CAT 2026 Registration: 3.27 Lakh+ Students Registered vs Last 5 Years Trend
Last Updated: 25 Sept 2026, 11:58 am
CAT 2026 Registration: Key Updates
Candidates can check the latest updates related to CAT 2026 registration numbers, year-on-year trends, admit card and exam date below.
CAT 2026 Registration: Closed on September 22, 2026, at 5 PM IST.
Total Registrations: More than 3.27 lakh candidates registered for CAT 2026.
Year-on-Year Increase: Registrations rose by over 32,000 candidates compared with 2.95 lakh in CAT 2025.
Conducting IIM: IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026.
CAT 2026 Admit Card: The admit card is scheduled to be released from November 4, 2026.
CAT 2026 Exam Date: The Common Admission Test is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
5-Year Registration Trend: CAT registrations have moved from 2.31 lakh in 2021 to 3.27 lakh+ in 2026.
Highest Recent Registration: CAT 2024 recorded 3.29 lakh registrations, while CAT 2026 has crossed 3.27 lakh based on the latest available figure.
CAT 2026 Registration Fee: ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
CAT 2026 registration has crossed over 3.27 lakh candidates, based on the latest registration figures tracked around the closing of the application window on September 22, 2026. The number is close to the record registration levels seen in CAT 2023 and CAT 2024 and is significantly higher than the 2.95 lakh registrations recorded in CAT 2025. Thus marking an increase of over 32,000 candidates year-on-year. Read this article for a detailed overview of the last 5 year’s trends, based on the official data available.
Table of Contents
- CAT 2026 Registration: Highlights
- Which IIM Will Conduct CAT 2026?
- How Many Students Applied in CAT 2026 Registration?
- CAT 2026 Registration: Last 5 Years Trends
- CAT 2026 Registration Vs CAT 2025
- How Many Students Will Appear For CAT 2026?
- How Many Students Give CAT Exam Every Year?
- What Should CAT 2026 Aspirants Do After Registration?
- What was the CAT 2026 Registration Last Date?
- CAT 2026 Registration Fees
- CAT 2026 Registration: FAQs
CAT 2026 Registration: Highlights
CAT 2026 registration is closed now. The application window was open from August 3 to September 22, 2026. Candidates who successfully applied can download their admit card from November 4, 2026 onwards. Tabulated below is a quick snapshot.
| CAT 2026 Registration Details | Latest Update |
|---|---|
| Registered Candidates | 3.27 lakh+ |
| Application Status | Closed |
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| CAT 2026 Conducting IIM | IIM Indore |
| Registration Start Date | August 3, 2026 |
| Original Last Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Extended Last Date | September 22, 2026 |
| CAT 2025 Registrations | 2.95 lakh |
| Increase from CAT 2025 | 32,000+ candidates |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
Which IIM Will Conduct CAT 2026?
Quick Answer: IIM Indore will conduct CAT 2026. The exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026, and the admit card is expected on November 4, 2026.
CAT is conducted by one of the IIMs on a rotational basis every year, and IIM Indore has taken over the responsibility for the 2026 cycle. Candidates who have completed their applications should use this period to prepare for the VARC, DILR and QA sections and regularly track official exam updates on iimcat.ac.in.
How Many Students Applied in CAT 2026 Registration?
Over 3.27 lakh candidates applied for CAT 2026 , based on the latest registration figures. The number is higher than the 2.95 lakh candidates who registered for CAT 2025 and is close to the 3.28 lakh and 3.29 lakh registrations recorded in CAT 2023 and CAT 2024 respectively.
CAT 2026
3.27 lakh+
Registrations (Latest Figure)
CAT 2025
2.95 lakh
Registrations
CAT 2024
3.29 lakh
Registrations (Highest Ever)
Note: The final official number of candidates registered for CAT 2026 is yet to be confirmed by IIM Indore. Therefore, 3.27 lakh+ should be treated as the latest available registration figure rather than the final official count.
