The CAT application form is the first step for candidates seeking admission to MBA and other management programmes offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and participating institutes. The registration process is conducted entirely online through the CAT official website.
The official CAT Application Form 2026 notification has not been released yet. Until the notification is announced, candidates can use the previous CAT registration process as a reference to understand the expected application timeline, documents required, fee structure, and application process.
The CAT Application Form 2026 will be released online along with the official notification. Candidates aspiring to pursue MBA and other management programmes offered by the IIMs and participating institutes must complete the registration process within the specified timeline.
The application process includes online registration, filling in personal and academic details, uploading the required documents, selecting preferred test cities, paying the application fee, and submitting the form.
Since the official schedule is yet to be announced, the details provided below are based on the previous admission cycle and will be updated once the notification is released.
The official CAT 2026 schedule has not yet been announced. Based on previous admission trends, the expected registration timeline for CAT 2026 is provided below.
|
Event |
CAT 2025 |
CAT 2026 (Expected) |
|
CAT Notification |
27 July 2025 |
July 2026 |
|
CAT Application Form Starts |
01 August 2025 (10:00 AM) |
August 2026 |
|
Last Date to Apply |
13 September 2025 (5:00 PM) |
September 2026 |
|
CAT Admit Card Release Date |
05 November 2025 |
October/November 2026 |
|
30 November 2025 |
November 2026 |
|
|
CAT Result |
24 December 2025 |
December 2026 (Expected) |
Alongside the tentative 2026 dates, the official CAT 2025 schedule has also been included for reference to help candidates understand the likely application timeline. The table will be updated once the CAT 2026 notification is released.
Check - CAT Eligibility 2026
Once the CAT 2026 registration portal becomes active, candidates can complete the application by following these steps as per the previous process:
Go to the CAT official website and click on New Registration.
Enter your basic details, including name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number. A User ID and password will be sent to your registered email and mobile number.
Log in using your credentials and complete all sections, including:
Personal details
Academic qualifications
Work experience (if applicable)
Preferred IIM programmes
Test city preferences
Upload your photograph, signature, and other required certificates in the prescribed format.
Pay the applicable CAT application form fees through the available online payment options.
Carefully review all the information before final submission, as changes are generally not allowed after successful payment.
Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
The CAT application form fees for 2026 will be notified along with the official notification. Based on CAT 2025, candidates can expect the following fee structure:
|
Category |
Expected Fee* |
|
General / OBC / EWS |
₹2,600 |
|
SC / ST / PwD |
₹1,300 |
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before filling out the application form.
|
Document |
Specification |
|
Passport-size Photograph |
JPG/JPEG, white background, maximum 80 KB |
|
Signature |
JPG/JPEG, maximum 80 KB |
|
Class 10 Certificate |
Name and Date of Birth verification |
|
Class 12 Marksheet |
Academic details |
|
Graduation Documents |
Degree/marks details |
|
Category Certificate (if applicable) |
PDF format |
|
PwD Certificate (if applicable) |
PDF format |
|
Valid Photo ID Details |
For verification during registration |
Preparing these documents beforehand helps complete the application without interruptions.
Candidates should keep the following points in mind while completing the application:
Enter your name and date of birth exactly as mentioned in your Class 10 certificate.
Use an active email ID and mobile number throughout the admission process.
Upload documents only in the prescribed format and size.
Review every section carefully before making the payment.
Save the application confirmation after successful submission.