CAT 2026 Registration (3rd August) - Application Process, Fees, Documents Required, Important Dates

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CAT Application Form 2026 Important Dates

The much-awaited official CAT notification has been released on 25th July, along with the CAT 2026 registration dates. Therefore, if you are serious about this year's attempt, it is advisable to keep track of the CAT exam registration dates.

Also Read: CAT Exam Syllabus 2026, Section-wise Pattern, Download PDF

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IIM CAT Registration 2026: Highlights

The CAT 2026 registration process is a one-time requirement, and you must complete it online since there's no option for submitting a paper form. Check out the highlights of the CAT exam registration and application process for 2026 below.

CAT Registration - Highlights

Note: It's important to fill out the form carefully because the fee is non-refundable. If you make a mistake, you'll need to submit a new form.

Also Read: CAT Exam Pattern 2026 (Latest): Marking Scheme, Total Questions and Total Marks

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CAT 2025 Registration Last Date To Apply

The last date to register for the CAT exam is 15th September, with a possibility of extension. This date marks a palpable impact on every journey of every CAT aspirant, as this serves as the last chance for them to fill out the CAT application form 2026, which acts as the gateway to some of the top B-schools in India. Candidates should ensure that they complete their CAT registration process well before this deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.

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CAT Registration 2026: Detailed Step-by-Step Process to Register In CAT 2026

Follow the steps given below and register for the CAT 2026 exam.

Step 1: Register on the official website

Applicants must enter their name, date of birth, email ID and phone number to generate an OTP. The generated OTP must be entered to complete the registration process. Candidates should provide a valid email ID and phone number while registering.

Step 2: Log in to the CAT website using the Credentials

• After registration, the candidate will receive the credentials on their phone number and email. These can be used to log in to the official site of CAT 2026.
• In case you forget your password, you can click on the “Forgot Password” tab on the ‘existing user’ and the new password will be sent to the email address that you have registered.
• Since the application form is lengthy, you can complete it in multiple sessions by logging in again. However, make sure to save your progress before exiting the form.

Step 3: Filling the CAT Application Form 2026

The CAT application form is divided into five categories, which are as follows:

1. Personal Details

Candidates must fill in their details and upload the necessary documents in this section to proceed with their CAT registration process. The details required in the form are as follows-

• Name
• Father's & Mother's or Guardian's Name
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Category
• Address
• Emergency Contact

Candidates will be required to upload the following documents in their designated dimensions:

• A signature
• A photograph
• A reservation certificate (if applicable) 

2. Academic Qualifications

In this section, candidates will be required to fill in the following details-

• SSC/10th/Equivalent
• HSC/12th/Equivalent/Diploma Course
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Other Professional Degree

3. Work Experience

The CAT registration process allows candidates to provide their work experience in a separate section because it plays a vital role in the selection process. In this section, the candidate must specify the industry in which they have worked and provide the necessary documents to validate their statements. The total work experience should be calculated up to the 31st day of July, 2026.

Note: The experience offered in this section should be full-time only; part-time experience will not be considered. Internships/ part-time/ articleship/ project/ pre-graduation shall not be included as work experience.

4. Programs

In the next step, the candidates will have to select the programs for which they wish to apply. Alongside this, you will have to mention the preferred interview city for every program.

For the IIMs participating in the Common Admission Process (CAP), candidates need to select a common interview city/preference as per the CAP portal instructions. For 2026 admissions, CAP includes IIM Bodh Gaya, IIM Jammu, and IIM Sirmaur.

5. Test City

According to the CAT notification, candidates must choose 5 preferred test cities in order of preference. Based on availability, the candidate will be allotted one test city.

If the convening IIM is unable to allot any of the preferred cities, the candidate will be allotted the nearest test city to the preferred location.

Candidates should read the instructions carefully before filling out the CAT application form. You can save & exit from the form and continue filling the form later. However, candidates cannot move to the next section till the previous section has been completed.

Step 4: Payment For CAT Registration

After completing the entire CAT application form 2026, the candidate will be required to pay the application fee to complete the registration process.

In CAT 2026, the exam fee has been increased to INR 2,700 for General candidates and INR 1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

The candidate must enter the characters displayed in the captcha and submit. This will be followed by the payment gateway, and candidates will be required to make the payment. After making the payment, the page will display a “Payment Successful” message.

CAT 2026 Fees (revised)

Candidates should keep in mind that the CAT application fee must be paid online, and it is non-refundable once submitted.

To know more about the fee structure in detail, read the CAT Application Fee Structure 2026.

Step 5: Confirmation

After successfully applying, candidates will receive a confirmation email within the next few minutes. Upon logging in to the official website, the candidate will also be able to view the CAT 2026 registration details.

Still having problems with the CAT registration form in detail? Read how to fill the CAT application form 2026?

