CAT 2023 Reservation: OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD Category

Hafsha Qureshi

Updated on - Dec 15, 2023

CAT 2023 Reservation policy is approved by the Government of India under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. According to the rule implied specific categories will get reserved seats in the CAT exam. 

The authorities will not change the category selected by the candidate, so it is advised to be careful while choosing. Candidates should read the sections below for more detailed information regarding the CAT Reservation 2023 policy.

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• CAT Exam Analysis 2023 (Slot 1, 2 and 3)
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Table of Contents

• CAT Reservation 2023 Category-Wise
• CAT Reservation EWS Category 2023
• CAT Reservation 2023 for PWD Candidates
• CAT 2023 Reservation for OBC Category
• CAT Reservation 2023 for SC/ST Category
• CAT Reservation for Women
• Documents to Carry for CAT Reservation 2023
• Necessary Details for CAT Reservation 2023
• CAT Reservation Fees 2023
• FMS Delhi CAT 2023 Reservation Criteria
• IIFT CAT Reservation Criteria 2023
• CAT Reservation Criteria for Private Colleges
• CAT Seat Matrix 2023

CAT Reservation 2023 Category-Wise

During CAT Registration, candidates have to select a category they belong to. The category needs to be chosen carefully, as no changes will be allowed. As per the Government of India, a percentage of seats will be reserved for certain categories.

The table given below displays the IIM reservation criteria for 2023:

Also Read: CAT 2023 Topic-wise Weightage

CAT Reservation EWS Category 2023

According to the reservation norms devised by the Government of India, a reservation in CAT of 10% is for candidates under the EWS category. Candidates can claim their EWS category with an income and asset certificate issued by the authority.

Which candidates will fall under the EWS category?

It is important to understand who falls under the EWS category according to the authorities. As it helps in solving any confusion regarding it. Candidates who satisfy the following CAT 2023 Reservation criteria will be categorized under EWS:

• Those who do not belong to the SC, ST, and OBC categories 
• Those who have an annual household income of not more than 8 lakhs.

Which candidates will not fall under the EWS category?

There are few candidates who will not fall under the EWS category according to the criteria set by the authorities. The factors are given below:

• If the candidate’s family owns agricultural land of 5 acres or above.
• If the candidate owns a residential flat of 1,000 square feet or above.
• If the candidate’s family owns a residential plot of 100 square yards or above.

Authorities to Issue an Income and Asset Certificate

In order to receive the income and asset certificate, the individual must have an annual income of 8 lakhs or less. The following authorities provide the certificate:

• 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 Preparation Links

• CAT Exam Pattern 2023
• CAT Syllabus 2023

CAT Reservation 2023 for PWD Candidates

The reservation in the CAT exam for PWD category candidates is 5%. Candidates who suffer from the disabilities listed below will need to submit a medical certificate about their disability. An authorized medical authority must issue the certificate.

• 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.

Note: The reservation is applicable only when candidates suffer the disabilities mentioned to the extent of 40% disability or above.

CAT Reservation Criteria for Differently Abled Candidates 

Candidates must be aware of the reservation criteria for the CAT exam. The criteria for candidates who are differently abled are mentioned below:

• Candidates under this category must have secured 45% marks in 12th grade.
• Differently abled candidates have a reservation of 3% seats in various IIMs. 
• Candidates will be provided a wheelchair if they have any locomotive disability or are blind.
• Candidates can bring a scribe if they have a low vision.

Also Read: CAT Answer Key 2023

CAT 2023 Reservation for OBC Category

The following are the necessary CAT Reservation 2023 conditions for candidates under the OBC category:

• A bachelor’s degree from a recongnized university or an institute is necessary.
• Candidate must have a professional degree in CS, CA, etc.
• Candidate must have achieved 50% in their graduation.

CAT Reservation 2023 for SC/ST Category

The reservation criteria for candidates under the SC/ST category have been given below:

• Candidates must have scored 45% in their graduation.
• Candidate must have a professional degree like CA, CS, etc. 

CAT Reservation for Women

Under CAT reservation women do not get any reserved seats. However they get additional points when it comes to gender diversity during the selection process. Women under the different reserved categories will receive the incentives provided to them by the Government as well.

Documents to Carry for CAT Reservation 2023

The mandatory documents to carry for CAT Reservation 2023 and for the interview are given below:

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

Must Read: CAT Exam Analysis 2023

Necessary Details for CAT Reservation 2023

Following are a few necessary details regarding the reservation:

• A caste certificate must be filled if the candidate belongs to the category of SC/ST/PWD or OBC. 
• In order to avail the eligibility of the reservation facility candidates must get it confirmed.
• Candidates must attach their caste certificate along with their CAT application form.
• Caste certificates should be signed by the competent authorities. 
• Students are advised to carefully read all the instructions before filling out the registration form for the CAT 2023 exam.
• Candidates who belong to the physically disabled category must produce their disability certificate which should be approved by a registered doctor or authority. 
• The degree and a short description of the disability should be clearly mentioned on the disability certificate.

CAT Reservation Fees 2023

The CAT Reservation 2023 fees are mentioned in the table below:

FMS Delhi CAT 2023 Reservation Criteria

The candidates are required to fulfill the required criteria for FMS Delhi:

• Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree of 3 years after class 12
• Aspirants must have 50% marks CGPA, for SC/ST category candidates only passing marks are required and for OBC and PwD category candidates 45% marks at graduation are required.

The table mentions the number of seats made available in a category-wise:

IIFT CAT Reservation Criteria 2023

The candidates are required to fulfill the required criteria for IIFT CAT:

• Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree of 3 years after class 12
• There is no age limit.

The number of seats reserved for the different categories are mentioned in the table below:

CAT Reservation Criteria for Private Colleges

The IIM and IITs follow the CAT Reservation 2023 criteria set by the government but private colleges like SPJIMR, IMI Delhi, etc don’t have a CAT reservation policy.

CAT Seat Matrix 2023

The seat matrix for the all the different IIMs is given in the table below along the ranking for the candidates: