CAT 2026 Registration Last Date is fast approaching, with the official application portal at iimcat.ac.in scheduled to close on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST. Administered on a rotational basis by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the Common Admission Test (CAT 2026) serves as the premier national entrance examination for admission into postgraduate management programs (MBA, PGDM, PGP, and Executive MBA) across all 21 Indian Institutes of Management and over 100+ prestigious non-IIM business schools including FMS Delhi, SPJIMR Mumbai, MDI Gurgaon, and IIT management departments.
With more than 3.3 lakh management aspirants competing for coveted seats in top-tier business schools, the final week of CAT 2026 Registration Last Date witness intense portal activity. Candidates must complete registration, personal details submission, academic score entry, work experience logging, test city preferences, and application fee processing well before the deadline to prevent last-minute server congestion or payment gateway timeouts. Prospective MBA students can explore our comprehensive Explore Colleges Directory and leverage the All India College Predictor Hub to evaluate their admission probabilities across premier institutions based on projected CAT composite percentiles.
CAT 2026 Registration Last Date: Complete Official Timeline and Exam Milestones
The CAT 2026 conducting body has outlined a strict chronological calendar for application submission, form correction, admit card issuance, and computer-based test administration. Below is the verified schedule for CAT 2026:
| Examination Milestone / Event | Official Date and Time | Official Deadline / Status | Conducting Authority / Portal Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commencement of Online Registration | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) | Completed | iimcat.ac.in |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026 | 5:00 PM IST (Strict Closing) | Candidate Registration Portal |
| Application Form Correction Window | Last Week of September 2026 | 3-Day Window | Photo, Signature & City Correction |
| Release of CAT 2026 Admit Card | November 4, 2026 (5:00 PM) | November 29, 2026 | Candidate Login Dashboard |
| CAT 2026 Official Examination Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) | 3 Computer-Based Shifts | Designated Centers Nationwide |
| Release of Candidate Response Sheet & Answer Key | First Week of December 2026 | 4-Day Objection Window | AIMA / IIM CAT Portal |
| Declaration of CAT 2026 Official Results | Second Week of January 2027 | Official Scorecard Download | iimcat.ac.in Results Server |
Candidates must ensure that all profile data and university preferences are locked accurately. If you need personalized assistance in shortlisting target B-schools based on your academic profile, 10th/12th/Graduation scores, or category reservations, you can Book a Free Admission Counselling Session with our seasoned management admission strategists.
Official Application Fee Structure for CAT 2026
The registration fee for CAT 2026 is non-refundable and varies based on the candidate’s social category. The fee covers registration for the examination and automatic application to all postgraduate programs across all 21 participating IIMs selected by the candidate during form filling.
| Candidate Reservation Category | Application Fee (INR) | Applicable Payment Gateway Charges | Program Selection Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) Category | ₹2,700 | Standard Bank / Card Charges | All 21 IIMs & Selected Programs Included |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | ₹2,700 | Standard Bank / Card Charges | All 21 IIMs & Selected Programs Included |
| Non-Creamy Layer OBC (NC-OBC) | ₹2,700 | Standard Bank / Card Charges | All 21 IIMs & Selected Programs Included |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | ₹1,350 | Standard Bank / Card Charges | All 21 IIMs & Selected Programs Included |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | ₹1,350 | Standard Bank / Card Charges | All 21 IIMs & Selected Programs Included |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | ₹1,350 | Standard Bank / Card Charges | All 21 IIMs & Selected Programs Included |
Candidates can complete the online transaction using Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), Debit Cards, Net Banking, or Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The registration process is considered complete only after the system generates a successful payment receipt and a unique CAT 2026 Application Summary document.
Academic Eligibility Criteria for CAT 2026 Registration
Before proceeding with application submission prior to the CAT 2026 Registration Last Date, candidates must verify compliance with the statutory eligibility criteria set by the CAT Convening Committee and the Ministry of Education:
- Qualifying Undergraduate Degree: Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA (45% for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories) awarded by any university incorporated by an Act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an Act of Parliament.
- Equivalent Professional Qualifications: Candidates possessing recognized professional degrees such as CA (Chartered Accountancy), CS (Company Secretary), or CMA/ICWA with the requisite passing percentages are fully eligible to apply.
- Final Year Graduation Students: Candidates appearing for the final year Bachelor’s degree examination or awaiting final semester results are fully eligible to register for CAT 2026. If selected, such candidates will be granted provisional admission, provided they submit a certificate of completion from their Principal/Registrar and furnish final marksheets by the institutional deadline (typically June/July 2027).
