The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore will administer the CAT exam this year on Sunday, November 29, 2026, as per the last Sunday of the month of November trend. The official CAT 2026 notification outlining the exam and registration dates for 2026 was made public on the iimcat.ac.in website on July 26, 2026. The new CAT exam fee is INR 1350 for SC/ST/PwD students and INR 2700 for general candidates.
The date of the CAT 2026 exam is November 29, 2026. Exam registration is set to begin on August 3 and will conclude on September 15, 2026. Candidates can edit their applications during the crucial CAT 2026 form correction window, which will be launched a few days after the registrations are concluded. The dates of the CAT admission cards are November 4, 2026.
This year, almost 3 lakh students are anticipated to register for the exam, compared to 295,000 candidates registered last year, out of which 258,000 candidates appeared.
CAT 2026 Key Dates
Keep reading to learn more about the CAT registration 2026, the CAT registration form, the CAT 2026 registration fees, the CAT 2026 syllabus, the CAT registration requirements, the CAT 2026 registration fees, the CAT 2026 registration last date, and other details for the Common Admission Test 2026.
CAT Registration 2026 Statistics
The most recent information states that the CAT registration 2026 will cross the expected mark of 3 to 3.30 Lakh, which is a 30% increase compared to last year. A record number of applicants for admission to IIMs and other B-schools' MBA/PGDM programs will apply for CAT registration 2026. There were 2.95 lakh CAT exam registrations last year.
The number of registrations this year will be the biggest in CAT's history since 1977.
CAT Registration 2026 : Overview
Candidates ask this question the most: "When should I fill out the CAT Application form 2026?" The CAT exam 2026 registration date for MBA aspirants to fill out the online CAT registration form 2026 will begin on August 3 and will be concluded on September 15, 2026, as per the notification released on July 26.
The CAT 2026 registration fees vary depending on the category of students. Candidates must visit the CAT official website to fill out the CAT application form 2026. Students from the reserved category and the general category must pay a renewed fee of Rs. 1350 and Rs. 2700, respectively, to apply for the CAT exam 2026. There will be three sessions for CAT 2026 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. Candidates can better prepare for the IIM entrance test by using the CAT Exam syllabus, which is based on questions from past CAT exams.
Candidates must satisfy the CAT registration requirements to qualify to take the exam, which mandates graduation with a 3-year degree in any field from a recognized college with a minimum percentage.
Common Admission Test (CAT) is a nationwide MBA entrance exam administered each year to candidates for admission to MBA/PGP programs provided by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top B-schools that recognize CAT results.
Guidelines for the CAT Registration Process 2026
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Candidates must submit their applications for the exam on or before the CAT 2026 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 deadline.
A Snapshot of CAT 2026 Registration
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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 2,700 for General/OBC
INR 1,350 for SC/ST/PwD
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CAT 2026 Fee Payment Mode |
Debit/credit Card or net banking |
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CAT 2026 Registration Link |
iimcat.ac.in |
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Test city Options |
Five |
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Documents for uploading |
Recent passport-size photo
Scanned signature on white paper
Caste/PwD/Scribe certificate
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CAT Exam 2026 Registration Date
Applicants should be aware of the CAT Exam 2026 registration date to stay updated on CAT activities. Registrations will begin on August 3, 2026, and will conclude on September 15, 2026, as per the official notification for CAT registration 2026 released on July 26, 2026. Check out the table below for information on the CAT exam 2026 registration date, admit card dates, and CAT exam results.
