CAT Application Form Fees 2026: Complete Guide for Aspirants

If you’re planning to take the CAT exam 2026, understanding CAT application form fees and the full cost of applying is just as important as your preparation strategy. Paying the CAT exam fee correctly is the first real step in your CAT 2026 journey, and any mistake in the CAT application form 2026 can delay your CAT registration or even get your form rejected.

The cat registration form is the official online form that every candidate must complete and submit as a critical step in the CAT exam process. It is essential to fill out the cat registration form carefully, follow all procedures, and avoid mistakes to ensure successful registration.

This guide explains the CAT application fee, category‑wise CAT exam 2026 charges, how to pay, and how the fee fits into the overall CAT application and registration process. All information is based on the official CAT 2026 registration guide and trusted portals, with final confirmation always to be taken from the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in).

Already checked your eligibility? You can read the detailed CAT Exam Eligibility on Mockat’s pillar page: 👉 CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Qualification & Category

Mockat (mockat.com) also offers a complete guide to CAT form filling 2026, which you can use along with this fees guide: 👉 CAT Form Filling 2026: Dates, Eligibility, Steps and Tips

Understanding the CAT Exam and Application Process

What Is the Common Admission Test?

The Common Admission Test is a national‑level entrance exam conducted by the IIMs for admission to flagship management programs like MBA and PGDM. The CAT exam is accepted not just by the 21 IIMs, but also by 1,000+ top B schools and MBA colleges across India.

For CAT 2026 exam, IIM Kozhikode is the conducting institute. The test is held once a year and is the primary gatekeeper for various management programs offered by leading institutes.

Why CAT 2026 Matters for Top B Schools and MBA Colleges

Your CAT score is a core component of the admission process at IIMs and many other institutes. A strong score can unlock interviews and calls from top‑tier B schools and specialised management programs, making CAT 2026 one of the most crucial exams for aspirants aiming for India’s best MBA colleges.

CAT 2026 Exam and Registration at a Glance

CAT Exam Date and Important Deadlines

For CAT exam 2026, the official schedule is:

CAT exam date: November 2026 (Sunday)
Registration start: August 2026, 10:00 AM
Original last date to apply: September 2026, 5:00 PM (as per notification)
Extended last date (as per updated information on multiple portals): September 2026, 5:00 PM
CAT form correction window: Late September 2026 (exact dates announced on iimcat.ac.in)
Admit card release: November 2026 (download till the exam date)

CAT 2026 Important Dates (Indicative)

Event	Date / Period (2026)
Notification release	July 2026
Registration start	August 2026, 10:00 AM
Registration last date	September 2026 (check site)
CAT 2026 form correction window	Late September 2026
Admit card download	From November 2026
CAT exam 2026 (all slots)	November 2026
Provisional answer key & response sheet	Early–mid December 2026
Result declaration	Late Dec 2026 / early Jan 2027
Always treat these as reference and confirm exact exam date, last date, and correction schedule on the official CAT website (iimcat.ac.in).

Snapshot of CAT 2026 Registration

Mode: Entire CAT registration and registration form submission is online.
Official CAT website: https://iimcat.ac.in
Mode of exam: Computer‑based test across ~170 test city locations in India.
Conducting institute: IIM Kozhikode for CAT 2026.

Item	Details for CAT 2026
Exam name	CAT (Common Admission Test)
Mode	Computer‑based test (CBT)
Number of test city options	Choose up to 5 cities in order of preference
Registration window	Early Aug – mid/late Sept 2026
Exam day slots	3 (morning, afternoon, evening)

CAT Application Form Fees 2026: Category‑Wise Breakup

CAT Registration Fees for General, EWS and NC‑OBC

As per the official CAT 2026 registration guide, the CAT application fee (also called CAT exam fee or CAT registration fees) is as follows:

Category	CAT 2026 Application Fee (₹)
General / EWS / NC‑OBC	2,600
SC / ST / PwD	1,300
This application fee is paid once, regardless of how many IIMs you select in your application form. It is non‑refundable, so check your form filling and fee details before confirming.

CAT Registration Fees for SC ST PwD Candidates

For candidates from SC ST PwD categories, the CAT application form 2026 fee is ₹1,300.

The lower CAT form fees for reserved categories ensure that CAT 2026 remains accessible.
You must upload valid category certificates while filling the CAT application form; otherwise you may be charged the higher registration fees or face rejection later.

CAT Exam Fee vs Other Management Entrance Tests

Compared with other national‑level exams for business schools, the CAT exam fee is in the mid‑to‑high range, but it gives access to:

All 21 IIMs
1,000+ B schools and institutes that accept CAT scores

When you consider the ROI of a top IIM or premier institute, the CAT form fees is typically the smallest part of your total MBA investment.

What Is Included in the CAT Exam Fee?

