The Common Admission Test (CAT 2025) is the gateway to India’s prestigious IIMs and top B-schools, attracting over two lakh aspirants every year. The first and most important step toward appearing in the exam is completing the CAT registration 2025 accurately and within the given deadline. Registration begins on 1st August 2025 and continues until 13th September 2025, with the exam scheduled for 30th November 2025. Candidates need to provide academic and personal details, upload documents, select test cities, and pay the fee online. Staying updated with key dates, eligibility requirements, and the correct form-filling process ensures a smooth application and avoids last-minute errors.
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CAT 2025 Registration Overview
The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 is one of the most competitive management entrance exams in India, opening the doors to the prestigious IIMs and several other top B-schools. Every year, more than two lakh aspirants appear for this exam to secure a place in premier MBA programs.
The exam is designed to test a candidate’s aptitude, reasoning ability, and verbal skills through three core sections:
Key Highlights of CAT 2025:
- Mode of Exam: Online, computer-based test (CBT).
- Exam Duration: 120 minutes (2 hours) with sectional time limits.
- Frequency: Conducted once every year.
- Conducting Body: One of the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), on a rotational basis.
To be eligible for the exam, candidates must first complete the CAT registration 2025 process. Registration begins on 1st August 2025 and remains open until 13th September 2025. The entire process is online and must be done only through the official website – iimcat.ac.in. During registration, aspirants are required to create a profile, fill in academic and personal details, upload the necessary documents, select preferred test cities, and pay the application fee.
Completing the CAT registration 2025 accurately and before the deadline is mandatory, as only registered candidates will be issued the admit card to appear for the exam on 30th November 2025.
Related: IIM Admission Criteria 2025
CAT 2025 Registration Dates
Mark these important deadlines in your calendar:
| Event |
Date |
| CAT Notification Release Date |
27 July 2025 |
| CAT Registration 2025 Start Date |
1 August 2025 |
| CAT Registration 2025 Last Date to Apply |
13 September 2025 |
| Admit Card Release Date |
10 November 2025 |
| CAT 2025 Exam Date |
30 November 2025 |
Don’t wait till the CAT registration 2025 last date to apply, as the portal often faces heavy traffic.
CAT 2025 Registration Last Date
The last date to register for CAT 2025 is 13th September 2025 (5:00 PM IST). Missing this deadline means losing the chance to appear for the exam, as extensions are rarely given. Aspirants are advised to complete the CAT registration 2025 in the first week of August itself to avoid issues like payment failures, server slowdowns, or errors caused by last-minute rush. Early registration also ensures enough time to review details and make corrections if required.
Also Read: CAT Exam Pattern
CAT 2025 Registration Fees
The registration fee is non-refundable and varies based on category:
| Category |
Registration Fee |
| General / EWS / NC-OBC |
₹2,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD |
₹1,300 |
CAT registration 2025 fees payment methods:
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Net Banking
- UPI
Useful: CAT Notification 2025
CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Checking the eligibility requirements is the first step before starting the CAT registration 2025 process. The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have defined clear guidelines for candidates who wish to apply. Meeting these criteria is essential, as any discrepancy during verification may lead to cancellation of the application.
Academic Qualification
- Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or institution.
- A minimum of 50% marks (or equivalent CGPA) is required for General, EWS, and NC-OBC category candidates.
- For candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories, the minimum requirement is 45% marks.
- The marks should be calculated as per the rules of the respective university. If grades/CGPA are awarded, conversion to percentage must follow official university guidelines.
Final Year Students
- Students who are in the final year of graduation (2025–26 academic year) are also eligible to apply.
- Such candidates must complete their degree requirements and provide proof of graduation on or before June 2026.
- During CAT registration 2025, they will need to submit a provisional certificate or declaration of eligibility.
Age Limit
- There is no upper age limit for appearing in CAT 2025.
- Both fresh graduates and working professionals can apply as long as they meet the academic criteria.
Eligibility Criteria for Engineers
- CAT registration 2025 eligibility criteria for engineers is the same as that for other graduates—50% marks for General/EWS/OBC and 45% for SC/ST/PwD.
- However, since a large proportion of CAT aspirants are engineers, academic consistency (10th, 12th, graduation scores) plays a significant role during IIM shortlisting. Engineers with strong academic records and balanced section-wise performance in the exam often have an edge during the admission process.
