CDAC C-CAT 2027 is C-DAC’s Common Admission Test for its PG Certificate Programmes (formerly PG Diploma courses) such as PGCP-AC and PGCP-BDA. C-DAC ACTS Pune holds it twice a year. The next C-CAT, for the February 2027 batch, is expected in January 2027, with registration likely from November 2026.
CDAC C-CAT 2027
This page covers the January 2027 C-CAT for the February 2027 batch: dates, registration, eligibility, fee, exam pattern and courses.
| Full name | C-DAC's Common Admission Test (C-CAT) for PG Certificate Programmes |
|---|---|
| Conducted by | Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), ACTS Pune |
| Exam level | National |
| Courses / Purpose | 24-week PG Certificate Programmes (formerly PG Diplomas) such as PGCP-AC, PGCP-BDA and PGCP-AI |
| Exam date | Expected January 2027 (February 2027 batch) |
| Application | Expected from November 2026, online only |
| Application fee | Rs 1,550 (Category II) or Rs 1,750 (Category III), incl. GST, for the July 2026 C-CAT |
| Eligibility | BE/BTech in IT, CS, Electronics or allied branches, or MSc/MS in CS, IT or Electronics, with 55% (60% for PGCP-AI) |
| Mode | Online, computer-based test at C-DAC test centres |
| Questions and marks | 50 MCQs, 150 marks, 1 hour per section; Sections A + B (Category II) or A + B + C (Category III) |
| Negative marking | 1 mark deducted per wrong answer (+3 per correct answer) |
| Official website | cdac.in |
CDAC C-CAT 2027 Important Dates
C-DAC has not released the February 2027 batch schedule yet, so the dates below are expected months; in January 2026 the test was held on 10 and 11 January, and a July 2027 C-CAT is expected for the August 2027 batch.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application (Feb 2027 batch) | November 2026 Expected |
| Admit card download (Feb 2027 batch) | January 2027 Expected |
| C-CAT (Feb 2027 batch) | January 2027 Expected |
| Announcement of C-CAT ranks (Feb 2027 batch) | January 2027 Expected |
| Counselling (Feb 2027 batch) | January 2027 Expected |
| Course start (Feb 2027 batch) | February 2027 Expected |
| Online application (Aug 2027 batch) | May 2027 Expected |
| C-CAT (Aug 2027 batch) | July 2027 Expected |
| Announcement of C-CAT ranks (Aug 2027 batch) | July 2027 Expected |
How to Apply for CDAC C-CAT 2027
You apply online at cdac.in or acts.cdac.in, and registration for the January 2027 C-CAT is expected to open in November 2026. Registration, the application form and the fee payment are all done in one online account.
Apply Online for CDAC C-CAT 2027
Applications for CDAC C-CAT 2027 are expected in November 2026.
- Register on the C-DAC website. You get a Form Number, which with your password is your login for the whole admission process.
- Log in and fill in your personal details and qualifying degree details. They must match the documents you show at admission.
- Select the course category: Category II (Sections A and B) or Category III (Sections A, B and C). You cannot change it after you submit the form.
- Upload a clear passport-size photograph.
- Choose three cities where you want to take the C-CAT.
- Pay the C-CAT fee online by net banking, UPI or credit or debit card, then print or save the filled form from ‘View/Print Application Form’.
| Course category | C-CAT sections | C-CAT fee (incl. GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Category II | A + B | Rs 1,550 |
| Category III | A + B + C | Rs 1,750 |
These were the fees for the July 2026 C-CAT and are not refundable. If you miss the fee deadline or do not choose your test cities, you cannot download the admit card. For help, C-DAC ACTS Pune answers at 020-25503143 and [email protected].
Who can apply for CDAC C-CAT 2027?
You can apply if you have a BE or BTech in IT, Computer Science, Electronics, Telecommunications, Electrical or Instrumentation, or an MSc or MS in Computer Science, IT or Electronics. This common rule covers every PG Certificate Programme.
- Many courses also accept a graduate in any engineering branch, MCA or MCM, or a postgraduate degree in Physics, Mathematics or Statistics.
- PGCP-AC, PGCP-BDA and PGCP-MC also accept a postgraduate degree in Management with graduation in IT, Computer Science or Computer Applications.
- PGCP-RAT also accepts graduates in Mechatronics or Mechanical Engineering.
- You need at least 55% in the qualifying degree, or 60% for PGCP-AI, as per your university’s norms.
- There is no age limit.
- Final-year students can apply. They get provisional admission if all degree exams are over by the course start, and must submit proof of passing with the required marks by the date C-DAC sets.
These rules come from the August 2026 admission booklet. Check the course-wise eligibility in the February 2027 booklet before you pick a category, and email your mark sheets to [email protected] before the last date if your degree is not listed.
What is the CDAC C-CAT 2027 exam pattern?
C-CAT is a computer-based test taken at C-DAC test centres, with up to three one-hour sections of 50 multiple-choice questions each, in English.
| Section | Questions | Duration | Maximum marks | Who writes it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | 50 | 1 hour | 150 | All candidates (Category II and III) |
| Section B | 50 | 1 hour | 150 | All candidates (Category II and III) |
| Section C | 50 | 1 hour | 150 | Category III only |
Each correct answer gets 3 marks and each wrong answer loses 1 mark; unattempted questions get 0. You write only the sections of the category you chose in the form. The topics of each section are on the CDAC C-CAT 2027 syllabus page.
Which courses can you join through C-CAT 2027?
C-CAT ranks are used for admission to C-DAC’s 24-week, full-time PG Certificate Programmes at its own centres and authorised training centres across India.
| Course category | C-CAT sections | PG Certificate Programmes (August 2026 list) |
|---|---|---|
| Category II | A + B (2 hours, 300 marks) | PGCP-AC (Advanced Computing, formerly PG-DAC), PGCP-BDA (Big Data Analytics), PGCP-AI (Artificial Intelligence), PGCP-ITISS, PGCP-MC (Mobile Computing), PGCP-ASSD, PGCP-HPCSA, PGCP-FBD (FinTech and Blockchain), PGCP-CSF (Cyber Security and Forensics), PGCP-RAT (Robotics) |
| Category III | A + B + C (3 hours, 450 marks) | PGCP-ESD (Embedded Systems Design), PGCP-VLSI (VLSI Design) |
This is the course list of the August 2026 batch; the February 2027 list may change. Course fees in August 2026 ranged from Rs 84,150 + GST (online PGCP-AC and PGCP-CSF) to Rs 1,50,000 + GST (physical PGCP-AI). Category III candidates can also take Category II courses.
CDAC C-CAT 2027 Official Notices and Downloads
These are the official C-DAC links. The admission booklet for the February 2027 batch will appear on the admission page when registration opens.
- LINKC-DAC PG Certificate Programmes Admission Booklet, August 2026 batch (latest)Official site · cdac.inOpen
- LINKC-DAC PG Certificate Programmes admission page (official website)Official site · cdac.inOpen