The CAT Exam Fee is the fundamental part of the online registration process. The CAT application fee for General/EWS/NC-OBC is 2600. Rs 1300 is the CAT exam fee for the SC/ST/PwD candidates. The CAT exam fee is acceptable through different modes of payment. Debit card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, etc, are some of the common modes of paying the application fee of the CAT exam online. You need to pay additional charges apart from the registration charges to complete the online registration for the Common Admission Test. It’s recommended to make timely payment for the CAT exam to prevent unwanted problems. The CAT registration fee is non-refundable. There is a 0% cancellation policy for the CAT examination fees. 

All the candidates who are appearing for the CAT exam in the future should complete the registration process on time to receive the final confirmation. Your CAT application will be successful only if you make the payment online. There are also certain important instructions that you must remember about the latest CAT exam fees. In this explanatory blog, we will share a complete and detailed overview for the future CAT aspirants. Check the amount carefully and ensure you pay the application fees according to your reservation category. 

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What is the CAT Exam Fees?

The chargeable amount to confirm your registration for the CAT exam is the CAT exam fee. It differs for General/EWS/NC-OBC and ST/SC/PwD candidates. Candidates belonging to the General/EWS/NC-OBC category will have to pay Rs 2600 as the examination fee. Meanwhile, ST/SC/PwD candidates will only have to pay Rs 1300 for the confirmation of their online application form.

CAT Exam Fees Complete Breakdown

The CAT fees amount varies for General/EWS/NC-OBC and SC/ST/PwD candidates. CAT aspirants must check the CAT exam fee and pay accordingly to the reservation category. If you choose a reservation category, then remember to submit a proof of caste certificate. In the table mentioned below, we have shared the entire breakdown of the CAT exam fees for each category. Please note that the registration fees for the CAT exam are non-refundable. 

CAT Exam Fees Category Wise Structure 

Reservation Category	Amount (Rs)
CAT Exam Fees for General	Rs 2600
CAT Exam Fees for EWS	Rs 2600
CAT Exam Fees for NC-OBC	Rs 2600
CAT Exam Fees for SC	Rs 1300
CAT Exam Fees for ST	Rs 1300
CAT Exam Fees for PwD	Rs 1300

Note: The CAT Exam fees are subject to change and revision. We will update the fees regularly after fresh updates. 

What are the modes of payment for the CAT Exam Fee?

Online Payment Mode	Additional Bank Charges
Net Banking	An extra charge of Rs 20 per transaction
Debit Card (Master/Visa)	If the value exceeds Rs 2000, a 0.90% on the entire application fee. If the CAT exam fee is nearly Rs 2000, then 0.75% additional transactions up to Rs 5 will be applicable.
Credit Card (Master/Visa)	A minimum of Rs 5,i.e, 1.20% of the total CAT exam fee.
Credit Card (American)	A minimum of Rs 5,i.e, 2.85% of the overall transaction amount.
UPI	No additional charge. Though double-check for a safer side.

When Should I Pay the CAT Exam Fee?

Entering the personal, academic details, professional information and other mandatory information are the initial steps of the CAT registration form. In addition, you will also have to upload a few important documents and then pay the CAT exam fee online. The step-by-step instructions that you refer to complete the necessary formalities are as follows: 

• Step 1: Click on the “Payment” option. 
• Step 2: Opt for a suitable payment method from Debit Card/Credit Card/ UPI/Net Banking, BillDesk, or PayU. 
• Step 3: Fill out the basic payment details. For Example: Card number, expiry date, and CVV for the credit/debit card. 
• Step 4: Wait for a while to receive confirmation status of the CAT exam fees. 
• Step 5: Download the payment invoice. Save it on your device for future reference.
• Step 6: Get 2 printout copies of the payment invoice. 

CAT Exam Fees: Common Mistakes To Avoid 

Every CAT aspirant knows that the CAT exam fee is the most crucial stage of the CAT online application process. One single blunder can result in troublesome consequences. Go through the list of essential information in advance, which you must avoid at every stage to facilitate a smooth CAT application process. 

• Not Checking Your Account Balance: If you don’t have a sufficient balance in your account, your payment for the CAT Exam Fee will fail. 
• Entering Wrong Payment Details: Wrong card number, CVV, or expiry date is another common reason that will lead to payment disruption
• Multiple Payment Attempts: If your transaction for the CAT exam fee was incomplete in the first phase, then you shouldn’t try again immediately. Wait and try after a few minutes. 
• Lack of Necessary Guidelines: Don’t ignore the major instructions about the CAT exam fees. Carefully go through each point to prevent unexpected issues. 
• Rushing During the Last-Minute: Paying the CAT exam fee at the last minute can be a daunting task at the last-minute. Chances are higher that multiple errors will happen. 
• Extremely Weak Internet Connection: Check your internet connectivity properly before you start to fill out the online registration form of the CAT exam. 

