If you were racing against the September 15 deadline, here’s some breathing room — the CAT 2026 last date has been extended. The Indian Institutes of Management have pushed the registration window to September 22, 2026, till 5:00 PM, giving aspirants who missed the original cut-off one more chance to apply before the CAT 2026 exam.
CAT 2026 Last Date Extended: What Changed
According to the official CAT 2026 media release, registrations opened on August 3, 2026, and were originally set to close on September 15. That date has now moved to September 22, 2026. The extension applies to fresh registrations as well as candidates who had started but not completed their forms. IIM Indore, which is conducting CAT 2026, has clarified that this revised deadline is final and will not be pushed further, so it’s worth applying early rather than waiting for the last few hours when the portal typically sees heavy traffic.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CAT 2026 Notification Released | July 26, 2026 |
| Registration Start Date | August 3, 2026 |
| Original Registration Last Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Extended Registration Last Date | September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| CAT 2026 Exam Date | November 29, 2026 (Sunday), three sessions |
| Result Declaration (Tentative) | First week of January 2027 |
Why Did the CAT 2026 Registration Deadline Get Extended?
This isn’t unusual — IIMs have extended the CAT registration window by roughly a week in each of the last few years, usually to accommodate candidates dealing with payment failures, document upload issues, or last-minute decisions to apply. The exam date itself hasn’t moved; only the application window has widened, so your preparation timeline stays the same.
CAT 2026 Registration Fee
The fee structure remains unchanged despite the extension:
- General / EWS / NC-OBC: ₹2,700
- SC / ST / PwD: ₹1,350
How to Apply Before the Extended CAT 2026 Last Date
- Visit the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number, then log in to the application portal.
- Fill in personal, academic and category details, and select your preferred IIM programmes.
- Choose up to five test cities in order of preference.
- Upload your photograph, signature and required documents as per the specified format.
- Pay the registration fee online and download the confirmation page for your records.
Need the full eligibility criteria, document specifications and a step-by-step screenshot walkthrough? Our detailed CAT last date to apply guide covers all of that in one place.
What Happens After September 22?
Once the extended CAT 2026 last date closes, the application window will not reopen. The next milestones are the release of the admit card, expected roughly a month before the exam, followed by the CAT 2026 exam on November 29 and results in the first week of January 2027. If you’ve already registered, this is a good time to start structured preparation — you can check where past scores have landed candidates using our IIM Indore CAT cutoff 2026 guide, or explore government MBA colleges accepting CAT scores while you wait for your admit card.
Quick Summary
| Key Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| New deadline | September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Extension length | About one week from the original date |
| Exam date | Unchanged — November 29, 2026 |
| Fee | Unchanged — ₹2,700 / ₹1,350 |
| Where to apply | iimcat.ac.in |
FAQs
1. What is the new CAT 2026 last date after the extension?
The revised CAT 2026 registration deadline is September 22, 2026, till 5:00 PM.
2. Will the CAT 2026 exam date also change because of this extension?
No, the exam remains scheduled for November 29, 2026, in three sessions. Only the registration window has been extended.
3. Can I still edit my form after the extended last date?
No. Once September 22 closes, a separate, time-limited form correction window usually opens later — track official CAT announcements for exact dates.
4. Is there any late fee for applying during the extended window?
No late fee applies during this extension. The standard fee of ₹2,700 (General/EWS/NC-OBC) and ₹1,350 (SC/ST/PwD) continues to apply.
5. Where can I check the official CAT 2026 extension notice?
Always verify directly on iimcat.ac.in, since extensions are announced there first.
Conclusion
The CAT 2026 last date extension to September 22 gives you a genuine second chance — but treat it as final. Complete your registration early, double-check your documents and category details, and shift your focus to preparation once your form is submitted. For daily practice as you gear up for November 29, explore CATMOCK’s free daily practice and the complete CATMOCK blog for more CAT 2026 updates.
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