CAT 2026 Registrations Fall to 2.84 Lakh; Applications Down 3.7% from 2025

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026 has recorded approximately 2.84 lakh registrations, marking a decline from the 2.95 lakh applications reported for CAT 2025. The examination is being conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore and serves as a major entrance test for admission to postgraduate management programmes at IIMs and other participating business schools.

CAT 2026 Registration Trends

According to the reported figures, CAT registrations have declined for the second consecutive year after reaching a high of 3.29 lakh in 2024. The 2026 registration count is around 11,000 lower than the previous year's figure.

The decline represents approximately 3.7% fewer registrations than in 2025 and around 13.7% fewer than the 2024 peak. However, fewer applications do not automatically mean lower admission cutoffs, as selection depends on institute-specific criteria, candidate performance and available seats.

CAT 2026 Exam Date and Admit Card

IIM Indore is scheduled to conduct CAT 2026 on November 29, 2026, in three sessions. The admit card is scheduled to be available from November 4, 2026, through the official CAT website.

Candidates should check the official CAT portal for the latest updates, admit card instructions, examination-day guidelines and any changes to the published schedule.

What the Registration Numbers Mean for MBA Aspirants

CAT scores are used for admission to postgraduate management programmes at the IIMs and several other business schools. Although the registration count has fallen, aspirants should continue preparing according to the examination pattern and their target institutes' selection criteria.

Final admission decisions depend on more than the number of applicants. CAT performance, academic record, work experience where applicable, interview performance and each institute's selection policy can influence the outcome.

Candidates should review the admission requirements of their preferred institutes and understand how each institution evaluates CAT scores and other selection components.

How to Prepare for CAT 2026

With the examination scheduled for November 29, candidates can use the remaining preparation period to strengthen concepts, improve accuracy and practise under timed conditions.

• Practise mock tests: Attempt full-length mocks to build familiarity with the examination format and time limits.
• Analyse performance: Review incorrect answers and identify areas where accuracy or speed needs improvement.
• Revise core concepts: Focus on topics that need additional practice across the examination sections.
• Improve time management: Develop a question-selection strategy and avoid spending too long on a single question.
• Check institute criteria: Review the selection policies and eligibility requirements of target IIMs and other business schools.
• Follow official updates: Check the CAT website regularly for admit card information and examination instructions.

Conclusion

CAT 2026 has recorded approximately 2.84 lakh registrations, a decline from 2.95 lakh in 2025 and the 3.29 lakh peak reported in 2024. The latest figures show a year-on-year reduction of approximately 3.7%.

With the examination scheduled for November 29, 2026, candidates should focus on preparation and review the admission requirements of their preferred management institutes. A lower registration count does not guarantee lower cutoffs or admission, as each institute applies its own selection criteria.