Registration and application form

CAT 2026 – Application Form

The CAT 2026 application form will be released online on the official CAT website by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Eligible candidates must complete the online registration process, which includes creating a user profile, filling in personal, academic, and work-experience details, uploading required documents, and paying the application fee to successfully submit the form.

Applicants must ensure that all information entered in the CAT application—such as name, date of birth, academic scores, and category details—matches their official records and certificates. Any discrepancy or incorrect entry may lead to issues during document verification or IIM shortlisting stages. After successful submission, candidates should download and save the completed application form and regularly check the CAT website and registered email for updates related to admit card release, exam schedule, response sheet, and result declaration.

Since CAT scores are used by all IIMs and participating B-schools for MBA admissions, timely and accurate completion of the CAT application form is essential for ensuring eligibility across institutes and avoiding last-minute technical issues.

CAT 2026 – Registration Process

The CAT 2026 registration process will be conducted entirely online through the official CAT website, as notified by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Registration is the first and mandatory step to apply for the CAT exam and to become eligible for MBA admissions in IIMs and other participating B-schools.

During registration, candidates must create a new user account by providing basic details such as name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number. Upon successful registration, a unique CAT User ID and password will be generated and sent to the registered email and mobile number. These login credentials are essential for completing the application form, downloading the admit card, and checking results.

After registration, candidates must log in to fill the detailed CAT application form, which includes personal details, academic qualifications, work experience (if any), preferred test cities, and category information. Applicants are also required to upload scanned copies of photograph and signature in the prescribed format and pay the CAT application fee online. Candidates should carefully review all entered details before final submission, as incorrect or inconsistent information may affect shortlisting during the IIM admission process.

Once registration and application submission are completed, candidates should save a copy of the confirmation page and regularly check the official CAT website and their registered email for updates regarding admit card release, exam slot allocation, and further admission-related notifications.

CAT 2026 – Application Form & Registration Highlights

Steps to Fill CAT 2026 Application & Registration Form

The CAT 2026 registration and application process is conducted entirely online by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) through the official CAT portal. Registration and application are part of a single process.

1. Visit the Official Website

Go to iimcat.ac.in, the official website for CAT examination and registration.

2. Click on ‘New Candidate Registration’

Select the CAT 2026 – New Registration link and enter basic details such as:

• Candidate’s Name
• Date of Birth
• Email ID
• Mobile Number

3. OTP Verification

• An OTP will be sent to the registered email ID and mobile number.
• Enter the OTP to verify and activate your account.

4. Receive CAT User ID & Password

• After successful verification, a CAT User ID and Password will be generated.
• These credentials will be sent to your registered email and SMS.
• Use them for all future CAT-related activities.

5. Login to the CAT Portal

Log in using your CAT User ID and Password to access the CAT 2026 application form.

6. Fill Personal Details

Enter personal information carefully:

• Full name (as per Class 10 certificate)
• Gender
• Date of Birth
• Nationality
• Category (GEN / EWS / NC-OBC / SC / ST / PwD)
• PwD details (if applicable)

7. Enter Academic Information

Provide details of:

• Class 10: Board, year of passing, marks/percentage
• Class 12: Board, year of passing, marks/percentage
• Graduation: Degree, university, discipline, marks/CGPA
• Final-year status (if applicable)

8. Enter Work Experience Details (If Applicable)

• Organization name
• Role / designation
• Total months of work experience (as per CAT rules)

(Work experience is optional but must be entered accurately if applicable.)

9. Select Test Cities

• Choose up to 6 preferred exam cities in order of priority.
• Allotment is based on availability.

10. Upload Required Documents

(Academic mark sheets are not uploaded, but details must be entered correctly.)

11. Review the Application

• Carefully verify personal, academic, category, and city preference details.
• Incorrect information may cause rejection during IIM shortlisting.

12. Pay the Application Fee

Pay the CAT application fee online using:

• Debit Card / Credit Card
• Net Banking / UPI

Expected Fee:

• GEN / EWS / NC-OBC – ₹2,400
• SC / ST / PwD – ₹1,200

13. Submit the Application

• Submit the completed CAT 2026 application form.
• No changes are allowed after final submission (except limited editable fields during correction window, if provided).

