CAT 2026 registration shuts at 5 pm today, September 22. Servers slow near cut‑off, so submit well before 4 pm. The window already moved from September 15, and authorities indicate no further extension. New registrations close today; only fee payment may continue briefly for completed forms.
Keep eligibility and documents ready to avoid errors. Graduates need 50 percent; reserved categories need 45 percent. Choose five test cities in order. After closure, a brief edit window permits changes only to photograph, signature, and test‑city preferences, not academics or category. Plan uploads first, then pay and submit once.
CAT 2026 registration: last‑hour form checklist
Login at iimcat.ac.in, complete personal, academics, and work‑experience sections, then select IIM programmes and five cities. Upload correct photo and signature, preview every page, and pay online. After “Payment Successful,” download the PDF, then check email and SMS for confirmation. Save the transaction number for dispute resolution.
CAT 2026 photo and signature specs
Photo must be JPG or JPEG, 30 mm by 45 mm, under 80 KB, with a recent, clear face on a plain background. Signature must be JPG or JPEG, 80 mm by 35 mm, under 80 KB, in blue or black ink on white paper. Avoid PNG, cropping, or blurry scans.
CAT 2026 fees and payment modes
Pay through BillDesk using UPI, debit or credit cards, net banking, or wallet. UPI usually carries zero gateway charges. For candidates who registered in time, the fee‑payment window remains open until September 24, 5 pm. Complete payment and verify status before relying on the edit window.
| Category | Fee (₹) |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC‑NCL | 2,700 |
| SC / ST / PwD | 1,350 |
Amounts reflect this year’s hike over the previous cycle.
CAT 2026 category certificates: EWS/OBC‑NCL date rules
EWS and Non‑Creamy Layer OBC certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026. If renewal is pending, upload the previous certificate with the official undertaking from the portal. Scan as clear PDFs in English or Hindi to avoid rejection during verification.
CAT 2026 payment failures, UPI glitches and server‑rush fixes
If money is debited but status remains pending, do not pay again. Wait two working days, then recheck the dashboard. Raise a ticket via the grievance portal or call the helpdesk with your transaction ID. If cards fail, try UPI. Download the application PDF once success appears.
Beat the 5 pm rush by submitting early, verifying uploads, and confirming fee status. Use the edit window only for photo, signature, and city tweaks. Print the PDF and save email or SMS proofs. If you registered today, finish fee payment by September 24, 5 pm to stay eligible.
