However, there is an important update for candidates who completed the CAT application process before the registration deadline but could not make the examination fee payment. IIM Indore has extended the fee-payment deadline to September 24, 2026, up to 5 PM. The additional payment window is available only to candidates who successfully registered and submitted their applications before the September 22 deadline. It does not reopen the registration facility for new applicants.

CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026, in three sessions through computer-based testing. The examination will be held across approximately 170 cities, and candidates will receive their allotted test-centre details through the admit card.

CAT 2026 Registration: Latest Update

The CAT 2026 registration process began on August 3, 2026, and the original deadline was September 15. IIM Indore subsequently extended the deadline to September 22, 2026, giving eligible candidates an additional week to complete their applications.

The extended registration window closed at 5 PM on September 22. IIM Indore has not reopened the application facility for candidates who failed to register within the stipulated period.

Candidates who had completed their applications before the deadline but had not paid the registration fee have been given additional time to complete the payment process. The fee-payment facility remains available until September 24, 2026, at 5 PM.

Therefore, candidates should distinguish between the registration deadline and the extended fee-payment deadline. The latter does not constitute an extension of the application window.

CAT 2026 Important Dates

The correction-window schedule is yet to be confirmed. Candidates who successfully submitted their applications will be able to use the correction facility for only those details that IIM Indore permits to be edited.

CAT 2026 Fee Payment Deadline Extended

One of the most significant developments after the registration deadline is the extension of the fee-payment facility.

Candidates who successfully completed their CAT 2026 registration and application before September 22 but did not complete the payment can pay the examination fee by September 24, 2026, at 5 PM.

The extended payment facility is particularly important because an application without the required examination fee will not be treated as a completed application.

At the same time, candidates who did not register before September 22 cannot use this additional payment window to submit a fresh CAT application.

CAT 2026 Application Fee

The CAT 2026 examination fee is:

• ₹2,700 for candidates belonging to the General, EWS and NC-OBC categories.

• ₹1,350 for candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwBD categories.

Candidates should ensure that the applicable fee has been paid successfully and that they retain the payment confirmation for future reference.

CAT 2026 Correction Window

After the completion of registration, IIM Indore is expected to open a CAT 2026 application correction window.

The correction facility is expected to be available in the first week of October 2026, although the exact dates are yet to be officially confirmed.

The correction window is not intended to allow new candidates to register for CAT 2026. It is meant for applicants who have already completed the registration and application process.

As per the information currently available, candidates are expected to receive the opportunity to modify selected application details, including areas such as:

• Photograph

• Signature

• Test-city preferences

Candidates should not assume that every field in the application form can be changed during the correction period. The final list of editable fields and the correction dates will be notified by IIM Indore.

CAT 2026 Admit Card Date

The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be released on November 4, 2026.

Candidates who have successfully completed their applications and fee payment will be able to download their admit cards by logging in through the official CAT website.

The admit card is an important examination document and will contain information such as:

• Candidate's name

• Photograph

• Signature

• CAT registration details

• Examination date

• Examination session

• Test-centre address

• Reporting instructions

• Examination-day guidelines

Candidates should download the admit card as soon as it becomes available and carefully verify all the information printed on it.

CAT 2026 Exam Date

IIM Indore will conduct CAT 2026 on November 29, 2026.

The examination will be held in three sessions and will use the computer-based test format. Test centres will be located across approximately 170 cities.

Candidates should note that the final test centre allotted to them will be communicated through the admit card. The CAT examination authorities do not permit candidates to change their allotted test centre after allocation, making it important to carefully check the centre details once the admit card is issued.

CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The CAT 2026 examination pattern remains based on three major sections:

1.    Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

2.    Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)

3.    Quantitative Ability (QA)

The overall CAT structure continues to test candidates on language comprehension, logical reasoning, data interpretation and quantitative aptitude.

The latest major change to the number of questions was introduced in CAT 2024, when the examination moved from 66 to 68 questions. No further change to the CAT 2026 examination pattern has been announced.

