CDAC C-CAT 2026 Application Form: Check Date, Steps to Apply, Fee & More

CDAC Common Admissions Test 2026 ( CDAC C-CAT )

Rashmi Karan
Updated on Jan 11, 2026 14:54 IST

By Rashmi Karan, Manager - Content

CDAC C-CAT Application Forms 2026 for the August session are expected to be available in May or June 2026. CDAC holds the C-CAT exam twice a year: once in January for the February session and again in July for the August session. To apply, you will need to register on cdac.in/index.aspx?id=edu_acts_PGDiplomaAdmission and fill out your personal and educational details, such as marksheets from 10th, 12th, and your graduation. 
The application process is entirely online. You must also pay an examination fee, which typically ranges from approximately INR 1,350 - 1,750 depending on the number of test sections you choose. C-DAC generally doesn't allow any changes once the application is submitted.

Following successful registration, you will receive a form number and password, which are essential for downloading your CDAC C-CAT admit card and checking your results later in the admission cycle. 

Table of contents
  • Things to keep ready before filling out the CDAC C-CAT 2026 application form
  • CDAC C-CAT 2026 Exam Dates
  • How to fill out the CDAC C-CAT 2026 application form?
  • CDAC C-CAT 2026 Application Fee
  • CDAC C-CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
  • CDAC C-CAT 2026 Syllabus
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Things to keep ready before filling out the CDAC C-CAT 2026 application form

Information and documents required to fill the CDAC C-CAT 2026 application form are mentioned below:

  • Class 10th and 12th marksheets
  • Graduation marksheet
  • Valid email ID and mobile no.
  • Online payment details, i.e., net banking/credit card/debit card info
  • Scanned passport-size photo and signature
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Which documents have to be uploaded in CDAC C-CAT application form?
A: 

When filling out the CDAC C-CAT application form, candidates must upload scanned documents. A passport-sized photograph and signature must be uploaded to the application form. The scanned documents must meet specifications as mentioned on the official portal.

Q:   Which details are important and should be kept ready before CDAC C-CAT registration?
A: 

Candidates need to keep the some important information ready while filling CDAC C-CAT application form. Some of those are candidate's academic (10th, 12th, and graduation mark sheets), personal (category and payment details) and contact information.

CDAC C-CAT 2026 Exam Dates

Take a look at the table below for the complete schedule of CDAC C-CAT 2026 exam

DatesPast Exam Dates
10 Jan ' 26 - 11 Jan ' 26

CDAC C-CAT 2026 Exam Date (February Batch)

06 Jan ' 26 - 10 Jan ' 26

CDAC C-CAT 2026 Admit Card (February Batch)

27 Nov ' 25 - 29 Dec ' 25

CDAC C-CAT 2026 Application Form (February Batch)

CDAC C-CAT Logo

How to fill out the CDAC C-CAT 2026 application form?

Follow the steps below to fill out the CDAC C-CAT application form.

  • Visit the official portal - cdac.in
  • Click Register for C-CAT. A new window will open to fill the form.
  • Fill the personal, academic and contact information. Login credentials can be generated after completing the registration process.
  • Select the exam cities in preference order
  • Upload your scanned photo and digital signature. 
  • Pay the CDAC C-CAT 2026 application fee online. 

No form editing facility is available. The CDAC C-CAT 2026 registration window was open from November 27 - December 29, 2025.

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the process to fill out the CDAC C-CAT application form?
A: 

To fill the CDAC C-CAT application form, visit the official portal and click on the registration link; submit the required details, select your exam centre, upload your scanned documents, and pay the required application fee online.

Q:   Can I make corrections in CDAC C-CAT application form after submission?
A: 

No. After you have submitted your application form, you cannot make any changes, so fill the form carefully. There is no online facility as of now, to make corrections in the details submitted in the CDAC C-CAT application form.  

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CDAC C-CAT 2026 Application Fee

The CDAC C-CAT 2026 application fee needs to be paid online, i.e., through net banking/credit card/debit card. No other mode of payment will be accepted. Without the fee payment, the candidates will not be considered eligible for the entrance examination and admission process. 

CDAC C-CAT Application Fee

Course Category

C-CAT Paper(s)

Fee

II

III

A+B

A+B+C

INR 1550

INR 1750

*There is no Category I in the Feb 2026 batch. Please note that the C-CAT fee, once paid, will not be refundable. 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can I pay the CDAC C-CAT application fee offline?
A: 

No. The authorities will not accept offline payments for the CDAC C-CAT application fee. All candidates will be required to make the fee payment online i.e., through net banking/credit card/debit card. Offline payments will not be considered. If the candidates are unable to make the fee payment before the final date, then their CDAC C-CAT application form will be considered incomplete and invalid.

