Documents Required for CAT 2026: Registration, Exam Day & WAT-PI Checklist

Last updated: October 5, 2026

CATKing is a Mumbai-based MBA entrance exam coaching company founded by Sumit Singh, offering preparation for CAT, XAT, NMAT, SNAP, CET, GMAT, and GRE through online and offline classes. With CAT 2026 registration closed, the correction window ending on October 6, 2026, and the admit card releasing on November 4, 2026, a missing or wrong document is one of the easiest ways to lose a CAT attempt. This guide lists every document required for CAT 2026, from the photograph and category certificate uploaded at registration, to the admit card and photo ID needed on exam day, to the papers IIMs and other B-schools ask for at the WAT-PI stage.

Key Takeaways

• Registration documents: a recent passport-size photograph and a scanned signature (JPG/JPEG, up to 80 KB each), plus a self-attested PDF category or PwD certificate if applicable.

• Exam day documents: two printed copies of the CAT 2026 admit card and one original, valid government photo ID. A digital copy or screenshot is not accepted.

• Exam date: Sunday, November 29, 2026, conducted by IIM Indore. The admit card is released on November 4, 2026 at iimcat.ac.in.

• Last chance to fix photo or signature: the correction window closes at 5:00 PM IST on October 6, 2026.

• After the result: each B-school sets its own WAT-PI document list. Keep academic certificates, the CAT scorecard, ID proof and category or work-experience proof ready.

What Documents Are Required for CAT 2026?

CAT 2026, conducted by IIM Indore, needs different documents at three stages. The table gives the full picture at a glance.

 

What Documents Were Required for CAT 2026 Registration?

CAT 2026 registration ran from August 3 to September 22, 2026, and is now closed. The application asked for the following uploads and details.

• Passport-size photograph: recent, colour, plain white background, taken within the last six months.

• Scanned signature: handwritten, in black ink on white paper.

• Category certificate (if applicable): SC/ST caste certificate, NC-OBC certificate or EWS certificate, uploaded as a self-attested PDF.

• PwD certificate (if applicable): a valid disability certificate in the prescribed format, uploaded as a PDF.

• Details to keep ready: date of birth, Class 10 and Class 12 details, graduation details, communication address, email ID and mobile number.

• If applicable: a final-year certificate from the Principal, HoD or Director for final-year students, and a scribe certificate for candidates who need a scribe.

Candidates with a registered form can still edit the photograph and signature during the correction window. Read the dates in our guide to CAT 2026 important dates.

What Are the CAT 2026 Photograph and Signature Requirements?

Both images are uploaded as JPG or JPEG files. The photograph is printed on your admit card and checked at the centre, so a blurred or outdated image can cause problems on exam day.

 

Exact pixel dimensions and size limits can differ between reports, so always follow the instructions on the iimcat.ac.in upload page. The correction window, which allows only the photograph, signature and test city preferences to be edited, closes at 5:00 PM IST on October 6, 2026.

Which Category Certificates Are Needed for CAT 2026?

Candidates claiming reservation must upload a valid certificate in the prescribed format, self-attested, as a PDF.

 

What Documents Should You Carry on CAT 2026 Exam Day?

On Sunday, November 29, 2026, you must carry two printed copies of the admit card and an original government photo ID. The admit card, released on November 4, 2026, is the official confirmation of your slot, city and centre, and entry is not possible without a valid printout and ID.

• CAT 2026 admit card: two printed copies on A4 paper. A mobile screenshot or digital copy is not accepted.

• Original photo ID: one valid, undamaged government ID, preferably the same one used at registration.

• Photocopy of your ID: carry one as a backup.

• Name-change proof (if applicable): a Gazette notification, marriage certificate, affidavit or divorce decree when your name differs across documents.

• Medical certificate (if applicable): for candidates with a pacemaker, metal implant or other medical device.

Read more in our CAT 2026 admit card release guide and our explainer on CAT 2026 test city allocation.

Which Photo ID Proofs Are Accepted at the CAT 2026 Exam Centre?

Reported CAT guidelines accept original government-issued photo IDs. The name and date of birth on the ID should match the admit card, and the ID must not be damaged or smudged.

 

Do not rely on a phone screenshot, a PDF or a digital ID wallet as your only proof. Carry the physical card.

What Documents Are Needed After the CAT 2026 Result?

After the result, expected between late December 2026 and the first week of January 2027, IIMs and other B-schools shortlist candidates for the Written Ability Test and Personal Interview (WAT-PI), expected around February to March 2027. Each institute publishes its own document list, but the following are typically requested.

• Class 10, Class 12 and graduation mark sheets and certificates

• CAT 2026 scorecard and admit card

• Government photo ID and passport-size photographs

• Category, EWS or PwD certificate, if you applied under a reserved category

• Work experience letters and relieving or experience certificates, if applicable

• Final-year or provisional degree proof, if your graduation is not yet complete

Keep clear scans of everything in one folder. Institutes often ask for uploads at short notice after the shortlist is released.

