT is not simply about attempting more questions. Selecting the right questions and maintaining accuracy is equally important.
Is IIM Indore the Only IIM You Can Get Through CAT 2026?
No.
The CAT exam is used for admission to management programmes at the IIMs and is also accepted by several other leading business schools. Each IIM follows its own admission and shortlisting criteria. For example, IIM Ahmedabad states that CAT performance is an important part of its domestic MBA admission process, along with other selection components.
Therefore, preparing for CAT 2026 is not preparation for admission to IIM Indore alone. A strong CAT score can help you compete for opportunities across multiple IIMs and other CAT-accepting institutes.
CAT 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Which IIM is conducting CAT 2026?
IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026.
When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
Who conducted CAT 2025?
IIM Kozhikode conducted CAT 2025.
Does IIM Indore conducting CAT 2026 mean the exam will be difficult?
No. Aspirants should not assume that CAT will be easy or difficult solely because IIM Indore is conducting it. Preparation should be based on the CAT syllabus, previous-year papers and mock-test practice.
How many sections are there in CAT?
CAT tests candidates across three broad sections: VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability (QA).
Where can I find official CAT 2026 updates?
Candidates should use the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in, for registration, admit-card, examination and other official announcements.
Final Takeaway
IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026, with the examination scheduled for November 29, 2026.
However, the conducting IIM should not become a distraction during preparation. Whether you are targeting IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore or another top B-school, the goal should remain the same: build strong concepts, practice consistently, improve accuracy and perform well in the CAT examination.
For CAT 2026 aspirants, starting structured preparation early can make a significant difference. The institute conducting the exam may change from year to year, but the need for disciplined preparation remains constant.
