Last Updated: September 15, 2026

Update: IIM Indore has extended the CAT 2026 registration deadline by one week. The new CAT last date to apply 2026 is September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM — moved from the original September 15, 2026 closing date. This is confirmed via the official CAT 2026 media release dated September 15, 2026, on iimcat.ac.in. Registration for CAT 2026 opened on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The CAT 2026 exam itself remains scheduled for Sunday, November 29, 2026, in three slots across 170+ cities — the extension only affects the registration window, not the test date.

Registration status right now: LIVE (extended) — the portal is open at iimcat.ac.in, and candidates now have until September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM to complete their application. If you already submitted your form before the original September 15 deadline, no action is needed — this extension simply gives latecomers an additional week.

⚠️ Official-source reminder: The only official CAT website is iimcat.ac.in. Always verify the URL before entering personal details or making a payment, and report suspicious CAT-related sites or communication to the official helpdesk at cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in.

CAT Last Date to Apply 2026 – Quick Overview

CAT 2026 Event	Date
CAT 2026 Notification Release	July 26, 2026 (Official)
CAT 2026 Registration Start Date	August 3, 2026, 10:00 AM (Official)
Original Registration Deadline	September 15, 2026, 5:00 PM (Superseded)
CAT Last Date to Apply 2026 (Extended)	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM (Official)
Form Correction Window	Early–mid October 2026 (Tentative, pushed back)
Admit Card Release	November 4, 2026 (Official)
CAT 2026 Exam Date	November 29, 2026, Sunday (Official, unchanged)
Answer Key Release	Early December 2026 (Tentative)
CAT 2026 Result Declaration	Third/fourth week of December 2026 (Tentative)

Source: Official CAT 2026 media release dated September 15, 2026, and the CAT 2026 registration timeline on iimcat.ac.in

Also read: CAT Cutoff 2026 for IIMs and Top MBA Colleges: Complete Percentile Guide

Quick Answers: However You’re Searching This Deadline

Whether you typed “cat last date,” “cat form last date,” “cat registration deadline,” “cat application deadline,” or “cat apply last date” — they all now point to the same updated official date.

You searched for…	Answer (Updated)
CAT last date / CAT 2026 last date	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
CAT form last date / CAT form date 2026	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
CAT application last date / application deadline	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
CAT registration last date / registration deadline	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
CAT deadline / CAT form deadline	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
Last date to fill CAT form 2026	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
Last date to register for CAT 2026	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
Last day to apply for CAT 2026	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
CAT exam form last date 2026	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
CAT exam last date to apply	September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM
CAT 2026 exam date (not the apply deadline)	November 29, 2026 (unchanged)

All of these terms describe the same single deadline, now revised to September 22, 2026. CAT does not have separate dates for “form,” “application,” and “registration.”

Has the CAT 2026 Last Date to Apply Been Extended?

Earlier versions of this page (and much of the coverage published through September 15 morning) noted that no extension had been announced and that September 15 was the final date. That has now changed. IIM Indore officially extended the CAT 2026 registration window by seven days, moving the closing date from September 15 to September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM.

This follows the same pattern seen in recent years:

• CAT 2025: Deadline extended from September 13 to September 20, 2025 (7 days).
• CAT 2022: Deadline extended from September 14 to September 21, 2022 (7 days).
• CAT 2021: Deadline extended from September 15 to September 22, 2021 (7 days).
• CAT 2026: Deadline extended from September 15 to September 22, 2026 (7 days).

In each of these years, the extension was announced on or very close to the original deadline — exactly what happened this year. Treat September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM as the current final date. We’ll update this page again immediately if IIM Indore announces any further change.

Check the latest update here: CAT 2026 Last Date Extended: What Aspirants Need to Know

CAT 2026 Registration Timeline: From Notification to the Last Date to Apply

When Did CAT 2026 Registration Start?

