The CAT 2026 fee payment window has been extended by two days for candidates who successfully completed their registration within the original deadline.
The revised fee payment deadline is September 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM. However, the extension does not mean that the CAT 2026 registration deadline has been changed.
Candidates had to complete their registration by September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
The Indian Institute of Management Indore is conducting CAT 2026. The entrance exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026, and will be held in three sessions.
CAT 2026 Fee Payment Deadline Extended to September 24
IIMs have provided an additional two days for eligible candidates to complete their CAT 2026 fee payment. The extended window will remain open until 5:00 PM on September 24, 2026.
This facility is specifically meant for candidates who completed their CAT application process before the registration window closed on September 22.
Therefore, candidates who did not submit their registration by the original deadline cannot use this extension to submit a fresh application.
The latest update is particularly important for candidates who completed the application form but still need to finish the fee payment process.
CAT 2026 Registration Deadline Remains September 22
The CAT 2026 registration window opened on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM and closed on September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
The extension applies only to fee payment and should not be considered an extension of the application process.
Candidates who did not complete their registration by September 22 cannot register for CAT 2026 during the extended payment window.
The CAT 2026 exam will be conducted on November 29, 2026, in three sessions.
Who Can Pay the CAT 2026 Registration Fee Till September 24?
The extended payment facility is available to candidates who completed their CAT 2026 registration within the specified registration period.
CAT 2026 Fee Payment: What Candidates Need to Know
Candidates should complete the payment within the revised deadline rather than waiting until the final few hours. The CAT application fee varies according to the candidate’s category.
| Category | CAT 2026 Application Fee |
| SC, ST and PwBD | ₹1,350 |
| All other candidates | ₹2,700 |
The fee is payable only once, regardless of the number of IIM programmes or institutes selected by a candidate.
Candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwBD categories are required to upload the relevant category certificate during registration. Candidates should also remember that the registration fee is non-refundable once paid.
After the registration process closes, a short edit facility will be provided to eligible registered candidates.
The edit option will be available only for photograph, signature and test city preferences. This facility applies to candidates who registered successfully and paid the applicable fee within the specified timeline.
What Happens If CAT 2026 Fee Is Not Paid by September 24?
Candidates who completed their registration but do not pay the applicable fee by 5:00 PM on September 24 should not assume that their application will remain active simply because the form was filled.
The additional payment window has been provided specifically to complete the fee-payment requirement for registrations made within the original deadline. Candidates should therefore check their application status and complete the payment before the revised cutoff.
Those who have already paid the fee do not need to make another payment.
CAT 2026 Important Dates 2026
The key CAT 2026 dates are given below for quick reference:
| Event | Dates |
| CAT 2026 Registration Starts | August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM |
| CAT 2026 Registration Ends | September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM |
| Extended Fee Payment Deadline | September 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Download Begins | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
Conclusion
With the application phase nearing completion, the focus now shifts to preparation for the November 29 exam. Candidates can use this period to strengthen concepts, practise questions regularly and analyse their performance through mocks.
For students looking for structured guidance, MBA Karo CAT online coaching can be considered as part of their preparation strategy.
Its online format can help candidates maintain a planned study routine while balancing practice, revision and mock-test preparation in the months leading up to CAT 2026.
CAT 2026 Registration and Fee Payment FAQ
Q. Is the CAT 2026 registration deadline extended?
A. No. CAT 2026 registration closed on September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Q. What is the last date to pay the CAT 2026 registration fee?
A. Eligible candidates can complete their fee payment by September 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Q. Who can use the extended CAT 2026 fee payment window?
A. Candidates who completed their CAT 2026 registration by the September 22 deadline can use the extended payment window.
Q. What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
A. The fee is ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates and ₹2,700 for all other candidates.
Q. When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
A. CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026, and will be held in three sessions.
Q. When will the CAT 2026 admit card be available?
A. The CAT 2026 admit card download facility is scheduled to begin on November 4, 2026.
