CAT Exam Fees 2026 (Official): Subject-wise Topics & Weightage, Free PDFs

CAT Latest Updates

09 Oct, 2026

CAT 2026 admit cards will be available for download from Nov 4, 2026, ahead of the Nov 29 exam.

CAT 2026 registration fee has been officially announced along with the CAT 2026 notification. Candidates belonging to the General, EWS, and NC-OBC categories are required to pay INR 2,700, while the registration fee for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates is INR 1,350. Paying the registration fee is the final step of the CAT 2026 application process. You can complete the payment online using a debit card, credit card, net banking, UPI, or any other available digital payment option. Depending on the payment method you choose, additional transaction or convenience charges may be charged by the payment service provider.

The CAT 2026 registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Before making the payment, review all the information entered in your application form carefully, as requests for fee refunds or transfers are not accepted once the payment has been successfully completed. After the transaction is successful, keep a copy of the payment confirmation or receipt for your records, as it may be useful during the admission process.

You can check the updated CAT exam fees 2026 as presented below:

Category	CAT Exam Fees
CAT Exam Fees for General	INR 2700
CAT Exam Fees for NC- OBC	INR 2700
CAT Exam Fees for EWS	INR 2700
CAT Exam Fees for SC	INR 1350
CAT Exam Fees for ST	INR 1350
CAT Exam Fees for PwBD	INR 1350

The fees mentioned above is subjected to be changed as these are based on previous year fees. Stay tuned for more updates on CAT exam fees. For more details visit CAT 2026 Dates

How to Pay the CAT 2026 Registration Fee?

Candidates must complete the fee payment process as the final step in CAT registration 2026. Follow the steps given below to make the payment successfully:

Step 1: Log in to the official CAT 2026 application portal and proceed to the payment section.
Step 2: Select your preferred payment method from the available online options, such as a debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
Step 3: Enter the required payment details and verify the information before proceeding.
Step 4: Complete the transaction and wait for the payment confirmation message to appear on the screen.
Step 5: Download or save the payment confirmation receipt for future reference.

Also, Check: CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria

CAT Exam Fees 2026 Payment Mode

Candidates need to be aware of the transaction charges while making payments for the CAT exam.

Credit Card (Master/Visa): A fee of 1.20% of the transaction amount is charged, with a minimum charge of INR 5.
Credit Card (American Express): A fee of 2.85% of the transaction amount is charged, with a minimum charge of INR 5.
Debit Card (Master/Visa): A fee of 0.75% is applied for transactions up to INR 2000, with a minimum charge of INR 5, and 0.90% for transactions above INR 2000.
Net Banking: A fixed fee of INR 20 is charged per transaction.

CAT Exam Fees 2026 Refund Policy

You should understand the CAT exam fees refund policy before making a payment. The registration fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another candidate. Once paid, the fee will not be returned or adjusted for future CAT Exam Fees 2026. Therefore, you must carefully complete the payment process and ensure successful confirmation. Since no refund or adjustment is allowed, it is essential to verify all details before proceeding with the payment.

CAT Exam Fees 2026: 10-Year Comparison

Over the past decade, CAT exam fees have experienced periodic adjustments. This table illustrates a consistent upward trend in CAT exam fees over the past decade:

Year	General/EWS/NC-OBC Fees	SC/ST/PwD Fees
CAT Exam Fees 2015	INR 1,600	INR 800
CAT Exam Fees 2016	INR 1,700	INR 850
CAT Exam Fees 2017	INR 1,800	INR 900
CAT Exam Fees 2018	INR 1,900	INR 950
CAT Exam Fees 2019	INR 2,000	INR 1,000
CAT Exam Fees 2020	INR 2,000	INR 1,000
CAT Exam Fees 2021	INR 2,200	INR 1,100
CAT Exam Fees 2022	INR 2,300	INR 1,150
CAT Exam Fees 2023	INR 2,400	INR 1,200
CAT Exam Fees 2024	INR 2,500	INR 1,250
CAT Exam Fees 2025	INR 2600	INR 1300
CAT Exam Fees 2026	INR 2700	INR 1350

Impact of CAT Exam Fees Hikes

The increase in CAT exam fees impacts many candidates, especially those from financially weaker backgrounds. Here are some key effects of rising fees:

Financial Burden: Higher fees make it difficult for economically weaker students to apply.
Reduced Applications: Many aspirants may skip the exam due to affordability issues.
Limited Access: Rising costs can prevent deserving candidates from pursuing management education.
Administrative Costs: Authorities increase fees to cover exam infrastructure and security improvements.
Better Exam Facilities: Higher fees help in upgrading technology and exam management.
Financial Planning Needed: Candidates must plan their expenses in advance to avoid difficulties.