What You Get When You Pay the CAT Exam Fee

Your CAT exam fee and CAT application fee usually cover:

Included in Fee?	What It Means for You
Test slot & test city	A seat in one of your preferred cities
Full CAT application processing	Data verification and processing by IIMs
Access to official mock test	Free CBT‑style demo test on iimcat.ac.in
Admit card generation	Downloadable admit card with exam details
Response sheet & answer key	Access after the exam for transparency
This single fee payment is mandatory for your CAT application form 2026 to be considered complete. Without successful fee payment, your CAT form will be treated as incomplete.

Access to Answer Key and Response Sheet

After the CAT exam 2026, IIMs release a provisional answer key and individual response sheets on the official CAT website. You can log in using your CAT credentials to: View all questions and your marked responses

Compare them with the answer key
Estimate your CAT score before the official result

This process is already included in the CAT exam fee; there is a separate small charge only if you challenge questions in the objection window.

Eligibility Criteria Check Before Paying CAT Form Fees

Academic Eligibility for CAT Exam 2026

Before you pay the CAT exam 2026 fee, verify that you meet the eligibility criteria:

Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
Minimum 50% marks for General/EWS/OBC‑NCL, and 45% for SC ST PwD categories Mockat
Final year students of graduation are also eligible to apply for CAT 2026

These conditions apply to all aspirants taking the Common Admission Test.

Other Basic Eligibility Criteria

No age limit for the CAT exam
No limit on number of attempts
Candidates with certain professional qualifications (CA/CS/ICWA) can also apply, subject to minimum marks Mockat

Check Detailed CAT Exam Eligibility on Mockat

For a full breakdown of eligibility criteria (including reservation, backlog rules and more), go through Mockat’s in‑depth guide:

CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Qualification & Category Mockat

Review this before spending money on CAT 2026 fees so your CAT application doesn’t get cancelled later.

Documents Required for CAT 2026 Registration

List of Documents Required for CAT Form Filling

Have these documents required ready before you start form filling for the CAT application form:

Document Type	Purpose in Application
Class 10 & 12 mark sheets	Academic details
Graduation mark sheets/degree certificate	Eligibility check
Category / EWS / PwD certificate (if any)	To claim candidate's category benefits
Valid Govt. photo ID	Proof of identity
Passport size photograph (digital)	Upload + print for exam day
Recent passport size photo copies	To paste on physical documents / admit card
Scanned signature (digital)	For online form
Work‑experience proofs (if applicable)	For some IIM selection processes
These documents required for CAT must match the details you provide in the CAT application.

Guidelines for Passport Size Photograph and Scanned Signature

As per the official registration guide:

The passport size photograph should be clear, with a light/white background, and not older than 6 months.
You will upload a scanned signature within the specified size and format.
You’ll later upload scanned copies of category and PwD certificates where applicable.

Make sure the same photograph is available in print to affix on the admit card on exam day.

Creating Your IIM CAT 2026 Login

Online Registration on the Official CAT Website

The registration process for CAT registration 2026 and CAT 2026 registration happens only via online registration on the official CAT website – iimcat.ac.in.

You’ll first create a profile for CAT registration by entering:

Name and date of birth
Email ID
Mobile number
Nationality

After you agree to the declaration, submit the form to generate your user id.

System Generated User ID and Password

Once you register, a system generated user id and user id and password are sent to your email and registered mobile number.

Keep these CAT credentials safe; you’ll need them for every login.
The registered mobile number and email are used for updates like admit card release, answer key notification, etc.
If you forget your password, you can reset it via the “Forgot Password” link on the portal.

Filling the CAT Application Form 2026: Detailed Walkthrough

Personal Details and Contact Details Section

Log in using your user id and password to start the CAT application form. The first section is Personal Details, where you’ll enter:

Full name, gender, nationality and other personal details
Communication address and contact details

Fill the personal details carefully exactly as per your official documents. The portal will ask you to provide the following details exactly in the format shown; take a moment to fill details slowly instead of rushing your form filling.

Academic Details, Work Experience and Candidate's Category

Next, the application form asks for:

Class 10, 12 and graduation marks
Professional courses (if any)
Work‑experience duration and company details
Your candidate's category (General, EWS, NC‑OBC, SC, ST, PwD)

Here, documents required such as mark sheets and certificates must match the entries in your CAT application and CAT application form 2026.

Programmes and Application Sections Overview

The application form is divided into six major sections in the official guide:

Section No.	Section Name
1	Personal Details
2	Academics
3	Work Experience
4	Programmes
5	Test City
6	Payment / Declaration
Before fee payment, review all the details across these sections. This helps you arrive at a complete application form with minimal errors during form filling of your CAT application.

Selecting Test City Preference and Preferred Test Cities

How to Use the Drop Down Menu for Test City Selection

In the Test City section, you must choose up to five test city options. The portal offers a drop down menu with all available locations.

