CAT 2026 Registration for IIMs Closes on Sept 15 – Immediate Action Required
The Common Admission Test 2026 for IIMs shuts its registration portal on September 15 – here’s a concise guide for students and parents to avoid missing the cut‑off.
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 – the single gateway to the Indian Institutes of Management and other top B‑schools – will stop accepting new applications on September 15. Missing this date forces you to sit out an entire admission cycle, and the competition for the next batch only gets tougher.
Both the Press Trust of India and NDTV confirm that the registration window opened in early August and will close on September 15. A short correction window follows, allowing limited edits to personal details before the final list is locked.
Important dates and fee structure
From the reports we know:
- Registration start: Early August 2026 (exact date on the official notification).
- Last date to submit application: 15 September 2026.
- Correction window: Opens immediately after the deadline and stays open for a few days (as per the official notice).
- Exam slot: Early November 2026, the usual schedule for CAT.
The fee is INR 2,200 for General and OBC candidates and INR 1,100 for SC/ST/PwD categories. Payment must be made online; the portal does not accept cash or demand drafts.
How to complete the CAT 2026 application
First, create a login on the CAT portal using a valid email and mobile number. Once the account is active, you will be asked to fill in personal information, academic history and to pick a test centre from the list of over 100 cities. After that, the fee is paid via net‑banking, credit/debit card or UPI, and a transaction ID is generated – keep it handy for any future query.
When payment clears, a provisional admit card appears. It is not final until you use the correction window to verify every entry. A single typo in your name or date of birth can later clash with your certificates, leading to disqualification.
Common mistakes and why the correction window matters
First‑time CAT takers often reuse an old email address, assuming the old inbox is still active. All communications – including the final admit card and score‑release notice – travel only to the email you register with, so a fresh address is essential.
Second, many candidates skip the correction window, convinced their first entry is flawless. In reality, the window is the safety net for fixing spelling errors, updating a changed mobile number, or correcting a misplaced decimal in the marks entered.
Third, the fee receipt number is required when you call the helpline for any issue. Losing that number means you will have to dig through bank statements, which wastes precious time during the short correction period.
Our counsellors’ honest take: registering at the very last minute is a gamble. The portal has logged heavy traffic in previous years, and a server slowdown can freeze your session just before the deadline. A few extra hours of buffer can save you a night of anxiety.
What this deadline means for your MBA timeline
The CAT score is usually released in early January. That gives you roughly three months to prepare your Statement of Purpose, collect work‑experience certificates and arrange academic transcripts for the subsequent round of IIM applications. If you miss the September 15 cut‑off, you lose that entire cycle and must either strengthen your profile with a short‑term certification or gain additional work experience before re‑applying next year.
For parents wondering whether a later registration date would give their child more preparation time, the answer is no. The window is deliberately tight to maintain a level playing field; successful candidates typically begin intensive preparation six months before the registration opens.
What should you do now?
1. Mark September 15 on your calendar with a reminder a week earlier.
2. Prepare digital copies of your 10th, 12th and graduation mark sheets, plus a passport‑size photo, so they are ready for upload.
3. Shortlist three preferred test centres now; popular cities fill up quickly.
4. Test your online payment method before you start the application to avoid last‑minute glitches.
5. Reserve a two‑hour slot immediately after September 15 to log in, review every entry and submit corrections.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my test centre after I have submitted the application?
Yes, but only during the correction window. Once that period ends, the centre becomes fixed and any change would require a fresh application and a new fee payment.
What happens if I miss the correction window?
The details you entered at registration become final. Any mismatch with official documents can lead to your application being rejected.
Is the registration fee refundable if I withdraw?
The fee is non‑refundable once the transaction is processed. You may request a deferment to the next year, but the amount will not be returned.
Reported across 2 news outlets including PW, NDTV. Details can change — always confirm dates and fees on the official website.
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