The number of applicants for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2016 has touched a record 7-year high with 2,32,434 applications received till the deadline on September 27, 2016.
CAT is a mandatory admission test to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools. Last year, the number of registered candidates was 2,18,664.
“From the period CAT 2010 to CAT 2016, this is the highest number of applicants,” said Professor Rajendra K. Bandi, Convenor, CAT 2016.
“While we still have a majority of male candidates (67%), the percentage of female candidates has marginally increased by 1% compared to last year, which is a good sign, but not good enough,” he added.
“However, if we look at the total increase in the applications compared to last year, which is close to 14,000, almost half of these additional applications have come from female candidates. This is a positive sign. That means, the increase of female candidates is more than the increase of male candidates,” Prof. Bandi pointed out.
The number of PWD (Persons with Disability) applicants has increased from 901 to 938. “In this category, the percentage of male candidates is very high (more than 80%), which is something to think about.
“Our social systems need to encourage female PWD students. However, on the positive side, the percentage of female PWD candidates has increased from 14.76% to 17.48%. Small positive steps, but miles to go on this,” he added.
Among the applicants for CAT 2016, male candidates dropped by one percent to 67% from 68% in the previous year. Female representation has gone up from 32% in 2015 to 33% this year.
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Similarly, in the case of PWD applicants, the total number went up from 901 in 2015 to 938 in 2016. The percentage of male candidates dropped from 85.24% in 2015 to 82.52% in 2016. Female candidates registered an increase from 14.76% in 2015 to 17.48% this year.
Earlier this month, the last date for receipt of applications was extended from September 22 to September 27. At that time, Prof. Bandi had explained that the extension was to facilitate the students who were still in the process of completing their applications.
By September 22, the total number of submitted applications was 2.08 lakh, far in excess of the applications for the comparable period last year, a pointer to the new record being set for CAT 2016.
The national level computer based test, is scheduled to be held in two sessions on December 4, at centres located in 138 cities across India. The release of results in tentatively fixed for second week of January 2017.
