CAT Registration 2026 (Open): @iimcat.ac.in: Last Date to Apply, Fees & Steps to fill CAT Form

Candidates can fill the CAT application form online through the official CAT website. The application process includes registration, entering personal and academic details, uploading documents, selecting programmes and test cities, and paying the application fee. CAT 2026 registration starts at iimcat.ac.in. Candidates who meet CAT eligibility criteria can apply for the CAT 2026 exam. Check complete details on how to apply for CAT exam below:

Key Points to Note Before Filling CAT Application Form

• Preferred web browsers to fill CAT 2026 application form are Mozilla (version 134 to 151), Google Chrome (126 to 149) or Microsoft Edge (126 to 149). 
• CAT 2026 application form is compatible with Android (version 4.0 and above) and iOS (version 11 and above)

Applications for CAT exam can be fiilled at the official website, iimcat.ac.in. No other website hosts a direct link of CAT form. Check below IIM CAT 2026 registration process:

Step 1: Register for CAT 2026

1. Visit the official CAT website and click on Register under the New Candidate Registration section.
2. Enter the candidate's name as mentioned on the Class 10/SSC certificate.
3. Enter the date of birth, email address, country and mobile number.
4. Click on Generate OTP.
5. Enter the CAPTCHA and submit it to receive the OTP.
6. Enter the OTP received on the registered mobile number and click on Validate the OTP.
7. Read the declaration, select I Agree, enter the CAPTCHA and click on Confirm.

CAT registration screen where candidates enter their basic details and generate an OTP for verification.

Step 2: IIM CAT Login for Online Registration

1. Check the registered email ID and mobile number for the system-generated User ID and Password.
2. Visit the CAT website and click on Login under Registered Candidate Login.
3. Enter the User ID, Password and CAPTCHA.
4. Click on Login.
5. Check the details shown on the Applicant Details page.
6. Click on Go to Application to start filling the CAT application form.

Candidate dashboard where registered users can log in and open the CAT application form.

Step 3: Filling Personal Details and Uploading Documents in CAT Application Form

In this section, candidates have to enter their personal, category, disability and address details. The following information is required:

• Candidate's name and date of birth
• Father's/Guardian's name and Mother's/Guardian's name
• Spouse's name, if applicable
• Gender and nationality
• Category details
• PwBD status, if applicable
• Communication and permanent address
• Alternate email address
• Emergency contact details

Upload Photograph and Signature

• Photograph: Upload a recent passport-size photograph in JPEG format. The photograph should be 1200 × 1200 pixels and should not exceed 80 KB.
• Signature: Upload the scanned signature in JPEG format with dimensions of 80 mm × 35 mm and a maximum file size of 80 KB.
• Upload the applicable category or disability certificate in PDF format, wherever required.

After entering all the details and uploading the documents, click on Save & Next.

Personal details document upload section where candidates enter their personal and address information and upload their photograph, signature and applicable certificates.

Step 4: Enter Academic Details during CAT Registration 2026

Candidates have to enter their Class 10, Class 12 or Diploma, Bachelor's degree and other applicable academic details.

Class 10 Details

• Select the Class 10/SSC/equivalent board.
• Enter the month and year of completion.
• Enter the maximum marks and total marks obtained in all subjects.
• The aggregate percentage will be calculated based on the details entered.

Class 12 or Diploma Details

• Select whether the qualification is Class 12/equivalent or a Diploma.
• Enter the board name, month and year of completion and discipline.
• Enter the maximum marks and total marks obtained.
• Check the aggregate percentage.

Bachelor's Degree Details

• Select whether the candidate is currently in the final year of the Bachelor's degree or has completed the degree.
• Enter the total duration of the degree.
• Enter the type of university/institution, state/UT, university/institute name and college name.
• Enter the degree name, discipline and graduation stream.
• Enter the month and year of commencement and completion.
• Enter the aggregate marks or percentage.

After completing the academic details, click on Save & Next.

The Academics section where candidates enter their marks, qualification details and graduation information.

Step 5: Enter Work Experience

Candidates have to enter their full-time, post-graduation work experience in completed days up to July 31, 2026.

• Enter the total number of completed days of eligible work experience.
• Enter the number of days of break in work experience, if applicable.
• Enter 0 if there is no break in work experience.
• Click on Save & Next.

Step 6: Select Programmes and Interview Cities

Candidates can select the management programmes offered by the participating IIMs from the programme selection section.

• Select Select All to apply for all available programmes without paying additional application charges.
• Candidates can also select individual programmes using the respective checkboxes.
• Select Interview City 1 and Interview City 2 for each selected programme.
• Click on Save & Next.

Step 7: Select CAT Test Cities

Candidates have to select five different test cities in order of preference.

1. Select the first preferred test city.
2. Select four more cities in order of preference.
3. Make sure that the same city is not selected more than once.
4. Click on Save & Next.

Step 8: Preview, Submit and Pay the CAT Application Fee

Before making the payment, candidates should check the complete application form and verify all the details entered.

