CAT 2026 registration opens: window, fee and what changed this year

The Common Admission Test remains the single largest gateway to postgraduate management education in India, accepted by all 21 IIMs and more than 1,200 other institutes. Registration runs through the official portal only; no third party can submit a form on a candidate's behalf.

Candidates should note that the photograph and signature specifications are enforced at upload, and a rejected image is the most common reason an otherwise complete form stays in draft. Verify the category certificate date before paying the fee, as the category cannot be edited after submission.