CAT Registration 2026: Application Form, Dates, Fees, Documents & Step-by-Step Process

The CAT 2026 registration process is the first formal step for candidates planning to appear for the Common Admission Test and seek admission to the IIMs and other leading MBA colleges accepting CAT scores.

For CAT 2026, registration opened on 3 August 2026 at 10:00 AM. The original deadline was 15 September 2026, but it was later extended to 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM. CAT 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on 29 November 2026 in three sessions.

As of now, CAT 2026 registration is closed. Candidates who successfully registered and paid the fee should focus on checking their application, downloading the admit card when released and preparing for the examination.

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CAT 2026 Registration: Quick Overview

The application-correction facility closed on 6 October 2026 at 5 PM.

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CAT 2026 Registration Status

CAT 2026 registration is now closed.

The deadline was extended from 15 September to:

22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM

The extension gave candidates additional time to complete their applications.

Candidates who registered before the deadline but had pending fee payment were given the applicable payment facility as notified during the process.

Students who did not complete registration within the permitted period generally cannot submit a fresh CAT 2026 application unless the CAT authority specifically announces a reopening.

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CAT 2026 Registration Dates

CAT 2026 is scheduled for Sunday, 29 November 2026, across approximately 170 test cities.

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CAT 2026 Registration Fee

The CAT registration fee is paid online during the application process.

For CAT 2026, the reported category-wise registration fees are:

Candidates are required to pay the registration fee only once, even if they select multiple eligible IIM programmes through the CAT application. The registration fee is generally non-refundable. The 2026 fee represents an increase from the ₹1,300/₹2,600 structure used for CAT 2025.

MBA4U Advice: Always confirm the amount displayed on the official CAT application portal before payment.

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Where to Register for CAT 2026

Candidates should register only through the official CAT website:

iimcat.ac.in

Avoid submitting personal information or making payments through unofficial websites claiming to provide CAT registration.

The CAT 2026 registration process was hosted through the official CAT portal and linked application system.

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Who Can Register for CAT 2026?

Candidates should first confirm that they meet the CAT eligibility conditions before applying.

Broadly, CAT applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree or satisfy the applicable final-year eligibility requirements.

The precise conditions relating to:

• minimum marks;
• reserved-category relaxation;
• final-year candidates;
• equivalent qualifications;
• professional degrees

should be checked on the dedicated CAT eligibility page.

Read: CAT Eligibility → Click Here

Do not register merely on the assumption that appearing for CAT automatically makes you eligible for every IIM programme. Individual institutes can have additional admission requirements.

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Documents and Information Required for CAT Registration

Before starting the application, candidates should keep the necessary information and documents ready.

Personal details

Typically required information includes:

• full name;
• date of birth;
• gender;
• nationality;
• category;
• correspondence address;
• email address;
• mobile number.

Candidates should use a valid and unique email ID and mobile number that remain active throughout the CAT and admission process. This has been a consistent requirement in CAT registration instructions.

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Academic details

Keep records relating to:

• Class 10;
• Class 12;
• diploma, where applicable;
• bachelor’s degree;
• master’s degree, where relevant;
• professional qualifications, where applicable.

Enter marks exactly according to your official academic records and the conversion rules specified in the CAT application instructions.

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Photograph

Candidates should upload a recent photograph in the prescribed:

• file format;
• dimensions;
• file size.

Do not upload heavily edited, unclear or outdated photographs.

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Signature

Your signature should be:

• clearly visible;
• properly scanned;
• uploaded in the specified format and size.

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Category / PwBD documents

Candidates claiming benefits under categories such as:

• SC;
• ST;
• NC-OBC;
• EWS;
• PwBD

should keep the appropriate supporting documents ready in the required format.

The CAT authorities have historically made category selection particularly important because changes may not be allowed after registration. For CAT 2025, the official advertisement specifically stated that category changes would not be entertained after CAT registration.

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Work experience information

If you have professional work experience, you may be required to provide information such as:

• employer;
• period of employment;
• type of experience;
• duration.

Follow the exact definition of eligible work experience in the current registration guide.

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CAT 2026 Registration Process: Step by Step

Step 1: Visit the Official CAT Website

Open:

iimcat.ac.in

Choose the option for new candidate registration when the registration window is active.

