CAT 2026 Registration - Application Form, Exam Date, Eligibility Criteria, Fee, Documents Required and Complete Application Process

The CAT 2026 registration will start in August 2026 as the CAT notification will be announced in the last week of July 2026 at the official website iimcat.ac.in. The CAT 2026 exam date is expected to be November 29, 2026 (Sunday) and registration is the most important first step for candidates targeting admission to IIMs, IITs and top private MBA colleges in India. Therefore, the candidates must complete their registration well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.

CAT MBA Entrance Exam Registration 2026 Important Dates

CAT 2026 Exam Registration Direct Link

On the official CAT website iimcat.ac.in the direct registration link for CAT 2026 will be updated.  The direct link would be updated in July 2026 after the release of the official CAT 2026 notification.

CAT 2026 Registration Process Step-by-Step 

The CAT 2026 application process involves three easy steps. Check out the comprehensive instructions for completing the CAT 2026 application. 

Step 1 - Register for User ID and Password

• Candidates must click the register button beneath the new candidate registration section at the official CAT 2026 website iimcat.ac.in. 

• Fill in the registration details as follows - 

• Name - It should be the same as mentioned on the Class 10/SSC Certificate

• Date of Birth - Using the calendar icon, select your Date of Birth

• Email Address - It should be a valid and unique email address as the User ID will be sent to it.

• Mobile Number - It should be a valid and unique mobile number as an OTP will be sent to it. 

• On entering all the information, the candidate must click on the Generate OTP button and enter the CAPTCHA code. 

• Then click on the Validate OTP after entering the OTP that is received on his/her mobile. 

• Once verified candidates will receive their User ID and Password on their registered email and mobile number from IIM Indore with the subject line CAT 2026 Successful Registration.

Note - All data once filled cannot be changed later.

Step 2 - Log in to the CAT Exam 2026 Website

• Use the User ID and Password created in Step 1 by the registered candidate to access the CAT 2026 website.

• Post login, candidates will be taken to the "Applicant Details" page.

• Click the link "Go to Application" to access the application form.

Step 3 - Fill the CAT 2026 Application Form

The CAT 2026 application form comprises six sections that must be filled in by the candidate -

Section 1 - Personal Details 

• The candidates should enter their complete personal details such as - 

• First Name, Middle Name and Last Name

• Father’s/ Guardian’s Name and Mother’s Name

• Spouse’s Name (if any)

• Date of Birth, Gender, Nationality and Category

• Communication and Permanent Address

• Alternate Email and Emergency Cell Number

• The candidates also need to attach the documents mentioned below in this section – 

• Photograph - Recent passport-size photograph, not older than 6 months, white background, 1200×1200 pixels minimum, JPG/JPEG format

• Signature - Scanned signature, dimension 80mm x 35mm, JPG/JPEG format, maximum 80KB

• Category Certificate - EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST certificate, PDF format (if any)

• PwD Certificate - Valid PwD certificate, PDF format (if any)

Section 2  - Academic Details 

Complete information about all your academic qualifications is to be provided such as -

• SSC / Class 10th - Name of Board, Year passed out, Maximum Marks, Marks Scored and Percentage 

• HSC / Class 12th 

• Bachelor's Degree 

• Master's Degree (if any) 

• Professional Degree (if any)

Section 3 - Work Experience 

Candidates who have work experience need to submit their information up to 31st July 2026 as follows -

• Name of the Company/Organisation

• Start Date and End Date

• Gap in Experience (In days, enter 0 if there is no gap)

Please note that only full-time experience post-graduation shall be taken into consideration by the IIMs during the selection process for the MBA course admission.

Section 4 - Select IIM Programs 

• The applicants need to select the IIMs and the respective MBA programs that they wish to pursue. As there is no extra application fee for choosing several IIMs, one can click on 'Select All'. 

• Moreover, the applicants have to choose the preferred Interview City for each IIM carefully as only two options are available per IIM.

