CAT 2026 Registration Drop to 2.84 Lakh; Shows a 13.7% Decrease from Peak
CAT 2026 registration numbers fell by around 13.7 per cent from its peak in 2023. For CAT 2026, around 2.84 lakh candidates have been reported to have registered. IIM Indore will conduct the CAT 2026 exam on November 29.
CAT 2026 Registration Number Falls to 2.84 Lakh
The number of CAT 2026 registrations have fallen to around 2.84 lakh, a slight decline from previous year's drop (2.95 lakh registrations). CAT registrations recorded its peak in 2024 with 3.29 lakh registrations. CAT 2026 marks the second consecutive year with the drop in the number of registrations. Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to MBA admissions at 22 IIMs and 1700+ b-schools. IIM Indore will conduct the CAT exam this year on November 29.
CAT registrations rose steadily until 2024, then declined for two years
CAT registrations increased from 2.28 lakh in 2020 to 3.29 lakh in 2024. The rise was visible after 2022, with registrations crossing the three-lakh mark in 2023. The number then fell to 2.95 lakh in 2025 and further to about 2.84 lakh in 2026.
| Year | Registered Candidates | Actual Test-Takers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 2,95,000 | 2,58,000 |
| 2026 | 2.84 lakh | Pending |
The 2024 figure remains the highest peak for CAT registrations. Compared with that peak, registrations have declined by about 13.7 per cent in two years. The 2026 attendance figure will provide a clearer picture of whether the decline in registrations is also reflected in the number of candidates taking the test.
Real prep plan shared by CAT toppers who scored 99.9+ to 100 percentile:
- 2025 CAT Topper Anmol Gupta (99.96%): Solved 5 DILR sets in under 35 mins.
- 2024 CAT Topper Vagish Nangia (100%): Mastered VARC using a 7-8 min RC drill and prioritised sectional mocks.
- 2025 CAT Topper Pranshav Shah (99.80%): Followed daily timed routine of 4 RCs, 4 DILR sets, 30-40 Quant questions.
CAT 2026 Admit Card on November 4
All candidates who have completed the CAT 2026 registration before the deadline will be issues the admit card on November 4. IIM Indore will release the CAT admit card 2026 on the official website, iimcat.ac.in. Candidates will be required to carry their CAT admit card to the test centre on the exam day. CAT admit card will indicate the test centre as well as the exam slot.
Follow Shiksha.com for latest education news in detail on Exam Results, Dates, Admit Cards, & Schedules, Colleges & Universities news related to Admissions & Courses, Board exams, Scholarships, Careers, Education Events, New education policies & Regulations.
To get in touch with Shiksha news team, please write to us at news@shiksha.com
Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance
Read Full Bio