CAT 2026 Registration Begins: Complete Application Guide
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- 6 min read
The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have officially commenced the online registration process for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026. Conducted this year by IIM Indore under the convenership of Prof. Aditya Billore, CAT 2026 serves as the primary entrance examination for admission into premier management programs across 22 IIMs, as well as over 1,200 non-IIM business schools nationwide, including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, IIFT, and the IIT management departments.
With the online application window opening on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM IST) and remaining active until September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM IST), candidates must carefully navigate the registration steps, document submission, program selections, and test center choices. This complete guide details everything you need to know to complete your application smoothly and avoid common errors.
CAT 2026 Important Dates and Exam Schedule
Staying aware of official deadlines prevents last-minute submission technical glitches. The table below outlines the confirmed schedule for CAT 2026:
Event Milestone | Scheduled Date / Deadline |
Official Notification Release | July 26, 2026 |
Online Registration Start Date | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM IST) |
Online Registration Closing Date | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM IST) |
Application Correction Window | September 24 – September 27, 2026 (Expected) |
Admit Card Release Date | November 4, 2026 |
CAT 2026 Examination Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
Official Answer Key & Response Sheet | First week of December 2026 |
Declaration of CAT 2026 Results | First week of January 2027 |
Detailed CAT 2026 Registration Guide and Step-by-Step Instructions
To register for CAT 2026, applicants must follow a systematic three-stage online procedure on the official portal (iimcat.ac.in). Following this CAT 2026 registration guide step-by-step ensures that all personal, academic, and category details align with official IIM guidelines.
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│ CAT 2026 APPLICATION FLOW │
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[ Step 1: User Registration & OTP Verification ]
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[ Step 2: Form Filling (Personal, Academic, Work Ex) ]
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[ Step 3: Program Selection & Test City Preferences ]
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[ Step 4: Document Upload & Application Fee Payment ]
Stage 1: Creating Candidate Profile & Generating User ID
Visit Official Website: Navigate to the official portal at iimcat.ac.in.
Register as New User: Click on the "Register" button under the New Candidate Registration section.
Enter Basic Information: Provide your Name (exactly as recorded on your Class 10/SSC Certificate), Date of Birth, primary Email Address, Mobile Number, and Nationality.
OTP Verification: Click on "Generate OTP". Enter the One-Time Password sent to your registered mobile number and email ID.
Receive Login Credentials: Upon successful verification, your system-generated User ID and Password will be sent via SMS and email.
Stage 2: Filling the Detailed CAT 2026 Application Form
Log in using your credential details to complete the six distinct sections of the application:
1. Personal Details: Enter parent/guardian names, emergency contacts, category (General, EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST, or PwBD), communication address, and permanent address.
2. Academics: Enter score details across all qualifications:
Class 10 / SSC: Board name, completion year, aggregate percentage / equivalent CGPA.
Class 12 / HSC / Diploma: Stream, board name, completion year, percentage obtained.
Bachelor’s Degree: University name, degree discipline, enrollment status (completed or final year), duration, aggregate percentage.
Master’s / Professional Degrees: Details of CA, CS, ICWA (CMA), or Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) if applicable.
3. Work Experience: Mention full-time paid work experience gained after completing graduation, measured in total months up to July 31, 2026. Part-time, internship, or pre-graduation work cannot be counted.
4. Programs Selection: Choose your preferred Postgraduate Programmes (PGP/MBA) offered across all 22 IIMs. You can select all programs without paying any additional fee per institute. Select your interview city preferences for each selected program.
5. Test City Preferences: Select six preference cities from the drop-down menu of over 170 test cities. Test center allocation is performed systematically after registration closes.
6. Payment Gateway: Proceed to pay the non-refundable registration fee via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria and Reservation Policies
Before starting the form, candidates must ensure they fulfill the official academic and category eligibility mandates established by the IIM Admissions Committee:
CAT 2026 ELIGIBILITY SNAPSHOT
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ • General / EWS / NC-OBC: Minimum 50% aggregate in Bachelor's Degree │
│ • SC / ST / PwBD: Minimum 45% aggregate in Bachelor's Degree │
│ • Final-Year Candidates: Eligible (Provisional admission allowed) │
│ • Age Limit: No Upper Age Limit │
│ • Attempt Limit: Unlimited Attempts Allowed │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Educational Qualifications
Graduation Mark Requirements: Candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university or institute with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates).
