CAT Exam Registration 2026: Dates (Out), Eligibility, How to Apply?
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CAT Exam Registration 2026 is expected to begin on August 1, 2026, and the last day to apply is September 20, 2026.The Exam is tentatively scheduled to be conducted on November 29, 2026. CAT Exam is India's most competitive MBA entrance exam, granting access to over 100 top B-schools including all 21 IIMs — from IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore to IIM Mumbai and beyond. CAT registration fees for 2026 are ₹2,600 for General/OBC candidates and ₹1,300 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. Read this article for a complete, stepwise breakdown of the CAT application form 2026.
CAT Exam Dates 2026
Candidates are required to fill the CAT 2026 application form on the official portal iimcat.ac.in before the CAT last date of registration in September 2026. Tabulated below is an overview of the tentative schedule of CAT 2026 .
| Event | Tentative Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | Last week of July 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Start Date | August 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Last Date of Registration | September 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Application Form Correction Window | September 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Download | November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Answer Key Release | November / December 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result Date | First week of January 2027 |
| IIM Shortlist / WAT-PI Process Begins | February – March 2027 |
| Final IIM Admission Offers | April – May 2027 |
Also check: CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
How to Apply for CAT Exam 2026?
Filling the CAT 2026 application form correctly on iimcat.ac.in is the first and most crucial step toward securing admission in the top IIMs. Follow the steps below to complete your CAT online registration 2026 without errors.
Step 1 – Visit the Official Portal
Go to iimcat.ac.in and click on 'Register Now' to initiate your CAT 2026 online registration.
Step 2 – Complete New Registration
Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Email Address, and Mobile Number. Your CAT User ID will be sent to your email and password via SMS.
Step 3 – Login & Access Application Form
Log in using the system-generated credentials and access the CAT 2026 application form.
Step 4 – Fill Personal & Academic Details
Enter your personal information, category details, and complete academic history from Class 10th to your highest qualification.
Step 5 – Add Work Experience
Provide full-time post-graduation work experience details in months, if applicable.
Step 6 – Upload Documents
Upload a scanned passport-size photograph (35x45mm) and signature (100x35mm) in .jpg/.jpeg format, with file size not exceeding 80KB each.
Step 7 – Select Programme & Exam City
Choose your preferred IIM management programmes and select up to 6 preferred CAT exam cities in order of preference.
Step 8 – Pay CAT Registration Fees & Submit
Pay the CAT 2026 registration fees (₹2,600 for General/OBC; ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD) via Credit/Debit Card or Net Banking and submit the form. A confirmation email will be sent to your registered email ID.
CareerChoice360 Tip: Before filling the CAT 2026 application form, assess your career goals and preferred MBA specialisation — Finance, Marketing, or Operations. Research CAT cut offs and placement records of target IIMs and shortlist colleges accordingly. A timely CAT 2026 registration, focused preparation, structuring a CAT 2026 5 months Preparation Strategy and a strong profile are the four pillars of a successful MBA admission journey.
CAT Exam 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for CAT 2026 must hold a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) from a recognized university. Displayed below is an overview of CAT Exam Eligibility Criteria. Candidates need to review the eligibility criteria before they start filling out the CAT 2026 Apply Online application form.
| Eligibility Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Degree | Bachelor's degree from a recognized university/institution |
| Minimum Marks – General/EWS | 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA |
| Minimum Marks – SC/ST/PwD | 45% aggregate or equivalent CGPA |
| Appearing Candidates | Final year graduation students can apply provisionally |
| Age Limit | No upper age limit prescribed by IIMs |
| Nationality | Indian Nationals & Foreign Nationals (NRI/PIO/OCI) eligible |
| Work Experience | Not mandatory; however, considered during IIM selection process |
| Number of Attempts | No restriction on the number of CAT attempts |
| Valid ID Proof Required | Aadhaar Card / Passport / PAN Card / Voter ID / Driving Licence |
| Category Certificate | SC/ST/OBC-NC/EWS/PwD candidates must submit valid category certificates |
Read More: CAT 2026 Exam Preparation Guide
Documents Required For CAT Exam Registration 2026
Before initiating the CAT 2026 online registration on iimcat.ac.in, candidates must ensure all required documents are scanned and ready to avoid any last-minute errors while filling the CAT 2026 application form.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid Photo ID Proof | Aadhaar Card / PAN Card / Passport / Driving License |
| Class 10th Marksheet | For name and date of birth verification |
| Class 12th Marksheet | For academic record verification |
| Graduation Marksheet / Certificate | Bachelor's degree or final year proof |
| Category Certificate | OBC-NC / SC / ST / EWS (if applicable) |
| PwD Certificate | For Persons with Disability (if applicable) |
| Passport Size Photograph | 35x45mm, white background, .jpg/.jpeg, max 80KB |
| Scanned Signature | 100x35mm, .jpg/.jpeg, max 80KB |
Mistakes to Avoid While Filling CAT Application Form 2026
1. Incorrect Date of Birth
Always cross-check your date of birth with your Class 10th marksheet before filling the CAT 2026 application form.
2. Using Someone Else's Contact Details
Enter only your personal, active email ID and mobile number to successfully receive your CAT User ID and login password.
3. Selecting the Wrong Category
Carefully choose your correct category — General / OBC-NC / SC / ST / EWS / PwD — as per your valid category certificate to avoid disqualification.
4. Uploading Blurry or Invalid Documents
Ensure your scanned passport-size photograph and signature meet the prescribed dimensions and are under 80KB for a successful upload.
5. Registering on the Last Date
Avoid waiting until the CAT 2026 registration last date as server congestion and technical issues are common; register well in advance.
CAT Exam Registration 2026 FAQs
Q1. When should I register for CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 registration starts in August 2026. Register early at iimcat.ac.in to avoid last-minute technical issues before the September deadline.
Q2. What is the CAT exam 2026 registration last date?
The CAT 2026 registration last date is expected in September 2026. Candidates must submit the CAT application form before the deadline.
Q3. Where can I find the CAT exam 2026 registration link?
The official CAT 2026 registration link will be live at iimcat.ac.in. No third-party links are valid for the CAT online registration form.
Q4. What is the CAT 2026 registration form process?
Visit iimcat.ac.in, register, fill the CAT 2026 application form, upload documents, select exam city, and pay the CAT registration fees.
Q5. What is the CAT exam 2026 registration fees?
CAT registration fees 2026 are ₹2,600 for General/OBC and ₹1,300 for SC/ST/PwD candidates. Payment via card or net banking.
Q6. What is the CAT registration fees for all categories?
CAT exam fees: ₹2,600 for General/EWS/OBC-NC and ₹1,300 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. No additional IIM application fee required.
Q7. What is the CAT exam 2026 eligibility criteria?
Candidates need a Bachelor's degree with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD). Final year students can also apply for CAT 2026 provisionally.
Q8. Which IIM will conduct the CAT 2026 exam?
CAT 2026 will be conducted by one of the 21 IIMs on a rotational basis. The conducting IIM will be announced in the official CAT 2026 notification.
Q9. What is the CAT exam date 2027 result?
CAT 2026 result is expected in the first week of January 2027. Scorecards will be available on iimcat.ac.in after the official declaration.
Q10. Can I crack CAT in 30 days?
Yes, with focused CAT exam preparation, mock tests, and revision of key topics in Quant, VARC and DILR, a good CAT score is achievable.