Section 5 - Select CAT Test City 

• Candidates need to choose their five preferred CAT test centres as per their priority through the drop-down list.

• After the registration closes one city from the 5 selected will be allotted based on availability. 

• Candidates need to pick their present city as their first choice of city.

Section 6 - Pay Fee and Sign Declaration 

• The final step is to pay the application form fee and sign the declaration stating that the information is correct.

• Candidates must view the CAT 2026 exam application form by clicking the PREVIEW button prior to submission.

• Upon successful payment, candidates receive an on-screen payment successful message and a transaction number along with a confirmation email.

CAT 2026 Registration Fee

Modes of Payment include Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking and Paytm/PayU Mobile Wallets. The CAT 2026 application fee must be paid prior to the deadline or else the form will not be considered at all.

Documents Required for CAT Registration 2026

Documents to be submitted before the submission of the CAT 2026 Application Form are given below - 

• Class 10 marksheet

• Class 12 marksheet

• Graduation marksheets and certificates

• Date of Birth certificate

• Address proof

• Final year certificate from Principal, HoD or Director (if applicable)

• Caste/category certificate (if applicable)

• PwD certificate (if applicable)

• Scribe certificate (if applicable)

• Credit/Debit card or Net Banking credentials

• Work experience documents

CAT Registration 2026 - Important Things to Keep in Mind

• Verify all details before submitting the application form as no changes can be made after submission.

• After submission, candidates must register a new login ID and pay the fee once again to modify their application.

• Keep a copy of the CAT application fee acknowledgement slip and the filled application form.

• Keep the CAT registration 2026 confirmation email till the completion of the admission procedure and get a printout of the same.

• Candidates must ensure that their fee is paid successfully and they have received the acknowledgement email otherwise the submission of the form will not be complete.

• The CAT admit card will not be provided in case the payment is not made successfully.

CAT 2026 Registration - Instructions for Reserved Category Candidates

• For reserved category candidates it is mandatory to upload attested certificates from a competent authority.

• Download the EWS, NC-OBC, SC/ST certificate from the CAT website, fill, self-attest, convert into a PDF document and upload.

• PwD candidates can download the PwD certificate from the CAT website, fill it out, self-attest and upload.

• PwD candidates must choose “Wheelchair Support & Scribe Requirement” while applying.

• Those who need a scribe should fill out the Scribe Affidavit form and arrange a scribe before the stipulated date.

• Caste/Tribe details are available on the National Commission for Backwards Classes (NCBC) website ncbc.nic.in.

Common Errors to Avoid While Filling the CAT 2026 Application Form

• Enter a correct working email address and cell number as all communications will be made using these.

• Choose the CAT test centre wisely as no further changes will be accepted once the test centre has been assigned.

• Choose your target IIMs carefully as one who have good CAT score will be eligible for WAT and PI rounds of the chosen IIMs.

• Provide the correct academic score for Class 10, 12 and graduation as IIMs consider these details for selection of their WAT and PI rounds.

• Enter correct work experience details as IIMs consider this parameter while selecting candidates for other selection round

• Provide a correct caste/pwd/scribe certificate if any as false certificates can lead candidates to disqualification from the exam. 

CAT 2026 Form Correction 

September 2026 is when the CAT 2026 form correction will begin. Candidates will only be able to correct the following details during the given time period - photograph, signature and choice of test city. 

How to Edit the CAT 2026 Application Form?

No other section will be editable during the CAT correction window. Follow these steps to make corrections - 

1. Login into the CAT 2026 portal via iimcat.ac.in.

2. Click the login button and provide your User ID and Password as the login credentials..

3. Proceed to the CAT Application Form.

4. Navigate to the appropriate section (either photo, signature or test city) and make necessary changes.

5. Provide the Captcha Code and press the Continue button.

6. Proper registration for CAT 2026 along with an error-free application can help you get admission in your desired Indian Institute of Management or top B-schools in the country.