CAT Registration 2026, Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern & Fees

In India, the Common Admission Test is one of the most important management entrance examinations. By clearing it, you can get admission into the programs offered by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as well as other institutions that accept the CAT scores.

CAT Registration 2026

The CAT registration 2026 is the first step that you need to take to appear in it. For this year, IIM Indore is conducting the exam, and the registration window is open from 3rd August 2026 to 15th September 2026. If you are planning to take the exam, then you should complete the application form before the deadline and verify all your details carefully before submitting it.

At SelfStudys, you can check out the complete information about the exam. It includes the registration dates, eligibility, application fee, required documents, step-by-step application process, test city preferences, correction facility, exam date, pattern, and other important details.

Highlights Of The CAT Registration 2026

Before you go through the detailed procedure of the registration, you should have a look at the major highlights of the examination.

PARTICULARS	DETAILS
Name of the Exam	CAT: Common Admission Test 2026
Exam Conducting Institute	IIM Indore
CAT Registration 2026 Start Date	3 August 2026 from 10 AM
CAT Registration Last Date	15 September 2026 till 5 PM
Mode of Application	Online
CAT 2026 Admit Card Download Begins	4 November 2026
Mode of Examination	Computer-Based Test
CAT 2026 Exam Date	29 November 2026 in three sessions
Duration of the Exam	120 minutes
Number of Sections	Three Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning Quantitative Ability
Sectional Duration	40 minutes
Official Website	iimcat.ac.in

Who Can Apply For The CAT 2026?

It is important that you check whether you satisfy the eligibility requirements for the exam before filling out the application form.

You should hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or educational institution. The General, EWS, and NC-OBC categories require at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA, and candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories require at least 45% marks or equivalent CGPA.
You can also apply for the CAT 2026 if you are currently pursuing the final year of your bachelor’s degree or have completed the degree requirements but are awaiting your results. However, you will need to submit a certificate from your university or institution to confirm the completion of all degree requirements within the specified timeline.
If you have completed a professional degree like CA, CS, ICWA/CMA, or FIAI with the required percentage, then you can also apply for this exam.
There is no age limit prescribed to appear for the Common Admission Test.

CGPA to Percentage:

If there is a specific procedure at your university to convert CGPA to a percentage, then it will be done through that. If there is no procedure to do so, the percentage will be obtained by dividing the CGPA by the maximum CGPA and multiplying the result by 100.

Reservation:

As per the Government of India rules, CAT 2026 provides reservation.

SC: 15%
ST: 7.5%
NC-OBC: 27%
EWS: up to 10%
PwBD: 5%

In order to claim the reservation, you have to upload the required certificate during the CAT registration 2026. You cannot change the selected category later.

Note: By meeting the minimum eligibility criteria, you will not be guaranteed shortlisting or admission to an IIM. This is because each IIM has its own selection criteria.

CAT Registration Fees

During the application process, you need to pay the registration fee. It is INR 1350 for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates and INR 2700 for all others. You should remember that you have to pay this registration fee only once, even if you are applying to multiple IIMs through the application. Moreover, once you have paid the fee, it will not be refunded under any circumstances.

What Documents Are Required For The Registration?

You should keep the required information as well as the documents ready before you start the application process.

Recent passport-size photograph
Scanned signature
Class 10 academic details
Class 12 academic details
Graduation details
Details of other qualifications, if applicable
Category certificate, wherever applicable
PwD-related certificate/documents, wherever applicable
Work-experience information, if applicable
Valid mobile number
Active email address
Payment method for application fee

You must enter your name, date of birth, and other personal information very carefully. All the information should be consistent with your official documents. Before you upload any file, you also need to check the file format, dimensions, and size requirements that are displayed on the CAT 2026 application portal.

How To Complete The CAT Registration And Application Process?

We have described all the steps that you need to follow for the CAT registration 2026.

