MBA
Mar 19, 2026
CAT 2026: IIM Bangalore to Emphasize Data Interpretation and Sustainability in New Curriculum
K
Karan Malhotra
Mar 19, 2026
0
0
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, which has been designated as the convener for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026, has hinted at a shift in the examination’s focus. While the core structure of the three sections—Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA)—will remain intact, the DILR section is expected to feature more caselets related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics. This move aligns with IIM Bangalore's commitment to fostering socially responsible business leaders.
The official notification for CAT 2026 is expected to be released in the last week of July, with the registration window opening in early August. The exam is tentatively scheduled for November 29, 2026, across 160 cities. Sources within the CAT coordination committee suggest that there might be a slight increase in the number of Non-MCQ (Type In The Answer) questions to better test the candidates' precision and reduce the impact of guesswork. IIM Bangalore is also looking to enhance the interface of the computer-based test to make it more accessible for visually impaired candidates.
Prof. Venkat Rao, a senior faculty member at IIM Bangalore, explained the rationale behind these subtle changes. 'Management education is no longer just about numbers; it is about understanding complex data in the context of a changing world. By introducing sustainability-themed data sets, we are encouraging aspirants to think broadly about the impact of business decisions,' he said. This change is being viewed positively by industry experts, who believe that the CAT needs to evolve to stay relevant to the needs of the modern corporate sector.
For the 2026-28 academic session, IIMs are also expected to give higher weightage to 'academic diversity' and 'gender diversity' during the shortlisting process for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Candidates from non-engineering backgrounds, such as Humanities, Law, and Medicine, may find the updated DILR section more aligned with general analytical thinking rather than pure computational speed. However, the Quantitative Ability section will continue to be a rigorous test of mathematical proficiency, covering topics from Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry.
As the competition intensifies—with an estimated 3.5 lakh registrations expected this year—coaching institutes are already recalibrating their mock tests to reflect these anticipated changes. Aspirants are advised to focus on reading diverse topics, ranging from philosophy to climate change, to tackle the VARC section effectively. IIM Bangalore will also launch a dedicated helpdesk and a series of webinars starting in September to guide students through the application process and the nuances of the CAT 2026 score normalization formula.
The official notification for CAT 2026 is expected to be released in the last week of July, with the registration window opening in early August. The exam is tentatively scheduled for November 29, 2026, across 160 cities. Sources within the CAT coordination committee suggest that there might be a slight increase in the number of Non-MCQ (Type In The Answer) questions to better test the candidates' precision and reduce the impact of guesswork. IIM Bangalore is also looking to enhance the interface of the computer-based test to make it more accessible for visually impaired candidates.
Prof. Venkat Rao, a senior faculty member at IIM Bangalore, explained the rationale behind these subtle changes. 'Management education is no longer just about numbers; it is about understanding complex data in the context of a changing world. By introducing sustainability-themed data sets, we are encouraging aspirants to think broadly about the impact of business decisions,' he said. This change is being viewed positively by industry experts, who believe that the CAT needs to evolve to stay relevant to the needs of the modern corporate sector.
For the 2026-28 academic session, IIMs are also expected to give higher weightage to 'academic diversity' and 'gender diversity' during the shortlisting process for the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Candidates from non-engineering backgrounds, such as Humanities, Law, and Medicine, may find the updated DILR section more aligned with general analytical thinking rather than pure computational speed. However, the Quantitative Ability section will continue to be a rigorous test of mathematical proficiency, covering topics from Arithmetic, Algebra, and Geometry.
As the competition intensifies—with an estimated 3.5 lakh registrations expected this year—coaching institutes are already recalibrating their mock tests to reflect these anticipated changes. Aspirants are advised to focus on reading diverse topics, ranging from philosophy to climate change, to tackle the VARC section effectively. IIM Bangalore will also launch a dedicated helpdesk and a series of webinars starting in September to guide students through the application process and the nuances of the CAT 2026 score normalization formula.