CAT 2026 Registration Opens; Application Deadline Set for September 15: Eligibility, Fees, Exam Pattern, Important Dates & Complete MBA Admission Guide

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have officially commenced the CAT 2026 registration process today through the official IIM CAT portal. Candidates aspiring for admission to MBA, PGDM and other postgraduate management programmes offered by the IIMs and over 1,300 participating B-schools can now submit their online application forms. The CAT 2026 registration window opened at 10:00 AM on August 3 and will remain open until 5:00 PM on September 15, 2026, after which no fresh applications will be accepted.

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore on Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three computer-based sessions across nearly 170 test cities in India. CAT remains India's most competitive MBA entrance examination and is accepted by all 21 IIMs as well as leading institutes including FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IIT management departments, IMI, TAPMI, FORE, GIM, IRMA and many other premier business schools.

CAT 2026 Highlights

CAT 2026 Important Dates

The registration window will remain active for over six weeks, but candidates are advised to complete the application well before the last date to avoid technical issues.

Who Can Apply?

Candidates are eligible if they:

• Hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university.

• Have secured at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST and PwD candidates).

• Are in the final year of their undergraduate programme and are expected to complete the degree within the prescribed timeline.

• Meet the admission requirements of the institutes to which they plan to apply.

Meeting CAT eligibility allows candidates to take the examination, but individual IIMs and participating institutes may prescribe additional admission criteria during the selection process.

Application Fee

The CAT 2026 application fee is:

Payment can be made online using:

• Debit Card

• Credit Card

• Net Banking

• UPI

The application fee is non-refundable.

How to Apply for CAT 2026

Candidates should complete the application in the following order:

1. Visit the official CAT website.

2. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.

3. Verify the OTP.

4. Fill personal details.

5. Enter academic qualifications.

6. Add work experience (if applicable).

7. Select preferred IIM interview cities.

8. Choose up to five preferred test cities.

9. Upload photograph, signature and required documents.

10. Pay the application fee.

11. Submit the application.

12. Download the confirmation page.

Candidates should ensure that all details are correct before final submission because only limited corrections are permitted later.

Documents Required

Keep these ready before filling the application:

• Recent Passport-size Photograph

• Signature

• Class 10 Marksheet

• Class 12 Marksheet

• Graduation Marks/CGPA

• Category Certificate (if applicable)

• PwD Certificate (if applicable)

• Work Experience Details (if applicable)

• Valid Email ID

• Active Mobile Number

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The examination will continue in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format.

Key features include:

• Computer-Based Examination

• Three Sections

• MCQ and TITA Questions

• Negative marking for MCQs only

• No negative marking for TITA questions

• Sectional time limits

The detailed paper pattern and question distribution will be specified in the official information bulletin.

Test Cities

Candidates can select five preferred examination cities during registration.

The final centre will be allotted based on:

• Candidate preference

• Seat availability

• Administrative feasibility

Candidates should submit the application early for a better chance of receiving one of their preferred cities.

Institutes Accepting CAT Scores

CAT scores are accepted by:

• All 21 IIMs

• Faculty of Management Studies (FMS)

• SPJIMR Mumbai

• MDI Gurgaon

• IMI New Delhi

• IIT MBA Programmes

• TAPMI

• GIM Goa

• FORE School of Management

• IRMA

• Great Lakes Institute of Management

• More than 1,300 participating management institutes across India.

Each institute releases its own cutoff and selection criteria after the CAT results.

Selection Process After CAT

Admission generally includes:

• CAT Score

• Shortlisting

• Written Ability Test (where applicable)

• Group Discussion (for institutes that conduct GD)

• Personal Interview

• Academic Profile Evaluation

• Work Experience Assessment

• Final Merit List

Different IIMs assign different weightages to CAT scores, academics, diversity, work experience and interview performance.

Preparation Tips

Candidates should:

• Complete registration early.

• Prepare a daily study schedule.

• Focus equally on VARC, DILR and QA.

• Solve previous CAT papers.

• Attempt full-length mock tests.

• Analyse mock performance regularly.

• Improve time management.

• Strengthen weak areas before October.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Waiting until the last day to register.

• Using an incorrect email ID or mobile number.

• Uploading unclear photographs or signatures.

• Entering incorrect academic information.

• Selecting test cities without planning.

• Forgetting to verify category details.

• Not downloading the confirmation page.

• Ignoring the official information bulletin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has CAT 2026 registration started?

Yes. The online registration process began on August 3, 2026, through the official CAT portal.

What is the last date to apply?

Candidates can submit their CAT 2026 application until 5:00 PM on September 15, 2026.

Who is conducting CAT 2026?

IIM Indore is the conducting institute for CAT 2026.

When will CAT 2026 be conducted?

The examination will be held on November 29, 2026, in three sessions.

How many test cities can candidates choose?

Applicants can select up to five preferred test cities during registration.

What is the CAT application fee?

The fee is ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

Final Update

The opening of the CAT 2026 registration window marks the beginning of the MBA admission season for thousands of aspirants targeting the IIMs and other leading business schools across India. With the application deadline fixed for September 15 and the examination scheduled for November 29, candidates should complete the registration process well before the closing date, carefully select their preferred test cities, verify all academic details and begin focused preparation. Since CAT scores play a crucial role in admissions to India's top management institutes, early registration, consistent mock test practice and a balanced preparation strategy across all three sections can significantly improve the chances of securing interview calls from premier B-schools.