CAT 2026 Admit Card: Release Date, How to Download, Direct Link

CAT admit card is the passport to your CAT Exam as without carrying it, you will not be allowed to enter the CAT exam centre on CAT exam day. CAT admit card is also known as CAT exam hall ticket. You must carry the hard copy of your CAT admit card, with photo affixed on it, to CAT exam center otherwise you will not be allowed to enter the test center. In short, CAT 2026 Admit Card is a mandatory document for taking the CAT 2026 examination. 

Read key highlights of CAT admit card in the table below. 

CAT Admit Card 2026 Details 

CAT 2026 admit card will contain following formation, which you must check with your official records.  In case of any error, you should seek help of the examination authority for rectification to avoid any hassle during the identification process on the exam day.

• Candidate name
• Candidate caste
• Candidate's date of birth
• Candidate's photo
• Candidate's signature
• CAT Registration number
• CAT Exam Date and time
• CAT 2026 exam slot
• CAT 2026 exam centre address
• CAT exam related instructions
• Emergency contact number

CAT Admit Card download link will be available to registered candidates after they login to their account on official website. Check CAT exam admit card steps to download below.

1. Logon to CAT 2026 official Website (iimcat.ac.in) for CAT 2026 Admit Card login
2. Enter CAT Login ID & Password
3. Click on CAT 2026 Admit Card link.
4. Click on PDF file 'Admit card', your admit card is downloaded now
5. Take print out of CAT Admit card and verify details

Read more details on each step below.

Step 1: Logon to CAT Official Website iimcat.ac.in
The first step to download your CAT admit card is to logon to CAT official website. On CAT admit card release date, CAT website can be slow to open. So be patient!

Step 2: Enter CAT Login ID & Password
Next, you should complete CAT admit card 2026 login by entering your CAT user Id and CAT password. Once you have logged in, you will be able to download your CAT admit card pdf document.

Step 3: Click on ‘Admit Card’ Link
After login, you will see ‘Admit Card’ link. Click on it and it will open the page with your admit card.

Step 4: Click on Admit Card PDF link
At admit card page, click on the pdf file Admit card image on the right hand corner. Click on it to download your Admit Card.

Step 5: Take Print Out and Key Verify Details 
After downloading the Admit card, you should verify all the details mentioned on it. Then, take at least 2 prints on A4 size paper and affix your identical photograph on the hard copy of the CAT Admit card. 

Immediately after downloading the CAT admit card, you should check all the information mentioned on it and match the information you filled in your CAT application form 2026:

• Name of the candidate printed on the admit card should be same as in application form
• Registration number of the candidate on the admit card must be the same as the registered user ID
• Date of birth should be the same as mentioned on the application form and official documents
• Caste category status should same as in application form
• PwD/DA status should be same as mentioned in the application form
• Test centre location must be in one of the cities mentioned in your application form
• Candidate's photograph must be clearly visible on the admit card
• Candidate's signature must be clearly visible on the admit card

If you find any mistake in the admit card, don’t panic. You should immediately contact the CAT exam centre by mail and over phone for rectification.

• CAT exam centre email: [email protected]
• CAT exam centre help line: 1-800-210-0175 (Toll Free)

• Phone No.: To be updated
• Email: To be updated
• Address: IIM Indore, Prabandh Shikhar, Rau-Pithampur Road, Indore, Madhya Pradesh 453556.

Based on the last 10-year trend, CAT admit card release has shifted from October (2014–2022) to November from CAT 2023 onwards, with CAT 2024 releasing on November 6 and CAT 2025 on November 12. Check CAT admit card release dates for the last 10 years in the table below.

CAT mock tests and sample papers are among the most important tools for effective preparation. If you are serious about scoring a high percentile, you must take a large number of mock tests to build exam readiness, improve speed, and refine your strategy. You can access mock tests and sample papers from the links below. Similarly, CAT previous year question papers are equally valuable. They help you understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and question trends. You can download CAT previous year papers in PDF format from the link below or attempt them online for better practice.

• CAT Mock Tests 2026
• CAT Sample Papers 2026
• CAT Previous Year Question Papers

CAT exam day instructions and guidelines that the candidate must follow at the test centre and during the exam are given below:

• Documents to carry: Candidates must carry two copies of the CAT 2026 admit card and a photo ID proof (original and photocopy). Remember that only CAT 2026 admit card and photo ID card are allowed inside the exam hall.
• Affix Photo: Candidates must affix their photo on the admit card printouts. The photo should be same as uploaded in the CAT application form.
• Reporting Time: Candidates must reach the CAT exam centre as per the reporting time mentioned in their admit card.
• Locate Exam Hall: Candidates should use the Reference Number printed on the CAT 2026 admit card for identifying the exam hall door/wing/lab at the test venue on the day of the test.
• Don’t Sign Admit Card Before Hand: Candidates are not supposed to sign their CAT admit card beforehand. The admit card is to be signed only inside the exam hall in front of the invigilator.
• Don’t Carry Prohibited Items: Mobile phone, calculator, IPad or any other gadget is prohibited inside the examination hall. Candidates are advised not to carry bags or luggage to the CAT 2026 exam centre as there will be no provision of bag deposit. Jewellery that contains metal, clothes with pockets, jackets and footwear with big heals are prohibited inside the exam hall.
• CAT Dress Code: While there is no CAT exam dress code, remember that jackets, hoodies, coats, cardigans with many pockets, caps and headgear will not be allowed.
• Metal Detector: Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc. in their body will be required to bring medical certificate of the same.
• Writing pad and pen provided: Writing pad and pen will be provided by the authorities for rough work which will have to be submitted before leaving the test hall. Candidates will be required to write their name and registration number on the writing pad.
• Submit CAT Admit Card copy after exam: Candidates must leave the invigilator's copy of their CAT admit card 2026 in the examination hall.

Given below is the list of documents that they can carry as ID proof:

• Aadhaar card
• Voter ID
• Passport
• PAN card
• E-Aadhaar
• Ration Card
• College/University ID
• Driver's license

In summary, CAT 2026 Admit Card is expected to be released on November 12, 2026. CAT admit card includes key details such as exam date, time slot, venue address, and important exam-day instructions. CAT Admit Card is also called CAT Hall Ticket 2026 and IIM Admit Card. Also read about CAT 2026 exam centre and CAT 2026 last minute preparation.