NEW DELHI: The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have extended the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 registration deadline to September 22, 2026, said an official notification.
Candidates who have not applied for the exam yet can complete the CAT 2026 application process up to 5 pm on September 22.
The CAT 2026 registration window opened on August 3, with the last date announced earlier as September 15. The deadline has been extended to provide a last chance for candidates to complete the application submission.
This year, the CAT 2026 will be conducted by IIM Indore in three sessions on November 29. The exam will be held in 170 cities.
Candidates can select five preferred test cities during the registration.
ALSO READ: CAT 2026 Registration Fee Hiked; IIM Indore Cites Rising Operational Costs As The Reason
However, in case of high demand in any region, the authorities may allot a test centre close to one of the preferred cities. Candidates will not be allowed to change once a test centre is allotted.
Candidates can apply for the exam online through its official website, iimcat.ac.in.
CAT 2026 schedule
- Registration deadline: September 22, 2026 (up to 5 pm)
- Admit card download begins: November 4, 2026
- CAT 2026 exam: November 29, 2026
How to register for CAT 2026
Step 1: Visit the official CAT 2026 Website iimcat.ac.in and click on New Candidate Registration. Enter your full name (as per Class 10 certificate), date of birth, email, country, and mobile number.
Step 2: Validate your email and mobile number using the two separate OTPs sent to them. Once verified, your unique User ID and Password will be sent to your registered email.
Step 3: Log in using your newly generated credentials via Registered Candidate Login.
Step 4: Enter your personal details (parents’ names, gender, nationality, category, and PwD details if applicable).
Step 5: Provide aggregate marks and board/university details for Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation. Use official conversion formulas if your board or university utilized CGPA/SGPA instead of percentages.
Step 6: If applicable, input full-time post-graduation work experience details with start and end dates (counted up to July 31, 2026). Leave blank if you are a fresher.
Step 7: Choose your preferred IIM programmes, select up to five test cities, and pick interview city preferences.
Step 8: Upload a recent passport-size photograph (with a white/off-white background, not older than six months) and a clear scanned signature on white paper adhering to the portal’s size limits
Step 9: Review the form using the preview button. Proceed to pay the application fee securely via Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
Step 10: Submit application and save or print the confirmation page and payment receipt for reference.
For direct link to register for CAT 2026, click here.
To download the CAT 2026 guide, click here.
CAT 2026 application edit window
After the registration window closes, the examination authority will provide a short edit window for candidates. Applicants will be able to modify only the following details.
- Photograph
- Signature
- Test city preferences
The edit facility will be available only to candidates who have registered and paid the applicable registration fee within the prescribed deadline.