1. Click on Preview and check the application form.
2. Verify the personal details, academic information, work experience, programme choices, test city preferences and uploaded documents.
3. Select the checkbox confirming that the application form has been reviewed and the details are correct.
4. Select the checkbox agreeing to the terms and conditions of the online payment facility.
5. Enter the CAPTCHA.
6. Click on Submit to proceed to the BillDesk payment gateway.

Candidates can pay the application fee using a credit card, debit card, NetBanking, UPI or wallet. After successful payment, save the Payment Transaction Number and payment confirmation.

Candidates should log in again and open the Download Application tab to download and save the completed CAT application form.

Candidates will require the following documents for uploading in the CAT form. Check document upload specifications for CAT registration below:

CAT application process- image upload

CAT 2026 Application Process: Selection of Test Cities

At the time of filling the CAT form, it is mandatory for candidates to mention preferred test centre location by selecting up to five options from the list of 170 cities. However, allotment of the CAT test city will be subject to availability of seats at the centre. So, the sooner a candidate submits the CAT application form, the higher the chances of getting the preferred test city.

The exam city was mentioned on the candidate's CAT admit card. The option to change the test city will be given only once after form submission, during the CAT form correction process.

Also Read: CAT Test Cities and Exam Centres

CAT exam fee is to be paid at the time of form submission. Candidates can register first and pay the fee later too, but their form will not be accepted until the fee is paid. Check below the latest CAT registration fee. 

Also Read:

• CAT 2026 syllabus
• CAT exam pattern 2026
• CAT 2026 preparation tips
• CAT books for preparation

Candidates must keep the following points in mind while filling the CAT 2026 application form:

• Cross-check all the information filled in the CAT application form thoroughly before hitting ‘submit/save key’.
• Once submitted, the form cannot be edited. You will have to create a new login ID, fill the form and pay the fee again.
• Save a copy of CAT application fee acknowledgement slip and a copy of duly filled application form for future reference.
• Preserve the CAT registration confirmation mail until the end of MBA admission process. It is advisable to take a printout of the confirmation mail.

CAT 2026 Registrations: Instructions for Reserved Category Students

• Candidates who wish to apply under Reserved category must strictly follow the instructions mentioned specifically for such candidates.
• Such candidates may have to upload relevant certificates attested by competent authority. Candidates must check the requirements carefully. 
• To check Caste/Tribe name applicable, they can check the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) website: http://www.ncbc.nic.in/Home.aspx.
• Submission of Reserved category form along with the CAT form is mandatory. Download the EWS, NC-OBC, SC/ST Certificate from the CAT 2026 official website, fill and self-attest, scan as PDF document and upload on the CAT website.
• If you are applying under Person with Disability (PwD) category, download the Person with Disability (PwD) Certificate from the CAT website, enter the required information and self-attest, and scan as PDF document to upload the certificates on the CAT website.
• Do not forget to select details under PwD Category - Wheelchair Support and Scribe Requirement in the CAT application form 2026.
• If you will be taking assistance of a Scribe for appearing in the exam, fill the Scribe Affidavit form available on the CAT exam registration website before the deadline and arrange a scribe yourself.

CAT Application Process: Errors to Avoid

The CAT form correction window gives opportunity to edit only a few fields, so it is better to fill the form error-free in the first attempt. Check a few points below to avoid errors in CAT form 2026:

• Use a functional email ID and mobile phone number for CAT 2026 registration as all the communication will be done on email and mobile.
• Select CAT test city carefully as once the exam centre is allotted, no request for change will be entertained.
• Choose your current city as first preference for allotment of exam centre. Keep in mind your convenience of reaching the test centre on the exam day, before selecting five cities in order of 1 to 5.
• Select IIMs carefully as you will be eligible for WAT-PI of only those IIMs which you shall have selected in the CAT application form.
• Select IIM interview cities also carefully. Only two options are available for each IIM so make the selection as per your convenience.
• Enter accurate academic scores for class 10, 12, Graduation. Also, make sure you furnish information of PG or professional degree as the IIMs will refer to CAT application forms for candidate’s academic record for WAT-PI shortlisting.
• Enter work experience details carefully too, as it will be analysed by the IIMs for shortlisting students for WAT-PI.
• Upload valid caste/PwD/Scribe certificates along with the CAT application form. If the certificates turn out to be fake, candidates may be barred from appearing in the exam.
• Ensure that fee payment is successful and you receive the acknowledgement in email. If the fee payment is not successful, the form submission will remain incomplete and CAT admit card will not be issued.

Also Read: Six Check Points to Ensure Error-Free CAT Registration

In CAT form correction process, candidates will have the option to upload better photograph and image of their signature in the CAT form or change the test city preference. No other section will be editable. Check the process of CAT 2026 form correction below:

• Log on to CAT 2026 website: iimcat.ac.in
• Click on ‘login’ tab
• Enter User ID and password
• Click on Application Form
• Go to relevant section (photo, signature, test city) and make changes
• Enter CAPTCHA code and click on continue to complete the process

Find some important FAQs related to CAT registration 2026: