The CAT 2026 registration last date has been extended, giving MBA aspirants one more week to complete their applications. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have revised the deadline from September 15 to September 22, 2026, up to 5 PM.
So, if you were waiting to fill the CAT 2026 application form, this is the deadline to keep on your calendar. The registration process is available online through the official CAT website, and candidates should not leave payment or document uploads until the final hours.
CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore on November 29, 2026, in three sessions across approximately 170 cities in India.
CAT 2026 Registration Last Date: What Changed?
The CAT 2026 registration window opened on August 3, 2026. The original deadline was September 15, but the IIMs have now extended it to September 22 at 5 PM.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration started | August 3, 2026 |
| New registration last date | September 22, 2026, up to 5 PM |
| Admit card release | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 exam | November 29, 2026 |
| Exam sessions | Three |
| Exam cities | Approximately 170 |
The extension gives candidates additional time, but applicants should treat September 22 as the final deadline. Multiple reports citing the CAT authorities state that candidates should complete registration early rather than wait for the last day.
Is CAT 2026 Registration Last Date Extended?
Yes. CAT 2026 registration has been extended to September 22, 2026, up to 5 PM.
The earlier deadline was September 15. Candidates who had not completed their applications by that date can now use the extended registration window.
The official application portal is iimcat.ac.in.
Important: Do not confuse the registration deadline with the later application edit window. The edit facility is intended for candidates who have successfully registered and paid the fee.
CAT 2026 Registration Fees
The CAT 2026 registration fees have been revised for this year.
| Candidate category | CAT 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,350 |
The fee is paid online while completing the application. It is non-refundable.
Before making the payment, check your category and application details carefully. A small mistake in the form can create unnecessary trouble when the registration window is about to close.
Who Is Eligible for CAT 2026?
Candidates should check the eligibility rules before submitting the CAT 2026 application form.
For General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates, the basic requirement is a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA.
For candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwD categories, the minimum requirement is 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
Can Final-Year Students Apply?
Yes. Students currently pursuing the final year of their bachelor’s degree can apply, subject to the conditions specified by the CAT authorities.
Candidates who have completed their degree requirements but are waiting for their results may also apply, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.
Work experience is not mandatory for appearing in CAT.
How to Apply for CAT 2026?
If you have not registered yet, avoid treating the form like a five-minute job. Keep your academic information, certificates and scanned documents ready before starting.
Step-by-Step CAT 2026 Registration
1. Visit the official CAT website
Go to the CAT registration portal at iimcat.ac.in.
2. Complete new candidate registration
Enter the required personal details, including your name, date of birth, email address and mobile number, and complete the OTP verification process.
3. Create your login credentials
After successful registration, use the generated credentials to access your application dashboard.
4. Fill in personal and academic details
Enter your Class 10, Class 12 and graduation information carefully. If applicable, provide master’s or professional qualification details.
5. Add work experience
Candidates with work experience should enter the relevant details as required in the application.
6. Select programmes and test cities
Choose the IIM programmes you want to apply for and enter your preferred test cities. Candidates can select up to five preferred cities.
7. Upload documents
Upload the photograph, signature and category/PwD documents wherever applicable in the prescribed format.
8. Pay the CAT 2026 registration fee
Complete the online payment according to your category.
9. Submit the application
Review every section before submitting the form. Save the confirmation details and application information for future reference.
What Documents Should You Keep Ready?
Having documents ready can make the CAT application process much smoother.
Generally, candidates should keep the following information/documents available:
- Class 10 marksheet
- Class 12 marksheet
- Graduation marksheets or academic details
- Category certificate, where applicable
- PwD certificate, where applicable
- Scanned photograph
- Scanned signature
- Work-experience information, if applicable
- Professional qualification details, if applicable
Check the current instructions on the CAT portal for the exact file specifications before uploading anything.
CAT 2026 Application Edit Window: What Can You Change?
Candidates who successfully register and pay the CAT 2026 fee may get a limited application edit window after registration closes.
According to the current update, the permitted changes are limited to:
- Photograph
- Signature
- Test city preferences
Other application details should therefore be checked carefully before final submission.
CAT 2026 Exam Date and Pattern
CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026 and will be conducted in three sessions.
The test duration is 120 minutes, with three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Candidates should remember that registration is only the first step. Once the application is submitted, the bigger task is preparing consistently for the November exam.
What Should Students Do Before September 22?
If you have not submitted your CAT form yet, use the extended window strategically.
First, register early. Website traffic and payment issues are much more annoying when the deadline is only hours away.
Second, check your academic details. Your marks, graduation information and category details should match your documents.
Third, review your city preferences. CAT authorities will try to allot a centre based on the preferences entered, but high demand can affect allotment. Once a centre is allotted, candidates cannot request a change.
Finally, save your confirmation. Keep your registration/application number, payment confirmation and submitted details safely stored.
CAT 2026 Registration: Quick Checklist
Before the CAT 2026 registration last date, make sure you have:
- Completed candidate registration
- Filled personal information
- Added academic details
- Added work experience, if applicable
- Selected IIM programmes
- Selected preferred test cities
- Uploaded required documents
- Paid the application fee
- Reviewed the complete application
- Submitted the form successfully
- Saved the confirmation details
FAQs on CAT 2026 Registration
When is the last date to apply for CAT 2026?
The revised CAT 2026 registration last date is September 22, 2026, up to 5 PM. The earlier deadline was September 15.
Is CAT 2026 registration last date extended?
Yes. The IIMs have extended the registration deadline from September 15 to September 22, 2026.
What is the CAT 2026 registration fee?
The fee is ₹2,700 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
How to apply for CAT 2026?
Visit iimcat.ac.in, register as a new candidate, log in, complete the CAT 2026 application form, upload the required documents, select test cities, pay the applicable fee and submit the form.
Who is eligible for CAT 2026?
Candidates generally need a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks for General/EWS/NC-OBC categories and 45% marks for SC/ST/PwD categories. Final-year bachelor’s students can also apply subject to the prescribed conditions.
Conclusion
The CAT 2026 registration last date has moved to September 22, 2026, up to 5 PM, giving aspirants an additional week to complete the application. With the exam scheduled for November 29, this is not the time to keep the form sitting in an unfinished browser tab.
Check your eligibility, keep your documents ready, complete the payment and submit the CAT 2026 application well before the deadline. Once registration is out of the way, your focus can shift where it belongs: preparation for the actual exam.
Students should rely on the official CAT website for the latest notification, application instructions and any further changes.