MBA aspirants ke liye CAT 2026 se judi ek important update saamne aayi hai. CAT 2026 registration deadline has been extended to September 22, 2026, up to 5 PM. Earlier, the registration deadline was September 15, but IIM Indore has provided candidates with an additional opportunity to complete their applications.
CAT 2026 is one of the major management entrance examinations in India and is used for admission to MBA and other postgraduate management programmes at participating institutes. Candidates who have not completed their registration should pay close attention to the revised deadline because the examination authority has indicated that the September 22 deadline will not be extended further.
CAT 2026 Registration Deadline: What Has Changed?
The CAT 2026 registration process started on August 3, 2026. Initially, candidates were required to submit their applications by September 15. The deadline was later extended by one week.
As per the revised schedule, candidates can now submit their CAT 2026 application form and complete the fee payment process until September 22, 2026, at 5 PM.
The extension gives candidates who missed the earlier deadline another chance to apply. However, candidates should not wait until the final hours because heavy traffic, payment issues or incomplete application details could create last-minute problems.
CAT 2026 Exam Date
The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for November 29, 2026. IIM Indore will conduct the examination in three sessions.
The examination will have a total duration of 120 minutes and will be divided into three sections:
- Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)
- Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
- Quantitative Ability (QA)
Candidates will get 40 minutes for each section and will not be allowed to switch between sections during the examination.
CAT 2026 Important Dates
Candidates preparing for the examination should keep the following dates in mind:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Registration Started | August 3, 2026 |
| Revised Registration Deadline | September 22, 2026, 5 PM |
| Admit Card | November 4, 2026 |
| CAT 2026 Examination | November 29, 2026 |
| Result | Expected in January 2027 |
The revised registration deadline is particularly important for candidates who have not yet submitted their applications.
What Should Candidates Do Before the Deadline?
Candidates who are yet to register should complete the process as early as possible rather than waiting for September 22.
Before submitting the form, candidates should carefully check their personal information, academic details, category information, photograph, signature and examination city preferences.
The application is considered complete only after the required fee has been paid and the form has been successfully submitted.
Candidates should also save a copy of the submitted application form and payment confirmation for future reference.
CAT 2026 Application Fee
The CAT 2026 application fee varies according to the candidate’s category.
As reported for the current CAT 2026 cycle:
- SC/ST/PwBD candidates: ₹1,350
- Other candidates: ₹2,700
The application fee is paid during the registration process. Candidates should verify the applicable fee and payment details on the official CAT portal before completing their application.
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2026 question paper will consist of three major sections: VARC, DILR and QA.
1. Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
This section tests a candidate’s reading ability, comprehension skills, vocabulary and verbal reasoning. Regular reading of editorials, articles and long-form content can help candidates become more comfortable with comprehension-based questions.
2. Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning
DILR focuses on interpreting data and solving logical problems. Candidates should practise different types of sets and work on improving both accuracy and time management.
3. Quantitative Ability
The QA section covers mathematical concepts that candidates need to solve within a limited time. Regular practice and revision of important concepts can help candidates build confidence.
Since each section has a fixed time limit, preparation should focus not only on solving questions but also on managing time effectively.
CAT 2026 Preparation: What Can Aspirants Do Now?
With the examination scheduled for November 29, candidates who register before the deadline will still have preparation time available.
A practical preparation strategy can include:
Understand the exam pattern:
Know the three sections and their respective time limits before beginning intensive preparation.
Take mock tests:
Mock tests can help candidates understand their current preparation level and identify areas that need more attention.
Analyse mistakes:
Simply taking mocks is not enough. Candidates should analyse incorrect and unanswered questions to understand their weaknesses.
Improve time management:
The sectional time limit makes time management an important part of CAT preparation.
Revise regularly:
Candidates should maintain a revision schedule for concepts, formulas, vocabulary and frequently practised question types.
What Happens After CAT 2026?
After the examination, candidates will move into the next stage of the MBA admission process depending on the institutes and programmes they apply to.
CAT scores are used by IIMs and various other participating management institutes as part of their admission processes. However, each institute may have its own eligibility requirements, selection criteria and admission process.
Therefore, candidates should check the admission requirements of individual institutes rather than assuming that the CAT score alone determines admission.
CAT 2026 Registration: Key Takeaway
The most important immediate update for MBA aspirants is the revised CAT 2026 registration deadline of September 22, 2026, at 5 PM.
Candidates who have not yet applied should complete their registration and fee payment before the deadline. The CAT 2026 examination is scheduled for November 29, giving registered candidates time to focus on preparation after completing the application process.
For students looking for guidance related to MBA admissions, entrance examinations, college selection and the overall admission process, Reliable Study Education Pvt. Ltd. can help candidates understand the available options and admission requirements.
With CAT registration approaching its final deadline, candidates should focus on completing the application correctly and then shift their attention towards structured preparation for the November examination.
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FAQs
The revised last date is September 22, 2026, up to 5 PM.
CAT 2026 is scheduled for November 29, 2026.
IIM Indore is conducting CAT 2026.
There are three sections: VARC, DILR and QA.
The examination authorities have indicated that September 22 is the final registration deadline.