CAT 2026 registration will begin soon. Eligible and interested candidates should fill out the CAT application form within the deadline to participate in the exam.
They should fill out the form with valid details, upload documents, and pay fees. The CAT registration 2026 is expected to begin in August 2026 at iimcat.ac.in. Here is the quick overview of the CAT exam application process:
- Register to generate a unique User ID and Password.
- Log in with the generated User ID and Password to fill in the form.
- Submit the application form after entering the details.
- Make an online payment to complete the registration and application process
Candidates should always check the official website for all the latest updates. Read on to know how to register for the CAT 2026 exam and other relevant details.
CAT 2026 Registration Date and Important Deadlines
The CAT 2026 registration process is likely to begin in August 2026. Candidates should regularly check the portal for all details about registration dates, the application correction window, admit card release, and exam date.
Filling the form early can help you avoid website traffic issues at the last minute. Check the expected CAT registration date 2026 shared below:
| Events | Date (Expected) |
| CAT 2026 Registration Starts | August 2026 |
| CAT Registration 2026 Ends | September 2026 |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | November 2026 |
Who Can Apply for CAT 2026? Eligibility Criteria Explained
Candidates should check whether they are eligible before applying. This includes academic qualifications, minimum required marks, and other details.
Failing to fulfil any eligibility will lead to the disqualification of their candidature. Check the detailed CAT eligibility criteria tabulated below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Basic Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Minimum Marks in Bachelor’s degree for General/OBC category | 50% |
| Minimum Marks in Bachelor’s degree for SC/ST category | 45% |
| Professional Qualifications | CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) |
| Age Limit | Not Specified |
| Number of Attempts | No Limit |
| Work Experience | Not Mandatory |
Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration
Candidates should keep all important documents ready before starting the CAT registration process. This makes CAT form-filling easier and faster.
- Valid email ID and mobile number
- Scanned Copy of Passport Size Photograph
- Scanned Copy of Signature
- Valid EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST Certificate (PDF)
- Valid PwD Certificate (PDF)
- Work experience details
- Valid ID proof
- Graduation marks, etc.
CAT 2026 Registration Fees for General, OBC, SC/ST and PwD Candidates
The CAT 2026 registration fees for all categories will be announced soon. Candidates need to pay the CAT registration fee to submit the form successfully.
The fee amount is different for general and reserved category students. You can pay the application fees through Debit card, Credit card, Net banking, or UPI.
Till then, candidates can check last year’s CAT registration fees for General, OBC, SC/ST, and other categories.
| Category | CAT application fees |
| SC, ST and PwD candidates | Rs 1300 |
| Other candidates | Rs 2600 |
Step-by-Step Process to Fill the CAT 2026 Application Form
The CAT 2026 application form can be filled out online. You need to visit the official CAT website to complete the application process.
Here is the step-by-step process to fill out the CAT application form without any hassles:
Registration for User ID and Password
- Go to the official website at https://iimcat.ac.in and click the ‘Register’ button under the New Candidate Registration header.
- Next, create your user profile, and the registration form window will open.
- Enter the following information in the CAT registration form:
- Name of Candidate
- Date of Birth
- Email Address
- Mobile Number
Generate the OTP by clicking on the Generate OTP button to complete the registration process. You will receive the User ID and Password at your registered email address and or on the registered mobile number
Log in to the CAT 2026 Website
- Using the system-generated User ID and Password to log in as a “Registered Candidate” on the website and fill out the CAT application form.
- Fill out the application form with the following details:
- Personal Details
- Document Uploading in the prescribed format.
- Academics
- Work Experience
- Programmes
- Test City
- Declaration
- Next, pay the application fees through the prescribed payment mode.
- Click on the “Preview” button and submit the application form successfully.
- You will also receive a confirmation email stating the successful submission of your CAT 2026 Application within a few minutes
How to Create a CAT Login ID and Password
The first step of CAT registration is creating a login ID and password. Candidates need to register with the required details as shared below:
- Candidate’s Name: This should be the same as it appears in the 10th/SSC Certificate.