What Document Mistakes Should CAT 2026 Aspirants Avoid?

• Uploading an old, blurred or non-white-background photograph that does not match your current appearance.

• Using a non-self-attested or outdated NC-OBC or EWS certificate that is not valid for the current financial year.

• Carrying only one printout, a screenshot or a photocopy of the admit card to the centre.

• Carrying an ID whose name or date of birth does not match the admit card, without name-change proof.

• Waiting until exam day to check the admit card. Download and verify it on November 4, 2026.

CAT 2026 Documents: Quick-Reference Rules

 

Note: These requirements reflect IIM Indore's CAT 2026 notification and reported guidelines as of October 5, 2026. File size limits and accepted ID lists can differ between reports, so confirm all specifications on iimcat.ac.in and on your admit card.

What Should CAT 2026 Aspirants Do Now?

• Before 5:00 PM on October 6: log in to iimcat.ac.in and check that your photograph and signature are clear and correct.

• Prepare your ID and certificates: confirm your photo ID is original, valid and matches your registered name and date of birth.

• On November 4, 2026: download the admit card, check every detail, and print two copies on A4 paper.

• Build a document folder: keep scans of mark sheets, certificates and work-experience letters ready for WAT-PI.

• Stay on track: use the weeks ahead for a structured, mock-driven preparation plan with CATKing instead of worrying about paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions About CAT 2026 Documents

What documents are required for CAT 2026?

CAT 2026 requires documents at three stages. For registration: a recent passport-size photograph and a scanned signature (both JPG/JPEG, up to 80 KB), plus a self-attested PDF of the NC-OBC, EWS, SC/ST or PwD certificate if applicable. On exam day: two printed copies of the admit card and an original, valid government photo ID. After the result: academic and category documents for the WAT-PI process, as listed by each institute.

What documents are required for CAT 2026 registration?

For CAT 2026 registration, candidates needed a recent passport-size photograph, a scanned signature, a valid NC-OBC, EWS, SC/ST or PwD certificate if applicable, and personal and academic details such as date of birth, Class 10 and 12 marks and graduation details. Registration closed on September 22, 2026.

What is the CAT 2026 photograph size and format?

The CAT 2026 photograph must be a recent colour passport-size photo, taken within the last six months, with a plain white background. It must be uploaded in JPG or JPEG format with a file size of up to 80 KB. Check the exact dimensions on the iimcat.ac.in upload page.

What is the CAT 2026 signature size and format?

The CAT 2026 signature must be a clear, handwritten signature in black ink on white paper, scanned and uploaded in JPG or JPEG format with a file size of up to 80 KB. The signature on the admit card must match the one you sign on exam day.

Which category certificates are needed for CAT 2026?

Candidates claiming reservation upload a self-attested PDF of a valid certificate: a caste certificate for SC/ST, a Non-Creamy Layer (NC-OBC) certificate valid for the current financial year for OBC, an EWS certificate for EWS, and a disability certificate for PwD candidates. Certificates must be in the format prescribed on iimcat.ac.in.

What documents must I carry on CAT 2026 exam day?

On November 29, 2026, carry two printed copies of your CAT 2026 admit card, one original and valid government photo ID, and a photocopy of that ID as a backup. Candidates with a name mismatch should carry legal name-change proof, and candidates with a pacemaker or metal implant should carry a medical certificate.

Which photo ID proofs are accepted at the CAT 2026 exam centre?

Reported CAT guidelines accept original government-issued photo IDs such as PAN card, driving licence, voter ID, passport, Aadhaar card or e-Aadhaar, ration card with photograph, or an identification affidavit. The ID must be valid and undamaged, and the name and date of birth should match the admit card. Confirm the list on your admit card.

Is a digital admit card accepted at the CAT 2026 exam centre?

No. Candidates must carry a printed copy of the CAT 2026 admit card, and a mobile screenshot or digital copy is not accepted. Print all pages on A4 paper, and carry two copies. The admit card is released on November 4, 2026, on iimcat.ac.in.

What if my name on the admit card and photo ID does not match?

Carry valid legal proof of the change along with the admit card and original photo ID, such as a Gazette notification, marriage certificate, affidavit or divorce decree. Check your admit card as soon as it is released on November 4, 2026, so that any mismatch can be resolved well before November 29.

Can I still change my CAT 2026 photograph or signature?

Yes, but only until 5:00 PM IST on October 6, 2026. The CAT 2026 application correction window, which opened on October 5, 2026, allows registered and fee-paid candidates to edit only the photograph, signature and test city preferences at iimcat.ac.in.

What documents are needed for IIM WAT-PI after CAT 2026?

Typically, B-schools ask for Class 10, Class 12 and graduation mark sheets and certificates, the CAT 2026 scorecard, a government photo ID, category or PwD certificates if applicable, work experience proof if applicable, and passport-size photographs. Requirements differ by institute, so follow each B-school's shortlist email and website.