The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore is expected to oversee the administration of CAT 2026 this year. The CAT registration 2026 is expected to begin in the first week of August 2026 and come to an end in September 2026.
The exam is expected to be conducted on November 29, 2026, based on the last Sunday pattern of the CAT exam date. The notification is expected to be released in the last week of July 2026.
More than 4.5 lakh aspirants are anticipated to complete the CAT application form this year, according to a report. This is 25% higher compared to last year. The application form will be filled online using the official CAT website - iimcat.ac.in.
The CAT exam 2026 registration date will open in the first week of August and will continue till September 2026. The CAT application form 2026 correction window will be issued after the CAT registration last date is closed.
Keep reading to learn more about the CAT registration 2026, the CAT registration form, the CAT registration fees, the CAT exam syllabus, the CAT registration requirements, the CAT registration process, the CAT registration last date, and other details for the Common Admission Test 2026.
CAT Registration 2026 Statistics
The most recent information states that IIM is expecting a 25% increase in the CAT registration numbers in 2026. A record number of applicants for admission to IIMs and other B-schools' MBA/PGDM programs will register for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026, with almost 4.5 lakh individuals from across the nation. Last year, 2.95 lakh people registered for the CAT test.
The number of registrations this year will be the biggest in CAT's history since 1977.
CAT Registration 2026
Candidates ask this question the most: "When should I fill out the CAT Application form 2026?" Keeping in mind last year’s registration pattern, the CAT registration period is expected to begin on August 1, 2026, to allow MBA aspirants to apply for the exam and pay the fee. The notification is expected to be released in the last week of July 2026, followed by the release of the application form in the next month.
Depending on the classification of students, different CAT registration costs apply. Candidates must visit the CAT official website to fill out the CAT application form 2026. Students from the reserved category must pay Rs. 1300 and Rs 2600 for the general category. There will be three sessions for CAT 2026, anticipated to be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026. This two-hour test will be CBT-based.
The CAT exam will be conducted in different sections, including Data Interpretation, Quantitative Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension and Verbal Ability. The CAT Exam curriculum, which is based on questions from previous CAT exams, can help candidates better prepare for the IIM entrance exam.
To be eligible to take the test, candidates must meet the CAT registration criteria, which include earning a minimum percentage in a three-year degree in any area from an accredited college.
The Common Admission Test (CAT), a nationwide MBA entrance exam, is taken annually by candidates seeking admission to MBA/PGP programs provided by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other notable B-schools that recognize CAT results.
Details of CAT Exam Registration 2026
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CAT registration 2026 is expected to begin in the first week of August 2026.
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The CAT registration last date to apply is expected to fall in the last week of September 2026.
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CAT 2026 eligibility criteria:
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50% overall for candidates in the general category
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45% of the aggregate marks are awarded to SC, ST, and PwD applicants.
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Students in their final year may also be able to apply to take the CAT 2026 admission exam.
CAT Registration 2026 Fee:
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Category
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CAT fees
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General Category Candidates
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Rs 2600
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SC/ ST/ PwD
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Rs 1300
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CAT Exam 2026 Registration Dates
Applicants should be aware of the CAT Exam 2026 registration date to stay updated on CAT activities. The official notification for CAT registration 2026 is expected to be released in the last week of July 2026, and the exact exam dates will be made available for candidates. Check out the table below for information on the CAT Exam 2026 date, CAT admit card dates, and CAT exam results.
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CAT 2026 Exam Events
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CAT Exam Dates 2026
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CAT 2026 Notification
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Last week of July 2026
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CAT 2026 Registration Starts
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First week of August 2026
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CAT 2026 Registration Last Date
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Third week of September 2026
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CAT Form Correction Date
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Third/Fourth week of September 2026
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CAT Admit Card 2026
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First week of November 2026
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CAT mock test direct link activation date
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To be announced
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CAT exam date 2026
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November 29, 2026, Expected
[Session 1: 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Session 2: 12:30 pm - 02:30 pm
Session 3: 04:30 pm - 06:30 pm]
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CAT 2026 Answer Key Release
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First week of December 2026
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Last Date to Object to the CAT Answer Key 2026
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First week of December 2026
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CAT Result Date 2026
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Third/Fourth week of December 2026
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CAT 2026 Eligibility Requirements
Candidates will have their registration annulled if their submitted information is found to be incorrect or if they don’t satisfy the eligibility requirements. Therefore, students must carefully examine if they are eligible to apply before they fill out the CAT registration form. Check out the guidelines below to ensure that you are entitled to register for the exam.
