CAT 2026 Registration Ends Today at 5 PM: Application Form, Eligibility, Fees, Admit Card and Exam Date
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 registration window closes today, September 22, 2026, at 5 PM IST. Candidates seeking admission to postgraduate management programs through CAT must complete the application process before the extended deadline.
Indian Institute of Management Indore is conducting CAT 2026. The examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026, in three sessions.
The registration deadline was extended from September 15 to September 22. Candidates who have not submitted their forms should complete the remaining steps, including document uploads and fee payment, before the application facility closes.
Applicants should not assume that another extension will be granted. The conducting institute has warned candidates that the extended deadline will not be extended further.
CAT 2026 Registration: Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination | Common Admission Test 2026 |
| Short name | CAT 2026 |
| Conducting institute | IIM Indore |
| Registration mode | Online |
| Original deadline | September 15, 2026 |
| Extended deadline | September 22, 2026 |
| Closing time | 5 PM IST |
| Examination date | November 29, 2026 |
| Examination sessions | Three |
| Examination mode | Computer-based test |
| Official website | iimcat.ac.in |
CAT 2026 Registration Last Date and Time
The extended registration deadline is September 22, 2026, at 5 PM IST.
Candidates must complete the prescribed registration process within this window. Merely creating an account or partially filling the form should not be treated as successful submission.
Applicants should verify that the application fee has been paid and that the system has generated the required confirmation.
Waiting until the final minutes increases the risk of missing the deadline because document uploads, payment authentication and final submission may take additional time.
Why Was the CAT Registration Deadline Extended?
The registration deadline was originally scheduled for September 15 and was subsequently extended to September 22.
The extension provided additional time for candidates to complete their applications.
Applicants should treat September 22 at 5 PM as the operative deadline and follow any subsequent official notice if the schedule changes.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration begins | August 3, 2026 |
| Original registration deadline | September 15, 2026 |
| Extended registration deadline | September 22, 2026 |
| Registration closes | 5 PM IST |
| Application correction | Follow the separate correction-window announcement |
| Admit card | November 4, 2026, according to the announced schedule |
| Examination | November 29, 2026 |
| Result | Follow the official result announcement |
How to Apply for CAT 2026
- Open the official CAT registration portal.
- Select the registration option for new candidates.
- Enter the requested personal information.
- Complete the prescribed verification process.
- Use the generated credentials to access the application.
- Fill in the required personal and contact details.
- Enter academic qualifications and marks accurately.
- Provide work-experience information where applicable.
- Select the relevant category and upload supporting documents.
- Choose the management programs for which the candidate intends to apply.
- Select examination-city preferences.
- Upload the prescribed photograph and signature.
- Review the complete application.
- Pay the applicable examination fee.
- Submit the application and save the confirmation.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
CAT eligibility is based primarily on the candidate's bachelor's degree qualification and the applicable minimum marks requirements.
Under the standard CAT eligibility framework, applicants generally require a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA. The threshold is 45% for candidates belonging to the specified reserved categories covered by the examination rules.
Candidates appearing in the final year of a bachelor's degree or awaiting results may also be eligible, subject to the conditions in the current information bulletin.
Applicants should check the precise eligibility wording, category provisions and document requirements before submitting the form.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Overview
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification under the applicable rules |
| General minimum marks | Normally 50% or equivalent CGPA |
| Specified reserved-category threshold | Normally 45% under the applicable rules |
| Final-year candidates | May apply subject to prescribed conditions |
| Age limit | No general upper age limit under the standard CAT eligibility framework |
Individual institutes may apply additional program-specific admission requirements beyond CAT eligibility.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
Candidates must pay the registration fee applicable to their category.
The amount and category provisions should be verified in the current registration guide before payment. Applicants should not use an outdated fee table from an earlier CAT examination.
Payment must be completed through the prescribed online facility.
After payment, candidates should check whether the portal displays a successful transaction and completed application status.
Documents Required for CAT Registration
| Document or Information | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Personal information | Candidate identification |
| Contact details | Registration communication |
| Academic records | Qualification and marks information |
| Photograph | Candidate identification |
| Signature | Application verification |
| Category certificate | Where applicable |
| Disability-related documents | Where applicable |
| Work-experience details | Where requested |
| Payment details | Registration fee transaction |
Applicants should follow the portal's file-format and document-size requirements.
CAT 2026 Application Form Correction Window
A limited correction facility is expected after the registration period.
