CAT Registration 2026: CAT is one of the most popular management entrance tests in the country. Over 2 lakhs candidates register for this exam every year. The CAT Registration form 2026 is expected to be released in the first week of August 2026. All interested candidates should fulfil all the eligibility requirements before filling out the CAT application form. They need to register, log in, upload necessary documents and pay fees to complete the CAT 2026 application process. The CAT registration fees 2026 are expected to be Rs 1300 for SC, ST and PwD candidates and Rs 2600 for all other candidates. Eligible candidates must submit the CAT registration form within the deadline to appear in the entrance test. The CAT Registration Last Date will be announced soon by the officials. Continue reading to know more about the CAT 2026 registration, including eligibility, last date, steps to register, and other relevant information.
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CAT Registration 2026 Latest News
The CAT registration 2026 will begin in the coming months. CAT is a gateway for MBA admissions into IIMs and other leading B-schools in India. It is conducted by one of the IIMs every year. Candidates who have a Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories) can register for the CAT 2026. The CAT 2026 notification is expected to be released in the last week of July 2026. The CAT registration is likely to begin from the first week of August 2026. Candidates should register first to create a User ID and Password. This will be used to log in to the portal and fill out the CAT application form 2026. You should check the official website for the latest updates on the CAT registration.
CAT Registration 2026 Dates
Candidates should stay updated with the CAT registration dates. This helps them avoid missing any deadlines. The CAT registration form is expected to be released in the first week of August 2026. Check the CAT registration 2026 dates for reference purposes.
| Event | Dates (Tentative) |
| CAT Notification 2026 Release Date | July 2026 |
| CAT Registration 2026 Start Date | August 2026 |
| CAT Registration Last Date | September 2026 |
| CAT Admit Card 2026 | November 2026 |
| CAT Exam Date 2026 | November 2026 |
| CAT Result 2026 | December 2026 |
CAT 2026 Notification Release Date
The CAT 2026 notification is expected to be released in the last week of July 2026. It comprises details like eligibility, registration fees, reservation, application dates, etc. Candidates should carefully review the CAT notification 2026. It helps them understand the CAT registration requirements and apply accordingly. The CAT 2026 notification download link will be active soon.
CAT Registration Requirements
Candidates should keep certain things in mind before they start registering for CAT. This helps them avoid a last-minute rush and ensure a hassle-free application process. Below are the CAT registration requirements for reference purposes:
- Check the CAT eligibility criteria to determine whether you are qualified for the exam.
- You must have a valid and unique email address and mobile number. Keep this email address and mobile number until the CAT Admission process is over. All official communications will be done using this email ID and mobile number only.
- “*” (asterisk) indicates a mandatory field. The fields marked with this symbol must be filled in, or you will not be permitted to submit your CAT application form.
- Scanned images of a passport-sized photo and signature are needed for uploading. The photo should not be more than six months old and should have a white background.
CAT Registration Last Date
The CAT registration last date will be announced officially soon. However, it is expected that the CAT application process will begin in August and will be concluded in September 2026. So, the CAT registration date is expected to be September 2026. Candidates should check the official CAT website regularly for all official updates.
Who can Fill CAT 2026 Registration Form?
Candidates should ensure they fulfil all the eligibility criteria before filling out the CAT registration form. If they are found ineligible, their CAT application form may be rejected. To be eligible, a candidate must have completed graduation with the minimum required marks. We have discussed below the CAT eligibility criteria 2026 for reference purposes:
- Bachelor’s Degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories) from any recognised University.
- Candidates appearing for the final year of their degree or those who are awaiting results can also apply.
- Applicants should fulfill any one of the following conditions:
a) Completed Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage of marks.
b) Completed professional degree (CA/CS/ICWA (CMA)/Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (FIAI)) with required percentage.
c) Should be in the final year of a Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage.
Note: SC/ST/PwD candidates should have a minimum 45%. For General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates, the minimum is 50%.
