CAT 2026 Registration: Shows 13.7% Decrease from Peak, Know Details Here

The CAT 2026 registration count has reached around 2.84 lakh, marking a decline from the previous peak recorded for the Common Admission Test. The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore, which is conducting CAT 2026, has confirmed the latest registration figure.

The number is lower than the record 3.29 lakh CAT registrations in 2024. The latest data also shows a drop from around 2.95 lakh registrations recorded for CAT 2025. The figures bring attention to the changing registration trend for the country's major management entrance exam.

CAT 2026 Registration Numbers: What Does the Data Show?

The latest CAT registration 2026 figure stands at approximately 2.84 lakh candidates. This means the exam has moved further below the record registration level seen in 2024, when around 3.29 lakh candidates registered.

Although registrations have declined from the peak, CAT continues to attract a large number of MBA aspirants. The exam is used for admission to postgraduate management programmes at the IIMs and several other participating business schools across India.

The CAT 2026 registration numbers are therefore lower than the previous two years. However, the exam still remains one of the major entrance routes for students targeting IIMs and other top management institutes.

CAT Registration 2026 Decline From the Peak

The 2024 figure remains the highest registration level in the recent CAT data. Around 3.29 lakh candidates registered that year, compared with 2.84 lakh registrations for CAT 2026. Based on these figures, the latest count is about 13.7% below the 2024 peak. The decline does not by itself indicate a change in the importance of CAT, as admission competition also depends on the number of candidates appearing, scores, cut-offs and seats available across participating institutes.

CAT 2026 Exam Date and Upcoming Schedule

With the CAT 2026 application process completed, the focus now shifts to the examination and admission process. IIM Indore is conducting the exam this year, and CAT 2026 exam date is November 29. The test will be conducted in three slots.

The CAT score is considered by the IIMs and other participating management institutes for their admission processes. Aspirants should therefore keep checking their candidate login and the official CAT website for the admit card and other exam-related updates.

What CAT 2026 Registration Data Means for MBA Aspirants

The fall in CAT 2026 registrations means fewer candidates have registered compared with the 2024 peak. However, students should not assume that this will automatically result in lower cut-offs or easier admission to IIMs. Admission depends on several factors, including CAT percentile, sectional performance, academic profile, work experience and the selection criteria of individual institutes. Students appearing for CAT 2026 should therefore continue focusing on preparation rather than using registration numbers as a measure of admission chances.

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