CAT Exam 2026 Registration Date
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Event
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Date
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CAT 2026 Notification Release Date
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July 26, 2026
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CAT 2026 Registration Start Date
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August 03, 2026 (10:00 am)
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CAT 2026 Registration Last Date
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September 15, 2026 (5:00 pm)
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CAT 2026 Form Correction Window
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September 24 – 27, 2026 (Expected)
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CAT Admit Card 2026 Release Date
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November 4, 2026
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CAT Exam Date 2026
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November 29, 2026 (Confirmed)
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CAT Answer Key 2026 Release Date
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December 3, 2026 (Expected)
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CAT Result 2026 Release Date
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December 23, 2026 (Expected)
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CAT Registration 2026 Eligibility Requirements
A candidate's candidature will be cancelled if they do not meet the CAT registration requirements for 2026. Therefore, students must carefully examine if they are eligible to apply before they fill out the CAT registration form. The following CAT registration requirements must be met to apply for CAT 2026.
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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 submit their pass certificate by the deadline.
How can I sign up for the CAT?
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 5: Next, access the candidate's dashboard and complete the CAT Application Form 2026 by entering the necessary information, such as,
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Personal Details
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Other Personal Details
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Communication Address
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Emergency Contact Details
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Upload Documents (in a prescribed format and size)
Step 6: 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 7: After completing the aforementioned steps, candidates must provide any relevant information about their prior employment.
Step 8: Upload all necessary documents in the proper format and include any additional personal information, communication preferences, and emergency contact information.
Step 9: 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 10: The payment of the CAT registration fees, which must be made online, completes the CAT registration process for 2026. The CAT registration fee details are provided below:
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For General Category Candidates: Rs 2700/-
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For SC/ ST/ PwD: Rs 1350/-
Step 11: Once the fee is paid, click on the “Submit” button and get a hard copy of your application form for future reference.
CAT Registration Requirements Documents
Before completing the CAT registration form 2026, 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 CAT application form 2026, 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 Rectificiation Window for 2026?
During the rectification session, candidates may 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.
The rectification window will be launched soon after the registration window is closed. The CAT 2026 registration last date is September 15, 2026, and the exam is set to take place on November 29, 2026.
View the CAT 2026 form correction procedure below:
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Go to iimcat.ac.in, the webpage for CAT 2026.
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Select the "login" tab.
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Enter your password and user ID.
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Select the Application Form option.
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Make adjustments in the appropriate section (picture, signature, test city).
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Click "continue" to finish the process after entering the CAPTCHA code.
CAT 2026 Registration Fees:
This year, the fee is increased by INR 50 and INR 100 for both general and reserved categories. Compared to last year, students must pay a total of INR 2700 (General) and INR 1350 (SC/ST/PwD).
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Category
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CAT Registration Fees
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General Category Candidates
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Rs 2700
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SC/ ST/ PwD
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Rs 1350
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CAT Registration Fees transaction charges
Things to keep in mind while paying the registration 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 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; hence, 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 |
2,95,000 |
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2024
|
3,29,000
|
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2023
|
2,88,598
|
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2022
|
2,55,501
|
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2021
|
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
|
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
|
2,90,000
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What Happens After CAT Registration 2026?
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore will release the CAT admit card on CAT official website, iimcat.ac.in, on November 4, following the closure of the CAT registration. 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.
Also Read :
FAQs for CAT Registration 2026
Q1. When will the notice for CAT 2026 be made public?
IIM Indore launched the CAT notification 2026 on its CAT official website on July 26, 2026.
Q2. When is the CAT registration last date? What are the CAT registration fees?
The CAT exam 2026 registration date will begin on August 3, 2026, and conclude on September 15, 2026. For general category candidates, the CAT registration fees are Rs. 2700; for SC/ST/PwD candidates, it is Rs. 1350.
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.
Q6. Who is eligible for the IIM CAT 2026?
You must be in the final year of your bachelor's degree or finishing your professional degree (CA, CS, ICWA) and have a bachelor's degree with at least 50% of the aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD categories) or an equivalent qualification to be eligible for CAT 2026. The CAT exam does not have an upper age limit.
Q7. Can I get IIM if my CAT score is 70 percentile?
Even though you might not get into the IIMs despite having competitive CAT scores or scoring 70 percentile, your MBA aspirations are still alive.