CMAT 2026 Admissions Handbook
The CMAT 2026 Admissions Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide for MBA aspirants, covering all essential information related to the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT). From eligibility criteria, application procedures, and exam pattern to result declaration, college admissions, reservation policies, and placement insights, this handbook equips candidates with everything they need to navigate the CMATΒ journey effectively. Whether you are a first-time test-taker or seeking guidance on choosing the right MBA institute, this handbook provides step-by-step instructions, expert tips, and critical clarifications to help you make informed decisions with confidence.
About CMAT
β€ About National Testing Agency (NTA)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It is responsible for conducting standardized, transparent, and technology-driven national-level examinations. NTA has been conducting CMAT since 2019 for admission into AICTE-approved management programs.
β€ About CMAT Examination
The Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) is a national-level MBA entrance examination conducted annually for admission into:
- MBA
- PGDM
- PGCM
- Executive Management Programs
CMAT scores are accepted by:
- AICTE-approved Institutions
- University Departments
- Government Colleges
- Private Management Institutes
| Event | Timeline / Date |
|---|
| Online Registration Window | October β November 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | November 2025 |
| Application Correction Window | November 2025 |
| City Intimation Slip Release | January 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 21 January 2026 |
| Examination Date | 25 January 2026 |
π CMAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
β
Educational Qualification
- Hold a Bachelorβs Degree in any discipline from a recognized university
- OR be appearing in final year examination (result must be declared before admission session)
β
Nationality Requirement
- Candidate must be an Indian Citizen
β
Age Limit
- No age restriction for CMAT 2026
π° CMAT 2026 Application Fee Structure
| Category | Male | Female |
|---|
| General (UR) | βΉ2500 | βΉ1250 |
| OBC-NCL / SC / ST / EWS / PwBD | βΉ1250 | βΉ1250 |
| Third Gender | βΉ1250 |
Processing charges extra as applicable.
π CMAT 2026 Examination Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|
| Quantitative Techniques and Data Interpretation | 20 | 80 |
| Logical Reasoning | 20 | 80 |
| Language Comprehension | 20 | 80 |
| General Awareness | 20 | 80 |
| Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 20 | 80 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
Test Duration: 180 minutes
π Marking Scheme
- Correct Answer: +4 Marks
- Wrong Answer: β1 Mark
- Unattempted Question: 0 Mark
- Dropped Question: Full marks awarded to all candidates
βοΈ Tie-Breaking Policy
- Candidate with higher age gets higher rank
- Equal rank allotted to identical scorers
- Subsequent rank skipped accordingly
ποΈ Exam City Intimation & Admit Card
β€ Exam City Intimation Slip System
NTA releases City Intimation Slip before Admit Card.
Important Clarification:- City Slip is NOT Admit Card
- Purpose: Inform allotted exam city in advance
- Helps in travel planning
- Admit Card released separately
Candidates must login using:
- Application Number
- Date of Birth
β€ Admit Card Rules
Admit Card Release Date: 21 January 2026
Important Instructions:- Download only from official website
- Not sent by post
- Admit card is provisional
- Does NOT guarantee eligibility approval
- Must preserve copy after exam
π Result Processing
- Based on final answer key
- Normalization applied (if multiple sessions)
- Scorecard downloadable online
β
Rechecking Policy
- No re-evaluation
- No manual verification
- No score rechecking requests entertained
π CMAT Admission Process (Critical Clarification)
NTA Role Ends After Result Declaration:
- Conducts exam
- Publishes result
Colleges Control Admissions:
- Apply separately to MBA colleges
- Meet institute CMAT cutoff
- Appear for GD / PI / WAT (if applicable)
- Complete institute counselling process
β οΈ Note: CMAT score does NOT guarantee admission.
π Reservation Policy (Central Institutions)
- SC β 15%
- ST β 7.5%
- OBC-NCL β 27%
- EWS β 10%
- PwBD β 5% (Horizontal reservation)
State colleges follow respective state reservation rules.
βΏ PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) Facilities
Eligibility Requirement: Minimum 40% disability certificate
Facilities Provided:
- Scribe facility
- Compensatory extra time
- Accessible exam centres
π Own Scribe Registration Window (Court Directed)
PwBD candidates opting for own scribe:
- Portal Open: 16 January β 18 January 2026
Steps:
- Login to candidate portal
- Click βRegister Scribe Detailsβ
- Enter scribe information
- Verify submission on confirmation page
β οΈ Note: Failure to register within deadline may result in facility cancellation.
β Unfair Means & Disqualification Policy
Strictly prohibited:
- Impersonation
- Mobile devices
- Fake documents
- Multiple registrations
- Tampered admit cards
- Misconduct at exam centre
Punishments include:
- Result cancellation
- Multi-year exam ban
- Legal action
π‘οΈ Candidate Responsibility & Compliance Rules
- Regularly check official websites
- Follow instructions on admit card
- Carry valid photo ID
- Reach centre before reporting time
- Follow exam centre discipline
β οΈ Note: Violation leads to disqualification.
π Why CMAT Is Highly Competitive
Key Reasons:
- National-level standardized exam
- Accepted by 1000+ MBA colleges
- Government MBA seats through CMAT
- Affordable fee structure in public institutes
- High applicant volume
- Limited quality MBA seats
π CMAT 2026 Student Self-Verification Checklist
Before exam day confirm:
- Admit card downloaded
- Photo ID ready
- Exam city verified
- PwBD approval (if applicable)
- Scribe registration completed (if applicable)
- Reporting time known
- Prohibited items avoided
πΌ Placement Overview β Typical Salary Ranges at CMAT Colleges
Placement outcomes at CMAT-accepting MBA institutes vary based on institute reputation, specialization, batch quality and market conditions. Broad trends observed across recent placement cycles are as follows:
| Institute | Average Salary | Notes |
|---|
| JBIMS (Mumbai) | βΉ20 LPA+ | Very strong corporate recruitment
Highest domestic offers often crossing βΉ30 LPA in strong placement years |
| SIMSREE (Mumbai) | βΉ14β16 LPA | Strong placements in finance, consulting and FMCG roles
High ROI due to low tuition fees |
| PUMBA (Savitribai Phule Pune University) | βΉ7β10 LPA | Consistent recruiter participation
Excellent ROI for government university programs |
| K J Somaiya, Welingkar, BIMTECH, Great Lakes | βΉ10β14 LPA | Highest packages often exceeding βΉ20β25 LPA depending on specialization and batch performance |
| Mid-tier CMAT colleges (across states) | βΉ4β7 LPA | Regional recruiter participation
Strong placement opportunities in sales, operations, HR and IT services |
π Some of the top MBA Colleges Accepting CMAT Scores
- Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai β High-cut-off CMAT option.
- Sydenham Institute of Management Studies (SIMSREE), Mumbai β Public sector CMAT college.
- Department of Management Sciences (PUMBA), Savitribai Phule Pune University β Government-linked CMAT MBA.
- K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research, Mumbai β Major CMAT acceptor.
- Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool), Mumbai β Strong industry placements.
- Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida β Established CMAT-linked MBA.
- Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai β Recognized CMAT acceptor.
- Xavier Institute of Management (XIME) β Repeatedly listed in broader acceptance lists.
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