The CAT 2026 registration last date has been extended to September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The original CAT 2026 registration window was scheduled to close on September 15 at 5:00 PM. Candidates who have not yet completed their application should use this additional time to finish the CAT 2026 application form, upload the required documents and pay the applicable CAT 2026 application fee.
According to the CAT 2026 registration documents, candidates must complete the registration process online through the official CAT website. The registration process involves entering personal and academic details, providing work-experience information where applicable, selecting programmes and choosing five preferred test cities.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| CAT 2026 Event | Date / Time |
| CAT 2026 Registration Begins | August 3, 2026, 10:00 AM |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Download Begins | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Expected CAT 2026 Result | First week of January 2027 |
The CAT 2026 Information Bulletin states that candidates can select five different test cities according to their preference. After registration closes, one of these cities will be allotted subject to availability. In the rare situation where none of the preferred cities can be allotted, a nearby city may be assigned.
What Should Candidates Do Before the September 22 Deadline?
Candidates should not consider the form complete merely by entering their details. Before the CAT 2026 registration last date, make sure you:
- Complete all sections of the CAT 2026 application form.
- Check personal and academic information carefully.
- Enter work experience accurately, wherever applicable.
- Select five preferred test cities.
- Upload the required photograph, signature and applicable certificates.
- Verify the complete application before payment.
- Pay the CAT 2026 application fee.
- Save the payment transaction details and download the submitted application.
The CAT 2026 Registration Guide specifically advises candidates to use the Preview option to check the accuracy and completeness of their information before proceeding with payment.
Important: Once the application is successfully submitted and payment is completed, candidates should retain the confirmation email/SMS and payment transaction number for future reference. The registration guide states that a successful payment generates a Payment Transaction Number, followed by confirmation through email and SMS.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
Before completing the CAT 2026 registration, candidates should carefully check the CAT 2026 eligibility criteria. The official CAT 2026 eligibility document specifies minimum academic requirements based on the candidate’s category and also allows certain final-year students and professional-degree holders to apply.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for CAT 2026, a candidate must satisfy one of the following conditions:
- Have completed a Bachelor’s degree with the required minimum percentage.
- Have completed a recognised professional degree such as CA, CS, ICWA (CMA) or FIAI with the required percentage.
- Be currently studying in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree and meet the applicable minimum percentage requirement.
- Candidates who have completed their degree requirements but are awaiting results can also apply. If selected, they may join provisionally subject to submitting the required certificate from their university/institution.
Minimum Marks Required
| Candidate Category | Minimum Marks / Equivalent CGPA |
| General | 50% |
| EWS | 50% |
| NC-OBC | 50% |
| SC | 45% |
| ST | 45% |
| PwBD | 45% |
The Bachelor’s degree must be awarded by a recognised university or educational institution, or the candidate must possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
How Is CGPA Converted into Percentage?
For candidates whose marks are expressed as grades or CGPA, the CAT 2026 eligibility document states that percentage conversion should follow the procedure certified by the respective university or institution. If the institution has no prescribed conversion scheme, the equivalence is calculated by dividing the CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying by 100.
Final-year candidates should enter their current year/semester and the aggregate percentage obtained in the completed semesters while filling the CAT 2026 application form.
Important: Meeting the minimum CAT 2026 eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee an IIM shortlist. The IIMs may verify eligibility at different stages of selection, and individual IIMs may have their own selection criteria.
CAT 2026 Fees: Application Fee, Payment & Important Details
Understanding the CAT 2026 fees is an important part of completing the CAT 2026 registration. The official CAT 2026 Information Bulletin specifies different CAT 2026 application fees based on the candidate’s category.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
| Candidate Category | CAT 2026 Application Fee |
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹1,350 |
The CAT 2026 application fee needs to be paid online during the registration process. Candidates are required to pay the registration fee only once, irrespective of the number of institutes or programmes they apply for. The fee is non-refundable once paid.
What Should You Know About CAT 2026 Fees?
Candidates should keep the following points in mind while completing the CAT 2026 online application process:
- The applicable fee depends on the category selected in the application.
- SC, ST and PwBD candidates are required to upload the relevant certificate during registration.
- The registration fee is paid only once, even if a candidate applies to multiple participating institutes or programmes.
