CAT 2026 registration last date: The CAT 2026 registration deadline has been extended to September 22, 2026, till 5:00 PM, on the official website iimcat.ac.in. The original last date was September 15, 2026. IIM Indore, the conducting institute, has indicated no further extension will be granted, so candidates should complete the CAT 2026 application form before the revised deadline.
Table of contents
- Why the CAT 2026 Registration Deadline Matters Right Now
- CAT 2026 Registration Last Date — Direct Answer
- CAT 2026 Important Dates
- CAT Registration 2026: Can You Still Apply?
- How to Complete the CAT 2026 Application Form Before the Last Date
- CAT 2026 Application Fee
- CAT 2026 Eligibility
- What Happens After CAT 2026 Registration?
- CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
- What Can Students Do After CAT 2026?
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Why the CAT 2026 Registration Deadline Matters Right Now
If you’re searching for the CAT 2026 registration last date, chances are you’re either racing to complete your form or double-checking that you haven’t missed the window. Either way, the timing matters. CAT (Common Admission Test) is the gateway to admission at the 22 IIMs and over 1,700 other B-schools across India, and a missed registration deadline usually means waiting an entire year for the next attempt.
This article walks through everything a candidate needs to know before the CAT 2026 registration deadline: the exact last date, the important dates calendar, the application fee, eligibility rules, the step-by-step registration process, and what comes next once your form is submitted. Toward the end, we also look at what students should start thinking about beyond CAT — including how to evaluate MBA programmes once the exam season is behind you.
CAT 2026 Registration Last Date — Direct Answer
What is the CAT 2026 registration last date?
The CAT 2026 registration last date is September 22, 2026, up to 5:00 PM IST. This is a revised, extended deadline — the exam conducting body, IIM Indore, originally set September 15, 2026, as the closing date but extended the window by one week.
What is the CAT 2026 registration deadline, exactly?
Candidates must complete every stage of the CAT 2026 application form — personal details, academic information, programme/test-city preferences, document upload, and fee payment — before 5:00 PM on September 22, 2026. Incomplete or unpaid applications after this time will not be considered.
What time does registration close?
Registration closes at 5:00 PM IST on the last date. It is advisable not to wait until the final hour, since heavy last-day traffic on the CAT portal can slow down submissions.
Can candidates apply after the deadline?
No. Once the CAT registration window closes, the portal typically stops accepting new applications, and candidates who miss the CAT form last date 2026 generally have to wait for the next year’s CAT cycle.
Is there any possibility of a further extension?
IIM Indore has already granted one extension (from September 15 to September 22, 2026) and has indicated this is likely the final window. While IIMs have extended CAT registration in each of the last several years, candidates should not rely on a further extension and should treat September 22 as the operative CAT 2026 registration deadline.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
The table below summarises the latest verified CAT 2026 schedule. Dates marked “expected” are based on the official CAT 2026 notification and are subject to confirmation by IIM Indore closer to the event.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | July 26, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Start Date | August 3, 2026, 10:00 AM |
| Original Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Extended Registration Last Date | September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Application Form Correction Window | Expected September 24–27, 2026 (tentative) |
| CAT 2026 Admit Card Release | Expected November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday), three sessions |
| CAT 2026 Answer Key | To be announced |
| CAT 2026 Result Date | Expected first week of January 2027 (to be officially confirmed) |
Always cross-check these dates on the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in) before making any decisions, since exam authorities can revise schedules without prior notice.
CAT Registration 2026: Can You Still Apply?
Is CAT Registration 2026 still open?
As of the extended timeline, CAT Registration 2026 remains open until September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM. If you’re reading this before that date and time, you can still register.
What happens if I miss the CAT form last date 2026?
If you miss the CAT 2026 registration deadline, you will not be able to submit a fresh application for this exam cycle. Your only options are to wait for the CAT 2027 cycle or explore other MBA entrance exams and institute-level admission routes that may still be accepting applications.
Can the CAT registration deadline be extended again?
It’s possible in theory, since past CAT cycles have seen extensions, but candidates should not count on it. Treat September 22, 2026 as final and complete your CAT last date to apply 2026 well in advance.
Can I edit the application after submission?
Yes, but only within the official correction window, expected to open a few days after the registration deadline closes (tentatively September 24–27, 2026). This window typically allows corrections to specific fields like photograph or category proof — not core academic or personal details — so it’s important to enter accurate information the first time.
What should candidates do before the deadline?
- Keep scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and category/education certificates ready in the specified format and size.
- Double-check your academic percentage entries against your mark sheets.
- Select your test cities and programme preferences carefully.
- Complete the fee payment in one sitting to avoid transaction failures.