14. Download the Filled Application

• Download and save the application confirmation page and payment receipt.
• Keep a copy for future reference.

15. Admit Card, Exam & Result Updates

• Admit Card: Available for download in October 2026
• CAT Exam: November 2026
• Result: December 2026 / January 2027

CAT scores will then be used by IIMs and other B-schools for their individual admission processes (WAT/PI).

CAT 2026 Application & Registration Fee (Expected)

The CAT 2026 application fee is charged during online registration itself and is mandatory for all candidates appearing for the CAT exam. Unlike Tamil Nadu NEET UG counselling, CAT does not offer fee exemption for most categories, except for a reduced fee for reserved categories as per Government of India norms.

What is the CAT Application Correction Window

After submission of the CAT 2026 registration and application form, candidates are usually provided with a short correction window by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). This facility allows applicants to edit or rectify specific details in their CAT application that may have been entered incorrectly during registration.

According to previous CAT admission cycles:

• The CAT authority opens an “Application Correction Window” for a limited number of days after the registration deadline.
• The correction facility is available only online through the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in).
• No fresh registrations are allowed during this period—only modification of already submitted applications is permitted.

Editable Fields in CAT Correction Window

(Tentative / Based on Previous Years)

During the CAT application correction window, candidates are usually allowed to edit the following fields:

• Uploaded photograph
• Uploaded signature
• Test city preferences (within available options)

In some years, IIMs have also allowed limited correction of:
• Certain academic percentage entries (with restrictions)
• PwD certificate upload (if applicable)

Fields Generally NOT Editable

The following details are locked after final submission and cannot be changed during the correction window:

• Candidate’s name
• Date of birth
• Email ID and mobile number
• Category (GEN / EWS / NC-OBC / SC / ST)
• Academic qualification details (degree, university, year of passing)
• Work experience details
• CAT User ID

Important Points to Remember

• CAT registration and application are combined, so incorrect entries during registration can impact the entire admission process.
• The correction window is time-bound; once it closes, no further changes are allowed.
• IIMs may conduct additional document verification at later stages, and mismatched information can lead to cancellation of candidature.
• Candidates must rely only on official CAT notifications, as editable fields may vary slightly each year.

Documents Needed for CAT 2026 Registration & Application

Below is the list of documents required for CAT 2026, presented in the same format as the Tamil Nadu NEET UG application, and covering both registration and application stages.

Mandatory Documents

• Valid photo identity proof
(Aadhaar Card / Passport / PAN Card / Voter ID / Driving Licence – details must match application)

• Passport-size recent colour photograph
(As per CAT-specified size, background, and format)

• Candidate’s signature
(Scanned signature in prescribed dimensions)

• Class 10 certificate / marksheet
(Used for name verification and date of birth confirmation)

• Class 12 certificate / marksheet
(For academic record details)

• Graduation marksheets / degree details
(All semesters completed / provisional certificate if final year)

• Category certificate (if applicable)
(SC / ST / NC-OBC / EWS certificate as per Government of India format)

Optional / Additional Documents

• PwD certificate
(For candidates applying under Persons with Disabilities category; must be issued by a competent authority)

• Work experience certificates / salary slips
(Only for candidates claiming work experience; details entered during registration)

• Final-year certificate / undertaking
(For candidates currently in the final year of graduation)

• Name change certificate / affidavit
(If name differs across academic records)

• Certificate of equivalence
(For candidates with degrees from foreign universities or non-standard grading systems)

• Any other document as required by IIMs
(Institute-specific verification during interview or admission stages)

Important Notes for CAT Applicants

• Only photograph, signature, and category/PwD certificates are uploaded during CAT registration.
• Academic certificates are not uploaded, but details entered must be accurate and verifiable.
• All documents will be physically or digitally verified later during IIM WAT/PI rounds.
• Incorrect or mismatched information can lead to cancellation of candidature at any stage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid – CAT 2026 Application & Registration Form

1.     Entering Incorrect Personal Details
Spelling errors in name, date of birth, or gender (especially mismatch with Class 10 certificate) can cause problems during IIM verification and interview stages.

2.     Wrong Category Selection During Registration
Selecting an incorrect category (GEN / EWS / NC-OBC / SC / ST / PwD) or not possessing a valid certificate can lead to cancellation of candidature or loss of reservation benefits.

