CAT 2026 registration extended: pay fees by 24 September

The Indian Institutes of Management Common Admission Test (IIMCAT) has announced the application fees for CAT 2026, with an increase across all categories. While the registration deadline for CAT 2026 remains September 22, 2026, the fee payment window has been extended to September 24, 2026, until 5 PM.

This year’s fee structure sets the application cost at ₹2,700 for General, Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and Non-Creamy Layer Other Backward Classes (NC-OBC) candidates. For Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates, the fee is ₹1,350. These amounts reflect a ₹100 increase for the unreserved categories and a ₹50 increase for the reserved categories compared to CAT 2025.

CAT 2026 Application Fees and Payment Details

The CAT 2026 application fee has seen an increment from the previous year. General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates will now pay ₹2,700, up from ₹2,600 in CAT 2025. Similarly, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates will pay ₹1,350, an increase from ₹1,300 in CAT 2025. The fee payment is mandatory, non-refundable, and can only be made online using Debit/Credit cards, Net Banking, or UPI. Transaction charges may apply depending on the chosen payment method.

Candidates are required to select the IIM programs they wish to apply for while completing the registration form, as there will be no option to apply separately later. Also, applicants must choose five preferred test cities in order of preference. The total work experience should be calculated up to July 31, 2026, with only full-time job experience after graduation being considered.

Eligibility and Important Dates for CAT 2026

To be eligible for CAT 2026, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks. A relaxation applies to SC, ST, and PwD candidates, who require a minimum of 45% aggregate marks. Final year students are also eligible to apply. Reserved category candidates must upload valid category certificates during the registration process, ensuring they follow the prescribed format and remain valid for the relevant admission cycle.

IIM Indore is the conducting body for CAT 2026. The CAT 2026 notification was released on July 25, 2026, with registrations commencing on August 3, 2026. The exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026, across three sessions: 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. A correction window is expected to open in the fourth week of September 2026 for limited edits to fields such as photograph, signature, and test city preferences. The CAT Admit Card 2026 will be released on November 4, 2026, and results are anticipated in the first week of January 2027.

Further reading

• IIM CAT 2026 Registration Closes Tomorrow, September 15; Admit Cards on November 4 at iimcat.ac.in
• CAT 2026 registration fee payment extended to 24 September
• CAT exam pattern: sections, marking and duration Next step
• MBA Entrance Exams 2026-27: CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP Registration and Dates Announced Today
• SNAP 2026 mock test scheduled for September 24; apply by September 22
• BML Munjal University MBA 2027 admissions open: apply now, fees ₹15.10 lakh Applications open

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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