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We told you yesterday that CAT 2016 registrations had surged to 2,32,434. A press release by the CAT authorities confirm this. The press release says that registrations for the Common Admission Test (CAT) to Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other leading B-schools have shot up to a 7-year high. There were 2,18,664 registrations for the test last year.

“From the period of 2010 to 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 observed.

“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,” he explained.

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,” Prof. Bandi added.

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