CAT Reservation Criteria: IIM CAT Reservation for UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS and PwD Categories

FThe CAT reservation policy is decided by the Government of India for different categories. It mentions that every category gets some percentage of seats reserved for itself in the given examination or college. Similarly, different categories have some percentage of seats reserved in the CAT exam as well. You must provide your category certificate while filling out the CAT 2025 application form to avail of the benefits.

The category-wise CAT reservation policy has been shared below in detail for your reference. In case if you do not provide the required documents, you will not be eligible to avail the benefits of the CAT reservation policy.

CAT Category-wise Reservation Criteria

You must select the category you belong to while filling out the CAT exam application form 2025. The percentage of seats allotted by the Government of India shall be applicable for you. However, you should note that it shall never be the same for any other exam or college.

CAT Reservation for General Category

There is no reservation criteria for the General category candidates for CAT 2025. You shall also not get any reservation in the seat matrix for any IIM or private MBA colleges in India. The general category is considered an open category and thus no reservation is applicable to it.

CAT Reservation for OBC Category

OBC (Other Backward Category) candidates are entitled to 27% of the reservation in admission to IIMs through the CAT exam 2025. To avail of this benefit, you must belong to the OBC-NCL, i.e., the OBC non-creamy layer category. You must possess a valid certificate approved by the Government of India.

CAT Reservation for ST/SC Category

The IIM CAT reservation for SC/ST category candidates is 15% and 7.5%, respectively. You must provide a valid caste certificate, authorized by the Government of India.

Reservation for EWS Category

There is a 10% reservation for CAT admission into IIMs for the EWS category candidates. This reservation benefit can be claimed only if you provide your income and asset certificate, authorized by the central government.

What is EWS's full form? Who Falls Under the EWS Category?

The EWS category stands for Economically Weaker Section. It is open to all the General category candidates who are not financially well settled. The family annual income of such candidates must be below INR 8 lakhs annually to be eligible for it.

Which Candidates will not fall under the EWS Category?

Even if you have a family income of less than INR 8 lakhs annually, there might be reasons that you cannot avail of the EWS category for CAT. The reasons are mentioned below

• You or your family has an agricultural land of 5 acres or above.
• You or your family owns a residential area of 1000 sq ft. or above.
• You or your family owns a residential plot of 100 square yards or more.

How to Issue an Income of Asset Certificate for EWS?

You can provide the details and proofs of all your family income and assets to the concerned officials mentioned below to get yourself under the EWS category.

• Revenue officer not below the rank of Tehsildar
• Sub-Divisional officer of the area where the candidate resides
• Chief Presidency Magistrate/Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Presidency Magistrate
• District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/ Collector/ Deputy Commissioner/Taluka Magistrate/ Executive Magistrate/Additional Deputy Commissioner/ 1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate/ Sub-Divisional Magistrate// Extra Assistant Commissioner

CAT Reservation for PwD Category

There is a 5% reservation policy for the PwD category candidates, i.e., Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in IIMs. There is a strong and long eligibility criteria to avail of the benefits for this category. One must have at least 40% of as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. The disabilities counted under this category are:

• Disability in Locomotor (dwarfism, cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy)
• Intellectual Disability, like Autism
• Mental illness
• Blindness or Low Vision
• Dead or Problem in Hearing
• Multiple disabilities
• Other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in ‘The Schedule’ of the RPwD Act 2016.

Is There Any CAT Reservation Criteria for Female Candidates?

There is no special CAT reservation policy for female candidates. However, they definitely get additional points in the CAT selection process under gender diversity. Also, the females under different reserved categories will get incentives provided by the government.

Also Read: Which IIM is Conducting CAT 2025?

Documents Required to Avail CAT Reservation Benefits

You must provide certain documents and certificates if you want to avail of the CAT reservation policies. The list of such documents is listed below:

• OBC Certificate
• SC/ST Certificate
• PWD Certificate
• Final Year Certificate

Also Read: Is the CAT 2025 Application Fee Increased for all Categories?

Conclusion

The CAT reservation criteria apply to all categories except the General category. You must avail yourself of the benefits of reservation as per your category. The CAT reservation certificate is made by the central government.