CAT 2026 Registration Link
The CAT 2026 registration link will be active soon. Candidates should register for CAT 2026 within the deadline. They should try to complete the process early to avoid last-minute hassles. The CAT application form 2026 is expected to be out in the 1st week of August 2026. Candidates are advised to check the official website for the accurate details.
How to Fill the CAT Registration Form 2026?
Candidates should gather all the details required to fill in the form before registering. They should skim through sections, i.e. Personal Details, Academics, Work Experience, Programmes, Test City, and Payment to understand the CAT registration requirements. Here are the steps to fill out the CAT registration form 2026 without any hassles:
- Go to the official CAT 2026 website.
- Select the ‘Register’ button under “New Candidate Registration.”
- The CAT Registration form will open in your browser. The recommended browsers to fill the CAT application form are: Mozilla Firefox (version 122 to 141), Google Chrome (version 114 to 138) or Microsoft Edge (version 114 to 137).
- Enter the candidate’s name, date of birth, Email address, and mobile number.
- Click the “GENERATE OTP” button to complete the registration process.
- You will be redirected to CAPTCHA to fill in. You need to submit the OTP received on your mobile for verification.
- Log in as a “Registered Candidate”. Use system generated User ID and Password.
- Fill the CAT application form with valid details. This includes personal details, academics, work experience, programmes, and test city preference.
- Upload all the required documents in the prescribed format. This includes Passport Size Photograph and Signature, caste certificate & PwD Certificate (if applicable).
- Click the ‘PREVIEW’ button before proceeding with the payment.
- Next, select the payment mode. Pay the CAT registration fees.
- After successful payment, a ‘Payment Successful’ message will appear on the screen. You can also view your Payment Transaction Number. Download or save it for future reference.
- You will also get a confirmation email stating the successful submission of your CAT 2026 Application.
What is CAT Registration Fees?
The CAT registration fees will be announced along with the information bulletin. Based on last year’s data, it is expected that the CAT registration fees 2026 will be Rs 1300 for SC, ST and PwD candidates and Rs 2600 for all other candidates. Fees once paid cannot be refunded under any circumstances.
CAT Registration Trends Over Years
Candidates should check the CAT registration trends over the years. It helps them understand the competition level and plan their preparation better. In CAT 2025, 2.95 lakh candidates registered, and 2.58 lakh candidates appeared for the exam. Below are the CAT registration trends over the years for reference purposes.
| Year | Number of Candidates Registered | Number of Candidates Appeared (Test Takers) |
| 2010 | 2,04,000 | 1,85,000 |
| 2011 | 2,05,000 | 1,86,000 |
| 2012 | 2,14,000 | 1,95,000 |
| 2013 | 1,94,516 | 1,73,714 |
| 2014 | 1,96,988 | 1,70,000 |
| 2015 | 2,18,664 | 1,79,602 |
| 2016 | 2,32,434 | 1,95,679 |
| 2017 | 2,31,067 | 1,99,632 |
| 2018 | 2,40,338 | 2,09,405 |
| 2019 | 2,44,169 | 2,09,926 |
| 2020 | 2,27,835 | 1,90,144 |
| 2021 | 2,29,969 | 1,91,660 |
| 2022 | 2,55,501 | 2,22,184 |
| 2023 | 3,23,000 | 2,88,000 |
| 2024 | 3,29,000 | 2,93,000 |
| 2025 | 2.95 lakh | 2.58 lakh |
CAT Registration FAQs
The CAT Registration form 2026 is expected to be released in the first week of August 2026.
Candidates who have a Bachelor’s Degree, with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, and PwD categories), can register for the CAT 2026
The CAT registration last date will be announced officially soon. It is expected that the CAT registration window link will remain active till September 2026.
The CAT registration fees 2026 are expected to be Rs 1300 for SC, ST and PwD candidates and Rs 2600 for all other candidates.