- Date of Birth: Use the calendar icon to select the correct date
- Email Address: Must be valid and unique. You will receive your User ID at this email address only.
- Mobile Number: Should be valid and unique. You will receive an OTP to verify your mobile number and your Password as an SMS on this number only.
- Generate the OTP by clicking on the Generate OTP button to complete the registration process.
- You will be redirected to the CAPTCHA page to complete and submit.
- To verify the mobile number, enter the OTP received and press the “Validate the OTP” tab.
- After validation, you can submit the registration form.
- You will receive the User ID and Password at the registered email address and or on the registered mobile number.
How to Upload a Photo and a Signature in the CAT Form
Uploading the correct image format is crucial during CAT registration. Blurred or incorrect images may lead to rejection of applications.
- Scanned Copy of Passport Size Photograph: The dimensions of the passport-size photo must be within 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels. The document file format should be a .jpg or .jpeg, and the file size should not be more than 80KB each. The photograph should not be more than 6 months old and should have a white background.
- Scanned Copy of Signature: The dimensions of the passport-size photo must be within 80mm X 35mm. The document file format should be a .jpg or .jpeg, and the file size should not be more than 80KB each.
CAT 2026 Form Filling Mistakes to Avoid
Many students make small mistakes while filling out the CAT form. These errors can create issues later during admission. Some common mistakes are given below:
- Wrong spelling in personal details
- Incorrect marks entry
- Invalid category certificate
- Blurry photo or signature
- Wrong exam city preference
- Using an inactive email or mobile number
CAT 2026 Application Form Correction Window Explained
After the CAT application form is officially closed, a limited edit window will be available to allow candidates to make corrections to specific sections of their submitted forms.
Those who have successfully registered for CAT 2026 and paid the registration fee are eligible to make changes in the following fields:
- Photograph
- Signature
- Test City Preferences
It is essential that you carefully review their application and make any necessary updates within the deadline. No further extensions will be given beyond the deadline.
Final Year Students and CAT 2026 Registration Rules
Students who are in the final year of a bachelor’s degree can also apply for CAT 2026. They need to complete their degree within the deadline outlined by the institutes.
Final year students must keep these things in mind when registering for CAT 2026:
- Select the correct academic status
- Collect all the college documents
- Submit final marksheets within the deadline as specified by the authorities.
CAT 2026 Registration for Repeat Candidates
Candidates who took the CAT exam earlier can apply again by creating a fresh application for CAT 2026. Repeat candidates must keep these things in mind when registering for CAT 2026:
- Use the latest information
- Check previous mistakes
- Improve exam city selection
- Upload a fresh photograph and signature
What Happens After CAT Registration is Complete?
After submitting the CAT application form, you should regularly check your candidate’s dashboard and email for all the latest updates. The next steps usually include:
- Application confirmation
- Correction window updates
- Admit card release
- Exam guidelines
CAT Exam Registration Trends Over the Past Years
Here are the CAT exam registration trends over the years to help you understand the competition clearly:
| CAT Year | Number of Registered Candidates | Number of Candidates Appeared | Attendance Rate |
| 2025 | 2.95 lakh | 2.58 lakh | 86% |
| 2024 | 3.29 Lakh | 2.93 Lakh | 89% |
| 2023 | 3.28 Lakh | 2.88 Lakh | 88% |
| 2022 | 2.55 Lakh | 2.22 Lakh | 87% |
| 2021 | 2.30 Lakh | 1.92 Lakh | 83% |
| 2020 | 2.27 Lakh | 1.90 Lakh | 83.5% |
Conclusion
The CAT 2026 registration process is simple if you follow all the steps carefully. You should keep your documents ready in advance. Make sure you fill out the form correctly, upload documents, and submit the fees within the deadline. Avoid waiting for the final days to avoid payment problems or technical glitches.
Along with registration, preparation is crucial to scoring well in CAT 2026. If you are looking for expert guidance and CAT-level mock tests, MBA Karo CAT Course can help you prepare in a structured way.
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