CAT 2026 applications fall for third straight year to 2.84 lakh
Applications for the Common Admission Test, held for admission to the IIMs, are down from 2.95 lakh last year; the exam is on November 29.
Images are not validated/verified
The number of applications for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2026, held for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), has dropped. This year 2.84 lakh candidates have applied, against 2.95 lakh in 2025. The exam will be held on November 29, 2026. However, fewer applications do not mean that young people have lost interest in management studies.
Looking at the figures for the past three years, 3.29 lakh candidates applied for CAT in 2024. The number fell to 2.95 lakh in 2025 and has now reached 2.84 lakh. This is a decline of about 3.7 per cent from last year. Compared with the record figure of 2024, applications are down by roughly 13.7 per cent.
CAT is the route to admission to 22 IIMs and several other well-known management institutes. But it cannot be said that fewer applications will make admission to the top institutes easier. This is because, along with the CAT score, academic background, the interview and each institute's own rules also count.
Students now also look at fees, placements and return on investment (ROI) before choosing an MBA. The total MBA fee at many big business schools is quite high. Candidates therefore want to know what kind of job and what salary package they will get after completing the course. Changes in the job market and ups and downs in companies are also making some students change their decision.
For those already working, giving up their current income for a two-year full-time MBA is not easy. Some are therefore considering an executive MBA, online courses or other certificate courses alongside their jobs.
For those building a career in management, exams such as XAT, SNAP, NMAT and CMAT are also open besides CAT. These can lead to admission to different business schools. Candidates are thus choosing a path according to their preparation, preferred institute and budget.
The admit card (hall ticket) for CAT 2026 will be released on November 4. The application fee was set at Rs 2,700 for the general category and Rs 1,350 for reserved categories.
