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    CAT 2026 Dress Code: What to Wear, Prohibited Items & Exam Day Guidelines

    CAT 2026 Dress Code: What to Wear, Prohibited Items & Exam Day Guidelines

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    Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 07 Jul 2026, 05:44 PM IST

    CAT 2026 Dress Code: The CAT 2026 exam date is November 29, 2026. The CAT exam will be conducted under CCTV surveillance, and there will be strict guidelines to prevent any form of cheating, question leaks, and other malpractices. The CAT exam guidelines and dress code for the CAT exam will also be available on the official CAT website. Candidates appearing in CAT 2026 must follow the CAT 2026 dress code and exam guidelines. Furthermore, the CAT exam instructions and other rules will be given on the CAT 2026 admit card. Candidates who violate the dress code for the CAT 2026 exam will not be permitted to enter the CAT 2026 exam centre. Below are some of the guidelines regarding the CAT exam dress code.

    CAT 2026 Dress Code: What to Wear, Prohibited Items & Exam Day Guidelines
    CAT Exam Dress Code

    CAT 2026 Dress Code: Important Instructions

    CAT Exam Dress Code 2026 Elements CAT 2026 Dress Code Details
    CAT Exam Dress CodeIt is mandatory for all, irrespective of their gender, age, and status.
    CAT Dress Code PDFThere's no official PDF, but you can find details on the CAT 2026 admit card.
    CAT Admit Card ConditionsAdvised to wear simple clothing and footwear

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    CAT 2026 Exam: What is the CAT Exam Day Dress Code?

    Candidates who are appearing for the CAT 2026 exam can check the CAT exam dress code 2026 in the following points:

    1. Thick-soled footwear is not allowed in the exam hall: As per the CAT 2026 dress code, wearing shoes/ footwear with thick soles and garments with large buttons is not allowed inside the CAT 2026 exam.

    2. Clothes with pockets are not allowed: According to the CAT dress code 2026, candidates can wear any type of dress that has no pockets attached when taking the CAT 2026. Candidates can wear any type of shirt, t-shirt, trousers, or whatever they are comfortable in, but they have to make sure that their clothes do not have any pockets or large pockets, otherwise they will not be permitted to the CAT 2026 exam hall.

    3. Unnatural marks and heavy makeup looks are prohibited: For the MBA dress code for female students, any type of unnatural marks, mehendi or tattoos on the body of the candidates would lead to their disqualification from taking the CAT 2026 exam. Also, students have to appear for the CAT exam with a simple and natural look and the heavy makeup look is also strictly prohibited. For girls, it is required to keep a simple hairstyle, or they can refer to a simple ponytail or braid.

    For boys, if they have uploaded their photo without a beard, then they should make sure to appear on the CAT exam day with the same look.

    4. Mobile phones and bags are not allowed: The candidates are not allowed to carry mobile phones or any electronic gadgets like calculators, smart watches, etc, and bags to the CAT exam hall as well. In case they are taking any of the prohibited items, they have to submit them to the CAT test centre staff outside the exam hall.

    5. Candidates are not allowed to wear jewellery that contains metal.

    6. Candidates will not be permitted to enter the CAT exam centre wearing closed footwear, a cap, jackets and clothes with pockets and large buttons.

    7. Candidates with a metal implant, pacemaker, etc., will be required to present a medical certificate for the same.

    CAT 2026 Dress Code For Female Candidates

    Check the following CAT dress code for females for the MBA entrance exam, which one needs to follow on the day of the exam. It will consist of what to wear and what not to. It is mandatory for all candidates taking the CAT 2026 to follow the dress code. Those who don't follow won't be allowed to appear for the CAT exam.

    • Female candidates are advised to avoid clothing with frills, shiny and colourful tops, sequins, lacy dresses, multiple layers, etc.
    • The CAT dress code prohibits females from wearing footwear like party heels, platform heels, fancy sandals, etc.
    • Female candidates with heavy makeup will not be allowed to enter the CAT 2026 exam centre.
    • Jewelry, including earrings, nose pins, necklaces, anklets, bangles or any other metallic ornaments, is not allowed, and candidates are advised to keep it at home before reaching the CAT 2026 exam centre.
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    CAT 2026 Dress Code For Male Candidates

    The CAT dress code for male candidates prohibits many things before entering the CAT exam hall. The following list highlights the CAT dress code for male candidates, including what to wear and what to ignore before reaching the CAT 2026 exam centre.