- Fees once paid cannot be refunded.
- Candidates should carefully check their application before making the payment.
The registration guide recommends using the Preview option to verify the application for accuracy and completeness before proceeding to payment.
What Happens After Payment?
The CAT 2026 payment process is completed through the online payment gateway. After a successful transaction, candidates receive a “Payment Successful” message along with a Payment Transaction Number. Candidates should save this number for future reference.
A confirmation email and SMS are also sent after successful submission. Candidates can subsequently log in to view their read-only Application Summary and download their submitted application details.
Tip: Do not wait until the final hours of the CAT 2026 registration last date — September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM — to make the payment. Complete the form, verify your details and save your transaction information well before the deadline.
CAT 2026 Registration Process: Step-by-Step Guide
Candidates who are planning to apply for CAT 2026 should complete the registration process carefully, as the CAT 2026 registration last date is September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The official registration guide divides the application into multiple sections covering personal details, academics, work experience, programmes, test cities and declaration. Candidates can save their progress and complete the form across multiple sessions.
Step 1: Create Your CAT 2026 Login
Begin the CAT 2026 registration on the official CAT website and generate your User ID and password. Candidates should use an active and unique email address and mobile number that can be maintained throughout the admission process.
Step 2: Fill in Personal Details
Enter your personal information carefully, including details required by the application form. Candidates belonging to reserved categories or PwBD categories must provide the applicable information and certificates.
For PwBD applicants, the registration guide requires details such as disability percentage, UDID number, PwBD category, wheelchair support and scribe requirement, wherever applicable.
Step 3: Enter Academic Details
The CAT 2026 application form requires candidates to provide their academic information. Depending on their educational background, this may include:
- Class 10/SSC details
- Class 12/HSC or Diploma details
- First Bachelor’s degree
- Second Bachelor’s degree, if applicable
- Master’s degree
- Professional degree
Final-year Bachelor’s students need to enter their current year/semester and aggregate percentage obtained for the completed portion of the course.
If your university does not provide a specific CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula, the CAT 2026 guidelines specify the prescribed calculation method based on CGPA and maximum possible CGPA.
Step 4: Add Work Experience
Candidates with work experience should enter their experience in days as of July 31, 2026. Importantly, only full-time work experience acquired after graduation should be entered in this section.
Step 5: Select Programmes and Test Cities
Candidates can select the programmes they wish to apply for through the application form. For the test city section, applicants can choose five different preferred test cities.
| Test City Rule | CAT 2026 Requirement |
| Number of preferences | 5 |
| Same city repeated? | No |
| Final allotment | One preferred city, subject to availability |
| If preferred cities are unavailable | A nearby city may be allotted |
Step 6: Upload Required Documents
Candidates must upload the documents applicable to their category and application. The official guide specifies particular file formats, dimensions and size limits for the photograph and signature.
Step 7: Preview, Pay and Submit
Before making the payment, use the Preview option to check every detail entered in the application. The CAT 2026 Registration Guide specifically recommends verifying the form for accuracy and completeness before proceeding with payment.
After successful payment, save the Payment Transaction Number and retain the confirmation email/SMS. Candidates can also download their submitted application after logging in.
Pro tip: Complete your CAT 2026 registration process well before September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM rather than waiting for the final day.
CAT 2026 Documents Required for Registration
Having the correct documents ready before starting the CAT 2026 registration can help candidates avoid delays and upload-related errors. The CAT 2026 Registration Guide specifies different documents depending on the candidate’s category and information provided in the application.
CAT 2026 Documents Required
| Document | Format / Requirement |
| Passport-size photograph | JPG/JPEG, up to 80 KB |
| Candidate’s signature | JPG/JPEG, up to 80 KB |
| EWS certificate | PDF, where applicable |
| NC-OBC certificate | PDF, where applicable |
| SC/ST certificate | PDF, where applicable |
| PwBD certificate | PDF, where applicable |
| Scribe affidavit | As applicable to candidates using a scribe |
For the photograph, candidates must upload an image of 1200 × 1200 pixels, while the signature should be 80 mm × 35 mm. Both images must be clear, have a minimum resolution of 150 pixels/inch and should not exceed 80 KB each. The photograph should be no more than six months old and should have a white background.
