CAT 2026 Registrations: How Many Students Applied? Check Now

CAT 2026 Registrations

IIM Indore opened the CAT registration 2026 on August 3, 2026 at 10 AM. There are still 12 more days to go for the CAT last date for form filling, September 15, 2026. As of September 3, 2026, the CAT registrations have crossed 1.30 Lakh. The number is expected to cross 2.5 Lakh. The CAT exam date is set to November 29, 2026. So, if you have not yet registered or have any pending sections or payments that are in process, then you must complete them by 5 PM on September 15. Only students with complete payments are allowed to do any corrections once the correction window opens.

How Many Students Have Registered for CAT 2026?

CAT registrations 2026 started on August 3 at 10 AM, and the number of candidates is slowly increasing over the days. As of September 3, 2026, the CAT candidates' registrations crossed 1.30 Lakh and are expected to increase in the last 12 days. The last day for CAT form filling 2026 is September 15, 2026. If you have not registered yet, hurry up and fill in the CAT Application form.

CAT Registration Trends Over the Years

CAT registrations have shown a strong upward movement across the longer trend. The biggest jump within this table came between 2022 and 2023. Registrations rose from 2.55 lakh in 2022 to 3.30 lakh in 2023. That represented a substantial 29.4% increase within one year. The figure remained almost unchanged in 2024, reaching 3.29 lakh registrations. However, 2025 brought a noticeable decline to 2.95 lakh registrations.

The table below places the current CAT 2026 figure against recent application trends.

*CAT 2026 figure represents CAT registrations reported by September 3, 2026, while the application form remains open.

The historical data shows that crossing three lakh applications is still achievable for CAT 2026 as a large number of people are expected to register in these final days. The 2023 and 2024 editions both moved comfortably beyond that level. 

The 2025 decline therefore does not necessarily signal a lasting fall in CAT demand. Instead, 2026 could regain momentum if applications accelerate before September 15. This makes the final registration count more important than the current 1.30 lakh figure.

CAT Registration Fee 2026 vs 2025

The CAT Form fee increased for both category groups in the latest registration cycle.

The fee is paid online during CAT form filling through the available payment methods. The increase is ₹100 for the first category group and ₹50 for the reserved categories.

Also Read: Major Changes in CAT 2026 Notification? Exam Pattern, Fees

Expected CAT 2026 Final Total Registrations

It is anticipated that the total CAT 2026 registrations will increase significantly. As of now, 1.30 lakh people have registered; look at the last two editions to see the gap. CAT 2024 had 3.29 lakh registrations, and CAT 2025 had 2.95 lakh.

As a result, CAT 2026 must make up for the reduced number of applications from the previous year. By the end, the existing 1.30 lakh+ registrations could reach above 2.50 lakh. But as the last days draw near, there is still an opportunity to raise the number.

The final weeks often become important because applicants complete forms closer to deadlines. Therefore, the current number should not be treated as the final trend.

A rise toward three lakh would also place CAT 2026 closer to its recent peak. Crossing that mark would signal renewed application momentum after 2025. However, predicting the exact final figure before September 15 would be premature. The safest view is that 3 lakh remains a very aspirational target, not a confirmed outcome.

You should therefore focus on completing CAT form filling instead of waiting for registration numbers. Your percentile depends on your performance, not the final application count.

CAT 2026 Registration Last Date and Final Count

The CAT 2026 Registration Last date is September 15, 2026, at 5 PM. IIM Indore has announced the deadline in the official CAT notification.

The application window opened on August 3, 2026 giving applicants more than six weeks for CAT form filling. You should verify every entered detail before making the final payment.

The correction window is expected around the Last week of September, although applicants should await official confirmation.

Also Read: CAT 2026 Application Form: Common Mistakes To Avoid

CAT 2026 Registrations: Conclusion

CAT 2026 registrations have crossed 1.30 lakh as of September 3, 2026 with the application window remaining open until September 15, 2026. Previous CAT registration trends show that final numbers can be substantially higher, making the current figure only an interim registration count.

Candidates should not wait for the final CAT 2026 registration deadline before completing their forms. With the deadline set for 5 PM on September 15, completing the application, checking all details and successfully paying the registration fee should remain the priority.