Final-Year Students: Candidates appearing for their final year bachelor's degree examination or awaiting final results are fully eligible to apply. Admitted candidates must submit proof of completion before the specified IIM deadline.
Professional Qualifications: Candidates with completed professional degrees such as CA, CS, ICWA (CMA), or FIAI meeting the requisite percentage marks are eligible.
Reservation Breakdown
As per Government of India guidelines, statutory reservations applied across all IIM seat allocations are as follows:
Category | Reservation Percentage |
Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15% |
Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5% |
Non-Creamy Layer Other Backward Classes (NC-OBC) | 27% |
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 10% |
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 5% (Horizontal Reservation) |
Category-Wise Application Fees & Upload Specifications
For CAT 2026, the registration fee structure has been revised as follows:
Category Class | Revised Application Fee |
General / EWS / NC-OBC Candidates | ₹2,700 |
SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | ₹1,350 |
Note: The registration fee is paid once and covers applications to all 22 Indian Institutes of Management and selected non-IIM programs.
Document Specifications for Online Upload
Prepare clear scanned copies of all required documents in the exact formats listed below prior to commencing the upload stage:
Passport Photograph: Scanned color photograph (35mm x 45mm) on a white background. Dimensions: Minimum 150x150 pixels. File format: JPG/JPEG (Size: 80 KB to 1 MB).
Signature: Scanned signature executed clearly on plain white paper using a black/blue pen. Dimensions: Minimum 80x35 pixels. File format: JPG/JPEG (Size: 80 KB to 1 MB).
Category Certificate (SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS): Official certificate issued by a competent authority in prescribed ECI/IIM format. File format: PDF (Size: 50 KB to 1 MB).
Disability Certificate (PwBD): Official medical board certificate for candidates claiming PwBD status. File format: PDF (Size: 50 KB to 1 MB).
CAT 2026 Examination Pattern and Syllabus Overview
Understanding the structure of the exam enables focused preparation during the months preceding test day. CAT 2026 follows a 2-hour (120 minutes) computer-based test structure divided into three mandatory, timed sections:
CAT 2026 EXAMINATION STRUCTURE
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Total Duration : 120 Minutes (40 Minutes per Section) │
│ Total Questions : 68 Questions (48 MCQs + 20 TITA Questions) │
│ Marking Scheme : +3 for Correct Answer | -1 for Incorrect MCQ │
│ TITA Penalty : No Negative Marking for Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Section | Domain Name | Question Count | Duration |
Section I | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 Questions | 40 Minutes |
Section II | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 Questions | 40 Minutes |
Section III | Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 Questions | 40 Minutes |
Total | All Three Sections Combined | 68 Questions | 120 Minutes |
Critical Registration Mistakes to Avoid
Submitting inaccurate information can lead to candidate rejection during interview shortlisting or final document verification. Avoid these common mistakes:
Name Mismatch: Ensure your registered name matches your Class 10 Certificate and valid Government Photo ID (Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, PAN Card, or Driving License).
Inaccurate Marks Calculation: Do not round off aggregate percentages. Enter exact figures up to two decimal places. If your university awards CGPA, convert it using the official university conversion formula.
Invalid Category Certificates: OBC-NCL and EWS candidates must ensure their certificates are valid for the financial year 2026–2027 and issued on or after April 1, 2026.
Poor Quality Images: Uploading blurry or pixelated photographs and signatures can cause application rejection or hall ticket generation errors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the primary purpose of this CAT 2026 registration guide?
This CAT 2026 registration guide provides step-by-step instructions, eligibility requirements, fee details, document specifications, and deadline schedules to help candidates successfully submit their online application on iimcat.ac.in without errors.
What is the last date to fill out the CAT 2026 application form?
The last date to complete and submit the CAT 2026 application form online is September 15, 2026, by 5:00 PM IST.
Which IIM is conducting the CAT 2026 examination?
CAT 2026 is being officially conducted by IIM Indore under the leadership of Convener Prof. Aditya Billore.
Can final-year graduation students apply for CAT 2026?
Yes, candidates currently in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification are eligible to apply. They will receive provisional admission subject to submitting graduation proof before the deadline set by the respective admitting institute.
Official CAT 2026 Registration Links & Direct Resources
Access official portals to begin your application and track examination updates:
Register and submit your application on the Official CAT 2026 Website.
Review university profiles and programs on the IIM Indore Official Website.
Verify statutory guidelines on the Ministry of Education Portal.
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