CAT 2026 Registration: Last 5 Years Trends
The CAT registration trend has remained above 2 lakh candidates annually in recent years, with registrations reaching 3.29 lakh in 2024 and crossing 3.27 lakh in 2026. After declining to 2.95 lakh in CAT 2025, registrations have increased again this year. Candidates can check the table below for detailed information on the previous years' trend.
| CAT Year | Conducting IIM | Candidates Registered | Candidates Appeared |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | IIM Indore | 3.27 lakh+ | To be updated |
| CAT 2025 | IIM Kozhikode | 2.95 lakh | 2.58 lakh |
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| CAT 2024 | IIM Calcutta | 3.29 lakh | 2.93 lakh |
| CAT 2023 | IIM Lucknow | 3.28 lakh | 2.88 lakh |
| CAT 2022 | IIM Bangalore | 2.55 lakh | 2.22 lakh |
| CAT 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad | 2.31 lakh | 1.90 lakh |
CAT 2026 Cutoff
Check expected and previous-year CAT cutoffs for IIMs and top MBA colleges , along with category-wise percentile requirements.
CAT 2026 Registration Vs CAT 2025
CAT 2026 has recorded 3.27 lakh+ registrations compared with 2.95 lakh in CAT 2025, based on the latest available figures. Refer to the table below for more information.
| Registration Parameter | CAT 2025 | CAT 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Candidates | 2.95 lakh | 3.27 lakh+ |
| Difference | — | 32,000+ candidates |
| Conducting IIM | IIM Kozhikode | IIM Indore |
How Many Students Will Appear For CAT 2026?
Based on the recent CAT registration versus attendance trend, around 2.7 to 2.9 lakh candidates could appear for CAT 2026 if a similar attendance pattern continues. More than 3.27 lakh candidates have registered, but the number who actually take the exam will be lower, because not every registered candidate appears on exam day.
Expected Test-Takers
2.7 – 2.9 lakh
Estimated candidates appearing for CAT 2026
Out of 3.27 lakh+ registered candidates
Note: This is only an estimate based on previous years, when around 11% to 17% of registered candidates did not appear. IIM Indore will confirm the actual number of candidates who appear after the exam is conducted.
CAT Syllabus 2026
Planning your CAT 2026 preparation? Get a detailed breakdown of the syllabus covering VARC, DILR and QA topics , important concepts and section-wise preparation areas.
How Many Students Give CAT Exam Every Year?
Around 2 to 3 lakh candidates appear for the CAT exam every year. In recent years, the number of candidates appearing has ranged from 1.90 lakh in CAT 2021 to 2.93 lakh in CAT 2024. CAT 2025 saw around 2.58 lakh candidates appear, while the number of CAT 2026 test-takers will be known after the examination.
Candidates Appearing Every Year
2 – 3 lakh
Based on recent CAT exam cycles
CAT 2021 (Lowest)
1.90 lakh
Candidates appeared
CAT 2024 (Highest)
2.93 lakh
Candidates appeared
CAT 2025 (Latest)
2.58 lakh
Candidates appeared
What Should CAT 2026 Aspirants Do After Registration?
After completing CAT 2026 registration, aspirants should focus on exam preparation, mock tests, revision and time management for the November 29, 2026 exam. Candidates should also track the CAT 2026 admit card , scheduled for release on November 4, 2026, and verify their exam centre and slot details once it is available. Follow the steps mentioned below.
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CAT 2026 Preparation
Get a structured CAT preparation strategy with section-wise tips, study plans, mock tests and recommended resources to make the most of your remaining time.
What was the CAT 2026 Registration Last Date?
Quick Answer: The last date to register for CAT 2026 was September 22, 2026, at 5 PM IST. The application window is now closed.
IIM Indore initially set the CAT 2026 registration deadline as September 15, 2026, but it was later extended by a week, giving candidates additional time to submit their applications. The registration process started on August 3, 2026. The fee payment window was extended separately until September 24, 2026, but only for candidates who had already registered. Candidates who successfully registered can now focus on preparation for the November 29, 2026 CAT exam.
CAT 2026 Results
Check the latest CAT result date, scorecard details, percentile calculation and the steps to download your CAT result online.
CAT 2026 Registration Fees
The last date to pay the CAT registration fee was September 24, 2026. The CAT 2026 registration fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. The fee is non-refundable once the application is submitted.
General / EWS / NC-OBC
₹2,700
Registration Fee
SC / ST / PwD
₹1,350
Registration Fee
Note: The fee is payable only once, regardless of the number of IIM programmes selected. The payment window closed on September 24, 2026, and candidates who did not complete the payment are not considered registered for CAT 2026.
CAT Exam Pattern 2026
Understand the latest CAT exam pattern, including sections, number of questions, exam duration and marking scheme , before starting your preparation.
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