- Age Limit and Attempt Restrictions: There is no age cap for appearing in CAT 2026. Furthermore, there is no restriction on the number of attempts; candidates can appear for the test multiple times across different academic years.
Step-by-Step Guide to Complete CAT 2026 Registration Before September 15
To avoid errors that could lead to disqualification or interview rejection, follow this detailed step-by-step registration roadmap on the official portal:
- Step 1 – Account Creation & User ID Generation: Visit iimcat.ac.in. Click on “New Candidate Registration”. Enter your Full Name (as per Class 10 Certificate), Date of Birth, Email ID, Mobile Number, and Country. Complete the OTP verification to receive your system-generated User ID and Password via SMS and Email.
- Step 2 – Login and Personal Details Entry: Log in using your User ID and Password. Fill in detailed personal information, including Father’s/Husband’s/Guardian’s Name, Mother’s Name, Gender, Social Category (General, EWS, NC-OBC, SC, ST), Nationality, Communication Address, and Emergency Contact details.
- Step 3 – Document Uploads: Upload scanned digital copies of your Passport Photograph, Digital Signature, Category Certificate (if applicable), and PwBD Certificate (if applicable) strictly within the prescribed file formats and pixel dimensions.
- Step 4 – Academic Profile Logging: Enter detailed marks and percentages across all academic levels:
- Class 10th / SSC: Aggregate percentage across all subjects listed on the marksheet (including optional/additional subjects).
- Class 12th / HSC / Diploma: Stream (Science, Commerce, Arts), Board Name, Passing Year, and aggregate percentage.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Discipline, University/College Name, Degree Type, Duration, and cumulative percentage/CGPA.
- Master’s / Professional Degree: If applicable, enter post-graduate or CA/CS/CMA credentials.
- Step 5 – Work Experience Logging: Enter relevant full-time post-graduation work experience (in completed months) as of July 31, 2026. Only paid, full-time professional employment supported by appointment letters, salary slips, and experience certificates should be logged. (Part-time jobs, internships, and pre-graduation work cannot be entered).
- Step 6 – Selection of IIM Programs & Interview Cities: Select your desired postgraduate management programs (PGP, MBA, PGP-FABM, PGP-BA, PGP-HRM) across all 21 IIMs. For each selected program, choose two preferred interview cities from the dropdown list.
- Step 7 – Test City Preferences: Select 6 preferred test cities in order of preference. AIMA/IIM assigns the test venue based on candidate choices and center capacity across the nationwide test center network.
- Step 8 – Application Review and Declaration: Perform a thorough self-audit of your application preview. Ensure that your name spelling, date of birth, category selection, and marks match your official certificates exactly.
- Step 9 – Online Payment and Final Submission: Pay the non-refundable registration fee (₹2,700 for Gen/OBC/EWS or ₹1,350 for SC/ST/PwBD) using the secure payment gateway.
- Step 10 – Download Application Summary: Save and print the final submitted CAT 2026 Application Confirmation document and payment transaction receipt for all future reference.
| Document Required for Upload | Permissible File Format | File Size Limits | Technical Specifications and Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Passport Sized Color Photograph | JPG / JPEG | Up to 1200 KB (Recommended: 30–80 KB) | Clear white background, front facing, taken within the last 6 months |
| Scanned Signature on White Paper | JPG / JPEG | Up to 1200 KB (Recommended: 20–50 KB) | Dark blue or black ink, clear horizontal orientation |
| NC-OBC / SC / ST / EWS Category Certificate | PDF Format | Up to 1200 KB | Issued on or after April 1, 2026 (for EWS/NC-OBC) by competent authority |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) Certificate | PDF Format | Up to 1200 KB | Official disability certificate indicating at least 40% disability |
| Scribe Affidavit (if requesting scribe assistance) | PDF Format | Up to 1200 KB | Official format prescribed in the CAT 2026 information bulletin |
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern, Sectional Timings, and Marking Scheme
The Common Admission Test follows a standardized, highly competitive computer-based structure designed to assess verbal reasoning, data interpretation, logical deduction, and quantitative aptitude under intense time constraints.
| Section Number | Sectional Subject Domain | Total Number of Questions | MCQs (with Negative Marking) | Non-MCQs (TITA / No Penalty) | Sectional Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section I | Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 Questions | 18 – 20 Questions | 4 – 6 Questions | 40 Minutes |
| Section II | Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 20 Questions | 14 – 16 Questions | 4 – 6 Questions | 40 Minutes |
| Section III | Quantitative Aptitude (QA) | 22 Questions | 14 – 16 Questions | 6 – 8 Questions | 40 Minutes |
| Total Overview | Complete CAT 2026 Examination | 66 Questions | 46 – 52 MCQs | 14 – 20 TITA Qs | 120 Minutes (2.0 Hours) |
Marking Scheme & Sectional Rules
- Correct Answer: Awarded +3 Marks for each correct Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) or Type In The Answer (TITA) question.
- Incorrect Response: Attracts a negative penalty of -1 Mark for wrong MCQ responses.
- Zero Penalty for Non-MCQs (TITA): There is no negative marking for incorrect answers in Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions.
- Strict Sectional Switching Restrictions: Candidates cannot switch between sections during the test. Once the 40-minute timer for Section 1 (VARC) expires, the system automatically advances to Section 2 (DILR), followed by Section 3 (QA). PwBD candidates are allocated 53 minutes and 20 seconds per section.
Top 21 IIMs and Premier Non-IIM B-Schools Accepting CAT 2026 Scores
CAT 2026 scores serve as the sole qualifying gateway for 21 Indian Institutes of Management and the primary benchmark for top-ranked autonomous universities. Below is an exhaustive matrix of premier management institutions, their expected overall percentile cutoffs, total program fees, and average placement CTC packages:
| Management Institute / B-School | Campus Location | Expected CAT Cutoff (General) | Approximate Total Course Fee | Average Placement CTC (LPA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 99.5+ Percentile | ₹25.00 Lakhs | ₹34.36 LPA |
| IIM Bangalore (IIMB) | Bangalore, Karnataka | 99.5+ Percentile | ₹24.50 Lakhs | ₹35.31 LPA |
| IIM Calcutta (IIMC) | Kolkata, West Bengal | 99.5+ Percentile | ₹27.00 Lakhs | ₹35.07 LPA |
| IIM Lucknow (IIML) | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | 98.5 – 99.0 Percentile | ₹20.75 Lakhs | ₹32.20 LPA |
| IIM Kozhikode (IIMK) | Kozhikode, Kerala | 98.0 – 98.5 Percentile | ₹20.50 Lakhs | ₹31.02 LPA |
| IIM Indore (IIMI) | Indore, Madhya Pradesh | 97.5 – 98.0 Percentile | ₹21.14 Lakhs | ₹30.21 LPA |
| IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE) | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 97.0 – 98.0 Percentile | ₹21.00 Lakhs | ₹31.00 LPA |
| Faculty of Management Studies (FMS Delhi) | New Delhi | 99.2+ Percentile | ₹2.00 Lakhs (High ROI) | ₹34.10 LPA |
| SPJIMR Mumbai | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 85.0+ (Profile) / 98.0+ (Score) | ₹24.00 Lakhs | ₹33.00 LPA |
| MDI Gurgaon | Gurgaon, Haryana | 95.0 – 96.5 Percentile | ₹24.50 Lakhs | ₹27.67 LPA |
| IIT Bombay (SJMSOM) | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 98.0 – 98.5 Percentile | ₹14.50 Lakhs | ₹28.88 LPA |
| IIT Delhi (DMS) | New Delhi | 97.5 – 98.0 Percentile | ₹12.00 Lakhs | ₹25.82 LPA |
| IIM Udaipur / Trichy / Ranchi / Raipur | New IIMs Network | 92.0 – 95.0 Percentile | ₹17.50 – ₹19.50 Lakhs | ₹17.50 – ₹20.50 LPA |
| IIM Bodh Gaya / Jammu / Sirmaur / Sambalpur | Baby IIMs (CAP Network) | 88.0 – 92.0 Percentile | ₹14.00 – ₹16.50 Lakhs | ₹14.50 – ₹16.50 LPA |
Crucial Common Mistakes to Avoid in CAT 2026 Registration
With only days remaining before the CAT 2026 Registration Last Date, thousands of candidates inadvertently make clerical errors that cause application rejection or disqualification during document verification. Guard against these common pitfalls:
- Incorrect Percentage Calculation: Enter the aggregate percentage across all subjects listed on your marksheet (including extra/optional subjects), as mandated by IIM guidelines. Do not calculate percentages based solely on “Best of 4” or “Best of 5” unless your board awards marks exclusively on that basis without mentioning other subjects.
