CAT 2025 registration has seen a decline compared to last year. According to IIM Kozhikode, about 2.95 lakh candidates have applied for the national-level MBA entrance exam this year. Admit cards for eligible candidates will be available for download from November 12 to November 30, 2025, through the official CAT website using application login credentials.
This year’s applicant count shows a decrease of 34,000 from 3.29 lakh registrations in 2024. The drop marks a change after two years of high application numbers, reflecting shifts in student interest for the exam.
CAT 2025 Exam and Admit Card Details
The CAT 2025 exam is scheduled to be conducted on November 30, 2025. Originally, the admit card release was planned for November 5, 2025, but it has now been postponed to November 12, 2025. Candidates can download their admit cards using their login ID and password until the exam day.
Number of CAT Applicants in the Last Ten Years
The following table shows CAT registration trends over the past decade, highlighting fluctuations in applicant numbers:
CAT Year | Number of Applications |
2025 | 2.95 lakh |
2024 | 3.29 lakh |
2023 | 3.30 lakh |
2022 | 2.55 lakh |
2021 | 2.31 lakh |
2020 | 2.30 lakh |
2019 | 2.44 lakh |
2018 | 2.40 lakh |
2017 | 2.31 lakh |
2016 | 2.32 lakh |
2015 | 2.19 lakh |
The data shows that the number of CAT applicants peaked in 2023 and 2024, followed by a dip in 2025. The trend indicates rising competition in earlier years and a slight decline this year.
Downloading CAT 2025 Admit Card
Students must use the CAT application login ID and password to download their admit cards. It is important to verify all details on the admit card, including exam centre, date, and personal information, to avoid issues on the day of the exam.
Candidates are advised to keep a copy of the admit card safe for future reference and follow all guidelines issued by IIM Kozhikode for exam day.
