CAT 2026
CAT 2026 Registration: Status, Fees and Corrections
CAT 2026 registration is closed. The last registration deadline was 22 September 2026 at 5:00 PM IST. The payment-only extension ended on 24 September, and the limited correction window ended on 6 October. Existing candidates should preserve their application records and prepare for admit-card download from 4 November.
Last verified: 7 October 2026. This is an independent preparation guide; applications, admit cards and official notices are available through iimcat.ac.in.
Registration, payment and corrections: three separate windows
An account, a submitted application and a successful fee payment are not interchangeable records. Check the status of your own application through the Registered Candidate Login reached from the official CAT website.
| Action | Who it applied to | Final deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | New CAT 2026 applicants | 22 September, 5:00 PM IST |
| Extended fee payment | Candidates registered by the September 22 deadline | 24 September, 5:00 PM IST |
| Limited edits | Successfully registered candidates who paid the fee | 6 October, 5:00 PM |
What was the CAT 2026 application fee?
The information bulletin lists one CAT registration fee, paid once regardless of how many IIMs a candidate selected. Fees once paid are non-refundable under the bulletin. Do not confuse this with a separate application fee that a non-IIM business school may charge.
| Candidate category | CAT registration fee |
|---|---|
| SC, ST and PwBD | ₹1,350 |
| All other candidates, including General, EWS and NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
What should your application record contain?
The registration guide is the reference for the form and its upload specifications. For an already-submitted application, keep the exact records used rather than reconstructing details from memory. Do not enter a fresh payment solely because a bank notification is confusing; reconcile it with the candidate dashboard first.
- Application reference and a copy of the submitted form.
- Successful-payment acknowledgement or receipt, with the transaction reference.
- Academic marksheets and the university’s CGPA conversion rule where applicable.
- The category or disability documents applicable to the claim made in the form.
- Photograph, signature and the test-city choices submitted.
- A working email address and mobile number throughout selection.
How the application process worked
The sequence was to register through the official portal, complete the application, provide the required academic and category information, select programmes and test-city preferences, upload the requested files, review the form and pay the applicable fee. This is a record of the completed process, not an invitation to start a new application after the deadline.
The bulletin required five preferred test cities. Preference does not guarantee a particular venue or session; the admit card is the authoritative record of the assigned centre. Exact upload formats and form-field requirements belong to the official registration guide, so this page does not substitute guessed file-size limits.
What could be changed during the October edit window?
The September 29 notice permitted changes to the photograph, signature and test state/city preferences between October 5 at 10:00 AM and October 6 at 5:00 PM. It applied only to candidates who had successfully registered and paid.
The notice did not announce general editing of every field. The bulletin also states that category changes are not entertained after registration. As of October 7, the announced correction window has ended; an older screenshot of an Edit button is not proof that editing remains available.
NC-OBC and EWS certificate records
The bulletin requires an NC-OBC certificate issued on or after April 1, 2026. For EWS, it specifies validity for 2026–27 based on financial year 2025–26. It also describes a conditional undertaking route for applicants who had applied for the valid certificate but had not received it at registration.
That route required the specified undertaking, the older certificate and evidence of applying for the current certificate together in one PDF. It was not a blanket waiver of documentation. Consult the bulletin and preserve the documents actually submitted; individual eligibility and verification are decided by the authorities.
What to do after registration
If the dashboard confirms a completed application and payment, retain the records and focus on preparation. Check the official website for the November 4 admit-card release and later notices.
For a payment mismatch or another unresolved application issue, use the helpdesk details displayed on iimcat.ac.in. Include the application reference and transaction evidence where relevant. Never share passwords or OTPs with a third-party coaching or information website.
Sources and verification notes
Official sources were checked on 7 October 2026. Later dated notices take precedence over the original bulletin where a deadline has changed. Study plans and worked examples are editorial guidance, not official exam rules.
Related guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for CAT 2026 now?
No new registration window is open in the official notices checked on October 7. Registration closed September 22.
Did the September 24 extension allow new registrations?
No. It covered fee payment only for candidates registered by September 22.
Could I change every field during corrections?
No. The notice listed photograph, signature and test state/city preferences only.
Do I pay the CAT fee separately for each IIM?
The bulletin says the CAT registration fee is paid once regardless of the number of institutes selected. Other institutions may have separate application processes.