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Step 2: Create Your CAT Account

Enter basic information such as:

• candidate name;
• date of birth;
• email;
• mobile number.

Complete the required verification process.

Candidates should ensure their name matches their official documents.

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Step 3: Login to the CAT Application Portal

After registration, use the candidate credentials generated during the process.

Do not share your password or login credentials with anyone.

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Step 4: Enter Personal Details

Provide accurate:

• personal details;
• address;
• category information;
• nationality and related information.

Check every entry before proceeding.

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Step 5: Upload Photograph and Signature

Upload the required files according to the technical specifications mentioned in the application form.

If your image is rejected because of incorrect dimensions, format or clarity, correct it before final submission.

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Step 6: Enter Academic Details

Fill details for:

• Class 10;
• Class 12;
• diploma;
• graduation;
• postgraduate qualifications, where relevant;
• professional qualifications.

CAT registration guides have historically required candidates to enter detailed academic information across these stages.

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Step 7: Enter Work Experience

If applicable, provide eligible work-experience information.

Be accurate.

Do not include internships or other experiences unless the CAT instructions specifically permit them under the definition of eligible work experience.

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Step 8: Select IIM Programmes

Candidates may be able to indicate eligible IIM programmes and interview-city preferences or related programme selections, depending on the current application structure.

Read programme eligibility carefully before selection.

Different IIM programmes can have different eligibility requirements.

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Step 9: Select CAT Test-City Preferences

CAT 2026 candidates were allowed to select five preferred test cities during registration. CAT 2026 is being conducted across around 170 cities.

The authorities attempt to allot one of the selected preferences, subject to availability.

However, a preferred city is not an absolute guarantee.

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Step 10: Review the Application

Before paying, verify:

• spelling of name;
• date of birth;
• category;
• academic marks;
• uploaded photograph;
• signature;
• programme selections;
• test-city preferences.

This review is extremely important because many fields may not be editable later.

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Step 11: Pay the CAT Registration Fee

Complete payment through the available online payment modes.

After successful payment:

• save the confirmation;
• download the application summary if available;
• retain payment details.

Do not assume registration is complete merely because you filled the form. Confirm successful submission and payment.

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CAT 2026 Application Correction Window

CAT 2026 offered a short application correction window after registration.

For the 2026 cycle, the correction window ran from:

5 October 2026, 10:00 AM

to

6 October 2026, 5:00 PM

It is now closed.

The editable fields were limited.

Candidates were permitted to modify selected items including:

• photograph;
• signature;
• test-city preferences.

The facility was available only to successfully registered and fee-paid candidates.

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What Could Not Be Changed During CAT Correction?

A common mistake is assuming the correction window allows the entire application to be rewritten.

It does not.

Important fields such as category or major personal/academic details may remain locked.

Therefore, students should always treat the original form submission as final except for fields explicitly permitted in the correction notice.

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What If You Entered the Wrong Category?

Category is one of the most sensitive fields in the CAT application.

Candidates should select:

• General;
• EWS;
• NC-OBC;
• SC;
• ST;
• PwBD

only after confirming the correct eligibility and possessing the necessary documentation.

Historically, CAT authorities have specifically stated that category changes are not entertained after registration.

If there is a serious discrepancy, use only the official CAT helpdesk instructions.

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CAT 2026 Test-City Selection

Candidates could choose five preferred CAT test cities.

The actual centre is allotted based on:

• candidate preferences;
• centre capacity;
• availability;
• administrative requirements.

The exact test centre will appear on the CAT admit card.

Once the final centre is allotted, candidates should follow the instructions on the admit card rather than relying on the city preferences originally submitted.

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Common CAT Registration Mistakes to Avoid

1. Entering incorrect academic marks

Do not estimate.

Use your official marksheets and the prescribed percentage/CGPA conversion method.

2. Choosing the wrong category

Check your eligibility before making the selection.

3. Uploading an unclear photograph

Your photograph should comply with the specifications.

4. Incorrect signature upload

Avoid cropping mistakes or unclear scans.

5. Using an inactive email or phone number

CAT communication may continue for several months.

6. Waiting until the final few hours

Last-minute registration increases the risk of:

• website congestion;
• payment failure;
• upload problems;
• incorrect entries.