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Candidates must hold a three-year bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university, with a cumulative GPA of 50% for those in the general category and 45% for those in the SC/ST/PwD categories.
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Experience not necessary
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No minimum age to apply
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Final-year candidates may also apply as long as they turn in their pass certificate by the deadline.
CAT Registration Required Documents
Before completing the CAT registration form, candidates need to have the following information available. It is recommended that candidates scan the documents before completing the CAT application form 2026. To complete the application form, you will need the following information.
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Image/ Document
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Dimensions
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Format/ Size
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Colour Passport Photograph
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30 mm (width) x 45 mm (height)
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JPEG/JPG in 150 px/inch (min)
Maximum 80 KB
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Signature (Black/ Blue)
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80 mm (width) x 35 mm (height)
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What is the CAT Registration Correction Window for 2026?
During the rectification session, candidates can make changes to their CAT registration form 2026. It is best to thoroughly complete the application form to prevent any mistakes. Make sure all the information is correct before applying. Double-check that all the information is entered accurately to prevent your application from being rejected.
Guidelines for CAT Registration Process 2026
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Candidates must submit their applications for the exam on or before the CAT registration last date.
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Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome (preferably the most recent version) are the recommended browsers for CAT registration 2026.
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When enrolling for the CAT exam 2026, make sure you have all the necessary documents and photographs available to ensure there are no hiccups or errors during the uploading process.
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To prevent entering incorrect information during the CAT registration process, keep all academic documents and personal information close at hand.
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Ensure that the essential documents, including the photo and signature, are prepared for uploading in the appropriate format and size for CAT registration 2026.
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To prevent errors in the CAT application form 2026, please have someone check the entered information before the final submission.
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Determine which exam centres and cities are best for you. Choose centres that are convenient and easily accessible, considering the traffic problems. One can choose a maximum of six cities on the CAT registration form 2026.
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Keep reading to learn more about the participating institutes. This will make it easier to complete the CAT application form 2026.
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Kindly make sure to complete the CAT registration process and submit the CAT application form 2026 before the CAT registration last date
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IIM CAT 2026 Registration |
Details |
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CAT application mode |
Online |
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CAT application fees |
INR 2,600 for General/OBC
INR 1,300 for SC/ST/PwD
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Fee payment mode |
Debit/credit card or net banking |
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Registration link |
iimcat.ac.in |
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Test city options |
05 |
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Documents for uploading |
Recent passport-size photo
Scanned signature on white paper
Caste/PwD/Scribe certificate
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Things to watch out for CAT Registration 2026
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Candidates should keep in mind the following information when registering for the CAT exam 2026.
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All fields must be filled out with an asterisk (*) while registering for the exam.
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Verify that no spelling errors exist before you register because some fields cannot be changed.
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Once you have finished each section of the CAT application form 2026, click "Save & Continue."
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Instead of clicking with the "Tab" key, use the mouse.
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It is crucial to save the data you have already provided after each session because the CAT registration form can be filled out in multiple sessions.
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Modifications or adjustments can be made to the online registration until the CAT registration fees are paid. It is not possible to edit after that.
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There won't be any changes made to the sessions after the CAT registration 2026, so proceed with extra caution and prevent making mistakes.
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To ensure a hassle-free CAT registration 2026, use the suggested browsers.
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Verify every detail one more time before submitting the CAT registration form 2026. Verify that the information in the academic documents and the CAT registration form record matches.
How can I sign up for the 2026 CAT Exam?
It is recommended that candidates adhere to the instructions provided below to seamlessly finish the CAT registration process, from form submission to payment. Steps to take:
Step 1: Applicants must first visit the CAT official website and click on “CAT Registration Form”.
Step 2: The candidate will be directed to the "CAT Registration 2026" website. From there, candidates must complete the necessary information below, including.