In summary, before beginning the CAT registration 2025 form filling, ensure that you meet the minimum percentage requirements, final-year conditions, and document guidelines. This will save time and prevent your application from being rejected at later stages.
Also Read: CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025
Documents Required for CAT Registration 2025
Before starting the CAT registration 2025, keep the following documents ready in the correct format to avoid rejection:
| Document |
Specifications / Notes |
| Academic Mark Sheets |
Class 10th, 12th & Graduation mark sheets → Enter marks, CGPA/percentage, year of passing → Convert CGPA as per university rules |
| Scanned Photograph |
Recent passport-size photo → JPEG/JPG → <80 KB → White/light background → Clear, not older than 6 months |
| Scanned Signature |
JPEG/JPG → <80 KB → Black/blue pen on white paper → No capital letters |
| Government Photo ID |
Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID / Passport / Driving License → Must match details in CAT registration 2025 form |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) |
SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD → Issued by competent authority → Valid for current financial year |
| Payment Method |
Debit Card / Credit Card / Net Banking / UPI → Fees: ₹2,600 (Gen/EWS/OBC), ₹1,300 (SC/ST/PwD) → Save payment receipt |
Keeping these documents ready ensures a smooth CAT registration 2025 process and prevents delays or rejection due to incorrect uploads.
Also Read: CAT Score vs Percentile 2025
CAT 2025 Registration Process – Step by Step
Completing the CAT registration 2025 is mandatory for every aspirant who wishes to appear for the exam. The entire process is online, and a single mistake can lead to rejection or errors in the admit card. Follow this step-by-step guide carefully:
Step 1: Create Your Account
- Visit the official website → iimcat.ac.in.
- Click on the “New Candidate Registration” button.
- Enter your name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number.
- Verify the mobile number and email ID using the OTP sent.
- After successful verification, you will receive a User ID and Password on your registered email and mobile number.
This login ID will be used throughout the CAT registration 2025 process, including form submission, admit card download, and result checking.
Step 2: Fill the Application Form
- Log in with your new credentials.
- Enter personal details – name, parents’ names, gender, category, and communication address.
- Fill in your academic details:
- Class 10th marks, board, year of passing
- Class 12th marks, stream, year of passing
- Graduation marks, degree, university, year of passing
- Post-graduation (if any)
- Provide work experience details, if applicable (industry type, duration).
- Choose the IIM programs you wish to apply for.
- Select up to 6 preferred test cities in order of priority.
Step 3: Upload Required Documents
- Upload a recent passport-size photograph (JPEG/JPG, <80 KB, clear background).
- Upload your signature (JPEG/JPG, <80 KB, blue/black ink on white background).
- If applicable, upload your category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD) in the prescribed format.
Ensure all files are uploaded as per the given specifications to avoid rejection during CAT registration 2025.
Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee
| Category |
Registration Fee |
| General / EWS / NC-OBC |
₹2,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD |
₹1,300 |
- Payment Modes: Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI.
- Refund Policy: Non-refundable under any circumstances.
Always download and save the payment receipt after successful transaction.
Step 5: Review & Submit
- Go through the form carefully before submitting.
- Check for spelling mistakes, incorrect details, or missing information.
- Remember: some fields (like name, email ID, and category) cannot be edited later.
- Once satisfied, click Submit and download the application summary PDF.
Step 6: Correction Window
- After the registration closes, IIMs may open a correction window for 2–3 days.
- During this period, you can edit only:
- Photograph
- Signature
- Test city preferences
- Fields like name, category, email ID, and mobile number cannot be changed.
Following these six steps ensures a smooth CAT registration 2025. Complete the process early, keep documents ready, and double-check details before final submission to avoid last-minute stress.
Download: CAT 2025 Syllabus PDF
CAT Registration Mistakes to Avoid
- Uploading incorrect photo/signature size
- Selecting wrong category
- Typing wrong email/phone number
- Waiting until last day → portal crashes
- Forgetting to download confirmation page
These CAT registration mistakes by students lead to disqualification.
The CAT registration 2025 is the first and most important step toward securing admission into IIMs and top B-schools. With the process starting on 1 August 2025 and closing on 13 September 2025, aspirants must stay alert to deadlines, prepare all documents in advance, and follow the step-by-step procedure carefully. Avoid common mistakes, pay fees on time, and download the confirmation page for future reference. Completing registration early not only prevents last-minute stress but also ensures a smooth path toward appearing for the exam on 30 November 2025.
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