Q:   What is the application fee for CDAC C-CAT?
A: 

Candidates will have to pay the fee during the CDAC C-CAT application process. The paper-wise and category-wise fees for the CDAC C-CAT application form are given below.

  • Category II: Paper A+B- INR 1550
  • Category III: Paper A+B+C - INR 1750

There is no Category I for the February batch.

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CDAC C-CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

The CDAC C-CAT 2026 exam pattern is as follows:

CDAC C-CAT Exam Pattern 2026

Particulars Details
Mode Online
Medium English
Duration 3 Hours
Type of Questions Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Total Number of Questions 150
Sections
  • Section A - English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning
  • Section B - Computer Fundamentals, C Programming, Data Structures, Data Communication & Networking, Object Oriented Programming Concepts,  Operating Systems
  • Section C - Computer Architecture, Digital Electronics, Microprocessors
Marking Scheme
  • For every correct answer, 3 marks will be awarded
  • 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are Category II and Category III courses in CDAC C-CAT?
A: 

In CDAC C-CAT, Category III candidates can apply for both Category II and III courses if eligible. Category II candidates can apply only for Category II courses.

 

Q:   What details must be filled in the CDAC C-CAT 2026 application form?
A: 

Mandatory information to include in the CDAC C-CAT application form are: 

  • Full name, email address, phone number, and other personal details  
  • Class 10th, 12th, and graduation marks details
  • Course category (II or III)
  • 3 examination cities 
  • Passport-size photo of the candidate & digital signature

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CDAC C-CAT 2026 Syllabus

The CDAC C-CAT 2026 syllabus is available. It comprises of three sections:

Section

Topics

Section A (General Aptitude)

English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning

Section B (Computer Programming and Concepts)

C programming, Data Structures, OS, and Networking

Section C (Computer Architecture)

Computer Architecture, Digital Electronics, and Microprocessors

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Is CDAC C-CAT compulsory for CDAC PG courses?
A: 

Yes, admission to all CDAC PG Certificate Programmes like PG Diploma in Advanced Computing (PG-DAC), PG Diploma in Artificial Intelligence (PG-AI/PGCP-AI), PG Diploma in Big Data Analytics (PG-DBDA/PGCP-BDA), PG Diploma in Cyber Security & Forensics (PG-CSF), PG Diploma in VLSI Design (PG-DVLSI), PG Diploma in IT Infrastructure, Systems & Security (PG-DITISS), etc.,
is done only through CDAC C-CAT.

Q:   What subjects will be covered in each section of CDAC C-CAT 2026?
A: 

CDAC C-CAT question paper will include below sections and subjects

  • Section A: English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning.
  • Section B: Computer Fundamentals, C Programming, Data Structures, Object-Oriented Programming (C+), Operating Systems, and Networking.
  • Section C: Computer Architecture, Digital Electronics & Microprocessors.

 

View Syllabus
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CDAC C-CAT Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 2 weeks ago

Criterion Rule for 2026 Ranking
Disqualificationthe lowest 20% (A & B) or 10% (C) of performers.
Minimum ScoreMust be greater than 0 in all attempted sections.
1st Tie-BreakerHigher marks in Section A.
2nd Tie-BreakerHigher accuracy ratio  (Correct / Attempted).
3rd Tie-BreakerOlder age  (preference for older candidates).

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

No, candidates in the lowest 10 -20% of performers may not be included in the rank list, depending on overall performance. Here it is-

  • the lowest Performers Excluded: Candidates in the the lowest 20% of performers for Sections A & B, or the the lowest 10% for Section C, do not receive a rank.
  • Minimum

...Read more

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

To be eligible for a CDAC C-CAT rank, candidates must score above zero in all the sections they attempted.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

The official rank list for the February 2026 batch will be released on January 22, 2026.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

CDAC C-CAT exam consists of 150 questions in total, with a maximum score of 150 marks across Sections A, B, and C.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

You can calculate your score using the official marking scheme:

+3 marks for correct answers

–1 mark for incorrect answers

0 marks for unattempted questions

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, candidates must pay a non-refundable fee of INR 500 per question to raise an objection to the CDAC C-CAT 2026 answer key.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 2 weeks ago

Yes, candidates can raise objections if they find errors in the provisional answer key. The objection window usually opens within 48 hours of the answer key release.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 4 weeks ago

During CDAC C-CAT counselling, seat allotment is based on your C-CAT rank, chosen preferences, and seat availability. Higher-ranked candidates get priority during the allocation process.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

Answered 4 weeks ago

Yes. Participating in CDAC C-CAT online counselling is mandatory. Without selecting courses and centres during this stage, you will not be considered for seat allocation.

R

Rashmi Karan

Contributor-Level 9

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