CAT 2024 Registration Numbers Release: IIM Calcutta Delays by 30 Days; Will number grow? Check Insights from Last 20 Years

This delay has sparked speculation about possible trends in CAT registrations, given the historical patterns over the last two decades. In this article, MBAUniverse.com analyzes past registration trends and explores potential scenarios based on 20 years of CAT data.  

As is well known, IIM Calcutta is conducting CAT 2024 exam on November 24, 2024 in three slots. CAT Registrations closed on September 20, 2024 after an extension of 7 days. IIM Calcutta Faculty Prof Ramya T Venkateswaran is the CAT 2024 Convener. 

What are CAT Registration Numbers? Why are they important?
Every year, CAT registration numbers are released by the CAT Convenor to inform students, institutions and other stakeholder. CAT registration numbers typically include the following details: 

• Total Number of Candidates Who Registered for the CAT Exam
• Percentage Increase or Decrease in CAT Exam Registration Numbers  
• Total Number of Female Candidates Who Registered for the CAT Exam
• Total Number of Male Candidates Who Registered for the CAT Exam
• Geographical Registration Trends and other insights.  

CAT Registration Numbers is an important statistic as it measures the demand for MBA program in India since CAT is the largest exam with almost 300% more registrations compared to other MBA entrance exams. For MBA aspirants, CAT Registration Numbers also indicate the likely CAT Cut Offs for IIMs and other top B-schools. 

CAT 2024 Registration Number: IIM Calcutta Delays Release 

In recent past, the convening IIM have announced the exact CAT Registration Numbers within a few days of close of registration. However, this year, even after more than a month of close of CAT registration last date, IIM Calcutta is yet to release CAT numbers. This has led to speculations if all is well with CAT registration. 

In recent past, CAT registration numbers were promptly released by the CAT 2023 and CAT 2022 Convenors soon after the last date of CAT registration in September. Check the dates in table below.

Table 1: CAT Registration Numbers Release Dates: Past Trends 

Year & Convening IIM	CAT Registration Last Date	CAT Registration Numbers Release
CAT 2024 by IIM Calcutta	September 20, 2024	Not Released
CAT 2023 by IIM Lucknow	September 21, 2023	September 21, 2023
CAT 2022 by IIM Bangalore	September 21, 2022	September 28, 2022

Delay Sparks Speculation: Is all Well with CAT Registration Numbers?
The delay in release of CAT 2024 Registration Numbers has caused a lot of speculations within MBA aspirants, institutions, test prep companies and other stakeholders. Social media is full of discussions on have the CAT 2024 registration number increase, or they have fallen...

While only CAT Convenor will have the final word, experts opine that it could swing either way due to several positive and negative factors.

Positive factors for increase in CAT Registration Numbers

• CAT 2024 Accepting Colleges and Seats Increase: In the last decade, almost all the IIMs MBA and other top MBA colleges accepting CAT score have increased seats in their flagship program and have also launched new programs. MBA from IITs, which accept only CAT score for MBA admissions, has become much more popular in recent years due to high ranks in NIRF rankings. In addition, several top ranked B-schools like IIFT New Delhi and TISS Mumbai have stopped their own MBA admission tests and now accept CAT Scores.
• CAT 2024 Exam Cities Increased: The increase in CAT numbers is also expected as CAT 2024 exam cities are increased to 170. Last year CAT was conducted in 160 cities, while CAT 2022 was conducted in 154 cities
• Engineering Placements are Down: Placement season 2024 for engineering graduates has been reported as the most challenging in a decade. Geo political uncertainty, rise of AI, economic slowdown expected in western countries are some factors for drop in placements and salary packages of engineering graduates. Pursuing MBA is a safe bet for engineers who will like to wait for better times and also acquire managerial qualification.  

Not so positive factors for increase in CAT Registration Numbers

• CAT Registrations grew only by 1% per annum between 2011-2021: While CAT numbers have shown a good growth in last two years, there was hardly any grown in preceding 10 years. Refer table X below. This implies that CAT registration growth is not a secular trend like Indian GDP or Population growth, but is subject to many unexplained factors.  

Table 2: CAT Registration Numbers Growth Rate from 2011-2021

CAT Year	CAT Registration
CAT Registrations in 2011	2,14,000
CAT Registrations in 2021	2.30,000
Total Years of CAT Exams	10
Annual Growth in CAT Registrations	0.72 %

Source: MBAUniverse.com Analysis of past CAT registration numbers

For exact data, refer CAT Registration Trends for last twenty years in table 3 below.

• MBA Placements 2024 record fall in Average Salary: MBAUniverse.com Analysis of B-school Placement Reports 2024 reveals that MBA salaries have fallen in majority of B-school this year compared to last year. For instance, there was an 8-10% drop in average salary at MDI Gurgaon, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Indore for Placements 2024. 
• MBA Fees have been rising: While MBA placements have gone down, the MBA Fee is consistently rising in top B-schools by 5-8% per year. Increase in MBA fees and drop in MBA placements can dampen the spirits of MBA aspirants, especially working professional who are very concerned about MBA ROI and have option to continue with their current job.  

CAT Registration Numbers Trends: From 2005-2023 
While we wait for IIM Calcutta for release CAT 2024 registration numbers, MBAUniverse.com presents a historical account of how CAT numbers have changed in last two decades. As the data reveals, except for few years like CAT 2006, CAT 2007, CAT 2008, CAT 2015, CAT 2022 and CAT 2023 where there was a significant increase in CAT registration numbers, data is volatile and unpredictable. 

Table 3: CAT Registration Numbers from CAT 2005 to CAT 2024 

CAT Year	No of Candidates Registered	No of Candidates Appeared	% Increase/ Decrease
2005	170000	155000	--
2006	191000	180000	12.4%
2007	250000	230000	30.9%
2008	290000	276000	16.0%
2009	241000	230000	-16.9%
2010	204000	185000	-15.4%
2011	205000	186000	0.5%
2012	214000	195000	4.4%
2013	194516	173714	-9.1%
2014	196988	170000	1.3%
2015	218664	179602	11.0%
2016	232434	195679	6.3%
2017	231067	199632	-0.6%
2018	240338	209405	4.0%
2019	244169	209926	1.6%
2020	227835	190144	-6.7%
2021	229969	191660	0.9%
2022	255501	222184	11.1%
2023	328000	288000	28.4%
2024	Data Awaited	Data Awaited	---

Source: MBAUniverse.com analysis of announcements by respective IIMs 

Looking at the above CAT Registration data, and MBA salary and MBA fees trends for 2024, it is clear that growth of CAT 2024 registration numbers cannot be taken for granted. Indeed, if there be an increase in the numbers, it will bring relief to B-schools who have significantly increased seats in recent years. 

However, delay of more than a month by IIM Calcutta in the release of CAT Registration data has led to speculations if the numbers have fallen this year. IIM Calcutta will do well to release the CAT 2024 registration numbers at the earliest. Should there be a technical issue, IIM Calcutta can issue a clarification for the delay.