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Name of the Candidate
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Date of Birth
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Email Address
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Country
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Mobile Number and
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Captcha
Step 3: Click "Generate OTP" once you've entered all the necessary information. The applicant's registered email address will receive the OTP. Candidates must finish the CAT registration process by utilizing the OTP.
Step 4: Next, access the candidate's dashboard and complete the CAT Application Form 2026 by entering the necessary information, such as
Step 5: Provide the academic and qualification details for the following classes: SSC/Class 10, HSC/Class 12, Bachelor's, Master's, and Other Professional Degrees.
Step 6: After completing the aforementioned steps, candidates must provide any relevant information about their prior employment.
Step 7: Upload all necessary documents in the proper format and include any additional personal information, communication preferences, and emergency contact information.
Step 8: Next, choose the IIM programs, interview cities, and any relevant job experience details. Select any six of your favoured test cities for CAT 2026.
Step 9: The payment of the CAT registration fees, which must be made online, completes the CAT registration process 2026. The CAT registration fees details are provided below:
CAT Registration 2026 - Transaction Fees
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Mode of payment
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Transaction Charges for CAT 2026 Registration
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Credit Card (Master/ Visa)
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1.20% of the transaction amount and subject to a minimum of Rs 5.
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Credit Card (American Express)
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2.85% of the transaction amount and subject to a minimum of Rs 5.
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Debit Card (Master/ Visa)
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0.75% of the transaction amount for a value up to Rs 2000, and subject to a minimum of Rs 5.
0.90% of the transaction amount for a value above Rs 2000.
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Net Banking
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Rs 20 per transaction
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Other payment methods
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PayU, BillDesk, and Paytm
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Preview CAT Registration Form for 2026
Before paying the CAT registration fees, check the completed CAT application form 2026, as once the fee is paid, no modifications can be made. Therefore, it is recommended that candidates double-check all the information provided before submitting their application.
Confirmation email after CAT Registration 2026 successful
After the CAT registration fees are paid, candidates will receive a confirmation email as well as a message on their registered mobile number. This is evidence of payment for registering for the CAT Exam in 2026; it should be kept secure.
CAT Application Trend Over the Past Decade
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Year
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Total Number of Applications
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2025
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2.95 Lakh
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2024
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3,29,000
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2023
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2,88,598
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2022
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2,55,501
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2021
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2,29,969
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2020
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2,27,835
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2019
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2,44,169
|
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2018
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2,41,000
|
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2017
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2,31,000
|
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2016
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2,32,292
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2015
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2,18,664
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2014
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2,18,664
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2013
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1,94,516
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2012
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2,14,000
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2011
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2,05,000
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2010
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2,04,000
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2009
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2,41,000
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2008
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2,90,000
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What Happens After CAT Registration 2026?
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) will provide the CAT admit card on the CAT official website, iimcat.ac.in, most likely in the first week of November 2026, following the closure of the CAT registration last date. Up until the day of the exam, candidates can download their CAT admission card. After logging in with their CAT credentials, registered candidates can download their CAT admission card. It is required to have an IIM CAT admit card with you on the test day.
FAQs for CAT Registration 2026
Q1. When will the notice for CAT 2026 be made public?
IIM Indore is expected to launch the CAT notification 2026 on its CAT official website in the last week of July 2026.
Q2. When is the CAT registration last date? What is the CAT registration fee?
The CAT exam 2026 registration date is expected to begin in the first week of August 2026. To complete the CAT application form 2026, candidates must pay the CAT registration fees. For general category candidates, the CAT registration fees is Rs. 2600; for SC/ST/PwD candidates, it is Rs. 1300.
Q3. Why isn't the name of any university listed in the drop-down menu when completing the CAT application form 2026?
If the name of your university is not displayed in the drop-down menu, you can proceed with the CAT registration process by choosing the "Others" option.
Q4. What distinguishes the CAT application form 2026 from a CAT registration form?
CAT registration 2026 is the process of creating the login credentials and account needed to complete the application. The CAT application, which is only accessible to candidates who register, should contain the information submitted by applicants.
Q5. Who is eligible to apply for the EWS category?
To find out if you may apply for the CAT exam 2026 under the EWS category, check the EWS category for the exam.