7. Assuming the form can be fully edited later

The correction window generally permits changes only to specified fields.

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What to Do After CAT Registration

Once your CAT application is complete, do not spend the next few weeks repeatedly checking the form.

Move immediately to preparation.

Your post-registration priorities should be:

1. Complete pending syllabus revision

Focus on high-value concepts in:

• VARC;
• DILR;
• QA.

2. Start or increase mock tests

A full-length mock helps identify:

• speed problems;
• accuracy problems;
• weak sections;
• question-selection mistakes.

3. Analyse every mock

Do not judge a mock only by the score.

Ask:

• Which questions should I have attempted?
• Which questions wasted my time?
• Where did I make avoidable errors?
• Which section needs immediate improvement?

4. Monitor admit-card release

CAT 2026 admit card availability begins on 4 November 2026.

5. Plan your test-centre travel

Once your centre is known, check:

• route;
• travel time;
• reporting time.

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CAT Registration to Exam: Student Timeline

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CAT 2026 Registration and IIM Applications

A common question is:

“If I register for CAT, have I automatically completed the application for every IIM programme?”

The answer can depend on the programme and institute.

The CAT registration process may allow candidates to select various IIM programmes, but some institutes or specialised programmes may have additional forms, processes or conditions.

Similarly, non-IIM B-schools accepting CAT usually have their own application forms and deadlines.

For example, registering for CAT does not automatically mean that you have applied separately to every CAT-accepting college.

This is crucial.

After CAT registration, maintain a separate calendar for:

• IIM-related programme requirements;
• FMS;
• MDI;
• SPJIMR;
• IIT MBA programmes;
• other CAT-accepting institutions.

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Is CAT Registration Enough for Non-IIM Colleges?

No.

CAT registration allows you to appear for CAT.

It does not automatically constitute an application to every non-IIM college that accepts CAT scores.

You may need to apply separately to individual institutions before their deadlines.

This is why MBA4U’s MBA Application/Admissions Closing Soon alerts are useful after CAT registration.

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CAT 2026 Registration FAQs

When did CAT 2026 registration start?

CAT 2026 registration opened on 3 August 2026 at 10:00 AM.

What was the last date to register for CAT 2026?

The deadline was extended to 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM from the earlier 15 September deadline.

Is CAT 2026 registration still open?

No. CAT 2026 registration is currently closed.

What is the CAT 2026 registration fee?

The reported fee is ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and ₹2,700 for other candidates.

Can CAT registration fees be refunded?

The CAT registration fee is generally non-refundable once paid.

Can I edit my CAT application?

CAT 2026 had a limited correction window from 5 October to 6 October 2026. It is now closed.

What could be corrected in CAT 2026?

The correction facility allowed selected changes including photograph, signature and test-city preferences for eligible registered candidates.

Can I change my CAT category after registration?

Candidates should not assume that category can be changed later. CAT instructions have historically stated that category changes are not entertained after registration.

How many test cities could I choose?

CAT 2026 applicants could select five preferred test cities.

When is CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 will be conducted on 29 November 2026.

When will the CAT 2026 admit card be available?

CAT 2026 admit-card availability begins on 4 November 2026.

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Official CAT Registration Website

Use only the official CAT website for:

• candidate login;
• admit card;
• official notices;
• examination instructions;
• results.

Official CAT Website

Final MBA4U Guidance

For CAT 2026 candidates, the registration phase is now over.

The next important milestones are:

Application Completed

↓

Preparation & Mock Tests

↓

Admit Card – 4 November 2026

↓

CAT Exam – 29 November 2026

↓

Answer Key & Response Sheet

↓

CAT Result

↓

Score vs Percentile

↓

College Shortlisting & Applications

The biggest mistake now would be to keep worrying about registration after the form is successfully completed.

Use the remaining preparation period to improve:

• accuracy;
• question selection;
• sectional balance;
• mock performance;
• time management.

After each mock, use MBA4U’s  CAT Score vs Percentile  guidance to understand where your performance may place you, and then connect it with the  CAT College Predictor  to build a realistic MBA shortlist.

CAT Score vs Percentile and  CAT College Predictor  will be updated soon.