Reported arrangements include the ability to modify selected fields such as the photograph, signature and examination-city preferences.
However, candidates should not assume that personal information, academic details or every other field can be changed.
The correction facility is intended for permitted modifications and does not replace careful verification before submission.
CAT 2026 Exam City Selection
Applicants can select examination-city preferences during registration.
These preferences help the examination authority allocate candidates, but the preferred city is not guaranteed.
The final examination city and test center should be checked on the admit card.
Candidates should choose locations that are practical for travel rather than selecting cities without considering the possibility of allocation.
CAT 2026 Admit Card Date
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to become available on November 4, 2026.
Registered candidates should download it from the official examination portal after the facility is activated.
The admit card will contain important examination arrangements and instructions.
How to Download CAT 2026 Admit Card
- Open the official CAT website.
- Sign in with the prescribed credentials.
- Find the admit-card download facility.
- Open the document.
- Check the candidate information.
- Verify the examination date and session.
- Check the assigned examination center.
- Download the admit card.
- Read the examination-day instructions.
CAT 2026 Exam Date and Sessions
CAT 2026 will be held on November 29 in three sessions.
The examination is computer-based. Candidates should follow the specific reporting time and session assigned to them.
The examination authority will provide the applicable test-center details through the admit card.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The examination assesses candidates across three major sections.
| Section | Full Form |
|---|---|
| VARC | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension |
| DILR | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning |
| QA | Quantitative Ability |
Candidates should consult the current examination instructions for the precise number of questions, section timing and marking scheme.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
VARC assesses reading comprehension and verbal reasoning skills.
Preparation should include reading different types of passages, identifying arguments and practicing the question formats relevant to the examination.
Candidates should analyze mistakes rather than relying solely on the number of practice questions completed.
Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
DILR requires candidates to interpret information and solve reasoning problems.
Practice should involve different data presentations and logical arrangements.
Timed sets can help candidates develop a strategy for selecting and completing questions within the examination constraints.
Quantitative Ability
Quantitative Ability assesses mathematical understanding and problem-solving.
Candidates should revise the relevant concepts and practice applying them under timed conditions.
Preparation should emphasize accuracy, conceptual clarity and the ability to recognize suitable solution methods.
CAT 2026 Preparation Plan After Registration
| Stage | Preparation Focus |
|---|---|
| September | Identify weak areas and complete essential concepts |
| October | Increase sectional practice and mock-test analysis |
| Early November | Revise recurring mistakes and examination strategy |
| Final weeks | Complete timed practice and review logistics |
| Before examination | Download the admit card and confirm reporting instructions |
Does CAT Registration Guarantee Admission to an IIM?
No. CAT is an entrance examination used by participating management institutions.
Each institution applies its own admission criteria, which may include CAT performance, academic records, work experience and additional selection stages.
Candidates should review the admission policy of each program they intend to apply to.
CAT 2026 Last-Day Registration Checklist
- Confirm eligibility before applying.
- Use the official registration facility.
- Check personal details carefully.
- Enter academic information accurately.
- Select the correct category.
- Upload the required documents.
- Review program selections.
- Check examination-city preferences.
- Complete payment before the deadline.
- Retain the final application confirmation.
CAT 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAT 2026 registration last date?
September 22, 2026.
At what time does registration close?
5 PM IST.
Was the deadline extended?
Yes. It was extended from September 15 to September 22.
Which institute is conducting CAT 2026?
IIM Indore.
When is the examination?
November 29, 2026.
How many sessions will be conducted?
Three.
When will the admit card be released?
November 4, 2026, according to the announced schedule.
Is CAT conducted online?
It is a computer-based examination conducted at designated test centers.
Can final-year students apply?
They may apply if they satisfy the conditions in the current eligibility rules.
Is there an age limit?
The standard CAT eligibility framework does not prescribe a general upper age limit.
Can candidates correct their applications?
Selected fields may be modified during the announced correction window.
Does CAT registration guarantee an IIM seat?
No. Admission depends on the individual institute's selection process.
Where can candidates register?
Through the official CAT examination portal.
Should applicants wait until the last minute?
They should complete registration and payment before the deadline to avoid submission problems.
Final Update
CAT 2026 registration closes on September 22 at 5 PM IST. Candidates should complete their applications, upload the prescribed documents and pay the applicable fee before the portal closes.
The examination is scheduled for November 29, while admit cards are expected from November 4. Applicants should retain their registration confirmation and continue preparing for the three examination sections.
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