Category Certificates: An Important Check
Candidates applying under reserved categories should pay particular attention to the validity and requirements of their certificates. For CAT 2026:
- NC-OBC certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026.
- EWS certificates must be valid for 2026–27 and assessed for the financial year 2025–26.
- SC/ST/PwBD candidates need to upload the applicable certificate during registration.
If an eligible NC-OBC/EWS candidate has applied for a new certificate on or after April 1, 2026, but has not received it by the time of registration, the CAT 2026 guidelines provide a specific document-upload route. The candidate must submit, in a single PDF:
- The prescribed undertaking for the NC-OBC/EWS certificate.
- The older NC-OBC/EWS certificate.
- Proof or acknowledgement showing that the application for the new certificate has been submitted.
Candidates should also remember that their category cannot be changed after CAT registration, making it important to select the correct category and upload the appropriate documentation while completing the CAT 2026 application form.
Tip: Prepare and check all applicable CAT 2026 documents required before beginning the form, particularly category certificates and the photograph/signature files, rather than arranging them just before the September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM deadline.
CAT 2026 Application Form: Details You Need to Fill
The CAT 2026 application form is divided into multiple sections, and candidates should enter every detail carefully before submitting the form. The registration guide allows applicants to save their responses and continue the application later, making it possible to complete the form across multiple sessions.
Major Sections of the CAT 2026 Application Form
| Section | Key Information Required |
| Personal Details | Personal, category and communication details |
| Academics | Class 10, Class 12/Diploma, Bachelor’s and applicable higher/professional qualifications |
| Work Experience | Full-time experience after graduation |
| Programmes | Programmes/institutes selected through the application |
| Test City | Five preferred test cities |
| Declaration | Candidate declaration and payment-related confirmation |
1. Personal Details
Candidates need to provide their personal and communication information accurately. The registration guide also requires present and permanent address details, along with an emergency mobile number that should be different from the primary mobile number.
2. Academic Details
The CAT 2026 application form captures educational information across relevant qualifications. Candidates may need to provide details for their Class 10, Class 12/Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s and professional degrees.
If a candidate has more than one Bachelor’s degree, the form provides an option to enter details for both degrees. Dual-degree candidates, such as BTech + MTech or BTech + MSc, may need to provide information in both the relevant Bachelor’s and Master’s sections.
3. Work Experience
If applicable, work experience must be entered in days as of July 31, 2026. Only full-time experience after graduation should be included in this section.
4. Test City Preferences
Applicants can choose five different test cities. The same city cannot be selected more than once, and the final allotment depends on availability.
5. Review Before Submission
One of the most important steps in the CAT 2026 registration process is reviewing the completed form before payment. Candidates can use the Preview option multiple times before submission to check whether all information is accurate and complete.
Once the application is submitted and payment is successfully completed, candidates should retain the confirmation details and download the submitted application for their records.
What to Do After Completing CAT 2026 Registration?
Completing the CAT 2026 registration is only the first step toward the CAT and IIM admission journey. After successfully submitting the CAT 2026 application form, candidates should preserve their application and payment records and stay attentive to subsequent updates.
What Should You Do After Submission?
- Save the Payment Transaction Number: After successful payment, the system displays a Payment Transaction Number. Keep it safely for future reference.
- Check the Confirmation Email and SMS: Candidates receive confirmation of successful application submission through email and SMS within a few minutes.
- Download the Application: The registered-user login provides a Download Application option after submission. Save a copy for your records.
- Keep Your Login Details Safe: Your User ID and password may be required to access future CAT-related information.
- Track Official Updates: Keep checking the official CAT website for updates concerning the admit card, examination and other important announcements.
What If There Is a Problem With Your Application?
If you do not receive the confirmation email or face issues related to CAT 2026 registration, application submission, payment processing or document uploading, the CAT 2026 Registration Guide provides a Grievance Portal for registered candidates. Candidates can raise a ticket through the Registered Candidate Login and attach up to three supporting documents.
The key takeaway is simple: successful payment does not mean you should stop checking your application status and official communications. Keep your submitted application, transaction details and login credentials accessible until the admission process is complete.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During CAT 2026 Registration
With the CAT 2026 registration last date now extended to September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM, candidates have additional time to review their applications. However, an extended deadline should not lead to careless form filling. Errors in personal information, academic details, category selection or document uploads can create complications later in the admission process.