The CAT 2026 notification was officially released on July 26, 2026, and the convening institute for this year is IIM Indore. The registration portal opened on August 3, 2026, at 10:00 AM on iimcat.ac.in. With the extension, candidates now have just over seven weeks in total between the opening of registration and the new closing date.

CAT Form Last Date 2026

The CAT form last date 2026 — also referred to as the CAT application last date or CAT registration deadline — is now September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. After this exact minute, the application portal will be disabled, and no new registrations, fee payments, or edits will be accepted, barring a further official extension.

Even with the extra week, don’t push your application to the final day. A large share of candidates attempt to register in the closing 48 hours every year, which causes payment failures and server slowdowns. Completing your form well ahead of September 22 protects you from this last-minute rush.

CAT Application Last Date 2026

Some candidates search separately for the CAT application last date 2026 or CAT application deadline, wondering if this is different from the “registration” or “form” deadline. It isn’t — CAT 2026 has only one online process that covers registration, form-filling, and final application submission together, and all three now close at the same moment: September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM. Once you complete Step 8 (fee payment) below, your application is considered fully submitted — there’s no additional application stage after that.

CAT Registration Last Date 2026

The CAT registration last date 2026 again refers to the same, now-extended September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM cutoff. Your CAT registration is complete only once you’ve filled every section of the form and paid the fee — not just when you create your login credentials. An incomplete, unpaid form is treated as no registration at all, even if you started it back in August.

CAT Exam Form Last Date 2026

A common point of confusion is between the CAT exam form last date 2026 (when you must finish applying) and the CAT 2026 exam date (when you actually sit for the test). These remain two completely different dates, now roughly 2 months apart:

• CAT exam form last date 2026 / CAT exam registration last date: September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM — this is your application deadline.
• CAT 2026 exam date: November 29, 2026 — this is when you take the actual computer-based test (this date has not changed).

CAT 2026 Application Fee Structure

Candidate Category	CAT 2026 Fee (Official)
General / EWS / NC-OBC	₹2,700
SC / ST / PwD	₹1,350

Source: As per the official CAT 2026 notification on iimcat.ac.in — fees are unaffected by the deadline extension

The CAT 2026 application fee increased by ₹100 (General/EWS/NC-OBC) and ₹50 (SC/ST/PwD) over CAT 2025. Payment must be completed before the new deadline — an unpaid or partially filled form is not treated as a valid application, and fees are non-refundable once paid.

Eligibility Criteria to Check Before the CAT Registration Last Date 2026

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates).
• Final-year undergraduate students can apply, provided they submit proof of degree completion at the time of admission.
• There is no upper age limit to appear for CAT.
• Candidates can apply regardless of work experience.
• Professional qualifications like CA, CS, or ICWA are accepted in place of a bachelor’s degree, subject to the required percentage.

Documents You’ll Need Before the Deadline

• A recent passport-size photograph in the specified pixel dimensions and file size.
• A scanned signature on plain white paper, in the prescribed format.
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NC/EWS/PwD), if applicable.
• Mark sheets or provisional certificates confirming your graduation percentage.
• A valid, active email ID and mobile number.

Step-by-Step Process to Apply Before the CAT 2026 Last Date

1. Visit the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in, and click “New Candidate Registration.”
2. Enter your name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number to generate login credentials.
3. Verify your email address and set a secure password.
4. Log in and fill out personal details, academic qualifications, and work experience.
5. Upload a scanned photograph and signature in the specified format and size.
6. Select up to five preferred test cities in order of priority.
7. Choose the IIMs and other participating institutes you wish to apply to.
8. Pay the application fee online and download the confirmation page.

Completing all eight steps at least a few days before September 22 leaves you a buffer to fix any document or payment issues.

What Happens After the CAT Last Date to Apply 2026 Passes?

