The CAT 2026 Application form is expected to be released on August 1 or first week of August 2026 on the official portal.
- The CAT 2026 registration window will remain active until the third week of September.
- The official notification will be released in the last week of July 2026 on iimcat.ac.in .
- CAT 2026 is accepted by over 1,600 institutes in India such as FMS Delhi, MDI, SPJIMR, IIT-DoMs and all 21 IIMs.
- The CAT 2026 Application Form Correction Window is expected to open in the fourth week of September 2026, remaining active for only 72 to 96 hours allowing candidates to fix specific errors before admit cards are generated.
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Key Summary
- The preferred web browsers to fill the CAT 2026 application form are Edge Chromium or Mozilla Firefox with version 56 and above, and Google Chrome with version 59 and above,and the form should not be filled on a smartphone.
- The CAT 2026 registration fee is ₹2600 for General or EWS or NC OBC candidates and ₹1300 for SC or ST or PwD categories and the fees are non refundable and paid online via debit or credit card, net banking or UPI.
- Candidates need a passport size photograph and signature in prescribed dimensions for CAT 2026 application form.
- The CAT 2026 Application Form can only be submitted after payment of the application fee.
CAT 2026 Important Dates At a Glance
The final schedule for CAT 2026 registration, admit card release, examination and result declaration will be announced through the official notification.
- Candidates should refer to the CAT 2026 notification for the confirmed dates and application schedule after it is released.
- Any changes in the exam schedule will be notified on the official CAT website and corresponding admissions' notification.
| Event | Date (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | Last week of July 2026 (likely July 26) |
| CAT 2026 Application Form Release | August 1, 2026 (1st week of August) |
| Registration Last Date | Third week of September 2026 (around Sept 20) |
| Application Correction Window | Fourth week of September 2026 (72–96 hours) |
| Admit Card Release | First / Second week of November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday) |
| Answer Key Release | First week of December 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Result Declaration | Second / Third week of December 2026 |
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How to Fill the CAT 2026 Application Form: Step by Step
Candidates need to follow these steps to fill the CAT 2026 application form given below:
| Steps | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Visit the Official WebsiteGo to iimcat.ac.in |
| Step 2 | New Candidate RegistrationClick on "New Candidate Registration"Enter: Full Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, Mobile Number, NationalityVerify with OTP sent to email & mobile |
| Step 3 | Login with CredentialsUse the generated User ID and Password to log in |
| Step 4 | Fill Personal DetailsEnter: Father's/Mother's Name, Gender, Category, PwD Status, Address, Emergency Contact, etc. |
| Step 5 | Upload Scanned DocumentsUpload Passport-size Photo & Signature (as per specifications)Upload category/PwD certificates if applicable |
| Step 6 | Fill Academic DetailsEnter details of Class 10, Class 12, Graduation, Post-Graduation (if any)Marks, Year of Passing, Board/University, etc. |
| Step 7 | Enter Work Experience (if any)Add details of full-time work experience as on 31 July 2026 (Company, Designation, Duration, Salary, etc.) |
| Step 8 | Select IIM ProgrammesChoose desired IIM programmes / courses you wish to apply for |
| Step 9 | Select Test CitiesChoose 4–5 preferred test cities in order of preference |
| Step 10 | Preview & Pay Application FeeReview all details and Pay fee online• ₹2,600 (General / OBC / EWS)• ₹1,300 (SC / ST / PwD) |
| Step 11 | Final Submission & DownloadSubmit the form and then Download and print the filled application for future reference |
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Ques. Can candidates edit the CAT 2026 application form after final submission?
Ans. After the CAT 2026 application form is submitted, candidates are generally not allowed to modify most details. However, the conducting IIM may open a limited application correction window for specific fields such as photographs, signatures, or test city preferences. Candidates should carefully review all information before making the final submission to avoid errors.
Ques. How many test city preferences should candidates select in the CAT 2026 application form?
Ans. Candidates are usually advised to select 4–5 test city preferences in the CAT 2026 application form. Choosing multiple cities increases the likelihood of receiving a convenient exam centre if seats in the preferred city become unavailable. The final allotment depends on availability, demand, and the preferences submitted during registration.
CAT 2026 Photo Specification & Document Upload Guide
Candidates are advised to use a scanner while preparing photograph and signature files, as scanned images are generally clearer than mobile phone photographs.
- The uploaded photograph should match the image that will be used during the later stages of the examination and verification process.
- All uploaded images should be clear, properly visible, and free from blurring or shadow effects.
- Candidates should ensure that file names are simple and do not contain unnecessary special characters before uploading.
- It is important to review the uploaded photograph and signature carefully through the preview window before final submission of the application form.
- The expected image specifications are based on previous admission cycles. The final requirements for CAT 2026 will be confirmed through the official notification.
| Document | Dimensions | File Format | Maximum File Size | Key Guidelines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Size Photograph | 1200 × 1200 pixels(Approx. 35 mm × 45 mm) | JPG / JPEG | 1 MB | • Recent photo (not older than 6 months)• White or light-coloured background• Full face, front view, eyes open, clear visibility• No sunglasses; spectacles with transparent lenses allowed• Minimum resolution: 150 dpi |
| Signature | 80 mm × 35 mm | JPG / JPEG | 80 KB | • Sign with black/blue ink on white paper• Clear, legible signature without any cuts or marks• Scan properly (do not take mobile photo) |
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) | As per official format | PDF / JPG / JPEG | 200 KB | • Self-attested scanned copy• Issued by competent authority |
| PwD Certificate (if applicable) | As per official format | PDF / JPG / JPEG | 200 KB | • Valid disability certificate with UDID number (if applicable) |
Source: REGISTRATION GUIDE
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Ques. Can candidates wear spectacles in the CAT 2026 photograph uploaded during registration?
