CAT Form Filling 2026: Last Date, Registration Process & Fees

The CAT application form is more than an exam registration form. The academic scores, category, work experience and IIM programme preferences entered here may later be used during the admission process. A small error can therefore affect not only the CAT admit card but also an applicant’s eligibility for particular IIM programmes. CAT 2026 registration will begin on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM and close on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Candidates must submit the form through the official CAT website.

CAT Form Filling 2026: Important Dates and Eligibility Criteria

The major CAT 2026 application and examination dates are given below.

CAT 2026 will be conducted in three sessions across approximately 170 test cities.

To apply, candidates must meet one of the following conditions:

• Hold a recognised bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA.
• Hold a recognised professional qualification such as CA, CS, CMA or FIAI with the required marks.
• Be studying in the final year of a bachelor’s degree.
• Have completed degree requirements but be awaiting the final result.

The minimum graduation percentage requirement is reduced to 45% for SC, ST and PwBD candidates while General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates need at least 50%. Where a university provides a CGPA-to-percentage formula, candidates must use that formula rather than making their own conversion.

Importantly, meeting CAT eligibility does not automatically make a candidate eligible for every IIM programme. Certain specialised, executive and doctoral programmes may have additional requirements.
Also Read:IIM Admission Criteria 2026: Complete Eligibility Guide

Documents Required for CAT Application Form 2026

Candidates should separate documents into two categories: documents needed for entering information and documents that must actually be uploaded.

Academic marksheets are primarily required to enter accurate marks, board, university and passing-year details. Candidates should not assume that every document kept ready must be uploaded.

For CAT 2026, an NC-OBC certificate must have been issued on or after April 1, 2026. The EWS certificate must be valid for 2026–27 and based on the financial year 2025–26. Candidates awaiting a new NC-OBC or EWS certificate may upload one combined PDF containing the prescribed undertaking, their older certificate and proof that they applied for a valid certificate

How to Fill CAT Registration Form 2026 Step by Step

Step 1: Create the CAT user profile

Visit the official CAT website and select the option for new candidate registration. Enter your name, date of birth, nationality, email address and mobile number. Use a personal email account and mobile number that will remain active throughout CAT results and IIM admissions. The official bulletin requires candidates to maintain a valid and unique email account and phone number during the selection process.

Step 2: Enter Personal and Category details

Fill in gender, category, nationality, address and PwBD information carefully. The category selected during registration cannot be changed after submission.

Step 3: Add Academic Information

Enter Class 10, Class 12, graduation and professional qualification details. Use the aggregate marks calculated according to the respective board or university’s rules.

Do not calculate graduation percentage using only major subjects unless the university explicitly follows that method. Keep the official conversion rule available in case an IIM asks for verification later.

Step 4: Enter Work Experience

Report only eligible full-time employment completed after graduation. Internships, articleship, project work and unpaid training should not automatically be treated as full-time employment unless the form instructions specifically permit them.

Enter employment dates accurately instead of estimating the total number of months.

Step 5: Select IIM Programmes and Test Cities

Review the programme eligibility before selecting preferences. Then choose five CAT test cities in the correct order.

Step 6: Upload Documents

Upload the photograph, signature and applicable certificates. Preview every file before proceeding.

Step 7: Review and Pay the Fee

Check every section, accept the declarations and complete online payment. Save the submitted form and payment acknowledgement.
Also Read: CAT Application Form 2026, Important Dates, Form Fees, Steps

CAT Photo, Signature and Certificate Upload Guidelines 2026

The CAT 2026 Information Bulletin confirms the certificate requirements but states that detailed application instructions will be provided through the registration guide. Therefore, candidates should follow the dimensions, format and file-size limits displayed on the live CAT portal rather than relying on specifications copied from previous years.

Prepare uploads using these quality checks:

Avoid blurred images, screenshots with phone borders, stretched photographs, incomplete certificates and PDFs with unreadable seals. The information on the certificate must match the name and category entered in the CAT form.
Also Read: Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration, Check Now

How to Select CAT Exam Centres

Candidates can select five test cities in order of preference. After registration closes, one of the preferred cities will be allotted subject to availability. In rare cases, a nearby city may be assigned if none of the five choices is available. The exact centre address will appear on the admit card.

A practical preference order is:

1. Your current city.
2. A nearby city is reachable without air travel.
3. A city with reliable train or road connectivity.
4. A city where accommodation is available.
5. A backup city that can realistically be reached before the reporting time.

Do not select a city merely because friends have chosen it. Also, early submission does not officially guarantee the first-preference city because allotment takes place after registration closes.

How to Select IIM Programmes in the Application Form

The form presents programmes offered by participating IIMs. Candidates should select programmes based on eligibility and career interest, not only the institute’s brand name. Selecting additional IIM programmes does not increase the CAT form fee. However, some specialised or executive programmes may have separate eligibility rules, application requirements or admission processes. The official bulletin advises candidates to verify programme-level information on each IIM’s website  A sensible approach is to select all regular MBA or PGP programmes for which you are eligible, followed by specialised programmes that genuinely match your academic background and career plans.
Also Read: MBA Programs Offered by IIMs Through CAT 2026, Check Now

CAT Registration Fee Payment and Final Submission Process

The CAT 2026 registration fee is:

The fee is payable only once, regardless of the number of IIM programmes selected, and is non-refundable. Before final submission, verify your name, date of birth, category, academic marks, work experience, programme choices and test-city order. After payment, confirm that the dashboard shows the application as successfully submitted. Download the completed application PDF and retain the transaction reference until the admission process is over.

CAT Form Filling 2026: Conclusion

CAT Form Filling 2026 is the first and one of the most important steps towards appearing for the CAT exam and securing admission opportunities at IIMs. Candidates must carefully enter personal details, academic information, category details, work experience and programme preferences because these details may be used during the IIM selection process. A successful CAT Application Form 2026 submission requires accurate information, correct document uploads and timely fee payment. Before final submission, candidates should verify every detail and keep a copy of the completed form and payment receipt. A carefully filled application ensures that avoidable mistakes do not affect your CAT journey.