STEPS	DETAILS
Visit the official website	You should open the official CAT website as mentioned above and look for the registration/application option.
Create a new account	You need to provide the basic details that are required during the registration. Make sure that you use an active mobile number and email address because they will be used for communication related to the exam.
Complete the verification process	You have to follow the verification instructions that are displayed on the portal. Once you have registered successfully, you will receive the credentials that are required to access the application.
Log in to the CAT application portal	You need to use the credentials to enter the CAT 2026 application dashboard.
Enter personal details	Now, you have to fill in the required personal information very carefully. You should check your details like: Name Date of birth Gender Category Nationality Contact information Other details
Upload the required documents	Then, you need to upload your passport-size photograph, signature, and other applicable documents as per the specifications that are mentioned on the portal.
Enter academic details	You need to provide the information related to: SSC/10th/Equivalent Details HSC/12th/Equivalent/Diploma Course Details First Bachelor’s Degree Details Second Bachelor’s Degree Details Master’s Degree Details Professional Degree Details For completing this section, we advise you to keep your marksheets and certificates nearby.
Add work experience details	If you have relevant work experience, then you should enter the required information as per the instructions that are provided.
Select CAT programs and preferences	It is important that you review the program-related options that are available in the application carefully. Then, you can select the relevant choices. Also, you should not get confused between the CAT application and the subsequent admission process of individual IIMs. Every IIM has its own criteria for selection.
Select test cities	Here, you will be required to select your 5 preferred test cities from the available ones. You should select your preferences carefully because the final test-centre allotment is subject to the CAT authorities' process as well as availability.
Declaration	You will be charged the required fee to appear for the exam. Before your process with the payment, you should read the transaction charges carefully. Then, you have to select the checkboxes that are mentioned on the form to complete the application process.

Once the payment is done successfully, a message saying “Payment Successful” along with the Payment Transaction Number will be shown on the screen, and you will be navigated to the CAT 2026 application.

Application Confirmation Email

You will get a confirmation email and SMS mentioning that your CAT 2026 Application has been submitted successfully within a few minutes. The email may also contain information regarding further procedures, such as downloading the admit card.

Application Summary

While logging in to the CAT 2026 application form as a Registered User, you will be able to see the Application Summary, which shows the information in a read-only format.

Download Application

Once you submit your application and log in to the CAT 2026 application form as a Registered User, you will see the Download Application option, from which you can download your application.

Exam Pattern Of The CAT 2026

This examination consists of three sections. The structure of the pattern is mentioned in the table below.

Section	Questions	Time
VARC: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	24	40 minutes
DILR: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning	22	40 minutes
QA: Quantitative Ability	22	40 minutes
Total	68	120 minutes
Marking scheme	Correct answer: +3 marks Incorrect answer: -1 mark Incorrect answer in the subjective section: no negative marking Unattempted questions: no marks

CAT 2026 Syllabus

There is no rigid chapter-wise syllabus for the Common Admission Test. You should prepare according to the three sections and use the CAT study material from SelfStudys to understand the exam properly.

Section	Topics Covered
VARC: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension	Reading Comprehension Para Summary Para Jumbles Odd Sentence Inference Main Idea Author's Tone Argument-based questions Verbal reasoning
DILR: Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning	Tables Charts Graphs Caselets Arrangements Distribution Scheduling Games and tournaments Selection Grouping Networks Logical puzzles Venn diagrams
QA: Quantitative Ability	Arithmetic Percentages Ratio and proportion Averages Profit and loss Simple and compound interest Time, speed and distance Time and work Mixtures and allegations Algebra Linear equations Quadratic equations Inequalities Functions Sequences and series Logarithms Algebraic expressions Geometry Lines and angles Triangles Circles Quadrilaterals Polygons Coordinate geometry Mensuration Number System Factors Multiples Divisibility HCF and LCM Remainders Number properties Modern Mathematics Set theory Permutation and combination Probability

Programs Offered In Management Across Different IIMs

In the table below, you will find the various programs that are offered by IIMs.

