CAT Exam 2026

The CAT UG 2026 (Common Admission Test for Undergraduates) serves as a gateway for students seeking admission into various undergraduate programs across prestigious institutions in India. Below are the key highlights for the 2026 cycle:

• Exam Name: CAT UG 2026
• Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Exam Level: National
• Mode of Exam: Computer Based Test (CBT)
• Official Website: nta.ac.in
• Language: English, Hindi, and regional languages

Candidates should keep track of the following tentative schedule for the CAT UG 2026 examination:

• Release of Official Notification: Last week of January 2026
• Online Application Process Starts: First week of February 2026
• Last Date to Submit Application: First week of April 2026
• Admit Card Release: Second week of May 2026
• CAT UG 2026 Exam Date: May 15 - May 31, 2026
• Declaration of Results: June 2026

CAT (Undergraduate) is a highly competitive national-level entrance examination designed to assess the aptitude of students finishing their higher secondary education. It evaluates candidates on various parameters including logical reasoning, quantitative ability, and linguistic proficiency. In 2026, the exam continues to be the primary metric for admission into diverse streams such as Management, Humanities, and Vocational studies at the undergraduate level.

The full form of CAT is the Common Admission Test. While traditionally associated with postgraduate management admissions (IIMs), the CAT UG variant specifically caters to undergraduate aspirants seeking entry into integrated programs and specialized bachelor's degrees managed under the NTA framework.

Over the years, the CAT UG exam has transitioned from a paper-pencil based test to a sophisticated Computer Based Test (CBT). The number of participating universities has grown significantly, from a handful of central institutions to over 100+ participating universities, including state, private, and deemed-to-be universities. The 2026 edition reflects a further shift toward a more holistic assessment pattern, reducing rote learning and emphasizing critical thinking.

To be eligible for the CAT UG 2026 exam, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

• Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent from a recognized board.
• Appearing Candidates: Students appearing for their final Class 12 exams in 2026 are also eligible to apply.
• Minimum Marks: Generally, a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) is required in the qualifying exam.
• Age Limit: There is typically no upper age limit for appearing in CAT UG, though individual universities may have their own age criteria.

The application process for CAT UG 2026 is entirely online. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official NTA portal.
2. Complete the Online Registration using a valid email ID and mobile number.
3. Fill in the Application Form with personal, academic, and contact details.
4. Upload scanned documents including photograph, signature, and category certificates.
5. Pay the Application Fee via Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
6. Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.

The 2026 exam is categorized into three main sections to allow for diverse stream choices:

• Section IA & IB: Languages (English, Hindi, and 11+ regional languages).
• Section II: Domain-Specific Subjects (Accountancy, Economics, Business Studies, Mathematics, etc.).
• Section III: General Test (General Knowledge, Current Affairs, Mental Ability, Numerical Ability).

The syllabus for CAT UG 2026 is primarily based on the NCERT Class 12 curriculum:

• Language: Reading comprehension, literary aptitude, and vocabulary.
• Domain Subjects: Specific topics as per the Class 12 NCERT textbooks for the chosen subject.
• General Test: Current affairs, general mental ability, logical and analytical reasoning, and basic quantitative arithmetic.

The CAT UG 2026 exam pattern is designed to be objective and time-bound:

• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Marking Scheme: +5 marks for every correct answer; -1 mark for every incorrect answer.
• Duration: Varies by section, typically 45 to 60 minutes per subject.
• Medium: 13 languages including English and Hindi.

The admission process involves several stages:

1. Entrance Exam: Appearing for the CAT UG 2026.
2. Scorecard Generation: NTA releases the normalized scores.
3. University Application: Candidates must apply separately to participating universities based on their CAT scores.
4. Merit List: Universities prepare merit lists based on CAT scores and eligibility criteria.
5. Counselling: Successful candidates participate in the seat allotment process.

Several top-tier institutions accept CAT UG 2026 scores, including:

• Central Universities (e.g., DU, BHU, JNU, AMU).
• State Government Universities.
• Private Universities like Amity, Shiv Nadar, and BML Munjal.
• Deemed Universities.

The CAT UG 2026 Result will be declared online in June 2026. The result will be published in the form of a scorecard containing:

• Candidate's Name and Roll Number.
• Section-wise Raw Scores.
• Section-wise Percentile Scores.
• Total Normalized Score.

Once the results are out, candidates must:

• Download and save their scorecard.
• Check the cutoff marks released by various universities.
• Register for the Centralized Counselling or individual university portals.
• Prepare documents for the verification process.

Counselling for 2026 will be conducted either through a centralized portal like CSAS (for Delhi University) or individually by universities. The process includes:

• Online registration for counselling.
• Choice filling and locking of preferred courses/colleges.
• Seat allotment based on merit and preference.
• Payment of admission fees to confirm the seat.

The CAT 2026 Cut Off will vary depending on the university and course. Factors influencing the cutoff include:

• Total number of candidates appearing for the exam.
• Difficulty level of the question paper.
• Number of seats available in the specific program.
• Category-wise reservation norms.

For any queries regarding the CAT UG 2026, candidates can contact the NTA Help Desk:

• Address: NSIC-MDBP Building, First Floor, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi-110020
• Helpline Number: 011-40759000 / 011-69227700
• Official Email: catug@nta.ac.in