- Download and save the final confirmation page immediately after submission.
How to Complete the CAT 2026 Application Form Before the Last Date
- Visit the official CAT website — iimcat.ac.in — and locate the “New CAT Registration” link.
- Create your login using your name, date of birth, valid email ID, and mobile number. An OTP-based verification typically follows.
- Enter personal information, including address, category, and identification details.
- Enter academic details, such as your qualifying degree, institution, and marks obtained.
- Select your category (General/EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST/PwD) as applicable, with supporting certificate details.
- Choose your programme preferences, where the form allows selection of IIMs or programmes you wish to be considered for.
- Select up to your preferred test cities from the list of approximately 170 centres.
- Upload your photograph, signature, and required documents as per the specified size and format.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment modes (net banking, debit/credit card, UPI).
- Review all details carefully on the preview page before final submission — most fields cannot be changed later.
- Submit the application once you’re certain everything is correct.
- Save and print the confirmation page for your records; you’ll need your CAT ID for admit card download later.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,350 |
This is the fee for CAT registration alone. It is separate from any application or admission-related fees charged later by individual IIMs or other B-schools during their own selection processes (such as WAT-PI rounds), so candidates should budget for both stages separately.
CAT 2026 Eligibility
- Educational qualification: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
- Minimum marks: At least 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
- Final-year candidates: Students in their final year of graduation, or those awaiting results, can also apply, subject to producing proof of graduation by a date specified by IIMs later.
- Professional degree holders: Candidates holding professional qualifications such as CA, CS, ICWA (CMA), or Fellow membership of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI) are also eligible.
- Category-specific requirements: Reserved-category candidates should keep valid certificates ready, since these are verified during registration and later admission stages.
- Age criteria: CAT does not prescribe a specific upper age limit for candidates.
This is a general eligibility overview; candidates should verify category-wise and course-specific eligibility details in the official CAT 2026 notification before applying.
What Happens After CAT 2026 Registration?
Registration is only the first step in the CAT-to-MBA journey. Here’s what typically follows:
- Admit card: Expected to be released around November 4, 2026, downloadable from iimcat.ac.in using your CAT login credentials.
- Exam: CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026 (Sunday), in three sessions across roughly 170 test cities in India.
- Answer key: Usually released a couple of weeks after the exam, allowing candidates to estimate their scores; official CAT 2026 answer key dates are yet to be announced.
- Result: Expected in the first week of January 2027, though this date is not yet officially confirmed.
- IIM selection process: Each IIM independently shortlists candidates based on CAT percentile along with academic profile, work experience, and gender/category diversity criteria, followed by Written Ability Tests (WAT) and Personal Interviews (PI).
- Other B-schools accepting CAT scores: Over 1,700 management institutes across India, in addition to the 22 IIMs, use CAT scores as part of their own admission processes.
It’s worth remembering that CAT registration and CAT-based admission are two distinct processes — clearing the exam is necessary but not sufficient; each institute runs its own subsequent selection rounds.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension (VARC) | 24 | 40 minutes |
| Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning (DILR) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Ability (QA) | 22 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 68 | 120 minutes |
- Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Question types: A mix of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) and Type-In-The-Answer (TITA) questions
- Marking scheme: +3 for every correct MCQ answer; −1 for every incorrect MCQ answer; no negative marking for TITA questions
- Section-switching: Candidates cannot move between sections during the allotted 40 minutes for each
This pattern is based on the format CAT has followed since 2020; candidates should confirm final section-wise details in the official notification once released closer to the exam.
CAT 2026 Preparation After Registration
Once your CAT 2026 registration is done, the real work of exam preparation begins. With roughly nine weeks between the registration deadline and the exam date, a focused, section-wise strategy matters more than cramming new topics.
- VARC: Prioritise daily reading comprehension practice across varied topics (business, culture, science) and revise grammar/vocabulary basics rather than learning new word lists at this stage.
- DILR: Focus on accuracy over speed — attempt full sets rather than skimming multiple sets partially, and build a habit of quickly judging which sets are solvable within the time limit.
- QA: Revise formulas and shortcut methods for arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, and take timed sectional tests to build exam-day stamina.
- Final-stage strategy: In the last few weeks, shift from learning new concepts to full-length mock tests, error analysis, and time-management drills, since consistency under exam conditions matters more than raw content coverage this close to the exam.
What Can Students Do After CAT 2026?
CAT is an entrance route, not the final destination — the exam gets you a percentile, but the choice of where you eventually pursue your MBA shapes your career trajectory far more. Once your CAT 2026 registration and exam are behind you, it’s worth starting to evaluate MBA programmes in parallel, rather than waiting until results are declared.
