Update, September 16, 2026, 11:30 a.m. IST. IIM Indore extended the CAT 2026 registration deadline to September 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m. IST. The window was set to close on September 15. Candidates who have not applied get seven more days at iimcat.ac.in.
CAT 2026 registration now closes on September 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. IST. IIM Indore extended the original September 15 deadline by one week. The exam is on November 29, 2026. The fee is Rs 2,700 for general candidates and Rs 1,350 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
The Common Admission Test is the entrance exam for MBA seats at the Indian Institutes of Management. IIM Indore conducts CAT 2026. The extension came in an official notification dated September 15, 2026. The apply portal is iimcat.ac.in.
What is the new CAT 2026 last date?
The new CAT 2026 last date is September 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. IST. The old deadline was September 15, at 5:00 p.m. The new one is September 22, at the same time. That is seven extra days. An extended deadline sounds like pure relief. It can also mean fewer forms were in by the first date. The gain is real only if you act now.
Only the last date moved. The row that matters is September 22. Every date below it is unchanged.
Did anything else in the CAT 2026 schedule change?
No. The extension does not touch any other date. The exam stays on November 29, 2026. Admit cards download from November 4, 2026. IIM Indore released the CAT 2026 notification on July 25, 2026. Registration first opened on August 3, 2026.
How much is the CAT 2026 fee?
CAT 2026 costs Rs 2,700 for general, EWS and NC-OBC candidates. It costs Rs 1,350 for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Both figures rose this year. General fees went up from Rs 2,600 last year. Reserved-category fees went up from Rs 1,300. That is a Rs 100 and a Rs 50 rise. The fee is paid once and is not refunded.
Is Rs 2,700 the final cost, or do I pay again for each IIM?
You pay Rs 2,700 once. It covers all the IIM programmes you pick in one form. There is no separate fee for each IIM. EWS stands for Economically Weaker Section. NC-OBC stands for Non-Creamy Layer Other Backward Classes.
Who can apply for CAT 2026?
You need a bachelor’s degree with 50 percent marks to apply. SC, ST and PwD candidates need 45 percent. Final-year degree students can apply too. There is no age limit and no cap on attempts.
What happens in the last week of CAT 2026 registration?
CAT 2026 runs in three slots on November 29. It is a computer-based test. IIM Indore holds it in about 170 cities. You pick five cities in order of preference when you fill the form. Your allotted centre appears on the admit card.
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A late rush is the real risk now. Last year CAT drew 3.29 lakh applicants. Most candidates apply in the final days, which strains the portal. Pay the fee early. The form is complete only after payment and final submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new last date to apply for CAT 2026?
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The new last date to apply for CAT 2026 is September 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. IST. IIM Indore extended it by one week from the original September 15 deadline. Apply at iimcat.ac.in before the portal closes.
Has the CAT 2026 exam date changed with the extension?
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No, the CAT 2026 exam date has not changed. The exam is on November 29, 2026. Only the registration last date moved to September 22. Admit cards still download from November 4, 2026.
What is the CAT 2026 application fee?
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The CAT 2026 application fee is Rs 2,700 for general, EWS and NC-OBC candidates. SC, ST and PwBD candidates pay Rs 1,350. The fee rose from Rs 2,600 and Rs 1,300 last year. It is paid once and is not refunded.
Who is eligible to apply for CAT 2026?
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CAT 2026 needs a bachelor’s degree with 50 percent marks. SC, ST and PwD candidates need 45 percent. Final-year degree students can apply. There is no age limit and no cap on the number of attempts.
Last updated: September 16, 2026 at 11:30 AM IST
Last verified: September 16, 2026
Disclaimer: Dates, fees, cutoffs and eligibility can change without notice. Check with IIM Indore at iimcat.ac.in before you act.
