CAT 2026 registration closes tomorrow, September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST. Candidates seeking admission to IIMs and other participating B-schools must complete the application, upload the required documents and pay the registration fee before the deadline.
| Click here to register for CAT 2026 (Last Date 15th Sept’26) |
The official CAT 2026 Information Bulletin confirms September 15 as the final registration date.

Source: https://iimcat.ac.in/
No official extension has been announced as of September 14, 2026. Candidates should not wait for an extension and should complete the application before the deadline.
- CAT 2026 registration closes on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST, and no official extension has been announced as of September 14, 2026.
- Candidates can complete their applications through the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in, before the deadline.
- CAT 2026 will be conducted on November 29, 2026, while the admit card will be available for download from November 4, 2026.
- The application fee is ₹2,700 for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates and ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwD candidates.
Related Links:
- CAT Registration 2026: Last Date Sept 15, Apply Online @ iimcat.ac.in, Direct Link
- CAT 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide, Documents & Photo Specs

CAT 2026 Registration: Important Dates and Timeline
The official notification for CAT 2026 was released on July 26, 2026, with the application window opening on August 3, 2026. The registration portal remains open until September 15, 2026, 5:00 PM IST.
- The application window is open for 44 days (August 3 to September 15, 2026).
- No late-fee window exists to submit forms with a late fee after 5 PM on September 15.
- Shift allotment includes Test timing (Morning, Afternoon, or Evening) is auto-allotted post-registration across 170+ test cities.
CAT 2026 Important Events Schedule
| Event | Official Date / Status | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Start | August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) | Online portal activated for CAT 2026 |
| Registration Close | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Strict deadline; no late fee facility |
| Form Correction Window | Last week of September 2026 | Limited edits (Photo, Signature, Test Cities) |
| Admit Card Download | November 4, 2026 (5:00 PM) | Downloadable via candidate login |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 | 3 slots, 120-minute computer-based exam |
| Result Declaration | Late December 2026 / January 2027 | Scorecard valid for 1 year |
Will CAT 2026 Registration Date Be Extended?
As of September 14, 2026, no extension has been announced for CAT 2026. Candidates should therefore complete their applications by September 15 at 5 PM instead of waiting for a possible extension. Recent reports also continue to list September 15 as the closing date
Related Links:
CAT Registration Deadline Extension Trends (2022–2025)
- CAT 2025 Extension was extended by 7 days due to high candidate requests on the final day.
- CAT 2024 & 2023 also granted a 7-day window, moving the deadline from September 13 to September 20.
Historical CAT Registration Deadline Analysis
| Exam Year | Original Registration Deadline | Extended Deadline | Extension Granted |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT 2026 | September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM) | No Extension Declared | 0 Days (As of Sept 11) |
| CAT 2025 | September 13, 2025 (5:00 PM) | September 20, 2025 (5:00 PM) | 7 Days |
| CAT 2024 | September 13, 2024 (5:00 PM) | September 20, 2024 (5:00 PM) | 7 Days |
| CAT 2023 | September 13, 2023 (5:00 PM) | September 20, 2023 (5:00 PM) | 7 Days |
| CAT 2022 | September 14, 2022 (5:00 PM) | September 21, 2022 (5:00 PM) | 7 Days |

What Happens If You Miss the September 15 Deadline?
If the CAT 2026 registration window closes without an official extension, candidates who have not completed the application and fee payment will not be able to submit a new application through the regular registration window. The CAT 2026 bulletin confirms that the registration window closes at 5:00 PM on Sep 15, 2026.
Related Links:
CAT 2026 Application Process & Fee Breakdown
Completing the application requires candidate registration, document upload, program selection, and fee payment. Generating a user ID alone does not complete the application.
- Academic calculations allow percentages to be included for all subjects listed on the mark sheet.
- Final Year Students are eligible to apply by submitting a Final Year Certificate signed by their college authority.
- In terms of Work experience, only full-time, post-graduation employment up to July 31, 2026, is calculated.
| Check Official CAT 2026 Registration Guide | Download PDF |
CAT 2026 Category-Wise Application Fee
| Candidate Category | Application Fee | Payment Mode | Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS / NC-OBC | ₹2,700 | Credit/Debit Card, Netbanking, UPI | Non-Refundable |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹1,350 | Credit/Debit Card, Netbanking, UPI | Non-Refundable |
CAT 2026 Documents Required Checklist
- Class 10 & 12 Marksheets
- Graduation Marksheets / Final Year Certificate
- Scanned Passport Photo (<1MB, clear background)
- Scanned Signature (<80KB, clear white paper)
- [5] NC-OBC / EWS Certificate (Must be freshly issued on or after April 1, 2026; candidates awaiting a new certificate can upload an undertaking + old certificate + application acknowledgment instead)
- SC / ST Certificate (Government of India format, issued by a competent authority. This carries lifetime validity, no fresh-issue date required)
- PwBD Certificate (As per RPwD Act 2016 format; UDID card upload recommended)
Related Links:
- CAT 2026 Application Form Errors: Wrong Category, Photo Mismatch and How to Fix
- CAT 2026 Form Correction: Expected Late September, Editable Fields and How to Edi
CAT 2026 Registration: Aspirants Discuss Last-Day Form Issues
A Reddit discussion on r/CATpreparation highlights common CAT 2026 application doubts related to work experience, the NC-OBC certificate and proof of employment.
- One candidate asked whether work experience should be counted from the date of joining the company or the date of final result declaration after completing graduation.
- Another aspirant asked where to find the NC-OBC declaration certificate required for CAT 2026 registration.
- A candidate also asked whether bank salary credits showing the company name and a joining letter can be used as proof of work experience when salary slips and TDS deductions are not available.
- These questions show that candidates should check the official CAT 2026 work-experience and document requirements before submitting the application.

Source: Reddit
Check: CAT 2026 Application Fee Payment Failed? Check What to Do Next
Explore CAT 2026 Preparation Resources
| CAT Syllabus 2026 | CAT Mock Test 2026 |
| CAT Exam Pattern 2026 | CAT Previous Year Question Papers |
| CAT Sample Papers 2026 | CAT Preparation Tips 2026 |
CAT 2026 Registration Closes Tomorrow: 1 Day Left FAQs
Ques. What is the exact closing time for CAT 2026 registration on September 15?
Ans. The CAT 2026 application portal closes strictly at 5:00 PM IST on September 15, 2026.
Ques. Can I pay the CAT 2026 application fee offline through DD or Cash?
Ans. No. Payment must be made online via credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI on the official portal iimcat.ac.in.
Ques. Is there an age limit to apply for CAT 2026?
Ans. No. There is no upper age limit or restriction on the number of attempts for the CAT exam.
Ques. Can final-year graduation students apply for CAT 2026?
Ans. Yes, candidates in their final year of a bachelor's degree or awaiting results can apply. They must present an official certificate from their college principal/HOD during admission.
How many test cities can I select in the CAT 2026 application form?
Ans. Candidates must select 5 preferred test cities in order of priority during form submission.








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