    • Male candidates are required to ignore thick-soled sports shoes at the CAT 2026 exam centre.
    • Candidates wearing excessive or heavily printed shirts or t-shirts will not be allowed to enter the CAT exam hall. Therefore, candidates are advised not to wear printed clothes.
    • In addition to this, candidates must not wear shirts or clothes with large pockets, as it will delay the process of security check, in turn delaying the CAT exam.
    • Male candidates must wear a simple shirt and pants with no belt. Moreover, metal ornaments such as bracelets, rings are not allowed.

    Things to carry for the CAT exam

    • CAT admit card 2026
    • Government-issued photo ID proof
    • Forbidden items for CAT 2026
    • Scribe Affidavit and Medical Certificate
    • Stationery Items that Can be Carried
    • Documents Related to Name Change

    People also search for: What to Carry at CAT Test Centres: Essential Checklist

    Things Not to Carry to the CAT 2026 Exam Centre

    The CAT conducting body, IIM Indore, has listed several prohibited items at the CAT exam centres. These items include bags, purses, pencils, boxes, beepers, calculators, wrist watches, electronic devices, mobile phones, scanners, cameras and wireless/bluetooth devices. If any candidate is found with any of these items inside the exam hall will be disqualified.

    Furthermore, candidates do not need to carry a pen to the exam hall. Candidates will be provided with one pen and one scribble pad for rough work in the test centre.

    CAT 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

    The candidates who are all going to appear in the CAT 2026 should follow some exam day guidelines and the proper CAT exam dress code. If you are ready in advance, it will reduce your mental pressure. We advise all aspirants who are going to appear in the CAT exam 2026, while leaving their homes, to follow the CAT dress code 2026 beforehand.

    • One will have to reach the CAT test centre as per the reporting time given on the admit card.
    • Candidates are advised to visit the CAT exam centre at least one day in advance.
    • Candidates will be required to carry two printed copies of the CAT 2026 admit card on an A4-size sheet.
    • They will have to show the CAT 2026 admit card to the invigilator at the time of the test.
    • A writing pad for rough work and a pen will be given to the candidates at the CAT exam centre, and they will have to return it before leaving the examination hall.
    • Appearing twice for the CAT 2026 exam will lead to disqualification, and the candidature will be cancelled.
    • Friends, guardians and relatives will not be allowed to enter the examination centre.
    • Any request to change the CAT 2026 exam centre will not be entertained.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: Can I wear a full hand shirt for a CAT exam?
    A:

    Candidates are advised to avoid full-sleeved shirts and T-shirts. The CAT 2026 dress code for male candidates requires candidates to wear non-layered, simple clothes with no large pockets or no pockets at all. 

    Q: Is a phone allowed in a CAT exam?
    A:

    No, candidates must note that mobile phones and bags are not allowed in the CAT 2026 exam. 

    Q: Is pen allowed in CAT exam?
    A:

    No stationary item is allowed to carry inside the examination hall. Pen will be given by the exam officials for rough work.

    Q: What is the dress code for the CAT exam 2026?
    A:

    As per the CAT exam authorities, do not wear closed shoes, jackets, jewelry made of metal, clothes with many pockets, or mehendi on palms. Socks are allowed but do not wear caps and hoodies.

    Q: What footwear to wear in a CAT exam?
    A:

    Candidates are required to wear simple and comfortable sandals or slippers; one should avoid shoes with thick soles. 

    Q: Can I wear jeans to a CAT exam?
    A:

    Wearing jeans is allowed while appearing for CAT exam, but one should avoid the ones with too many pockets.

    Q: Is belt allowed in CAT exam?
    A:

    No, candidates are advised to avoid wearing jewelry, and clothing with metallic trims, belt, and buckles.

    Q: What not to wear in CAT exam?
    A:

    As per the CAT exam dress code, candidates have to make sure that they are not wearing any jewelry or carrying any metal item. Candidates have to avoid wearing earrings, necklaces, nose pins, bangles, anklets, or any other metallic ornaments.

    Q: Do we carry pen to CAT exam?
    A:

    Yes, candidates can carry few stationary items such as pens, pencils, and a scale for rough work.

    Q: Can I wear Kurti in CAT exam/ Are jeans allowed in CAT?
    A:

    Yes, Kurti and Jeans are allowed but one should avoid clothes which have too many pockets.

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