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Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration

The following is a list of documents needed to complete the CAT registration 2026:

• A recent passport-sized photo with a white backdrop (format:.jpg/.jpeg; size: less than 1 MB)
• Scanned signature with black pen on white paper (.jpg or .jpeg format, maximum size 1 MB)

Scanned image of a passport-size photo should have dimensions: 35mm X 45mm, and the scanned image of the signature should be of dimensions: 1000mm X 35 mm. Both the files should be in .jpg or .jpeg format, and the file size should not be more than 80KB each. The image needs to be clear with a minimum resolution of 150px.

• Any identity proof like PAN card, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Passport
• Class 10 marksheet
• Class 12 marksheet
• Graduation marksheets/certificate
• Date of Birth Certificate
• Final year certificate from principal, HoD or Director (if applicable)
• Caste category certificate (if applicable)
• PwD category certificate (if applicable)
• Scribe certificate (if applicable)

Check out the extensive details about the documents required for filling out the CAT application form 2026 to avoid last-minute mistakes. 

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CAT 2026 Registration: Guidelines for Reserved Category Students

• Category Certificate needs to be uploaded along with the CAT application form.
• The Certificate can be found on the CAT website.
• Candidates should download the Certificate, fill it out, have it attested by a competent authority, and upload it as a PDF with the CAT application form.
• PwD category students must also fill out the PwD form and Scribe affidavit along with the exam application form.
• This is necessary for availing the scribe facility and PwD facility at the test centre.
• The CAT application form is the same for students from all categories.
• Those belonging to a particular category (SC/ST/PwD) will need to mention it in the relevant field of the CAT form.

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CAT 2026 Application Form Correction Window

Candidates who want to utilise the correction window to make any changes are advised to regularly check the CAT official website to keep an eye out. It is important to note that not all information can be edited. Once the correction window opens, you will be allowed to edit only a few specific details.

• Photograph – If the uploaded photo doesn’t meet specifications, you can replace it.
• Signature – Incorrect or blurred signature scans can be re-uploaded.
• Test City Preferences – You can change the order of your preferred test cities.

You need to follow the steps below if you have made mistakes and want to rectify them:

• Step 1: Visit the official CAT 2026 website, i.e. iimcat.ac.in. to rectify any errors.
• Step 2: Log in to your account by entering your credentials.
• Step 3: Now, you can review your CAT application form 2026.
• Step 4: Once you do this, you can make the required changes, edit and re-upload your photo and signature, and update your test city preference.
• Step 5: Click on I agree in the declaration window and submit.

With this, your CAT 2026 application form will be edited, and you can also take a printout of the updated application form.

Know more about the CAT 2026 Application form correction window Do’s and don’ts

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CAT Application Process: Common Mistakes to Avoid

The CAT form correction window allows you to edit only a few parts of your application, so it's best to fill it out correctly the first time. Here are some tips to help you avoid mistakes in your CAT 2026 application:

• Use a Working Email and Phone Number: Make sure to use a functional email ID and mobile number for your registration, as all important communication will be sent there.
• Choose Your Test City Carefully: Pick your CAT test city wisely since you won’t be able to change it once your exam center is assigned.
• Select Your Current City First: When selecting your exam center cities, list your current city as your first choice for convenience on exam day. Choose five cities in order of preference.
• Pick IIMs Thoughtfully: Be careful when choosing IIMs, as you can only participate in the WAT-PI process for the IIMs you select in your application.
• Select Interview Cities Wisely: For IIM interviews, you’ll need to pick two cities. Choose the ones that are convenient for you.
• Enter Accurate Academic Scores: Make sure to correctly input your academic scores for Class 10, 12, and your Graduation. Include details about any PG or professional degrees, as IIMs will use this information for shortlisting candidates.
• Provide Accurate Work Experience Details: Be precise with your work experience information, as the IIMs will review this during the selection process.
• Upload Valid Certificates: If you're applying under a specific category (like caste or PwD), upload valid certificates. Fake certificates can result in being banned from taking the exam.
• Confirm Successful Fee Payment: Ensure that your fee payment goes through and that you receive an acknowledgement email. If payment fails, your application will be incomplete, and you won’t receive your CAT admit card.

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CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before appearing for the CAT 2026, you need to know whether you are eligible to sit for the exam or not. Since an MBA is a PG course, a graduation is a must.

• Having a bachelor's degree with a minimum 50 per cent aggregate or equivalent CGPA (45 per cent aggregate for SC, ST and PWD/DA categories) is mandatory to appear in CAT 2026.
• Candidates in their final year of graduation, or awaiting results, can also apply. However, if shortlisted, they must submit a certificate from their college/university Principal or Registrar confirming completion of all degree requirements, by the date specified by the respective IIM, and must meet the required percentage (50%/45%) in their final result.
• Candidates having valid professional degrees like CA, CS, ICWA (CMA), or being a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) with the required percentage are also eligible.
• There is no bar on the age limit or the number of attempts to appear for CAT exam, as long as the candidate meets the educational requirements.
• The reservation of seats for categories (SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS, PwD) is as per Indian laws.

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List Of Courses In IIMs 2026: Flagship Programs

While filling the form for CAT 2026, candidates can make an informed decision from the flagship programs offered by the IIMs. Below is the quick reference table for the key programs of IIMs.