Ans. Yes. Candidates can wear spectacles in the CAT 2026 application photograph provided the lenses are transparent and the eyes are clearly visible. Sunglasses, tinted glasses, shadows on the face, or unclear images should be avoided. The photograph should show a full front-facing view with proper lighting to ensure successful verification during the admission process.
Ques. Will CAT 2026 registration be rejected if the photograph or signature does not meet the prescribed specifications?
Ans. The application may face issues if the uploaded photograph or signature is blurred, illegible, oversized, or does not meet the required format and dimensions. Candidates should verify the preview carefully before final submission and ensure that all uploaded files comply with the specifications mentioned in the CAT 2026 notification to avoid registration-related complications.
Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration
Candidates should ensure that all uploaded documents are clear, readable, and properly scanned before submitting the CAT 2026 application form.
- It is advisable to keep both digital copies and printed copies of all required documents ready before the registration process begins.
- Candidates currently in the final year of graduation should upload the latest available academic marksheet or semester result during the application process.
- The official specifications related to photograph size, signature format, and document upload requirements will be provided in the CAT 2026 notification.
- Candidates should note that the registration schedule, document requirements, and upload specifications will be confirmed only after the release of the official CAT 2026 notification.
| Document | Purpose/ Details | Format & Specifications | Mandatory/Optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Size Photograph | For application form & admit card | JPG/JPEG, 1200×1200 pixels, max 1 MB | Mandatory |
| Signature | For application form & admit card | JPG/JPEG, 80mm × 35mm, max 80 KB | Mandatory |
| Class 10th Marksheet / Certificate | Proof of Date of Birth & Name | Scanned PDF / JPG | Mandatory |
| Class 12th Marksheet | Academic qualification details | Scanned PDF / JPG | Mandatory |
| Graduation Marksheet / Degree | Academic qualification (final year students can upload latest marksheet) | Scanned PDF / JPG | Mandatory |
| Post-Graduation Certificate (if any) | Additional academic qualification | Scanned PDF / JPG | Optional |
| Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) | For reservation & fee concession | Scanned PDF, as per Government format | Mandatory (if claiming reservation) |
| PwD Certificate | For Persons with Disability benefits & scribe request | Scanned PDF, with UDID number | Mandatory (if applicable) |
| Work Experience Proof | For candidates with work experience | Offer letter / Experience letter / Salary slips (PDF) | Optional (but required if claiming experience) |
| Valid Photo ID Proof | For verification (Aadhaar, Passport, PAN, Voter ID, etc.) | Scanned PDF / JPG | Recommended (not uploaded but kept ready) |
Also Check:
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Ques. Can final-year candidates apply for CAT 2026 without a graduation degree certificate?
Ans. Yes. Final-year graduation candidates are eligible to apply for CAT 2026 even if they have not yet received their degree certificate. They can upload their latest semester marksheet or academic record available at the time of registration. However, candidates must complete the degree requirements within the timeline prescribed by the participating institutes during admission.
Ques. What happens if a document uploaded during CAT 2026 registration is unclear or incorrect?
Ans. Uploading blurred, incomplete, or incorrect documents can lead to application-related issues and may affect candidature verification during later stages of the admission process. Candidates should carefully review all uploaded files before final submission and ensure that photographs, signatures, marksheets, and category certificates meet the specifications mentioned in the official CAT 2026 notification.
CAT 2026 Application Fee: Category-Wise Breakdown
The CAT 2026 application fee is expected to be payable through online modes such as Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card and UPI.
- The registration fee is generally charged once per application regardless of the number of IIMs or management institutes selected by the candidate.
- Candidates applying under SC, ST, PwD or other eligible reservation categories should keep the required category certificates ready during the application process.
- Reservation benefits are usually granted only after the submission of valid supporting documents in the prescribed format.
- The application fee structure and related requirements are expected to be announced through the official CAT 2026 notification.
- Candidates should refer to the final notification for the confirmed fee details, payment guidelines and document requirements before completing the registration process.
| Category | Application Fee ( ₹ ) |
| General | 2600 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 2600 |
| NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Layer Other Backward Class) | 2600 |
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 1300 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 1300 |
| PwD (Persons with Disability) | 1300 |
| Female Candidates | Same as above |
Source: REGISTRATION GUIDE
Also Check:
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Ques. Do candidates need to pay a separate CAT 2026 application fee for each IIM they select?
Ans. No. Candidates need to pay the CAT 2026 application fee only once during registration, irrespective of the number of IIMs or participating institutes selected in the application form. After the CAT result is declared, some non-IIM colleges may require separate application fees for their admission process, but no additional fee is charged within the CAT application itself.
CAT 2026 Application Form 2026: Reddit Discussion
- The discussion focused on the CAT 2026 application process, with candidates seeking information regarding the registration start date, application window, and form-filling timeline for the examination.
- Another Reddit user stated that CAT registrations generally begin around August 1 and remain open until mid-September, indicating the typical application schedule followed in recent years.
Source: Reddit
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