You’ll specify your test city preference in order (1 to 5). After the last date of registration, the system allots one test city out of these choices, subject to availability.

Tips for Choosing Preferred Test Cities

When selecting your preferred test cities and test city options:

Choose cities close to your current home/hostel to minimise travel on the exam date
Prefer cities with better public transport connectivity
Avoid picking five distant centres just because slots seem “less crowded”

Once allotted, changing your test city is usually allowed only in a limited cat form correction window, if at all.

Uploading Documents: Photo, Signature and Certificates

How to Upload Scanned Copies Correctly

The portal will ask you to upload digital files as part of form filling. The documents required will depend on your category and background:

Photograph and signature
Category and PwD certificates
Other certificates if applicable

Follow the size, resolution and format rules exactly while you upload scanned copies, especially for your scanned signature, to avoid technical rejection of your CAT form.

Common Errors in Photo and Signature Upload

Students often face issues because:

The scanned signature is too light or cropped
The photo background is too dark
File size or dimensions don’t match guidelines

If uploading fails, resize the image using a basic editor and then re‑upload as per documents required for CAT guidelines.

Fee Payment for CAT Application Form 2026

Allowed Payment Modes: Debit Card, Credit Card and Net Banking

The last step of the CAT application form 2026 is fee payment through approved payment mode options. As per the registration guide:

Online payment only – no cash/DD
You can use debit card, credit card, UPI or net banking through authorised gateways
Transaction charges may be added on top of the application fee / CAT application fee / CAT exam fee

Payment Mode	Notes for CAT 2026 Fee Payment
Debit card	Quick and widely used
Credit card	Ensure card has online access enabled
Net banking	Useful if you avoid card payments
UPI / Wallets	Available via supported gateways
The portal will show a final summary before you proceed with fee payment.

Payment Transaction Number and Confirmation Mail

After successful payment, you’ll see a “Payment Successful” message along with a payment transaction number.

Save this number along with your CAT application fee receipt.
You’ll receive a confirmation email once the CAT form fees and CAT exam fee are processed.
If the receipt or application fee confirmation doesn’t arrive, re‑login and check the application status page before trying again.

After Fee Payment: Admit Card, Exam Day and Answer Key

Downloading the CAT 2026 Admit Card

Once you’ve completed CAT registration and payment for CAT 2026, you can download your admit card from iimcat.ac.in on the notified date.

You’ll log in using your user id and password, then:

Check your name, photo and test city
Verify exam slot and reporting time
Download and print multiple copies of the admit card

Computer Based Test Pattern and Sections

The CAT 2026 exam is a computer based test of 2 hours with three sections:

Section Name	Key Skills Tested
Quantitative aptitude (QA)	Math, arithmetic, algebra, geometry etc.
Data interpretation & logical reasoning (DILR)	Charts, tables, puzzles, analytical thinking
Verbal ability & reading comprehension (VARC)	Grammar, vocabulary, RC passages
Each section is time‑bound, and performance across all three decides your overall CAT score.

Answer Key, CAT Score and Admission Process

A few days after the CAT exam, the provisional answer key and response sheet are released, followed by the final answer key and your official CAT score card.

Your score is then used in the admission process for IIMs and other B schools. Different institutes use CAT for shortlisting candidates to various management programs, including flagship MBAs and sector‑specific courses.

CAT Form Correction Window for CAT Exam 2026

What You Can Edit During the CAT Form Correction Window

The cat form correction window usually opens for a short period after the registration form deadline. During this time, you may be allowed to:

Correct minor spelling errors
Change photo or scanned signature
Sometimes update test city choices

Always re‑check the exact rules for CAT registration 2026 and CAT 2026 registration on iimcat.ac.in.

Things You Cannot Change After the Last Date

After the last date and the correction window closes:

Major fields in the registration form (like name, email, primary mobile number) generally cannot be changed.
Category, academic data and work‑experience entries are normally frozen.

So, treat the first submission of your cat registration and CAT 2026 form as final, not experimental.

How to Avoid Costly Mistakes in CAT Registration 2026

Review All the Details Carefully Before Submission

Before you hit “Submit”, preview your form and read through the details carefully. Some tips:

Ensure all form filling entries match your documents.
Check that the details filled in different sections (marks, category, email, mobile number) are consistent.
Re‑check fee category so your CAT application and CAT application form don’t get flagged.

Save a Copy of Your Complete Application Form and Payment Receipt

After submission:

Download the PDF of your complete application form
Note your user id, CAT application number and fee receipt details
Keep them safe till the end of the selection cycle

This step is simple but essential if any discrepancy or query arises later about your application form or form filling history.

How Mockat Supports You Beyond the CAT Application Fee

Free and Paid Resources on Mockat.com

Once you’ve taken care of CAT exam fee, focus on maximising your performance in CAT exam 2026. Mockat (mockat.com) offers:

Concept videos and practice for all sections of the CAT exam 2026
Detailed guides on CAT form, CAT form fees and strategy
Free and paid mock tests that simulate the actual CAT form interface

This ensures your investment in CAT application and CAT exam fee actually converts into interview calls.

Using Mockat for Quantitative Aptitude, VARC and DILR

Mockat’s content is tailored to: Mockat

Quantitative aptitude (QA)
Data interpretation & logical reasoning (DILR)
Verbal ability & reading comprehension (VARC)

Strengthening these areas improves your CAT exam performance and helps you leverage the money spent on your CAT 2026 registration.

Preparation Tips for CAT 2026 Aspirants

Preparing for the CAT 2026 exam requires a well-structured and disciplined approach. Start by thoroughly understanding the CAT 2026 exam pattern and syllabus, which covers Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, and Logical Reasoning. Building a strong foundation in these core areas is essential, as each section tests different skill sets crucial for success in management programs.

Regular practice with mock tests and previous year question papers will help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and improve your speed and accuracy. Focus on time management strategies to ensure you can attempt all questions within the allotted time during the actual exam. Managing exam stress is equally important—incorporate relaxation techniques and maintain a balanced study schedule.

Leverage online resources such as video lectures, study materials, and interactive quizzes to reinforce your learning. Joining a reputable coaching institute or forming a study group can provide additional support, motivation, and expert guidance throughout your CAT 2026 preparation journey. Remember, consistent effort and a positive mindset are key to excelling in the CAT 2026 exam.

Understanding CAT Cut Offs and Selection Process

The CAT score plays a pivotal role in the admission process for IIMs and other top B-schools across India. Each institute sets its own CAT cut offs, which are the minimum scores required for candidates to be shortlisted for the next stage of selection. These cut offs can vary each year based on factors such as the number of applicants, the overall difficulty level of the CAT exam, and the number of available seats in various management programs.

Once you clear the CAT cut offs, you will typically be invited to participate in further selection rounds, which may include a written ability test, group discussion, and personal interview. The final selection is based on a holistic evaluation that considers your CAT score, academic background, work experience, and performance in these subsequent rounds. Understanding the cut off trends and the selection process for your target B-schools will help you set realistic goals and tailor your preparation strategy accordingly.

Essential Formula Sheet and Recommended Preparation Books

A well-organized formula sheet is an invaluable tool for CAT aspirants, especially when revising key concepts in Quantitative Aptitude, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, and Verbal Ability. Your formula sheet should include important mathematical formulas, shortcuts, and key concepts that are frequently tested in the CAT exam. Regularly reviewing this sheet will help you recall information quickly during the exam.

For comprehensive preparation, consider using highly recommended books such as “Quantitative Aptitude for CAT” by Arun Sharma, “Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT” by Ajay Singh, and “Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation for CAT” by Nishit Sinha. These resources offer detailed explanations, practice questions, and test-taking strategies tailored to the CAT syllabus. Additionally, supplement your studies with online mock tests, video lectures, and digital study materials to further strengthen your understanding and problem-solving skills in all sections of the exam.

Quick FAQs on CAT Application Form Fees and Registration

Can the CAT Application Fee Change for Future Years?

Yes. While the CAT application fee for CAT exam 2026 is ₹2,600 (General/EWS/NC‑OBC) and ₹1,300 (SC/ST/PwD), this amount has increased gradually over the years and may change again.

Always check the official notification and fee table for the year in which you apply.

What If the CAT Registration Fees Payment Fails?

If your cat registration fees payment fails:

Check bank/SMS alerts to see if money was debited
Wait a short while and check your application status on the portal
If no fee payment is reflected, you may have to try again using another payment mode such as net banking or debit card

For unresolved cases, contact the helpdesk details given in the registration guide and keep screenshots plus the failed transaction reference handy.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The CAT 2026 exam is a gateway to some of the most prestigious management programs in India, making it a highly sought-after and competitive entrance test. To maximize your chances of success, it is crucial to approach your preparation with a clear strategy, make use of reliable resources, and stay updated on all the details related to the CAT application form, registration process, and exam date.

Ensure you complete your CAT application form 2026 accurately on the official CAT website, and pay the CAT exam fee using secure online payment methods such as net banking, debit card, or credit card. Keep track of important deadlines and regularly check for updates on the official CAT portal. Remember, your CAT score will be a key factor in the admission process for various management programs, including MBA and PGDM courses at top B-schools.

By understanding the exam pattern, syllabus, and selection process, and by dedicating yourself to consistent practice and revision, you can significantly improve your performance in the CAT 2026 exam. Stay focused, make informed decisions throughout the registration process, and give your best effort to achieve your goal of joining a leading management institute in India.