Common Admission Test Application Fee 2026

The CAT 2026 registration fees are ₹2,700 for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates, and ₹1,350 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. You can register on the IIM CAT Official Website from 3rd August,2026.

Source: CAT 2026 Notification PDF

• The application fee must be paid online during the CAT registration process through the official website, iimcat.ac.in
• The registration fee is payable only once, regardless of the number of IIMs or participating institutes you apply to.
• CAT Registration Fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
• Candidates can make the payment using a debit card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or other payment gateway options available on the CAT portal.

The registration process will begin on August 3, 2026 (10:00 AM) and close on September 15, 2026 (5:00 PM). Only candidates who complete the fee payment will be considered registered for CAT 2026.

Related Links:

• CAT 2026 Notification LIVE Updates: CAT 2026 Registration Date, Expected PDF Release & Latest News
• CAT Login 2026: Registration (Soon), How to Download Admit Card and Result
• CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026, Age Limit, Educational Qualification, Reservation Policy
• CAT 2026 Exam Date November 29 Confirmed by Trends: Full Schedule & Slot Details

CAT Registration Fee 2026 (Category-wise)

The registration fee for General, EWS, and NC-OBC candidates has increased by ₹100, while the fee for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates has increased by ₹50 compared to CAT 2025.

Read More: CAT 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide, Documents & Photo Specs

What's New in CAT Registration Fee 2026?

• IIM Indore has introduced a revised application fee for CAT 2026.
• Apart from the fee revision, the payment process and fee structure remain unchanged.
• Candidates are still required to make a one-time online payment, and there are no separate CAT registration fees for individual IIMs

CAT 2026 vs CAT 2025 Registration Fee

Ques. Do I have to pay separately for each IIM?

Ans. No. Candidates need to pay the CAT registration fee only once, irrespective of the number of participating IIMs they wish to apply for through the CAT application form. However, some non-IIM institutes accepting CAT scores may charge separate application fees during their admission process

CAT Registration Fee Trends (2018–2026)

Over the last seven years, the CAT registration fee has increased steadily.

• General category fee has increased from ₹1,900 (2018) to ₹2,700 (2026).
• Reserved category fee has increased from ₹950 to ₹1,350 during the same period.
• Since 2020 alone, the General category fee has increased by 35%, while the reserved category fee has also increased gradually.

What CAT Aspirants Are Saying About the CAT Registration Fee Hike (Reddit Discussion)

Following the release of the CAT 2026 Information Bulletin, several MBA aspirants on Reddit discussed the increase in CAT registration fees. Many users pointed out that the application fee has increased by ₹100 for General/EWS/NC-OBC candidates and ₹50 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates compared to CAT 2025.

One Reddit user estimated that with around 2.5–3 lakh registrations every year, even a small increase in the registration fee could result in a significant rise in total fee collections.

Source: Reddit

How to Pay CAT Registration Fee 2026?

Candidates can pay the CAT Registration Fee 2026 only through the online payment gateway available on the official website, iimcat.ac.in, after completing the application form.

Step-by-Step Process to Pay CAT Registration Fee 2026

Follow the steps below to complete the CAT fee payment successfully.

Collegedunia Tip: Before clicking Submit and Pay, verify all details carefully. Some fields cannot be edited after the final submission.

Check: How to Apply for CAT 2026: Registration Guide for MBA Aspirants

CAT Registration 2026 Fee Payment Methods

The available payment options are displayed on the payment gateway during the registration process.

Note: Candidates should use a secure internet connection while making the payment and avoid refreshing the payment page until the transaction is completed.

Check: CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: 50% Marks Rule, Final-Year Students & Reservation

What Happens if Your CAT Registration Fee Payment Fails?

Sometimes, you may experience transaction failures because of poor internet connectivity, banking issues, or payment gateway delays. If your payment fails, there is usually no need to panic.

If the amount is debited but the application is not updated:

• Wait for a few hours and check the application status again.
• Log in to the CAT portal to verify whether the payment has been received.
• Avoid making multiple payments immediately.
• Contact the CAT Help Desk if the payment remains unsuccessful after a reasonable waiting period.

Common Reasons for Payment Failure

Is the CAT Registration Fee Refundable?

No, the CAT Registration Fee 2026 is non-refundable. Once the payment has been successfully processed, candidates cannot claim a refund under any circumstances, even if they decide not to appear for the examination or submit incorrect details in the application form.

Explore CAT 2026 Preparation Resources

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Paying CAT Registration Fee

CAT Help Desk for Payment-Related Queries

• Candidates facing issues related to CAT registration fee payment, transaction failures, or application submission can contact the official CAT Help Desk for assistance.
• Before reaching out, ensure you have all the necessary details ready to help the support team resolve your query quickly.

Details to Keep Ready Before Contacting the CAT Help Desk

To speed up the resolution of payment or registration-related issues, candidates should keep the following information handy:

• CAT User ID
• Registered Email ID or Mobile Number
• Transaction Reference ID generated by the bank or payment gateway
• Screenshot of the payment failure or error message (if applicable)
• Date and time of the payment transaction
• Payment mode used (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI)