by IIM CAT 2026 Online Form: Registration Date Extended, Apply Online, Eligibility, Fee and Exam Date
The Indian Institutes of Management have extended the registration deadline for the IIM CAT 2026 Online Form, giving MBA aspirants another opportunity to complete their application. The last date to submit the CAT 2026 Application Form has been extended from September 15 to September 22, 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
Candidates who are still waiting to apply for the Common Admission Test should complete the registration process before the revised deadline. The examination will be conducted on November 29, 2026, in three sessions.
The IIM CAT 2026 Online Form is available through the official CAT website, and candidates should carefully check their personal, academic and other application details before submitting the form.
IIM CAT 2026 Online Form: Latest Update
The CAT 2026 registration last date has officially been extended to September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
The registration process originally opened on August 3, 2026, and the earlier deadline was September 15. The extension gives candidates additional time to complete their applications.
Important CAT 2026 dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Registration Begins | August 3, 2026 |
| Original Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Extended Last Date | September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Admit Card Release | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Exam Sessions | Three |
| Exam Duration | 120 minutes |
The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled to take place on November 29 in three sessions.
CAT 2026 Official Website
Candidates can complete the CAT 2026 Online Registration through the official CAT website:
Official website: iimcat.ac.in
Applicants should rely on the official CAT website for registration, admit card, correction-window and examination-related announcements.
IIM CAT 2026 Application Form: How to Apply Online
Candidates who have not yet submitted their application can follow these general steps:
- Visit the official CAT website.
- Select the New Candidate Registration option.
- Enter the required basic details.
- Generate and verify the OTP.
- Create the CAT login credentials.
- Log in using the registered User ID and password.
- Enter personal information.
- Fill in academic qualifications.
- Enter work-experience details, if applicable.
- Select the relevant category.
- Choose the preferred CAT programmes and test cities.
- Upload the required photograph and signature.
- Review the complete application carefully.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit the application.
- Download and save the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates should not wait until the final hours because payment failures, incorrect information or technical problems can create unnecessary difficulties.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
The reported CAT 2026 application fee is:
- ₹2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates
- ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwD candidates
The fee information has been reported by education portals covering the 2026 registration process.
Candidates should verify the applicable amount and payment instructions on the official CAT portal before making payment.
CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in the IIM CAT 2026 Online Form should check the eligibility requirements before registering.
In general, candidates with a recognised bachelor’s degree and the required minimum percentage can apply. Candidates in the final year of their bachelor’s degree may also be eligible, subject to the conditions specified by the CAT authorities.
For the 2026 registration, education portals report a minimum of 50% marks for General category candidates, with applicable relaxation for reserved categories.
However, meeting the minimum CAT eligibility requirement does not automatically guarantee admission to an IIM. Individual IIMs have their own admission and shortlisting criteria, which can include academic performance, CAT score, work experience, interview performance and other factors.
CAT 2026 Exam Date
The CAT 2026 Exam Date is November 29, 2026.
The examination will be conducted in three sessions and will have a total duration of 120 minutes. Candidates will receive separate time for each section and cannot freely switch between sections during the examination.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT examination consists of three major sections:
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
This section evaluates a candidate’s reading comprehension and verbal ability.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
This section focuses on interpreting data and solving logical reasoning problems.
3. Quantitative Ability (QA)
The Quantitative Ability section tests mathematical and quantitative reasoning skills.
The 2026 examination is reported to have 68 questions across these three sections.
The total examination duration is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allotted to each section.
CAT 2026 Exam Centres
The CAT examination is expected to be conducted across approximately 170 test cities.
Candidates can select up to five preferred test cities while filling out the application form. However, selecting a city does not guarantee that the candidate will receive that exact location. The examination authorities can allot a centre according to availability.
Once an examination centre is allotted, candidates should carefully check the admit card for the exact address and reporting instructions.
CAT 2026 Admit Card
The CAT 2026 Admit Card is scheduled to become available from November 4, 2026.
Candidates should download their admit card from the official CAT website and carefully check:
- Candidate name
- Photograph
- Registration details
- Exam date
- Exam session
- Reporting time
- Examination centre
- Important instructions
It is advisable to download the admit card as soon as it becomes available rather than waiting until the examination date.
CAT 2026 Form Correction
After the registration window closes, a correction window is expected to be provided for permitted application fields.
Reported information indicates that candidates may be able to edit selected details such as their photograph, signature and test-city preferences during the correction period.
Candidates should remember that not every field can necessarily be changed after final submission. Therefore, personal information, academic details and category information should be checked carefully before submitting the application.
Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration
Before starting the CAT 2026 Online Form, candidates should keep the necessary information and documents ready.
These may include:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Valid mobile number
- Valid email address
- Academic qualification details
- Class 10 details
- Class 12 details
- Graduation details
- Category certificate, where applicable
- PwD certificate, where applicable
- Work-experience details, where applicable
- Payment method
Candidates should follow the prescribed image and document specifications displayed on the official registration portal.
Who Should Apply for CAT 2026?
The Common Admission Test is primarily used for admission to management programmes at IIMs and is also accepted by various other management institutions.
Students planning to pursue an MBA, PGP or other eligible management programmes can consider appearing for CAT if they meet the applicable eligibility conditions.
However, candidates should check the admission requirements of individual institutes because each institution can have its own selection criteria.
What Happens After CAT 2026 Registration?
Once the IIM CAT 2026 Online Form is successfully submitted, candidates should shift their focus toward preparation.
The next major stage is the release of the admit card, followed by the CAT examination on November 29.
After the examination, candidates can expect the result and subsequent admission processes conducted by individual IIMs and other participating institutions.
A CAT score is an important component of the admission process, but IIMs can consider several additional factors while shortlisting candidates.
Important Tips Before Submitting the CAT 2026 Form
Before clicking the final submit button, candidates should check everything carefully.
Check your personal details
Make sure your name, date of birth, email address and mobile number are correct.
Check academic information
Enter marks, grades, passing years and other educational information exactly as required.
Check category information
Candidates claiming reservation should ensure that they select the correct category and possess the required documentation.
Check test-city preferences
Choose preferred cities carefully because the final centre depends on availability.
Save your application details
After completing the application, save the confirmation page, payment information and registration details.
IIM CAT 2026 Online Form: Don’t Miss the Extended Deadline
The extension of the CAT 2026 registration last date gives candidates another opportunity to submit their applications.
The revised deadline is September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Candidates who are eligible and have not yet completed the application should use the additional time carefully. Rather than waiting for the final day, it is better to complete the registration, payment and document-upload process in advance.
Once the application is submitted successfully, candidates can concentrate fully on preparing for the November 29 examination.
Conclusion
The IIM CAT 2026 Online Form registration deadline has been extended, giving MBA aspirants additional time to apply for the Common Admission Test.
The revised CAT 2026 registration last date is September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM, while the examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
Candidates should complete the application through the official CAT website, carefully verify their details, pay the applicable fee and save the confirmation after successful submission.
With the registration deadline approaching, applicants should also begin focusing on the next stage: CAT preparation, followed by the admission processes of the individual IIMs.
Frequently Asked Questions About IIM CAT 2026
What is the last date for the IIM CAT 2026 Online Form?
The CAT 2026 registration last date is September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Has the CAT 2026 registration date been extended?
Yes. The deadline was extended from September 15 to September 22, 2026.
What is the official website for CAT 2026?
The official CAT website is iimcat.ac.in.
When will CAT 2026 be conducted?
The CAT 2026 exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
When will the CAT 2026 admit card be released?
The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be available from November 4, 2026.
What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
The reported application fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwD candidates. Candidates should verify the final payment amount on the official portal.
How many sections are there in CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 has three sections: VARC, DILR and Quantitative Ability.
How long is the CAT 2026 exam?
The CAT 2026 examination duration is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allocated to each section.
How many cities will conduct CAT 2026?
CAT 2026 is scheduled to be conducted across approximately 170 test cities. Candidates can select five preferred cities while completing the application.
Can final-year graduation students apply for CAT 2026?
Final-year students can apply subject to the eligibility conditions specified by the CAT authorities. Candidates should check the official CAT notification for the applicable requirements.
Does clearing CAT guarantee admission to an IIM?
No. A CAT score is only one component of the admission process. Individual IIMs have their own selection criteria and may consider academic performance, work experience, interviews and other factors.
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