CAT Registration 2026

CAT Registration 2026: Application Form, Last Date, Fees & Step-by-Step Guide

CAT 2026 registration is the first official step toward securing admission to the IIMs and over 1,300 top B-schools in India. The registration process for CAT 2026 is entirely online and will be available at the official website iimcat.ac.in. Based on previous year trends, CAT 2026 registration is expected to open on August 1, 2026 and close around September 20, 2026. Missing the registration deadline means waiting a full year for the next opportunity, so candidates must plan in advance.

CAT 2026 Registration – Key Details

Feature

Details

Official Website

iimcat.ac.in

Registration Mode

Online only (no offline mode)

Expected Start Date

August 1, 2026

Expected Last Date

September 20, 2026 (tentative)

Application Fee – General/EWS/NC-OBC

₹2,600

Application Fee – SC/ST/PwD

₹1,300

Fee Payment Mode

Online (Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, UPI)

Fee Refundable?

No

Correction Window

Last week of September 2026 (tentative)

CAT 2026 Registration Dates (Expected)

Event

Expected Date

CAT 2026 Notification Release

Last week of July 2026

Registration Begins

August 1, 2026

Registration Closes

September 20, 2026

Application Form Correction Window

Last week of September 2026

Admit Card Release

Mid-November 2026

CAT 2026 Exam Date

November 29, 2026

Result Declaration

Third week of December 2026

All dates are tentative and will be confirmed upon official notification at iimcat.ac.in.


CAT 2026 Application Fee

Category

Registration Fee

General

₹2,600

Economically Weaker Section (EWS)

₹2,600

Non-Creamy OBC (NC-OBC)

₹2,600

Scheduled Caste (SC)

₹1,300

Scheduled Tribe (ST)

₹1,300

Persons with Disability (PwD/DA)

₹1,300

Important: The application fee is completely non-refundable. Double-check all details before submitting the form.

Step-by-Step Guide to CAT 2026 Registration

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Go to iimcat.ac.in. Ensure you are on the correct website to avoid fraudulent portals.

Step 2: Create a New Account

Click on "New Candidate Registration" and provide:

  • Full name (as on government ID)

  • Date of birth

  • Valid mobile number

  • Active email ID

  • Nationality

Verify your email and mobile number, then set a secure password.

Step 3: Fill the Application Form

Log in with your credentials and fill in:

  • Personal details (name, address, contact)

  • Educational qualifications (graduation stream, marks, year)

  • Work experience details (if any)

  • Category information (General/OBC/SC/ST/PwD)

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Document

Format

Size

Passport-size Photograph

JPEG/JPG

As specified on website

Signature

JPEG/JPG

As specified on website

Category Certificate (if applicable)

PDF

As specified on website

PwD Certificate (if applicable)

PDF

As specified on website

Ensure all scans are clear and legible to avoid rejection.

Step 5: Select Preferred Test Cities

Choose up to 5 exam cities in order of preference. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. It is advisable to include realistic and nearby options.

Step 6: Select IIM Programmes

During registration, you can select the IIM programmes and other participating institutes you wish to apply to. Review the participating institute list carefully.

Step 7: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the registration fee using:

  • Net Banking

  • Credit Card / Debit Card

  • UPI

No cash or offline payment is accepted. Save the payment receipt and transaction ID.

Step 8: Submit and Download Confirmation

After successful payment, submit the form and download the registration confirmation page. This serves as proof of successful registration.

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Documents to Keep Ready Before Registration

Document

Why Needed

Graduation Marksheets

Entering marks and CGPA accurately

Category Certificate

Claiming SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD reservation

Government ID Proof

Aadhaar, PAN, or Passport for verification

Scanned Photo & Signature

Mandatory upload

Bank Account/UPI Details

Fee payment

CAT 2026 Application Form Correction

If you make an error in the application form, a correction window is typically provided in the last week of September 2026. However, not all fields may be editable. Key points:

  • Name changes are usually not allowed after submission.

  • Category, educational details, and city preferences may be editable during the correction window.

  • Some corrections may require a nominal additional fee.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During CAT Registration

Mistake

How to Avoid

Entering wrong email/phone number

Verify before submitting; used for all future communication

Uploading low-quality photo/signature

Use a scanner app; check size and format requirements

Selecting wrong category

Cross-verify with eligibility guidelines

Waiting until the last day

Server congestion is common; register early

Not saving the confirmation page

Always download and save the confirmation PDF

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration is expected to begin on August 1, 2026, following the notification release in the last week of July 2026.