- CGPA Conversion Errors: If your university provides a specific CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula on the reverse of the marksheet, follow that exact formula. If no formula is specified, multiply your CGPA by 10 (or use standard AICTE/UGC conversion rules) and maintain documentation proof.
- Outdated Category Certificates: Candidates applying under the NC-OBC or EWS quotas must ensure that their certificates are issued for the current financial year (issued on or after April 1, 2026). Submitting outdated caste or income certificates will lead to automatic cancellation of reservation benefits.
- Inaccurate Work Experience Entries: Only enter post-degree, full-time paid corporate employment. Unpaid training, pre-graduation internships, freelancing without GST/ITR documentation, or part-time roles must not be entered as formal work experience.
- Waiting for the Final Evening: Server traffic surges exponentially between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM on September 15. Bank gateway timeouts during peak loads can result in unconfirmed payments, leading to missed application deadlines.
Detailed Section-Wise Syllabus Breakdown & Score vs Percentile Target Matrix
To achieve a 99+ percentile in CAT 2026, aspirants must build deep sectional competencies across the three testing modules. Below is a comprehensive syllabus and historical score-to-percentile target benchmark:
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC – 24 Questions)
The VARC section evaluates comprehension depth, contextual inference, critical reasoning, and grammatical precision under tight time constraints (40 minutes):
- Reading Comprehension (16 Questions / 4 Passages): Dense, high-concept passages drawn from Philosophy, Sociology, Economics, Psychology, History, Science & Technology, and Art/Culture. Question types include central idea identification, author’s tone, true/false according to the passage, strengthening/weakening arguments, and paragraph inference.
- Para Jumbles (3 to 4 Questions): Unscrambling four to five sentences into a coherent paragraph without options (TITA format).
- Para Summary (2 to 3 Questions): Identifying the most concise and accurate summary of a given 100-word paragraph from four options.
- Odd Sentence Out (2 to 3 Questions): Identifying the sentence that does not fit logically into the theme of the paragraph.
- Para Completion (1 to 2 Questions): Choosing the sentence that best concludes or bridges a paragraph.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR – 20 Questions)
The DILR section consists of 4 distinct caselet problem sets with 5 questions each (or a combination of 4-question and 6-question sets):
- Data Interpretation Sets: Multi-layered Bar Charts, Spider/Radar Charts, Clustered Line Graphs, Complex Data Tables with Missing Values, Venn Diagrams (3 and 4 sets), and Caselets.
- Logical Reasoning Sets: Linear & Circular Matrix Arrangements, Games and Tournaments (Round Robin, Knockout, Seeding), Network & Route Scheduling, Binary Logic (Truth-Tellers and Liars), Selection & Grouping, and Quantitative Reasoning (Optimization/Maxima-Minima).
3. Quantitative Aptitude (QA – 22 Questions)
The Quantitative Aptitude section tests computational speed, fundamental conceptual clarity, and strategic question selection:
- Arithmetic (8 to 9 Questions): Percentages, Profit and Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Mixtures & Alligations, Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns, Time Speed Distance (Races, Circular Tracks, Relative Speed).
- Algebra (5 to 7 Questions): Linear & Quadratic Equations, Polynomials, Inequalities & Modulus, Logarithms, Functions & Graphs, Sequences & Series (AP, GP, HP, Special Series).
- Geometry & Mensuration (3 to 4 Questions): Triangles, Circles, Quadrilaterals, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, 2D/3D Mensuration.
- Modern Mathematics (2 to 3 Questions): Permutations and Combinations, Probability, Set Theory.
- Number Systems (1 to 2 Questions): Divisibility, Remainders, Factorials, LCM/HCF, Base Systems.