POST GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN MANAGEMENT
INSTITUTE	PROGRAM
IIM Ahmedabad	PGP, PGP-FABM, MBA-BPGP: BA & AI
IIM Amritsar	MBA, MBA-Business Analytics, MBA-HRM, Executive MBA, M.Sc. in Data Science and Management (MSDSM)
IIM Bangalore	PGP, PGPEM, PGPBA, PGPPM
IIM Bodh Gaya	MBA, MBA (Digital Business and AI), MBA (Hospital and Healthcare Management), Executive MBA (EMBA)
IIM Calcutta	MBA
IIM Guwahati	MBA
IIM Indore	PGP, PGP-HRM, MSDSM (Master of Science in Data Science and Management), PGPMX
IIM Jammu	MBA, MBA (Healthcare), MBA (AI & Business Analytics), Executive MBA
IIM Kashipur	MBA, MBA (Analytics), EMBA, EMBA (Analytics)
IIM Kozhikode	PGP, PGP-BL, PGP-FINANCE, PGP-LSM, EPGP-IL, EPGP Kochi
IIM Lucknow	MBA, MBA-ABM, MBA-SM, PGPWE, Blended MBA, Tech-MBA
IIM Mumbai	MBA, MBA (Operations and Supply Chain Management)
IIM Nagpur	MBA, E-MBA, BMWP (Blended MBA for Working Professionals), EMBA-EM (EMBA in Energy Management)
IIM Raipur	MBA, Executive MBA, MBA in Public Policy and Governance (Only for Chhattisgarh State domicile
IIM Ranchi	MBA, MBA-HRM, MBA (Business Analytics)
IIM Rohtak	PGP, EPGDSM, PGPx
IIM Sambalpur	MBA, MBA-BA, MBA for Working Professionals
IIM Shillong	PGP, PGPEX, PGP(WE)
IIM Sirmaur	MBA, MBA (Tourism Management), MBA (Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management), PGPEX-LSM, ExMBA (Artificial Intelligence)
IIM Tiruchirappalli	PGPM (MBA), PGPM-HR (MBA-HR), PGPBM (MBA for Working Executives in Chennai)
IIM Udaipur	MBA, MBA-DEM (Digital Enterprise Management), MBAGSCM (Global Supply Chain Management), Executive MBA (Online)
IIM Visakhapatnam	Post Graduate Program (MBA), Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA), Post-Graduate Program in Management for the Centrally Funded Technical Institutions, Institutions of National Importance (PGPMCI), Post Graduate Diploma in Management for Executives (PGDMEx), Master of Business Administration - AI and Innovation (MBA-AI & Innovation)
FELLOW PROGRAMS IN MANAGEMENT (FPM) (PhD)
IIM Ahmedabad	Doctoral Programme in Management
IIM Amritsar	PhD
IIM Bangalore	PhD
IIM Bodh Gaya	PhD
IIM Calcutta	Doctoral Programme (PhD)
IIM Indore	Doctoral Programme in Management
IIM Jammu	PhD, PhD (Working Professionals)
IIM Kashipur	PhD, Executive PhD
IIM Kozhikode	DPM, DPM (Teaching Track), DPM (Practice Track)
IIM Lucknow	PhD
IIM Mumbai	Ph.D., Ph.D. (Executive)
IIM Nagpur	PhD, E-PhD
IIM Raipur	PhD, PhD (Practice Track)
IIM Ranchi	PhD, EPhD
IIM Rohtak	PhD
IIM Sambalpur	PhD, Executive PhD
IIM Shillong	Doctoral Program, Doctoral Program (WP)
IIM Sirmaur	PhD, PhD (Executive)
IIM Tiruchirappalli	PhD, Executive PhD
IIM Udaipur	PhD, Executive PhD
IIM Visakhapatnam	Doctoral Program (PhD), Executive PhD Program (Exec-PhD)

Exam Centers For The CAT 2026

There are around 170 test cities where the exam centers are available. Here are more details about these centers.

STATE	TEST CITIES
Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Port Blair
Andhra Pradesh	Anantapur, Guntur, Kurnool, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Chirala, Kadapa, Tirupathi, Vizianagaram, Chittoor, Kakinada, Ongole
Arunachal Pradesh	Itanagar- Naharlagun
Assam	Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, Tezpur
Bihar	Arrah, Darbhanga, Patna, Gaya, Purnea, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur
Chandigarh	Chandigarh- Mohali
Chhattisgarh	Bilaspur CG, Bhilai Nagar, Raipur
Delhi	New Delhi
Goa	Panaji- Madgaon
Gujarat	Ahmedabad, Anand, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Vapi
Haryana	Ambala, Faridabad, Gurugram, Kurukshetra
Himachal Pradesh	Bilaspur-HP, Hamirpur, Kangra, Shimla
Jammu & Kashmir	Jammu, Samba, Srinagar
Jharkhand	Bokaro Steel City, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Ranchi
Karnataka	Belagavi, Bengaluru, Hubli-Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi
Kerala	Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Kannur, Kollam, Kottayam, Malappuram, Thrissur, Trivandrum
Ladakh	Leh
Lakshadweep	Kavaratti
Madhya Pradesh	Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna, Ujjain
Maharashtra	Ahmednagar, Akola, Amravati, Aurangabad (CS Nagar), Bhiwandi, Chandrapur, Jalgaon, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Navi Mumbai, Palghar-Boisar, Pune, Raigad, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Thane, Vasai
Manipur	Imphal
Meghalaya	Shillong
Mizoram	Aizawl
Nagaland	Kohima
Odisha	Balasore, Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Rourkela, Sambalpur
Puducherry	Puducherry
Punjab	Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana- Phagwara, Patiala
Rajasthan	Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur
Tamil Nadu	Chennai, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli
Telangana	Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Warangal
Tripura	Agartala
Uttar Pradesh	Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Mathura, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Greater NOIDA, Prayagraj, Varanasi
Uttarakhand	Dehradun, Haldwani, Roorkee
West Bengal	Asansol-Durgapur, Burdwan, Howrah, Kalyani-Hooghly, Kolkata, Siliguri