CAT Application Form 2026 Released: Key Dates, Fees, Registration Process, Eligibility, Documents Required & Complete MBA Admission Guide

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore has officially released the CAT Application Form 2026, marking the beginning of the admission process for MBA and other postgraduate management programmes offered by the 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and more than 1,300 leading B-schools across India. Eligible candidates can now complete the online application through the official CAT 2026 portal. The registration window opened on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM IST) and will remain active until September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM IST), while the CAT 2026 examination will be conducted on November 29, 2026, in three sessions across approximately 170 test cities.

CAT remains India's most sought-after MBA entrance examination and is accepted not only by all IIMs but also by premier institutions such as FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIT Schools of Management, IMI Delhi, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI, FORE School of Management, Great Lakes Institute of Management and hundreds of other management institutes. Candidates are advised to complete the application process well before the deadline to avoid server congestion and secure their preferred examination city.

CAT 2026 Highlights

CAT 2026 Application Form Released

The online application window is now active. Candidates can:

• Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.

• Fill personal, academic and work experience details.

• Upload photograph, signature and certificates.

• Select preferred exam cities.

• Choose IIMs and other programme preferences.

• Pay the application fee online.

• Download the confirmation page after submission.

CAT 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should complete the application early, as CAT registrations are generally not extended.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates are eligible if they:

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

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

• Are in the final year of graduation and expected to complete the degree within the prescribed timeline.

• Meet the admission requirements of individual participating institutes.

CAT 2026 Application Fee

The application fee can be paid online through debit card, credit card, UPI, net banking and other supported payment methods.

Step-by-Step CAT Registration Process

Candidates should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official CAT portal.

2. Click on New Candidate Registration.

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

4. Verify the OTP received.

5. Fill personal details.

6. Enter academic qualifications.

7. Add work experience (if applicable).

8. Upload photograph and signature.

9. Select preferred test cities.

10. Choose IIM programme preferences.

11. Pay the application fee.

12. Submit the application and download the confirmation page.

Documents Required

Candidates should keep the following ready:

• Recent passport-size photograph.

• Signature.

• Class 10 marksheet.

• Class 12 marksheet.

• Graduation marksheets.

• Category certificate (if applicable).

• PwD certificate (if applicable).

• Work experience details (if applicable).

• Valid email ID and mobile number.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Marking Scheme

• +3 marks for every correct answer.

• –1 mark for every incorrect MCQ.

• No negative marking for TITA (Type-In-The-Answer) questions.

• Sectional time limits apply.

Top Colleges Accepting CAT Scores

CAT scores are accepted by:

• All 21 IIMs.

• FMS Delhi.

• SPJIMR Mumbai.

• MDI Gurgaon.

• IIT Bombay (SJMSOM).

• IIT Delhi (DMS).

• IIT Kharagpur (VGSoM).

• IMI New Delhi.

• IMT Ghaziabad.

• TAPMI Manipal.

• FORE School of Management.

• Great Lakes Institute of Management.

• More than 1,300 management institutes across India.

Why CAT is India's Most Competitive MBA Entrance Exam

A strong CAT percentile opens admission opportunities in:

• MBA programmes.

• PGDM courses.

• Executive management programmes.

• Business Analytics programmes.

• International management collaborations.

• Government and private business schools.

Many participating institutes also consider CAT scores for scholarships and merit-based admissions.

Preparation Tips

Candidates should:

• Register well before the deadline.

• Prepare a balanced study plan covering all three sections.

• Solve previous years' CAT papers.

• Attempt full-length mock tests regularly.

• Analyse mistakes after every mock.

• Improve speed and accuracy.

• Strengthen time management.

Common Mistakes While Filling the Application Form

Avoid:

• Waiting until September 15 to register.

• Uploading an incorrect photograph or signature.

• Entering inaccurate academic information.

• Selecting unsuitable exam cities.

• Forgetting to review the application before submission.

• Not downloading the confirmation page after payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the CAT 2026 application form been released?

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

What is the last date to apply?

The last date to submit the CAT 2026 application form is September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM).

What is the CAT 2026 application fee?

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

When will CAT 2026 be held?

The examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026, in three sessions across India.

Can final-year students apply?

Yes. Final-year undergraduate students who meet the prescribed eligibility conditions can apply.

Which colleges accept CAT scores?

Apart from all IIMs, CAT scores are accepted by more than 1,300 B-schools, including FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR, IMI, IMT, IIT management schools, TAPMI and several other reputed institutes.

Final Update

The release of the CAT Application Form 2026 officially begins India's largest MBA admission cycle. Candidates aspiring to study at the IIMs and other leading business schools should complete the online application well before the September 15 deadline, carefully verify all uploaded documents and begin focused preparation for the November 29, 2026 examination. Since CAT scores are accepted by over 1,300 management institutes, timely registration, consistent mock practice and strategic preparation can significantly improve the chances of securing admission to a top MBA or PGDM programme.