CAT 2026 Reservation Criteria: Category-Wise Reservation Rules, Eligibility & Seats

CAT Reservation Criteria: The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level entrance test organised in India for candidates seeking admission in MBA course programs of IIMs and other B schools accepting CAT scores. CAT reservation criteria depend on the government norms. Therefore, the eligibility and seat distribution have been made by the IIM authorities considering the government rules to provide the reservation. Candidates need to have valid category proof to get the benefits of the reservation criteria in the CAT examination. 

CAT Exam Reservation

CAT exam reservation is as per the government norms for the seat distribution. 

• Scheduled Caste (SC): 15% of total seats

• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5% of total seats

• Non-Creamy Other Backward Classes (NC-OBC): 27% of total seats

• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): Up to 10% of total seats

• Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 5% of total seats

CAT Reservation for General Category

General category candidates do not get quota benefits reserved for SC, ST, NC-OBC, or PwBD groups. Candidates coming under the EWS category get the 10% reservation of the total seats. It is mandatory to upload the income proof to get the benefits. 

• Up to 10% of total seats are reserved for EWS applicants.
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• Both General and EWS candidates must score at least 50% aggregate marks in their Bachelor's degree to meet the eligibility criteria.
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• EWS candidates must upload a valid income and asset certificate issued by the competent authority.

CAT Reservation for OBC

Candidates in the Other Backward Classes category receive 27% seat reservation, provided they belong to the Non-Creamy Layer (NC-OBC).

• Central List Requirement: The caste of the applicant must be listed in the official Central Government list of OBCs as of the last date of CAT registration.

• Marks Criteria: NC-OBC candidates must secure a minimum of 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in their graduation degree.

• Certificate Upload: Candidates must upload a valid NC-OBC certificate in the Government of India format during online registration.

• No Category Change: The selected category cannot be changed after the registration form is submitted

PwBD Disability Sub-Categories

Candidates with not less than 40% specified disability under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act 2016) can apply under the 5% PwBD reservation. The categories include:

• Blindness and low vision

• Deaf and hard of hearing

• Locomotor disability (including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy)

• Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness

• Multiple disabilities from the above categories

Eligibility Criteria for Reserved Categories

Eligibility Criteria for Reserved Categories have been provided by the IIM authorities in the official notification. It is mandatory for te candidates to meet the minimum educational requirements to apply for the CAT exam. 

• SC, ST, and PwBD Candidates: Must have a minimum of 45% marks or an equivalent CGPA in their Bachelor's degree or professional qualification (CA, CS, CMA, FIAI).

• General, EWS, and NC-OBC Candidates: Must have a minimum of 50% marks or an equivalent CGPA in their Bachelor's degree or professional qualification.

• Final Year Students: Candidates in the final year of their graduation degree across all categories can also apply.

Guidelines for Document Verification and Certificate Uploads

Candidates applying under reserved categories must follow strict document submission guidelines:

• Valid Certificate Upload: A copy of the SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS, or PwBD certificate must be uploaded while filling out the online CAT registration form. Failure to upload the certificate will lead to rejection of the registration.

• Approved Format: Caste certificates for SC and ST must state the caste/tribe name, the category, the district or state, and the appropriate Government schedule.

• UDID Card: PwBD applicants are encouraged to upload their Unique Disability ID (UDID) card during application.

• Physical Verification: Original certificates and photocopies must be shown during personal interviews and submitted at the time of final admission into IIMs.