IIMs typically open a short form correction window in the weeks following the deadline. With IIM Indore extending the registration window to September 22, the correction window will likely move slightly later, possibly to early or mid-October 2026. However, IIM Indore has not confirmed the exact dates yet. The correction window usually allows candidates to edit limited details such as their photograph, signature, and test city preference. Candidates generally cannot change core details such as their name, date of birth, or academic records. If you miss both the (new) deadline and the correction window, there’s no further opportunity to register for CAT 2026.

CAT 2026 Exam Schedule After the Registration Deadline

Milestone	Date	Details
Admit Card Release	November 4, 2026	Downloadable via login on iimcat.ac.in
CAT 2026 Exam Date	November 29, 2026	Sunday, computer-based test, 3 slots
Exam Duration	120 minutes	40 minutes per section, no switching
Total Questions	68	VARC: 24, DILR: 22, QA: 22
Answer Key	Early December 2026 (Tentative)	Released with option to raise objections
Result Declaration	Late December 2026 (Tentative)	Percentile-based scorecard

IIM Indore will conduct CAT in more than 170 cities across India in three time slots—morning, afternoon, and evening. The deadline extension does not affect any of these post-registration dates.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until the New Last Date to Apply for CAT 2026

• Server overload: Traffic spikes sharply in the final 48–72 hours before any deadline — extended or not.
• Document errors: Rushed uploads can force you to redo the process under time pressure.
• City preference lock: Popular test cities fill up faster; applying early improves your chances.
• A further extension isn’t guaranteed: One extension has already happened for CAT 2026 — don’t assume a second one will follow.
• More prep time: Finishing registration early frees up bandwidth for VARC, DILR, and QA prep.

Common Mistakes Candidates Make Near the Deadline

• Entering a mismatched name or date of birth compared to official mark sheets.
• Uploading photographs/signatures that don’t meet size and format guidelines.
• Selecting test cities without checking availability.
• Forgetting to download the final confirmation page after payment.
• Assuming fee payment auto-saves the form — always confirm submission status.
• Relying on unofficial WhatsApp or social media forwards instead of the official iimcat.ac.in notification for deadline and extension news.

CAT 2026 vs Other MBA Entrance Exam Deadlines

Exam	Conducting Body	Typical Application Deadline
CAT 2026	IIM Indore	September 22, 2026 (Official, extended)
XAT 2027	XLRI Jamshedpur	Late November / early December
SNAP 2026	Symbiosis International	Late November
NMAT by GMAC	GMAC	Usually closes late December
CMAT 2027	NTA	Typically January

CAT’s deadline falls earliest among all major MBA entrance tests — it’s usually the first checkpoint aspirants clear before turning attention to XAT, SNAP, or CMAT.

How to Prepare While Waiting for CAT 2026 Results

Review the CAT exam pattern, syllabus, and section-wise weightage so your study plan aligns with what actually shows up on test day. Explore CAT Previous Year Questions to understand real question difficulty and time-management patterns.

Choosing Your Test City and Slot Wisely

List your preferred test cities in genuine order of priority — the earlier you apply, the higher your chance of your first or second choice. CAT does not let you choose a specific slot; allotment is done once the registration window closes, but registering early keeps your city options open.

Summary

• The CAT last date to apply 2026 has been extended to September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM (moved from the original September 15 date, official, confirmed via IIM Indore’s September 15, 2026 media release).
• Registration opened on August 3, 2026; candidates now have roughly seven weeks in total.
• The application fee is ₹2,700 (General/EWS/NC-OBC) and ₹1,350 (SC/ST/PwD) — unaffected by the extension.
• Eligibility requires a bachelor’s degree with 50% marks (45% for reserved categories); final-year students can apply.
• A short correction window is expected after the new deadline, likely shifting to early-to-mid October 2026 (tentative).
• CAT 2026 exam remains on Sunday, November 29, 2026; admit card releases November 4, 2026; results expected late December — none of these dates changed.

