NTA CMAT 2026: The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is a pivotal entrance exam for aspirants seeking admission into MBA and PGDM programs across AICTE-approved institutions in India. This article provides a comprehensive overview of CMAT 2026, including registration details, eligibility criteria, important dates, exam pattern, and more.
CMAT 2026 Overview
NTA conducts the Common Management Admission Test every year to offer admission to candidates in management programs. CMAT is a national-level exam conducted all over India. Based on the CMAT Score, candidates can get admission into PGDM, MBA, PGCM & PGDM Courses. CMAT is an MBA Entrance Exam. More than 600 Colleges accept the score of CMAT to provide admission.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
| Total Questions | 100 (Objective Type) |
| Total Marks | 400 |
| Language | English |
| Official Website | cmat.nta.nic.in |
| Participating Institutes | 1000+ AICTE-approved MBA/PGDM colleges across India |
Important Dates
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level entrance Examination for admission to management programs in the country. This Test facilitates AICTE-affiliated/ Participating Institutions to select suitable graduate candidates for admission to the Management Courses in affiliated Institutions. The schedule of Examination activities is as below:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Start Date | October 17, 2025 |
| Last Date to Register | November 17, 2025 |
| Application Fee Payment Deadline | November 18, 2025 |
| Form Correction Window | November 20–21, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| Exam Date | January 25, 2026 (tentative) |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
Note: All dates are as per the official notification released by NTA.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for CMAT 2026, candidates must:
- The candidate must be a citizen of India
- Candidate should complete a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline. (or) Candidates appearing for the final year of Bachelor’s degree (10+2+3) whose result will be declared before commencement of admission for the academic year 2025-21 can also apply for the CMAT-2025 computer-based test.
- Those in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree are also eligible, provided they complete their degree requirements before the academic session 2026–27.
Age Limit: There is no upper age limit for appearing in CMAT 2026.
Application Fee
The application fee for CMAT 2026 is as follows:
General Male Candidates: ₹2,500
Female Candidates, Gen-EWS, SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender: ₹1,250
Payment can be made online via credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to complete your CMAT 2026 registration:
Visit the Official Website: Go to cmat.nta.nic.in.
New Registration: Click on the “New Registration” link and fill in the required personal details.
Fill Application Form: Enter academic and contact information.
Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your passport-sized photograph, signature, and other necessary documents.
Pay the Application Fee: Complete the payment process.
Submit Application: Review all details and submit the application form.
Print Confirmation Page: After submission, print the confirmation page for future reference.
Exam Pattern
CMAT 2026 will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) divided into five sections:
Quantitative Techniques & Data Interpretation – 20 questions
Logical Reasoning – 20 questions
Language Comprehension – 20 questions
General Awareness – 20 questions
Innovation & Entrepreneurship – 20 questions
Total Marks: 400
Marking Scheme: +4 for each correct answer; -1 for each incorrect answer
Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Official Links
Official Website: cmat.nta.nic.in
Information Bulletin: Download PDF
Registration Portal: Apply Here
