CAT Registration 2026: Dates, Fees, Eligibility, How to Apply Online?

CAT Registration 2026 is the first big step for MBA aspirants aiming to secure admission to top management institutes in India, including the IIMs and other reputed B-schools. Conducted once a year, the Common Admission Test evaluates candidates on their aptitude, reasoning ability, and language skills. 

The CAT 2026 registration is expected to begin in the first week of August 2026 and continue until the third week of September 2026. With thousands of students competing for limited seats, completing the registration on time and understanding the important dates, eligibility criteria, and application process is essential for a smooth and stress-free start to your MBA journey.

CAT Registration 2026 

The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to India's most prestigious management institutes, including the 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top-tier B-schools like FMS Delhi, SPJIMR, and MDI Gurgaon. For aspirants eyeing the 2026-28 academic session, the CAT Registration 2026 is expected to be a pivotal milestone in their MBA journey. The exam is conducted by one of the top IIMs on a rotational basis, is a computer-based test designed to evaluate a candidate's aptitude in quantitative, verbal, and logical reasoning.

CAT 2026 Registration Important Dates

Staying updated with the timeline is crucial to ensure you don't miss the CAT 2026 registration deadline. While the official notification is usually released in July, the following table provides the tentative schedule based on previous trends:

Note: These dates are tentative and should be revalidated once the official notification is released on iimcat.ac.in.

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before proceeding with the CAT 2026 online registration, candidates must ensure they meet the following educational requirements:

• Educational Qualification: A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from a recognised university.

• Minimum Marks: At least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates.

• Reserved Categories: At least 45% marks for SC, ST, and PwD candidates.

• Final Year Students: Candidates in their final year of graduation are eligible to apply, provided they complete their degree requirements by the specified deadline.

• Professional Degrees: Candidates with professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA are also eligible if they meet the percentage criteria.

• Age Limit: There is no upper or lower age limit to apply for the CAT exam.

CAT Registration Fee 2026

The CAT exam 2026 application process is only complete after the payment of the non-refundable registration fee. The expected fees for different categories are:

• General / OBC / EWS: ₹2,400 to ₹2,600

• SC / ST / PwD: ₹1,200 to ₹1,300

Payment Mode: The fee must be paid online using Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.

Documents Required for CAT 2026 Application Form

To avoid last-minute hurdles during CAT exam registration 2026, keep the following documents ready in the prescribed format:

1. Personal Details: Valid Email ID and Mobile Number (must remain active throughout the process).

2. Academic Records: Mark sheets of Class 10th, 12th, and Graduation.

3. Work Experience: Relevant details and certificates if you have professional experience.

4. Scanned Images:

• Photograph: Recent passport-size photo (white background, < 1 MB, JPG/JPEG).

• Signature: Scanned signature on white paper (black pen, < 1 MB, JPG/JPEG).

5. Category Certificates: SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD certificates in PDF format (if applicable).

How to Apply for CAT 2026?

The CAT Registration 2026 is a fully online process. Follow these steps to submit your CAT 2026 application form correctly:

Step 1: New Candidate Registration

Visit the official website (iimcat.ac.in) and click on "New Candidate Registration". Enter your name, DOB, email, and mobile number to generate a User ID and Password via OTP verification.

Step 2: Fill Personal & Academic Details

Log in with your credentials and fill in your personal information (parents' names, category, gender) and detailed academic history from 10th grade onwards.

Step 3: Upload Scanned Documents

Upload your photograph, signature, and category certificates as per the specified dimensions and file sizes.

Step 4: Work Experience & Program Selection

Enter details of your work experience (in months) and select the IIM programs you wish to apply for. You must also select your preferred test cities (usually up to six choices).

Step 5: Online Fee Payment

Pay the application fee through the integrated payment gateway. Once the payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation email.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Understanding the exam structure is vital for a successful application strategy. The CAT 2026 is expected to follow the standard 2-hour format:

• Total Questions: Approximately 66–68 questions.

• Sections:

1. VARC: Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (24 Questions).

2. DILR: Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (22 Questions).

3. QA: Quantitative Ability (22 Questions).

• Marking Scheme: +3 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect MCQs, and no negative marking for TITA (Type In The Answer) questions.