| Target CAT Percentile | Estimated Raw Score Requirement (Out of 198) | VARC Raw Score (Out of 72) | DILR Raw Score (Out of 60) | QA Raw Score (Out of 66) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99.9+ Percentile | 105 – 115 Marks | 42 – 46 Marks | 32 – 36 Marks | 38 – 42 Marks |
| 99.0+ Percentile | 80 – 88 Marks | 34 – 38 Marks | 24 – 28 Marks | 28 – 32 Marks |
| 95.0+ Percentile | 58 – 65 Marks | 26 – 30 Marks | 16 – 20 Marks | 18 – 22 Marks |
| 90.0+ Percentile | 45 – 52 Marks | 20 – 24 Marks | 12 – 15 Marks | 14 – 17 Marks |
| 85.0+ Percentile | 36 – 42 Marks | 16 – 19 Marks | 9 – 12 Marks | 10 – 13 Marks |
| 80.0+ Percentile | 29 – 34 Marks | 12 – 15 Marks | 7 – 9 Marks | 8 – 10 Marks |
IIM Admission Selection Process: Shortlisting Weightage Criteria (Stage 1 & Stage 2)
Securing a 99+ percentile in CAT is only the first step in the multi-stage admission framework of the Indian Institutes of Management. Final admissions depend on a comprehensive Composite Score (CS) combining multiple academic and profile components:
| Evaluation Parameter / Component | IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) | IIM Bangalore (IIMB) | IIM Calcutta (IIMC) | IIM Lucknow (IIML) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Score Weightage (Shortlisting Stage) | 65% Weightage | 55% Weightage | 56% Weightage | 60% Weightage |
| Class 10th (SSC) Marks Weightage | 10% Weightage | 10% Weightage | 10% Weightage | 10% Weightage |
| Class 12th (HSC) Marks Weightage | 10% Weightage | 10% Weightage | 15% Weightage | 10% Weightage |
| Bachelor’s Degree Marks Weightage | Rating Score (5%) | 10% Weightage | Not Evaluated | 10% Weightage |
| Work Experience Weightage | Rating Score (5%) | 10% Weightage | Not Evaluated in Stage 1 | 10% Weightage |
| Gender & Academic Diversity Points | 5% Diversity | 5% Diversity | 4% Gender Diversity | 5% Academic Diversity |
| Final Stage PI & WAT Weightage | 50% – 60% Final Stage | 40% – 50% Final Stage | 48% Final Stage | 40% – 50% Final Stage |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding CAT 2026 Registration
Q1: What is the official deadline for CAT 2026 Registration?
Answer: The official CAT 2026 Registration Last Date is September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST on the official website iimcat.ac.in.
Q2: Will the CAT 2026 registration deadline be extended?
Answer: While the CAT Convening Committee has occasionally granted a brief 2- to 3-day extension in previous years, candidates must not rely on potential extensions and should complete their registration and payment before September 15, 2026.
Q3: What is the application fee for CAT 2026?
Answer: The registration fee is ₹2,700 for General, NC-OBC, and EWS category candidates, and ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates.
Q4: When will the CAT 2026 examination take place?
Answer: CAT 2026 will be conducted on Sunday, November 29, 2026, across three distinct computer-based test shifts at designated exam centers in over 170 cities nationwide.
Q5: Can final year undergraduate students apply for CAT 2026?
Answer: Yes. Students appearing in the final year or final semester of their Bachelor’s degree examination are fully eligible to apply for CAT 2026 on a provisional basis.
Q6: Is work experience mandatory to appear for CAT 2026?
Answer: No. Work experience is not mandatory to appear for CAT. Fresh graduates and final year students are fully eligible. However, candidates with relevant work experience receive additional composite weightage during the second-stage selection process at various IIMs.
Q7: What is the structure of the CAT 2026 question paper?
Answer: CAT 2026 comprises 66 questions divided into three sections: VARC (24 questions), DILR (20 questions), and QA (22 questions), with a total duration of 120 minutes (40 minutes per section).
Q8: What is the marking scheme in CAT 2026?
Answer: Each correct answer carries +3 marks. A negative penalty of -1 mark applies to incorrect MCQ answers. There is no negative marking for non-MCQ (Type In The Answer / TITA) questions.
Q9: How many IIM programs can I select in the application form?
Answer: Candidates can select any number of management programs across all 21 participating IIMs without paying any additional application fee beyond the base CAT registration fee.
Q10: Can I edit my CAT 2026 application form after final fee payment?
Answer: Once the application fee is paid, candidates cannot modify academic details, personal data, or program preferences. However, a limited correction window will open in late September allowing candidates to update their uploaded photograph, digital signature, and test city preferences.
Q11: When will the CAT 2026 Admit Card be available for download?
Answer: The CAT 2026 Admit Card will be released for download on November 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM on the official candidate dashboard at iimcat.ac.in.
Q12: Where can I get personalized profile evaluation and MBA admission counselling?
Answer: Aspirants can access personalized, expert admission guidance by booking a consultation through our dedicated portal: Book a Free Admission Counselling Session.