CAT 2026 registration extended: pay fees by 24 September
In short
- The CAT 2026 application fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates, and ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwBD categories.
- These fees represent an increase of ₹100 and ₹50 respectively from the CAT 2025 charges.
- The last date for CAT 2026 fee payment has been extended to September 24, 2026, at 5 PM.
- Candidates must pay the non-refundable fee online and select IIM programs and five preferred test cities during registration.
- The CAT 2026 exam is scheduled for November 29, 2026, conducted by IIM Indore.
CAT 2026 on 29 November: check your IIM call chances with your academics and profile, follow a last 25 days plan if mocks are stuck, and plan your MBA exams after CAT (XAT, SNAP, NMAT, IBSAT).
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.
| Category | CAT fees |
|---|---|
| General | INR 2700 |
| General-EWS | INR 2700 |
| NC-OBC | INR 2700 |
| SC | INR 1350 |
| ST | INR 1350 |
| PwD | INR 1350 |
| Candidate Category | CAT 2025 Fee | CAT 2026 Fee | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| General, EWS and NC-OBC | ₹2,600 | ₹2,700 | ₹100 |
| SC, ST and PwBD | ₹1,300 | ₹1,350 | ₹50 |
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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.
| CAT 2026 Important Events | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Release | 25th July 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Start Date | 3rd August 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Registration Last Date | 22nd September 2026 (Extended) |
| CAT Form Correction Window Opening | Fourth Week of September 2026 |
| CAT Admit Card 2026 Release | 4th November 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29 2026 |
| CAT Results Announcement | First Week of January 2026 |
Further reading
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