Expected CAT Exam Fees Hikes for 2026

CAT exam fees have steadily increased over the past decade. Based on this trend, there is a high chance that the fees will rise again in 2026. Authorities often increase fees to cover administrative costs and improve exam infrastructure. If the pattern continues, candidates should be prepared for a possible hike. However, the official fee structure will only be confirmed when the CAT 2025 notification is released. Aspirants should stay updated with official announcements and plan their finances accordingly. It is advisable to check the official website regularly for the latest updates.

CAT Exam Fees 2026: Fee Waivers

A limited number of eligible candidates can get a tuition fee waiver at IMI New Delhi under AICTE regulations. To qualify, candidates must have a household income of less than INR 8 lakhs per year in the financial year before admission. A government official must verify this income. CAT registration fee for OBC category candidates is INR 2600. IMI New Delhi will select students for the tuition fee waiver based on merit during the admission process. Selected students will get the waiver within a month of starting their first term. Candidates must also present their CAT exam admit card during admission.

Difference Between CAT Exam Fees & CAT IIM Fees

CAT exam fee and IIM course fee are different. Candidates pay CAT exam fee only for registering and appearing in the exam. This fee does not include admission or tuition costs. On the other hand, the IIM fee covers tuition, hostel, study materials, and other expenses for management programs. CAT exam fee is a one-time payment, while the IIM fee is much higher and paid for the entire course. Clearing CAT does not guarantee admission to an IIM, as selection depends on further rounds like interviews and academic performance.

For more Information: CAT 2025 Result.

IIM Fees Structure for MBA 2026

IIM MBA fees for 2026 vary across different campuses. IIM Ahmedabad has the highest fee, while IIM Bodh Gaya has the lowest. These fees cover tuition, hostel, and other academic expenses. The cost of studying at IIMs changes every year. Below is a table showing the MBA fees for various IIMs in 2026 for two years. However, these course fees are approximate and subject to change.

S.No	IIM Campus	IIM MBA Fees (2026)
1	IIM Ahmedabad	INR 34.15 lakh
2	IIM Bangalore	INR 26.00 lakh
3	IIM Calcutta	INR 33.50 lakh
4	IIM Lucknow	INR 20.50 lakh
5	IIM Kozhikode	INR 20.50 lakh
6	IIM Raipur	INR 18.00 lakh
7	IIM Udaipur	INR 21.33 lakh
8	IIM Rohtak	INR 17.90 lakh
9	IIM Visakhapatnam	INR 17.82 lakh
10	IIM Trichy	INR 21.00 lakh
11	IIM Sambalpur	INR 21.01 lakh
12	IIM Ranchi	INR 17.50 lakh
13	IIM Bodh Gaya	INR 16.28 lakh
14	IIM Sirmaur	INR 17.50 lakh
15	IIM Jammu	INR 20.73 lakh
16	IIM Amritsar	INR 21.00 lakh
17	IIM Shillong	INR 22.71 lakh
18	IIM Kashipur	INR 17.30 lakh
19	IIM Nagpur	INR 18.90 lakh
20	IIM Indore	INR 21.17 lakh
21	IIM Mumbai	INR 21.00 lakh

Found your target IIM? Check the CAT Cutoff 2026

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ans: The official CAT 2026 registration fee was announced on July 27, 2026, along with the release of the CAT 2026 notification. Candidates belonging to the General, EWS, and NC-OBC categories are required to pay INR 2,700, while the registration fee for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates is INR 1,350. For any future updates related to the registration process or fee payment, candidates should refer to the official CAT website.

Ans: Yes. Depending on the payment method you choose, your bank or the payment gateway may apply additional transaction or convenience charges. These charges are separate from the CAT 2026 registration fee and are determined by the respective payment service provider. Before completing the payment, you can review the applicable charges displayed on the payment page.

Ans: Yes, candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories pay a lower registration fee compared to General and OBC candidates. The expected fee for reserved category candidates in CAT 2026 is INR 1300, while General and OBC candidates may have to pay INR 2500. The final fee details will be confirmed in the official notification.

Ans: The rising CAT exam fees make it challenging for financially weaker students to apply. Some aspirants may skip the exam due to affordability issues, reducing the number of applicants. Higher fees also increase the financial burden on students who plan to take multiple entrance exams in the same year.

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