3.     Using an Incorrect or Inactive Email ID / Mobile Number
All CAT communication—including User ID, password, admit card, and result alerts—is sent to the registered email and mobile number. Wrong details may cause you to miss critical updates.

4.     Uploading Improper Photograph or Signature
Uploading blurred, cropped, or incorrectly sized images may lead to application rejection or issues during admit card verification.

5.     Incorrect Academic Details Entry
Errors in Class 10, Class 12, or graduation marks/CGPA, wrong percentage conversion, or incorrect year of passing can affect IIM shortlisting.

6.     Wrong Work Experience Calculation
Many candidates over-report or miscalculate work experience. Only full-time, paid work experience till the specified cut-off date is valid.

7.     Not Reviewing Test City Preferences Carefully
Selecting cities without checking travel feasibility can cause inconvenience, as city allotment cannot be changed later (except if allowed in correction window).

8.     Skipping Mandatory Fields in the Application
Leaving required fields blank or incomplete may block final submission or make the application invalid.

9.     Not Reviewing the Application Before Final Submission
Candidates often skip the preview step, missing errors that cannot be corrected later, especially in personal and academic details.

10.Missing Registration Deadlines
CAT registration is time-bound, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

11.Creating Multiple CAT Registrations
Registering multiple times with different email IDs or mobile numbers can lead to cancellation of all applications.

12.Ignoring Correction Window Notifications
Candidates sometimes fail to correct allowable fields (photo, signature, city preference) during the official correction window, losing the chance to fix mistakes.

CAT 2026 Application & Registration Form – Important Tips

• Double-check personal details during registration such as name, date of birth, category, and gender to ensure they exactly match your Class 10 certificate and official records.

• Verify academic details carefully (Class 10, Class 12, graduation marks/CGPA and year of passing), as incorrect entries may affect IIM shortlisting and cannot be easily corrected later.

• Upload clear and correct documents—passport-size photograph and signature must strictly follow CAT-prescribed size, background, and format specifications.

• Select the correct category and ensure certificate validity (SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD). Invalid or expired certificates may lead to loss of reservation benefits or rejection during admission stages.

• Enter work-experience details accurately (only full-time, paid experience till the specified cut-off date). Over-reporting or incorrect calculation is a common reason for profile rejection.

• Choose test cities carefully during registration, keeping travel feasibility in mind, as city allotment options are limited after submission.

• Use an active and personal email ID and mobile number for registration, as CAT User ID, password, admit card alerts, and result updates are sent only to registered contact details.

• Review the complete application form before final submission, since most fields (personal and academic) become non-editable after submission.

• Submit the CAT application early to avoid last-minute server issues, payment failures, or OTP delays.

• Download and save the application confirmation page and fee receipt immediately after successful registration for future reference.

These tips will help ensure a smooth CAT 2026 registration and application process and prevent avoidable mistakes that could impact eligibility or shortlisting.

FAQs – CAT 2026 Application & Registration Form

1. Where can I apply for CAT 2026?

You can apply for CAT 2026 online only through the official website: iimcat.ac.in. No offline applications are accepted.

2. Is CAT registration and application the same process?

Yes. CAT registration and application are combined into a single online process. Once you register, you must complete the application form and pay the fee to be considered successfully applied.

3. When will the CAT 2026 application form be released?

CAT 2026 registration is expected to begin in August 2026. Exact dates will be announced through the official CAT notification.

4. What are the basic eligibility requirements to apply for CAT?

Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD) or be in the final year of graduation.

5. Is there any age limit for CAT 2026?

No. There is no minimum or maximum age limit to appear for the CAT exam.

6. How many times can I attempt CAT?

There is no limit on the number of attempts for CAT, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

7. What documents are required during CAT registration?

You need to upload:

• Passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)

Academic documents are not uploaded, but details must be entered accurately.

8. Can I edit my CAT application after submission?

Yes, IIMs usually provide a limited correction window to edit specific fields such as photo, signature, and test city preferences. Personal and academic details are generally non-editable.

9. What is the CAT application fee?

Expected CAT 2026 application fee:

• GEN / EWS / NC-OBC – ₹2,400
• SC / ST / PwD – ₹1,200

The fee is non-refundable.