Common CAT 2026 Registration Mistakes
- Entering incorrect academic percentages: Candidates should calculate and enter their aggregate marks according to their university/institution’s prescribed norms. For CGPA, the applicable conversion procedure should be followed.
- Entering incorrect work experience: Only full-time work experience after graduation should be entered, and experience should be calculated in days as of July 31, 2026.
- Selecting the wrong category: Candidates should carefully select their applicable category because no category change will be entertained after CAT registration.
- Uploading incorrect documents: Category certificates must meet the applicable CAT 2026 requirements, while photographs and signatures must follow the specified format, size and dimensions.
- Choosing the same test city multiple times: Candidates must select five different test cities; the same city cannot be repeated.
- Skipping the application preview: The official guide specifically recommends reviewing the complete form for accuracy and completeness before making the payment.
- Waiting until the final hours: Technical, document-upload or payment issues can become difficult to resolve close to the CAT 2026 registration last date.
How Tarkashastra Can Help You Prepare for CAT 2026
Getting your CAT 2026 registration completed before the September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM deadline is only the beginning. Once the application is submitted, the focus should shift towards building a structured preparation strategy for the CAT 2026 exam.
This is where Tarkashastra can support aspirants with a systematic approach to preparation rather than relying only on self-study or random practice.
CAT Preparation Support at Tarkashastra
Tarkashastra’s CAT preparation approach combines concept building, practice, mock tests and performance analysis. Its CAT programme includes:
- Section-wise concept classes covering VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability.
- Full-length CAT mock tests with detailed solutions and analysis.
- Timed sectional tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Personalised error tracking to identify recurring weaknesses.
- Individual mentorship focused on improving preparation and performance.
- A structured preparation roadmap to help students progress from fundamentals to advanced-level questions.
For an aspirant who has just completed the CAT 2026 application form, the next step should therefore be to convert the remaining preparation time into a planned study schedule.
Conclusion
The CAT 2026 registration last date has been extended to September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM, giving aspirants additional time to complete their applications. Candidates should verify their CAT 2026 eligibility, documents, academic details, category information and application fee before submitting the form. Once registration is complete, the focus should shift to structured preparation for the November 29 examination. With the right study plan, regular practice, mock tests and performance analysis, aspirants can make effective use of the remaining preparation time. Completing registration early also allows candidates to concentrate fully on their CAT 2026 preparation without last-minute application-related stress.
FAQs
1. What is the CAT 2026 registration last date?
The CAT 2026 registration last date is September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Candidates should complete the application and fee payment before the deadline.
2. What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
The CAT 2026 application fee is ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. The fee is payable only once and is non-refundable.
3. Who is eligible to apply for CAT 2026?
Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree and at least 50% marks can apply, while the minimum is 45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. Certain recognised professional-degree holders are also eligible.
4. Can final-year graduation students apply for CAT 2026?
Yes, candidates appearing in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree can apply, subject to meeting the prescribed eligibility requirements.
5. What documents are required for CAT 2026 registration?
Candidates need a recent passport-size photograph and signature, along with applicable EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST or PwBD certificates. The uploaded files must meet CAT’s prescribed format and size requirements.
6. How do I register for CAT 2026 online?
Visit the official CAT website, generate your User ID and password, complete the six application sections, upload the required documents, select five test cities, preview the form, pay the fee and submit it.
7. Can I edit my CAT 2026 application after submission?
Candidates can edit and complete a saved application before submission; however, the entries cannot be changed once the application is submitted.
8. Is there a late fee for CAT 2026 registration?
The provided CAT 2026 documents specify the registration fee but do not mention any separate late fee. Candidates should complete registration by September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
9. Can I change my category after submitting the CAT 2026 form?
No. The CAT 2026 guidelines clearly state that no change in category will be entertained after registration, so candidates should select their category carefully.
10. What are the common mistakes to avoid while filling the CAT 2026 application form?
Avoid incorrect academic details, wrong category selection, inaccurate work-experience entries, improper document uploads and repeated test-city preferences. Always preview the complete application before payment.
