CDAC C-CAT August 2026 Batch: Key Dates and Admission Roadmap

The CDAC Computerized Common Admission Test (C-CAT) is an all-India entrance test conducted by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC). It is used for admission to Post Graduate (PG) Certificate programmes in advanced computing and tech fields. The exam is conducted twice a year, and for 2026, the exams are already over. Check out the highlights of the CDAC CCAT 2026 August session, important dates, preparation tips, etc., to prepare better for the upcoming tests.

What is CDAC CCAT?

CDAC CCAT (Computerized Common Admission Test) is a national-level entrance examination conducted by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC). It is a mandatory screening test for candidates seeking admission into PG certificate courses offered by CDAC's Advanced Computing Training School (ACTS). 
The CCAT is designed to assess the aptitude and technical knowledge of candidates for specialized IT fields such as Advanced Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, Cyber Security, etc.

C-CAT is held twice a year-

• January – for February batch
• July/August – for August batch

Why is CDAC CCAT Held Biannually?

The exam is conducted twice a year, mostly in January (for February batch) and July (for August batch). It is conducted biannually for several reasons-

• Flexibility for Students: Conducting the exam in both Jan/Feb and Aug/Sep allows candidates to choose a session that aligns with their graduation completion date or employment reasons.
• Maximum Participation: Students who could not participate in the first exam, or achieved a low score, get another chance without wasting a year. 
• Optimal Seat Utilisation: It streamlines the process of filling seats at various CDAC training centres across India (Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Noida, etc.) twice annually. 

Expected CDAC C-CAT July 2026 Schedule

While the official January 2026 exam is over, the July 2026 cycle will follow a similar exam schedule. Actual dates will be announced by the CDAC a few weeks before registration opens. We will update once the registrations are about to start.

Check the approximate CDAC C-CAT 2026 important dates based on past cycles-

Who Can Apply? CDAC C-CAT Eligibility Criteria Explained

CDAC C-CAT eligibility is simple but strict. You must meet one of the requirements below before you take the exam.

Which PG Courses Can You Join After C-CAT

Once you crack the C-CAT and get a good rank, you can select from a variety of PG certificate programmes. Here is the categorisation-

Category II Courses (2 Sections: A + B)

Category II includes advanced computing and technology courses-

• PG Certificate Programme in Advanced Computing (PGCP-AC)
• PG Certificate Programme in Big Data Analytics (PGCP-BDA) 
• PG Certificate Programme in Artificial Intelligence (PGCP-AI)
• PG Certificate Programme in IT Infrastructure, Systems & Security (PGCP-ITISS)
• PG Certificate Programme in Mobile Computing (PGCP-MC) 
• PG Certificate Programme in Advanced Secure Software Development (PGCP-ASSD) 
• PG Certificate Programme in HPC System Administration (PGCP-HPCSA) 
• PG Certificate Programme in FinTech & Blockchain Development (PGCP-FBD)  
• PG Certificate Programme in Cyber Security & Forensics (PGCP-CSF)
• PG Certificate Programme in Robotics & Allied Technologies (PGCP-RAT)  

Category III Courses (3 Sections – A+B+C)

These include hardware, embedded systems, and specialised tech fields-

• PG Certificate Programme in Embedded Systems Design (PGCP-ESD)
• PG Certificate Programme in VLSI Design (PGCP-VLSI) 

What Does the C-CAT Exam Test? Pattern & Syllabus

The C-CAT exam is designed to test both your fundamentals and practical aptitude in computing and tech.

CDAC C-CAT 2026 Exam Pattern

Exam Sections

The test papers are split into Sections A, B, and C:

You appear for two or all three sections depending on the course categories you select. 

Step-by-Step Registration & Application Process

Here are the steps involved in the CDAC C-CAT July 2026 registration opens-

• Visit the CDAC portal - cdac.in/index.aspx?id=edu_acts_PGCertificateAdmission
• Register yourself with basic details (name, email, phone).
• Login and fill the application form with your educational and personal details.
• Choose the course category you want to apply for (Category II / Category III).
• Pay the exam fee online.
• Select your preferred exam city
• Submit the form and download a copy for your records. 

CDAC C-CAT Application Fee

How to Prepare for C-CAT August 2026 

To crack the CDAC C-CAT exam, you need to have a simple yet strategic study plan. Check out our recommendations-

• Go Through the Syllabus: Review Sections A, B, and C and list topics under each. This gives clarity on what to study.
• Fundamentals First: Focus on mastering the basics like Data Structures & Algorithms, C / C++ Programming, Operating Systems, and Networking.
• Practice Aptitude: Work on English, Reasoning, and Basic Maths for Section A.
• Solve Previous Papers and Mock Tests: Old C-CAT papers and simulating exam conditions with timed tests help you get used to the question type and difficulty.
• Revise: Regularly revise important formulas, code snippets, and concepts - especially in OS, Networking, and Embedded basics. Focus on your weak areas and plan to revise them separately

Best Books for CDAC CCAT 2026 Section-Wise Preparation

Please find the recommended books for the CDAC CCAT 2026 exam preparation-

After the Exam: Ranks, Counselling & Admission

Once the C-CAT results are announced, you’ll get a rank based on your performance.

Counselling

Rank determines:

• Which centres you can choose
• Which courses you can get
• Seat allocation order

Participate in online CDAC C-CAT counselling and choose your courses and preferred CDAC centres. Seats are allotted based on rank and availability in the respective CDAC centres.

• Balance Fee Payment: Pay the remaining course fee before the last date
• Course Commencement: Classes for the August 2026 batch are expected to start in the last week of August 2026.