The CAT 2026 registration statistics are in, and the headline is clear: unofficial reports put the number of applicants above 3.20 lakh, a clear rise over the 2.95 lakh who registered in 2025. IIM Indore has not yet published an official final count, though. This guide separates confirmed facts from unofficial figures. It also shows how CAT registrations have moved since 2019 and what the numbers mean for your percentile.
Quick Summary
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Conducting body | IIM Indore |
| Exam date | Sunday, 29 November 2026 (three slots) |
| Registration window | 3 August 2026 to 22 September 2026 (extended from 15 September) |
| Reported applicants (unofficial) | 3.20 lakh+ (some trackers report 3.27 lakh+) |
| CAT 2025 registrations | 2.95 lakh (about 2.58 lakh appeared) |
| Record registrations | 3.29 lakh (CAT 2024) |
| Official final figure | Not yet released by IIM Indore |
How Many Candidates Registered for CAT 2026?
Registration opened on 3 August 2026 at 10 AM. The authorities extended the original 15 September deadline to 22 September at 5 PM, while they kept the fee payment window open until 24 September. Reports then put the total number of CAT 2026 applicants above 3.20 lakh, and a few trackers report 3.27 lakh+.
Treat these as estimates for now. The reports differ from each other, and IIM Indore has not confirmed any of them. Registrations are also not the same as candidates who will take the exam. The official registered-candidate count typically becomes public with the result, and the appeared count only after the exam.
Source: iimcat.ac.in for the official figures.
If the 3.20–3.27 lakh range holds, CAT 2026 would be:
- about 8.5% to 10.9% higher than CAT 2025’s 2.95 lakh
- roughly level with the record of 3.29 lakh set in CAT 2024
CAT 2026 Registration Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 26 July 2026 |
| Registration opened | 3 August 2026, 10:00 AM |
| Original last date | 15 September 2026 |
| Extended last date | 22 September 2026, 5:00 PM |
| Fee payment deadline | 24 September 2026, 5:00 PM (as reported) |
| Form edit window | 5 October (10:00 AM) to 6 October 2026 (5:00 PM) (as reported) |
| Admit card | 4 November 2026 |
| Exam | 29 November 2026 |
| Result | First week of January 2027 per the notification (earlier release is possible) |
The edit window opens in two days. Confirm exact timings on the official portal.
Year-wise CAT Registration Trends (2019–2025)
| CAT Year | Conducting IIM | Registered | Appeared | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | IIM Kozhikode | 2,95,000 | 2,58,000 | ~87.5% |
| 2024 | IIM Calcutta | 3,29,000 | 2,93,000 | ~89.1% |
| 2023 | IIM Lucknow | 3,28,000 | 2,88,000 | ~87.8% |
| 2022 | IIM Bangalore | 2,55,501 | 2,22,184 | ~87.0% |
| 2021 | IIM Ahmedabad | 2,29,969 | 1,91,660 | ~83.3% |
| 2020 | IIM Indore | 2,27,835 | 1,90,144 | ~83.5% |
| 2019 | IIM Kozhikode | 2,44,169 | 2,09,926 | ~86.0% |
What the Trend Tells Us
- Big jump in 2023. Registrations rose from about 2.56 lakh (2022) to 3.28 lakh (2023), roughly a 28% increase in one year.
- Plateau, then a dip. The 3.28–3.29 lakh level held in 2023 and 2024, then fell about 10% to 2.95 lakh in 2025.
- Rebound in 2026. Reported figures put CAT 2026 back near the 2023–24 level.
- Attendance is stable. In recent years, about 87–89% of registered candidates actually sat the exam.
Registered vs Appeared: Why the Gap Matters
Your percentile is calculated against candidates who appear, not against everyone who registered. Roughly 11–13% of registrants skip the exam each year. If attendance in 2026 matches the recent 87–89% range, about 2.8 to 2.9 lakh candidates would sit CAT 2026. That is an estimate, not an official number. It would be about 20,000 to 33,000 more test-takers than in 2025.
