CAT 2026 Registration Last Date – Do Not Miss the September 15 Deadline

I f you are planning to appear for CAT this year and haven't submitted your application yet, don't leave it until the last moment. There is no separate grace period mentioned, and any extension would depend on a decision by the conducting IIM. Before the deadline, make sure you have completed the application, uploaded the required documents, selected your preferred test cities carefully, and reviewed all the details before final submission.

Will the Deadline Be Extended?

Maybe—but don’t count on it.

The CAT registration deadline has been extended in some previous years. For example:

• CAT 2025: The deadline was extended by seven days, from September 13 to September 20, 2025.
• CAT 2022: The registration deadline was September 27, 2022.

This pattern suggests that when extensions occur, they typically add about 5 to 7 days to the original deadline. However, an extension is never guaranteed or announced in advance. The conducting IIM is under no obligation to extend the deadline, so candidates should not plan their applications around the possibility. 

For CAT 2026 applicants who have delayed registration, this means there may be no recourse if IIM Indore maintains September 15 as the final cutoff. Treat September 15 as the firm deadline and complete your application before then.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

The registration window will close once the deadline passes. There is no late-application period, late-fee option, or manual submission route for candidates. Partially completed forms are also unlikely to receive special consideration.

Missing the deadline could mean missing CAT 2026 altogether, which, for most aspirants, would mean waiting another year to enter the admission cycle. 

If the only remaining task is uploading a scanned photograph or signature, submit the form before the deadline to avoid losing the opportunity. A correction window may open later (around the fourth week of September), allowing registered and paid candidates to replace an image or signature that does not meet the requirements. However, this facility applies only to candidates who have successfully submitted the form and paid the registration fee. It is not available to those who never completed the registration process.

ALSO READ: CAT 2026 EXAM DATE & COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Last-Minute Registration Checklist

Don’t rush, but act promptly if you are registering during the final few days before the deadline. Here is what you should prepare now—within the next hour or so—not next week: 

• Mark Sheets of class 10 and class 12.

• Graduation degree certificate or mark sheet of final semester (final-year students).
• Category certificate (for SC/ST/OBC-NC/EWS/PwD, if applicable).
• Passport colour photo on white background (up to 6 Months old).
• Signature scanned from white paper in black ink.
• One active email ID and one mobile number. 
• Have a payment option – credit card/debit/net banking or UPI.

Why Speed Matters Near the Deadline

Expect server-related issues during the final 48 hours of the CAT registration window. The last day is more likely to bring payment failures, upload timeouts, and website slowdowns than the first week of registration. If you are registering during the final stretch, try to complete the process outside peak hours. Above all, do not postpone your application until the night of September 15. Submit it as early as possible to leave time for resolving unexpected technical problems.

Steps to Register Right Now 

• Go to iimcat.ac.in and hit “New Candidate Registration”. 
• To generate User ID & password, enter your name (as it is on your Class 10 certificate), date of birth, email ID and mobile number.
• Log in again, fill the complete form body:  personal details, academics, work experience, programme preference, and test city preferences.
• Upload your photo, signature, and needed documents.
• Go over everything very well using the preview screen; this is the last time you can make a change because the form gets locked.
• The application fee is ₹2,700 (General/EWS/NC-OBC) and ₹1,350 (SC/ST/PwD).
• Submit. After payment, you will receive a confirmation email and SMS.

CAT 2026 Registration: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is September 15, 2026, the final date for CAT 2026 registration?

Yes. According to the official notification, registration closes on September 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM. Although registration deadlines were extended in some previous years—including by five to seven days in CAT 2025 and CAT 2022—there is no guarantee that CAT 2026 will receive an extension. Treat September 15 as the final deadline.

Q2. Can I register after the deadline by paying a late fee?

No. CAT registration does not generally provide a late-fee option. Once the registration window closes, applications will not be accepted unless the conducting IIM officially announces an extension.

Q3. What if I make a mistake while registering under time pressure?

A correction window may open a few weeks after registration closes. However, it generally allows changes only to selected details, such as your photograph, signature, or test-city preferences. Academic, personal, and category-related information may not be editable. Check your name, date of birth, category, academic details, and other personal information carefully before submitting the form.

Q4. Should I wait to see whether the deadline is extended?

No. Extensions are not guaranteed and may be announced only close to—or even after—the original deadline. Waiting could leave you without an application if no extension is granted. Submitting your form before the official deadline is the safest approach.

Q5. What documents and details should I prepare before starting?

Keep the following ready:

• Class 10 and 12 marksheets or certificates.
• Graduation certificate or latest available marksheet.
• Recent passport-size photograph in the prescribed format.
• Scanned signature meeting the specified size and format requirements.
• Valid email address and mobile number for registration, OTP verification, and official communication.
• Category, academic, and other supporting details, if applicable.