CAT 2026 Admit Card Released: Download Hall Ticket at iimcat.ac.in

In a major milestone for more than two and a half lakh management aspirants across the country, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore has officially issued the admit card for the Common Admission Test (CAT 2026). The release of the hall ticket marks the final phase of preparation for the premier national entrance examination, which serves as the primary gateway to postgraduate management programs across 22 IIMs and hundreds of non-IIM business schools. Candidates who registered for the computer-based test can now access and download their hall tickets from the official portal, iimcat.ac.in, by logging in with their registered User ID and password. Because this document serves as the sole non-negotiable entry credential at exam venues, exam authorities urge candidates to obtain and preserve their printed copy well before test day.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Download Your CAT 2026 Hall Ticket

The download facility is hosted on the unified national portal to ensure secure access to candidate records. Aspirants should avoid clicking on unverified third-party links and strictly use the verified gateway by following these administrative steps:

Open your web browser and navigate directly to the official examination portal at iimcat.ac.in.

On the homepage, locate and click on the "Registered Candidate Login" button.

Enter your unique CAT 2026 User ID and confidential account password in the respective fields.

Enter the captcha security code displayed on the screen and hit the "Login" button.

Once inside the personalized candidate dashboard, click on the dedicated "Admit Card" or "CAT 2026 Hall Ticket" tab.

The digital admit card PDF will populate on your screen; download the document to your local storage.

Take at least two clear, high-resolution color printouts on standard A4-size paper to present at the test center.

The download window will remain accessible through the exam day on Sunday, November 29, 2026. However, candidates are advised not to postpone downloading until the final hours. Heavy web traffic on the morning of the exam can cause server congestion, and downloading early ensures ample time to detect typographical errors, verify assigned test venues, and resolve clerical discrepancies with the IIM Indore helpdesk.

Three-Shift Exam Schedule: Check Slot Timings and Session Allocations

The CAT 2026 examination will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in a strictly timed computer-based format across three designated shifts to maintain seating capacity, question pool security, and smooth transit management. Each slot runs for a duration of two hours (120 minutes), with each of the three core sections allocated a mandatory 40-minute sectional limit:

• Session 1 (Morning Shift): Begins promptly at 8:30 AM and concludes at 10:30 AM (reporting time typically at 7:00 AM).

• Session 2 (Afternoon Shift): Runs from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (reporting time typically at 11:00 AM).

• Session 3 (Evening Shift): Starts at 4:30 PM and wraps up at 6:30 PM (reporting time typically at 3:00 PM).

The examination will take place across hundreds of synchronized digital test centers situated in approximately 170 cities throughout India. The specific shift, reporting window, center name, and complete postal address are printed on each candidate’s admit card. Once a shift and venue are allotted by the computerized scheduling algorithm, no requests for transfer or timing changes will be entertained under any circumstances.

Mandatory Verification: Critical Details to Check on Your Hall Ticket

Upon securing the downloaded PDF, candidates must scrutinize every printed entry to verify that their details match the original application records. Any discrepancy between the admit card details and official identity credentials can lead to disqualification at the security gate. Ensure you carefully inspect the following fields:

• Full Candidate Name and Registration Number: Verify that spelling, initials, and name sequencing match your official government photo ID.

• Category and PwD Status: Check that designations for General, NC-OBC, SC, ST, EWS, or PwD status correspond exactly to your submission.

• Photograph and Digital Signature: Ensure that both the passport photograph and scanned signature appear crisp, unblurred, and easily recognizable.

Center Details and Google Map Landmark: Double-check the exact address, institutional pin code, and designated center code to avoid arriving at an incorrect branch campus.

Designated Photo Space: Admit cards contain a dedicated box where an identical passport-size color photograph—matching the photo uploaded during registration—must be pasted before entering the examination premises.

If any spelling mistake, blurred graphic, or incorrect category tag is discovered, candidates must immediately contact the CAT 2026 administrative helpdesk via email at cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in or through the designated toll-free support line to obtain an official correction endorsement.

Test Day Protocols: What to Carry and What Remains Prohibited

Security protocols at all 170 test cities will be managed under strict biometric supervision and electronic surveillance. Entry into the testing hall requires two non-negotiable items: a printed copy of the CAT 2026 admit card (with the passport photograph affixed) and an original, valid, non-expired government-issued photo identity card. Acceptable forms of photo identification include an Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or permanent Driving License. Digital copies on smartphones or photocopies of IDs will not be accepted.

Candidates must adhere to strict dress codes and personal property restrictions. Prohibited items include electronic gadgets, smartwatches, wristwatches, Bluetooth earphones, fitness bands, calculators, wallets, and bags. Metal jewelry, ornate hairpins, and jackets with oversized metallic buttons are strongly discouraged to avoid delays during mandatory metal detector screening. Writing paper and virtual on-screen calculators will be provided within the secure test console interface. Arriving at the test venue well before the gate closure deadline ensures a smooth transition through biometric fingerprint scanning, identity authentication, and terminal seat assignment.