Some factors worth considering while shortlisting MBA options include the depth and relevance of the curriculum, the extent of industry exposure built into the programme, availability of specialization options aligned with your career interests, opportunities for experiential and project-based learning, and how well the programme’s outcomes align with your own career goals. These factors often matter as much as the entrance exam itself in determining long-term career outcomes.
Looking Beyond CAT 2026? Explore RCM’s MBA and MBA+ Programmes
If you’re planning your management education around the CAT 2026 exam cycle, it’s worth also looking at institutes that combine core MBA fundamentals with industry-oriented specialization tracks. The RCM MBA programme at Regional College of Management (RCM), Bhubaneswar, is designed to build a strong foundation in core management disciplines — finance, marketing, HR, operations, and strategy — while giving students exposure to real-world business problems through case studies and project work.
Beyond the core MBA, RCM also offers an MBA+ track — the MBA+ programme at RCM — which layers additional, industry-relevant specializations on top of the standard curriculum. The idea behind MBA+ is to give students exposure to emerging business domains that are increasingly shaping hiring conversations across sectors, so graduates step out with both broad management grounding and a focused area of depth. As with any programme choice, students should evaluate curriculum design, faculty expertise, and industry linkages independently rather than relying solely on placement expectations, since RCM does not make specific placement or salary guarantees as part of this description.
Data Science & Business Intelligence
The MBA+ Data Science and Business Intelligence specialization at RCM introduces MBA students to business analytics, data-driven decision-making frameworks, and business intelligence tools. As organisations increasingly rely on data for everything from marketing spend to supply chain planning, the ability to interpret data and support AI-enabled business decisions is becoming a valuable skill across functions such as consulting, operations, and marketing analytics.
Green Finance & ESG (FinTech)
The Green Finance & ESG (FinTech) specialization covers sustainable finance principles, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) frameworks, and the broader FinTech landscape, including responsible investment approaches and financial risk technology. As regulatory and investor focus on sustainability grows, this specialization can be relevant for students interested in banking, investment analysis, and emerging finance-technology roles.
International Business
The International Business specialization focuses on international markets, global trade frameworks, cross-border business operations, and international marketing strategy. Students explore global supply chains and the dynamics of operating within multinational business environments — useful grounding for roles in export-import management, global marketing, or supply chain functions with an international dimension.
Digital Marketing
The Digital Marketing specialization at RCM covers SEO, performance marketing, social media marketing, digital consumer behaviour, and analytics, along with an introduction to AI-assisted marketing tools. As brands shift budgets toward digital channels, this specialization builds skills relevant to marketing, brand management, and e-commerce functions.
AI/ML, Blockchain & Metaverse
The AI/ML, Blockchain & Metaverse specialization introduces MBA students to artificial intelligence and machine learning fundamentals, blockchain technology, and emerging digital ecosystems. The focus is on how these technologies enable business automation and technology-driven decision-making — relevant grounding for students interested in product management, business technology consulting, or operations roles in tech-driven organisations.
Planning your MBA after CAT 2026?
Explore RCM Bhubaneswar’s MBA and MBA+ programmes with industry-oriented specializations in Data Science & Business Intelligence, Green Finance & ESG (FinTech), International Business, Digital Marketing, and AI/ML, Blockchain & Metaverse.
FAQs
The CAT 2026 registration last date is September 22, 2026, till 5:00 PM, following a one-week extension from the original September 15 deadline.
The CAT last date to apply 2026 is September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM IST, on the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in.
The CAT form last date 2026 is September 22, 2026. All sections of the form, including fee payment, must be completed by this time.
No, registrations are not accepted after the deadline closes. Candidates who miss it must wait for the next CAT cycle.
Missing the deadline means you cannot appear for CAT 2026. You would need to explore other MBA entrance exams for the current admission cycle or wait for CAT 2027.
Conclusion
The CAT 2026 registration last date — September 22, 2026, till 5:00 PM — is the single most important deadline for anyone planning to pursue an MBA through this route this year. With IIM Indore indicating no further extension, candidates still to apply should complete their CAT 2026 application form without delay, and everyone should keep checking the official CAT website for the latest updates on admit cards, exam-day guidelines, and results, since exam authorities can revise schedules at short notice.
Once your registration is locked in, it’s a good time to start thinking beyond the exam itself — toward the kind of MBA programme and specialization that will actually shape your career. Programmes like the MBA and MBA+ tracks at RCM Bhubaneswar, with focused specializations in areas like data science, ESG and FinTech, international business, digital marketing, and AI/ML, are worth evaluating as part of that broader decision, alongside other institutes you may be considering.