CAT 2026 Examination Duration

CAT 2026 will be conducted in three sessions, with the examination duration set at two hours per session.

Candidates will be required to complete the examination within the time allotted to their respective session. The sectional structure means that candidates must also manage their time carefully within each individual section.

What Candidates Should Do After CAT Registration

With the registration process closed, candidates who have successfully applied should now focus on the next stages of the examination cycle.

Check Fee Payment Status

Candidates who completed the application but have not yet paid the fee should complete the payment by September 24 at 5 PM.

Watch for the Correction Window

Applicants should monitor the official CAT website for the announcement of the correction facility expected in October.

Download the Admit Card

The CAT 2026 admit card is scheduled to be released on November 4. Candidates should download and check all details immediately after it becomes available.

Continue Examination Preparation

The CAT examination is scheduled for November 29, leaving candidates with a limited preparation window. Aspirants should use this period for revision, sectional practice, mock tests and analysis of their performance.

CAT 2026 Test Centres

CAT 2026 will be conducted at test centres located in approximately 170 cities across India.

Candidates are required to appear at the test centre allotted to them by the examination authority. The complete centre address, examination session and reporting details will be available on the admit card.

Candidates should avoid making assumptions about the final test centre based solely on their preferred-city choices entered during registration. The final allocation will be communicated officially through the admit card.

Who Will Conduct CAT 2026?

The Indian Institute of Management Indore is conducting CAT 2026.

CAT is the national-level management entrance examination used for admission consideration to postgraduate management programmes offered by the IIMs and is also accepted by numerous other management institutions.

Each participating institution follows its own admission process and selection criteria after the CAT examination. Therefore, appearing for CAT does not by itself guarantee admission to any particular management institute.

CAT 2026 and IIM Admissions

CAT scores are used by the Indian Institutes of Management for their respective admission processes.

After the examination and declaration of results, individual IIMs will conduct their subsequent admission processes according to their prescribed criteria. These may include consideration of CAT performance along with academic record, work experience, diversity-related factors, written assessments, interviews or other components, depending on the institute and programme.

Candidates should therefore check the individual admission policies of the IIMs and other institutions to which they intend to apply.

What If a Candidate Missed the CAT 2026 Registration Deadline?

Candidates who did not complete the CAT 2026 registration process by September 22, 2026, at 5 PM cannot submit a fresh application through the current cycle.

The subsequent correction facility will not function as a new-registration window. It will be available only to candidates who have already submitted their applications and completed the required process.

Candidates who successfully registered but still need to make the fee payment should use the extended payment facility before September 24 at 5 PM.

CAT 2026: Key Points at a Glance

• Examination: Common Admission Test 2026

• Conducting Institute: IIM Indore

• Registration Start: August 3, 2026

• Extended Registration Deadline: September 22, 2026

• Registration Closing Time: 5 PM

• Extended Fee Payment Deadline: September 24, 2026, 5 PM

• Correction Window: Expected in the first week of October 2026

• Admit Card: November 4, 2026

• CAT 2026 Exam: November 29, 2026

• Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test

• Sessions: Three

• Test Cities: Approximately 170

• Sections: VARC, DILR and QA

• Exam Duration: Two hours

• Official Website: iimcat.ac.in

Conclusion

The CAT 2026 registration process has closed for new applicants after the extended deadline of September 22, 2026, at 5 PM. IIM Indore had initially set September 15 as the application deadline before providing a one-week extension.

Candidates who successfully completed their CAT application before the deadline but have not yet paid the examination fee have received an additional opportunity to complete the payment. The CAT 2026 fee-payment window will remain available until September 24, 2026, at 5 PM.

The next important stages are the application correction window, expected in the first week of October, followed by the CAT 2026 admit card on November 4. The examination itself is scheduled for November 29, 2026, in three sessions across around 170 cities.

Candidates who have completed the registration process should now concentrate on examination preparation while keeping track of official updates concerning the correction facility, admit card and test-centre details.