Also read: CAT 2026: Complete Guide to Exam Date, Registration, Eligibility & Preparation

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the CAT last date to apply 2026?

The CAT last date to apply 2026 has been extended to September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The original deadline was September 15, 2026, but IIM Indore extended it by one week via an official media release dated September 15, 2026.

Q2. What is the CAT form last date 2026?

The CAT form last date 2026 is the same as the (extended) application deadline: September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM, on iimcat.ac.in.

Q3. Has the CAT last date to apply 2026 been extended?

Yes. IIM Indore has extended the CAT 2026 registration deadline from September 15 to September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The institute has followed a pattern similar to CAT 2025, CAT 2022, and CAT 2021, when the respective conducting IIMs extended their registration deadlines by about a week.

Q4. What if I miss the CAT last date to apply 2026 (September 22)?

If you miss it and the subsequent correction window, you cannot register for CAT 2026 and would need to wait for the next cycle.

Q5. Is there a late-fee option after the CAT last date to apply 2026?

No late-fee window exists for CAT — the application fee applies only up to the official closing date, now September 22, 2026.

Q6. Can final-year students apply before the CAT last date to apply 2026?

Yes, provided they can furnish proof of degree completion at the time of admission.

Q7. Where can I officially apply before the CAT registration last date 2026?

Only through the official CAT website, iimcat.ac.in — no offline or third-party route is accepted. Always verify the URL before entering personal details or making payments, and report suspicious sites to cat2026_helpdesk@iimidr.ac.in.

Q8. How many times can I edit my CAT 2026 form before the last date?

You can edit most fields any number of times before final submission. Once payment is made and the form is submitted, changes are limited to the correction window that follows.

Q9. What is the CAT form filling last date 2026?

The CAT form filling last date 2026 is now September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM — the same as the overall application and registration deadline. There’s no separate cutoff for “filling” versus “submitting” the form.

Q10. What is the last date to fill CAT form 2026?

The last date to fill the CAT form 2026 is September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM. You must complete every section and pay the fee before this exact time for your form to be considered submitted.

Q11. What is the CAT 2026 application date / CAT exam application date 2026?

The CAT 2026 application window runs from August 3, 2026 (opening) to September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM (new closing date, extended from September 15). There is a single application date range, not multiple separate dates for different stages.

Q12. What is the CAT deadline 2026 / CAT form deadline?

The CAT deadline 2026 — whether referred to as the form deadline, registration deadline, or application deadline — is now uniformly September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

Q13. What is the last date for CAT registration 2026 / last day for CAT registration 2026?

The last date (and last day) for CAT registration 2026 is September 22, 2026. Registrations submitted even a minute after 5:00 PM that day will not be accepted, so don’t wait until the final hour. Check out this article to know more: CAT 2026 Last Date Extended: What Aspirants Need to Know

Q14. What is the CAT exam registration 2026 last date?

The CAT exam registration 2026 last date is September 22, 2026, 5:00 PM — this covers registering for the exam itself, not a separate admit-card or exam-day registration.

Q15. Is the CAT exam form last date different from the CAT exam date?

Yes. The CAT exam form last date (when you must apply) is now September 22, 2026. The CAT 2026 exam date (when you take the test) remains November 29, 2026. These dates are commonly confused but are about two months apart.

Q16. Why was the CAT 2026 last date extended?

IIM Indore has not stated a specific reason in its media release. In previous years, including 2021, 2022, and 2025, IIMs extended the registration deadline to give more aspirants time to complete their applications. IIM Indore does not need to provide a separate justification for the extension.

Conclusion

The CAT last date to apply 2026 has officially moved from September 15 to September 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM, giving MBA aspirants an extra week to register. If you already submitted your form, you’re set — just watch for the correction window announcement. If you haven’t applied yet, use this extra time wisely: complete your form early rather than waiting for September 22, verify every document twice, and then shift your full focus to VARC, DILR, and QA preparation for the November 29 exam.

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