CAT 2026 Exam Date & Registration (Last Date Today) | Top MBA Colleges in Pune Accepting CAT

📅 Last Updated: September 22, 2026  |  By CollegePune Editorial Team

If you are dreaming of an MBA from one of the top MBA colleges in Pune, the clock is ticking right now. CAT 2026 — the Common Admission Test conducted by IIM Indore — is the single most important exam that unlocks doors to India's best management institutes, including several premium MBA colleges in Pune.

In this comprehensive guide, we break down every CAT 2026 important date, the complete registration process, eligibility criteria, and the definitive list of the best MBA colleges in Pune that accept CAT scores — with cutoffs, fees, and placement records.

CAT 2026 Important Dates — Complete Schedule

IIM Indore officially released the CAT 2026 notification with the complete schedule. Here is every date you need to mark in your calendar:

CAT 2026 Registration Fee: ₹2,400 for General/OBC-NC candidates | ₹1,200 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

• Education: Bachelor's degree with minimum 50% aggregate (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university.
• Final Year Students: Students appearing in their final year bachelor's exam in 2026–27 are also eligible — provisional admission applies.
• No Age Limit: CAT 2026 has no upper or lower age restriction.
• Attempts: No cap on the number of attempts.
• Work Experience: Not mandatory, but preferred by most top MBA colleges in Pune and across India.

How to Register for CAT 2026 — Step-by-Step

1. Visit the official website — Go to iimcat.ac.in and click "Registration".
2. Create an account — Register with your email ID and mobile number. OTP verification required.
3. Fill the application form — Enter personal details, academic qualifications, work experience, and choose up to 3 test cities.
4. Upload documents — Photograph (passport size, JPEG, under 80 KB) and signature.
5. Pay the fee — ₹2,400 (General/OBC-NC) or ₹1,200 (SC/ST/PwD) via credit/debit card or net banking.
6. Submit and save confirmation — Download and save the registration confirmation PDF.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

CAT 2026 is a 2-hour computer-based test conducted in three sessions. It has three sections:

Marking: +3 correct | –1 wrong MCQ | 0 for TITA questions. Total: 66 questions. Max score: 198.

Top MBA Colleges in Pune Accepting CAT Score (2026)

Pune is one of India's strongest MBA destinations with a dense corporate presence in IT, manufacturing, BFSI, and consulting. Here are the best MBA colleges in Pune that accept CAT scores:

1. IIM Pune

CAT Cutoff: 95+ percentile  |  Annual Fee: ₹14–16 Lakhs  |  Avg. Placement: ₹18–22 LPA

IIM Pune is among the fastest-rising IIMs nationally. For aspirants targeting the best MBA colleges in Pune, an IIM tag with Pune-city placements is a compelling proposition. Selection involves CAT score, WAT, and PI rounds.

2. PUMBA — Savitribai Phule Pune University

CAT Cutoff: 80–85 percentile  |  Annual Fee: ₹1.1–1.4 Lakhs  |  Avg. Placement: ₹8–12 LPA

PUMBA is the most value-for-money option among top MBA colleges in Pune. A government institute with Pune University affiliation, it delivers outstanding ROI — very low fees with strong placements from TCS, Wipro, HDFC Bank, and Bajaj Auto.

3. Indira Institute of Management Pune (IIMP)

CAT Cutoff: 70–75 percentile  |  Annual Fee: ₹3.5–4.5 Lakhs  |  Avg. Placement: ₹6–9 LPA

IIMP is a consistently ranked private B-school in Pune with strong alumni networks in Pune's corporate corridor. It accepts CAT, XAT, and MAH-CET scores.

4. MIT School of Business (MIT-SOB), Pune

CAT Cutoff: 65–70 percentile  |  Annual Fee: ₹4–5 Lakhs  |  Avg. Placement: ₹6–8 LPA

Part of the MIT Group ecosystem, MIT-SOB offers specialisations in Finance, Marketing, HR, and Operations with strong industry tie-ups in Pune.

5. Balaji Institute of Modern Management (BIMM), Pune

CAT Cutoff: 65–72 percentile  |  Annual Fee: ₹5.5–7 Lakhs  |  Avg. Placement: ₹7–10 LPA

BIMM offers an AICTE-approved PGDM with a placement-first culture. Recruiters include Deloitte, Accenture, ICICI Bank, and Asian Paints.

6. Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Management Studies (DYPIMS)

CAT Cutoff: 60–65 percentile  |  Annual Fee: ₹2.5–3.5 Lakhs  |  Avg. Placement: ₹5–7 LPA

DYPIMS is one of Pune's most recognized MBA colleges for students with moderate CAT scores, backed by D.Y. Patil Group's large industrial network.

What About SIBM Pune and SCMHRD?

Common question: Do SIBM and SCMHRD accept CAT? No. Both Symbiosis institutes only accept SNAP scores. If you're targeting Symbiosis, register for SNAP separately.

CAT 2026 Expected Cutoffs — MBA Colleges in Pune at a Glance

How to Prepare for CAT 2026 (68 Days Left)

• Weeks 1–2: Take a baseline mock CAT to identify your weakest section.
• Weeks 3–5: Dedicate 2 hours daily per weak section. For QA, drill Arithmetic and Algebra first. For VARC, read 2 RC passages daily.
• Weeks 6–7: Write one full mock every 2 days. Review every wrong answer — time management is built here.
• Final week: No new topics. Revise formulae, sharpen strategy, rest well before exam day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CAT 2026 exam date?

CAT 2026 is scheduled on November 29, 2026, conducted by IIM Indore in three sessions across multiple cities in India, including Pune.

What is the last date to register for CAT 2026?

The CAT 2026 registration last date is September 22, 2026 at 5:00 PM — today. Visit iimcat.ac.in immediately if you haven't registered yet.

Which MBA colleges in Pune accept CAT scores?

Top MBA colleges in Pune accepting CAT include IIM Pune, PUMBA, Indira Institute of Management, MIT School of Business, BIMM, and DYPIMS. Note: SIBM Pune and SCMHRD accept SNAP, not CAT.

What CAT percentile do I need for MBA colleges in Pune?

IIM Pune needs 95+ percentile. PUMBA typically requires 80–85 percentile. MIT-SOB and Indira Institute accept 65–75 percentile. Many colleges also accept MAH-CET scores alongside CAT.

Is Pune a good city for an MBA?

Yes. Pune has a dense corporate presence across IT/ITES, manufacturing (Bajaj, Mahindra), BFSI, and consulting. Most top MBA colleges in Pune report 90%+ placement rates with strong on-campus recruitment.

When is CAT 2026 result declared?

CAT 2026 results are expected in January 2027. After results, IIMs and other top management institutes issue shortlists based on CAT percentile, academics, work experience, and diversity.

Conclusion

CAT 2026 is your ticket to the finest management education in the country — and Pune puts excellent options within reach at every percentile band. Whether you're aiming for IIM Pune at the top or PUMBA for the best ROI in Maharashtra, the path starts with today's registration deadline.

Register at iimcat.ac.in before 5:00 PM today. We'll keep updating this page as CAT 2026 admit card dates, exam city details, and answer key information is released.