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The payment of the CAT exam fees for 2026 is a must for all candidates who wish to appear for the CAT examination. CAT 2026 exam fees are out as the official CAT notification 2026 has been released. CAT 2026 fees for general candidates are Rs. 2700/-, while the CAT 2026 fees for ST/SC candidates are Rs 1350/-. Last year, the CAT exam fees for OBC and the General category were Rs 2600. Meanwhile, for reserved categories, the CAT exam fee was Rs. 1300. Candidates must note that the CAT exam fees will be paid only online via debit/credit card, net banking, and UPI transactions. The last date for CAT 2026 registration is September 15, 2026. Keep reading this article to find more information on CAT exam fees, CAT registration 2026 fees, CAT exam fees for OBC category students, and more.
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The CAT exam fee for registration is a one-time payment to be made to register for the CAT examination. The CAT registration fees will be paid at the time of filling out the online application form, which will start on August 03, 2026.
The CAT exam fees 2026 for MBA are different for different categories. For General category candidates, the CAT exam fee is Rs. 2700, whereas for candidates from SC, ST, and PwD categories, the CAT exam fee is Rs. 1350.
Category | CAT Exam Fees for Registration |
CAT registration 2026 fees for General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates | Rs. 2700 |
CAT registration 2026 fees for SC, ST and PwD | Rs. 1350 |
*Note that the CAT 2026 exam registration fees might differ slightly from last year. We will update the fees accordingly.
The above-mentioned fees include both the CAT registration fees and the IIM application fees. Keep in mind that the CAT registration 2026 fees are non-refundable.
Payment of the CAT exam fees will be the last step in the CAT registration 2026 process. Candidates applying for the CAT examination can pay the CAT exam fees by following the steps given below.
Step 1: Click on the payment tab for the CAT exam fees.
Step 2: Next, choose the method of payment. Candidates can choose from different payment options like debit or credit card (master/Visa), net banking, PayU, BillDesk, and Paytm UPI.
Step 3: Fill in the payment details required, like card number, CVV, or UPI address in case of UPI payment.
Step 4: Wait for payment confirmation status.
Step 5: Download the payment invoice and take a few printouts for future reference.
The transaction fees for each payment method are mentioned in the table below.
Mode of Payment | Transaction Charges |
Credit Card (Master/ Visa) | 1.20% of the transaction amount, subject to a minimum of Rs 5. |
Credit Card (American Express) | 2.85% of the transaction amount, subject to a minimum of Rs 5. |
Debit Card (Master/ Visa) |
|
Net Banking | Rs 20 per transaction |
No, there is no provision for a late fee or extra charges to apply for the CAT exam. However, CAT has a specific registration window where the application and the fees must be submitted within the stipulated time frame. Any application submitted after the deadline will not be accepted by the conducting body. Therefore, it is advised that all candidates must register and pay the CAT application fee before the closing date to avoid any last-minute technical glitches or hassles.
All MBA aspirants must note that the fee paid for the CAT exam applications is non-refundable under any circumstances. Post payment of the CAT exam fees, the fees will not be transferable to another candidate or adjusted for future exams.
Therefore, it is advised that candidates ensure they make the payment carefully. In rare cases, if the candidate makes a double payment due to technical glitches, they might be able to get their CAT exam fees refunded. In case your CAT exam fee payment fails, but the amount is still deducted, you must contact the CAT helpdesk immediately.
Once the CAT application form has been submitted and the payment has been made, there is no option to cancel your CAT registration or receive a refund. Or, if you decide not to take the CAT 2026 exam, your registration fee will still NOT be refunded.
Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid while paying the CAT exam fees:
Incorrect Payment method
Entering wrong details such as card number, expiry date, CVV, UPI ID or net banking credentials.
Poor internet connection
Insufficient funds
Multiple attempts
Ignoring confirmation
Exceeding transaction limits
Using expired bank card
Not following instructions
Wating to make the payment till last moment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A 70 percentile in the CAT exam is considered to be moderate to good score which can open doors to manu reputable B-schools in India.
The CAT exam fee is Rs. 2500 for candidates of the General and OBC categories. For SC, ST, and PWD category candidates the CAT exam fee is Rs. 1250. The CAT exam fee is to be paid online via credit/debit card, net banking, and UPI.
No, a CAT score is valid for one year only. This means that the score from a particular CAT exam can be used for admission in the academic year immediately following the exam.
Yes, the CAT exam duration is 2 hours (120 minutes). Each section is timed for 40 minutes, resulting in a total time duration of 2 hours.
To be eligible for the Common Admission Test (CAT) exam, candidates need a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD category. There is no upper age limit for CAT exam, but candidates should have completed their graduation or should be in the final year of graduation.
No, the CAT exam fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.
No, the CAT exam fee must be paid online through credit/debit cards, net banking, or UPI.
The CAT exam fee for General and OBC candidates is ₹2,500.
The lowest MBA fee stands at Rs. 17 lakhs at IIM Bodh Gaya. It is the cheapest among all the IIMs. Other than IIM Bodh Gaya IIM Ranchi, IIM Sirmaur, and IIM Vizag are also some of the more pocket-friendly options for candidates seeking an MBA from IIM.
One of the reasons for IIM being so expensive is that they are not completely government-funded educational institutions. Apart from this the infrastructure, faculty, and placement records also make the IIMs very expensive.
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