What is the CAT Exam Fees Refund Policy?

The CAT Exam Fee is completely non-refundable. If you pay the fees online through a chosen payment mode, then you cannot seek a refund. This fee is also not applicable for any kind of transfers or adjustments. Henceforth, rethink your decision before taking the final step. However, there are some exceptional cases when this fee is refundable to the candidates with a valid proof. 

• First Condition: If you made a double payment and have valid proof. To claim a refund, you should instantly connect with the CAT Helpdesk. Submit the proofs and address your issue to them. Once the verification is complete, you will receive the refund in your source account. 
• Second Condition: If there was a double payment, then you can seek help from the CAT Helpdesk to refund the amount into the original mode of payment. The respective authorities will ask you for proof. After verification is complete, they’ll transfer the refund to you. 

What is the Cancellation Policy for the CAT Exam Fee?

There’s no such option to cancel the CAT exam registration and claim a refund. As mentioned above, a candidate will be eligible to seek a CAT Exam fees refund only under two circumstances. Please note that once you submit the application form, you cannot request a cancellation, nor will you receive a refund until and unless there’s an exceptional case. 

CAT Exam Fee Comparison Report: Past Years Analysis 

CAT Exam Year	General/EWS/NC-OBC	Fee Increase	SC/ST/PwD	Increase in the CAT Exam Fee
CAT 2025	Rs 2600	Rs 100	Rs 1300	Rs 50
CAT 2024	Rs 2500	Rs 100	Rs 1250	Rs 50
CAT 2023	Rs 2400	Rs 100	Rs 1200	Rs 50
CAT 2022	Rs 2300	Rs 100	Rs 1150	Rs 50
CAT 2021	Rs 2200	Rs 200	Rs 1100	Rs 100
CAT 2020	Rs 2000		Rs 1000	–

What Should I Do if the CAT Exam Fee Payment Fails?

Approximately 300,000+ aspirants every year for the CAT exam. The online registration process of the CAT exam is simple but consumes a lot of time. Thus, you should prioritise staying updated about the entire registration procedure, the CAT Exam Fees, etc. So far, we have given you an update about the registration fees for all the categories,i.e, General/EWS/NC-OBC/SC/ST/PwD, modes of payment and payment procedure. If by chance, you face a payment error, then here is the complete list of solutions for your understanding and reference. 

• Try again after 30 minutes: If no money is deducted, then wait for at least 30 minutes before the next attempt. Carefully enter the card details and follow the on-screen instructions to make the payment. 
• Re-check your internet connection: Cross-check if there’s any kind of network issue. Staying connected to a poor network will disrupt your CAT exam fee payment procedure. During such errors, you can also try with other modes of payment. 
• Reach Out to Bank/CAT Helpdesk: If the transaction is complete and you still haven’t received any confirmation, then connect with the bank authorities. Also, address this issue to the CAT Helpdesk. 
• Collect Necessary Evidence: Take a screenshot if the payment was complete, but there was no confirmation message on the screen. This will act as a valid proof of support. Send an email to the CAT Helpdesk and the respective bank with supporting evidence. 
• Don’t Try Multiple Times: Trying to pay the fees multiple times despite initial failures can lead to double deductions. If you ever come across such instances, then you must wait for some time and try again. 
• Opt for a Different Payment Method: Prefer switching to a different payment method if there’s a constant error with the existing payment mode. The second time, enter the payment details carefully, cross-verify and then try to pay the fees for the CAT exam online. 

Final Words

Paying the CAT Exam Fee is essential to receive final confirmation about your application form. A successful transaction is compulsory to appear for the CAT exam. Your CAT application form will remain incomplete if you don’t pay the application charges on time. If you ever feel that it’s a hefty amount, then remember that it’s worth the investment. Your preparation for the CAT exam will definitely lead to 100% fruitful results. If you fill the application form, pay the necessary registration charges on time, appear for the CAT exam and achieve a high percentile like 99.99%ile, then everything will be worth it. You will be studying in the top MBA colleges in India, like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, FMS Delhi, and many more. Just remember to register and pay the fees for the Common Admission Test early to avoid technical glitches, payment failure or server issues. 

Frequently Asked Questions