CAT 2026 Registration Last Date: Check Fees & Process

CAT 2026 registration dates officially announced on the official website. If your dream is to get admission to IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta or any of the top B-Schools in India, then the very first thing you need to do is to fill up the CAT application form on time. To avoid any kind of error, do not wait till the last date to apply for CAT exam.

The last date to register for CAT is September 15, 2026. According to last year's trends, IIMs usually extend the CAT registration window for 4 to 5 days, but candidates are advised to fill the CAT registration form as per the dates mentioned in the CAT notification. The aspirants for MBA will be able to register themselves by clicking on ‘New CAT Registration’ and create an account with name, date of birth, email ID and phone number. CAT 2026 exam will be conducted on November 29, 2026, in 3 slots.

When is the CAT 2026 Registration Last Date?

The registration window for CAT 2026 has been open from 10:00 AM on 3rd August 2026 and the last date for CAT register 2026 is 15th September 2026 till 5:00 PM. The CAT 2026 notification has been released by IIM Indore, the institute that is conducting CAT this year. It’s better not to wait until the last day, as the portal will not accept new applications after the deadline.

Here is a CAT 2026 highlight table of the important dates:

The exact dates for the correction window and results can vary slightly, so always check prior to the date on the official website iimcat.ac.in.

Why CAT 2026 Application Last Date is Important

Don’t be casual about the last date for CAT 2026 registration. 

1. No late window: Unlike a few other exams, CAT generally does not have a “late fee” option after the last date. When the window closes, you will have missed your chance for the year.
2. Test City Allotment: Test cities will be allotted by the IIMs on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability. Book early for a much better chance of getting your preferred exam city.
3. Server issues on the last day: Every year lakhs of candidates try to register in the last 24 to 48 hours. This results in heavy traffic on the website, and some students face payment failures or technical glitches.
4. Correcting mistakes: Register early to get the opportunity to view and correct errors such as an incorrect photo, signature, or category detail before the correction window opens.

Even though the CAT registration 2026 window is open for about 45 days, you should complete the CAT application form in the first two or three weeks itself.

CAT 2026 Registration Fee: How Much Does It Cost?

Many students search for "cat 2026 registration fee" or "cat exam registration fee" before they begin filling the form. Here are the official fee details:

You should remember a few points about CAT 2026 application fees:

• Payment is to be made online via net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI.
• If you pay through UPI, there is usually no extra transaction charge, whereas other online payment modes may attract a small additional fee.
• The fee once paid is non-refundable, so please double-check all your details before making the payment.
• It is advisable to keep the payment receipt or transaction ID safe until you download your admit card in case you need it later.

Who Can Apply? CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before you rush to fill the CAT 2026 application form, check the basic eligibility criteria for CAT:

• A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD candidates).
• To convert your final CGPA into percentage, use the formula that your university follows or the standard method: CGPA ÷ maximum possible CGPA × 100.
• Final year students and those awaiting results can also apply, provided they can submit proof of completion of their graduation within the deadline specified by the IIMs later.
• Candidates having professional degrees like CA, CS, ICWA/CMA, or FIAI are also eligible if they have the required percentage.
• There is no age limit for applying for CAT and no limit on the number of attempts.
• For CAT eligibility, only your graduation marks are considered. Your Class 10 and Class 12 marks are not considered for eligibility.

In case you are unsure of your eligibility, it is recommended to go through the detailed eligibility section in the official CAT 2026 information brochure before starting your application.

How to Fill Out the CAT 2026 Application Form Step-by-Step?

Here, we have discussed the step-by-step process to fill out the CAT 2026 application form:

In this section, we went over the step by step process to fill CAT 2026 application form:

Step 1: Visit the official website iimcat.ac.in and click on the registration link. Enter your name, date of birth, email id and mobile number and generate OTP to verify your details.

Step 2: On successful validation of OTP, you will receive User ID and Password on your registered email & phone number. Please keep these safe, you will need these to log back into.

Step 3: Login with your new credentials and complete the detailed application form.

• Personal information (name, gender, category, address)
• Academics details (10th, 12th, graduation and any post-graduation qualifications)
• Details of work experience, if applicable
• Program preferences (The IIM programs you want to apply for)
• Preferences for test city (usually multiple choice)

Step 4: You have to upload your passport size photograph and signature in the size and format mentioned in the instructions (usually JPEG format with a given file size).

Step 5: Pay the fee online via net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. Please ensure the payment is processed and you get confirmation.

Step 6. Once the payment is successful, download the confirmation page or take a screenshot for your records. This is the proof that you have done your CAT registration for 2026.

Fill the form well before the last date of registration for the CAT so that you have time to rectify any mistakes in the correction window.

Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration

Have these documents ready before you start your application so that the CAT application process will go smoothly:

• Recent passport-size photograph (as per given specifications)
• Scanned signature
• Category certificate (if applicable) (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD candidates)
• 10th, 12th, and graduation mark sheets.
• Certificate of work experience, if you want it to be taken into account.
• Valid ID proof (Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, etc.)
• A valid email ID and mobile number for OTP verification & future communication.

Steps to remember after CAT 2026

After the CAT application last date, here is what candidates can generally expect:

Correction Time: A short time window (generally 3-4 days) opens a few days after the registration closes for you to correct some details such as photo, signature or category information. Certain fields are not editable, so you’d best get it right the first time.

Test City Intimation: Candidates will be intimated about the test city by the end of the month of October.

CAT 2026 Admit Card: The CAT 2026 admit card is expected to be released on or before November 4, 2026. Valid Photo ID will also be needed for entering the exam hall.

CAT 2026 Exam Date: CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026 in three slots across the country.

The results of CAT are usually declared in the third or fourth week of December.

Tips to Avoid Missing the CAT 2026 Registration Deadline

1. Set reminders on your phone at least one week and one day before the last date for CAT registration.
2. Avoid the last day, servers might get stuck and there are lots of failed payments in the last hours.
3. Have all the documents ready in advance including photo, signature and certificates in the right format and size.
4. Some fields can't be changed later, so make sure your details are correct before you submit.
5. Your login credentials will be used throughout the CAT 2026 cycle, from registration till results.
6. Please read carefully the official information bulletin which contains the most detailed and up-to-date instructions.

The CAT 2026 registration last date, September 15, 2026, is one of the most important dates for any MBA aspirant in India this year. Read all the details regarding CAT deadline, fee structure, eligibility rules and step-by-step application process, you will be able to fill the CAT 2026 application form confidently and without any last-minute stress. Start early, get your documents ready in advance, fill the form carefully and you will have nothing to worry about as you start on your CAT 2026 preparation journey.