Also Read: CAT Question Paper 2026: Complete Guide to Pattern, Structure & Question Types
Gender-wise Registration Data
| Category | CAT 2024 | CAT 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Registered: Female | 1.19 lakh (~36.2%) | 1.10 lakh (~37.3%) |
| Registered: Male | 2.10 lakh (~63.8%) | 1.85 lakh (~62.7%) |
| Registered: Transgender | 14 | 9 |
| Appeared: Female | 1.07 lakh (~36.5%) | 0.97 lakh (~37.6%) |
| Appeared: Male | 1.86 lakh | 1.61 lakh |
| Appeared: Transgender | 9 | 9 |
The female share edged up by about one percentage point in 2025. Gender-wise data for CAT 2026 has not been released.
CAT 2026 vs CAT 2025 vs CAT 2024
| Parameter | CAT 2024 | CAT 2025 | CAT 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered | 3.29 lakh | 2.95 lakh | 3.20 lakh+ (unofficial) |
| Appeared | 2.93 lakh | 2.58 lakh | Known after exam |
| Change in registrations vs previous year | Flat (vs 3.28 lakh) | About −10% | About +8.5% (at 3.20 lakh) |
| Exam date | 24 Nov 2024 | 30 Nov 2025 | 29 Nov 2026 |
Competition Analysis: What 3.2 Lakh+ Applicants Mean for You
More test-takers means more candidates sit above you at the same percentile. The table below is an illustration using assumed numbers of 2.8 lakh and 2.9 lakh test-takers. It is not an official forecast.
| Percentile | Approx. candidates at or above it (2.8 lakh) | (2.9 lakh) |
|---|---|---|
| 99 | ~2,800 | ~2,900 |
| 97 | ~8,400 | ~8,700 |
| 95 | ~14,000 | ~14,500 |
| 90 | ~28,000 | ~29,000 |
In CAT 2025, 1% of 2.58 lakh test-takers was about 2,580 candidates, so the top bands may be slightly more crowded in 2026.
Also Read: CAT Score vs Percentile 2026: The Complete Marks-to-Percentile Guide
Three points to remember:
- Percentile is relative. A bigger pool does not make the exam harder, but it does mean more people compete for the same top slots.
- A high percentile is not the whole story. IIMs use their own cut-offs, academic profile, work experience and interview rounds. A strong CAT score alone does not guarantee a call.
- Don’t let totals discourage you. Not everyone who registers prepares seriously, and a meaningful share doesn’t turn up on exam day.
What to Do Now
- Review your application during the 5–6 October edit window and fix any permitted details.
- Download your admit card from 4 November.
- Treat registration numbers as context, not a target. Focus on mocks, accuracy and timing.
- Follow only official updates at iimcat.ac.in and IIM Indore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many candidates registered for CAT 2026?
Unofficial reports show more than 3.20 lakh, and some trackers say 3.27 lakh+. IIM Indore has not yet published an official final figure.
Is the CAT 2026 registration number official?
No. The figures circulating are estimates from third-party trackers. Rely on the official CAT website for confirmation.
Are CAT 2026 registrations higher than CAT 2025?
Yes, based on reported numbers. CAT 2025 had 2.95 lakh registrations, so 3.20 lakh+ would be roughly 8.5% higher.
What is the highest number of CAT registrations ever recorded?
Based on published data, the peak was about 3.29 lakh in CAT 2024.
How many students actually appear for CAT?
Usually 87–89% of registrants in recent years. In CAT 2025, about 2.58 lakh of 2.95 lakh appeared.
Does a higher number of applicants make CAT 2026 tougher?
Not in terms of paper difficulty, but there is more competition for each percentile band. IIM calls depend on much more than percentile alone.
When will the number of CAT 2026 test-takers be known?
The appeared figure is known only after the 29 November 2026 exam, typically published with the result.
Was the CAT 2026 registration date extended?
Yes. The original last date of 15 September was extended to 22 September 2026, 5 PM.
Conclusion
The CAT 2026 registration statistics point to a strong rebound: 3.20 lakh+ reported applicants, up from 2.95 lakh in 2025 and close to the 3.29 lakh record. The long-term trend since 2019 is clearly upward, with an attendance rate steady at about 87–89%. Keep in mind that the 2026 figures are unofficial until IIM Indore confirms them. The best use of these numbers is to plan realistically and then spend your time on preparation.
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