A common query of candidates is ‘Is there reservation in CAT?’ and the answer is yes, the exam will have reservation criteria based on the guidelines set by the Government of India. As per Article 15 (4), (5), and (6), the reservation of seats in the Common Entrance Test will be 15% for Scheduled Caste (SC), 7.5% for Schedule Tribe (ST), 27% for Other Backward Classes (OBC) 5% for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and up to 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Economic backwardness became a criteria for reservation (EWS) after the 103rd constitutional amendment in 2019. To check the updated central list of state-wise OBCs that are eligible for availing reservation benefits in respect to the creamy layer, visit the website at www.ncbc.nic.in.

Also Check:

• CAT 2025 Question Paper
• CAT 2025 Cutoff

What is the Reservation Percentage in CAT Exam 2025?

To be able to avail the reservation criteria then you must ensure that you have uploaded the relevant documents as per the proper size and issued by relevant authorities while filling CAT application form. We have compiled the reservation details in a tabular format so it is easy for you to refer:

What is the Reservation Criteria for SC Category for CAT Exam 2025?

The reservation criteria for the Schedule Caste (SC) category is 15%. To avail the reservation, you must belong to the SC category as defined by the guidelines laid down by the Government of India. You must also upload your caste certificate with due signatures by the authorities to be valid. While uploading, your SC/ST/OBC-NCL certificate must be self attested and scanned and not be more than 200 KB in size. You must upload it in a PDF format.

How to Get an SC Caste Certificate for CAT?

For CAT, you can download SC caste certificate from the official website at iimcat.ac.in. You can find the SC Certificate PDF on the page in the bottom right corner at the ‘Certificates’ section. Download the PDF, fill in all the required details such as your name, village, state/union territory. Your certificate needs to be verified by a competent authority (details in this article). A caste certificate is usually valid for life but in certain states, you need to renew your caste certificate at services.india.gov.in/service/detail/online-application-of-caste-certificate.

What is the Percentile Required for Top IIMs in India for SC Category?

We have compiled a list of expected cutoffs for some top IIMs for the SC Category. Please refer to the table below

What is the Reservation Criteria for ST Category for CAT Exam 2025?

The reservation criteria for Scheduled Tribes is 7.5%. To download the ST certificate for the Common Admissions Test, visit the official website at iimcat.ac.in. a. You must also upload your ST certificate with due signatures by the authorities to be valid. While uploading, your SC/ST/OBC-NCL certificate must be self attested and scanned and not be more than 200 KB in size. You must upload it in a PDF format. To check if your tribe falls under the category of Schedule Tribes as per the directive of the Constitution of India then visit the official website of the National Commission for Schedule Tribes at ncst.nic.in.

How to get ST Caste Certificate for CAT?

Go to the bottom right of the homepage to the certificates section and download the SC/ST Certificate PDF. Fill in all the details and get the required verification from competent authorities (Details in article).

What is the Percentile Required for Top IIMs in India for ST Category?

We have compiled IIM cutoffs of previous year (2023) based on CAT scores. The cutoff for ST is presented below in a tabular format so that it is easier for your reference:

SC/ST, OBC-NCL, and EWS Certificate PDF

We have added the links of the PDFs of SC/ST and OBC-NCL Certificates:

What is the Reservation Criteria for OBC in CAT Exam 2025?

The reservation criteria for the non creamy layer of Other Backward Classes (OBC) is 27%. Remember that you cannot upload the old OBC certificate as it has a one year validity. OBC certificates in each state have a one year validity except Tamil Nadu, as it has a 5 year validity. You can apply for renewal of your certificate at revenue.delhi.gov.in/revenue/obc-certificate.

When you upload your OBC-NCL certificate for CAT exam then remember to follow the document upload guidelines by uploading a scanned, self-attested copy with due verifications by competent authorities in a PDF format. The size should not ideally exceed 200 KB.

How to make an OBC-NCL Certificate for CAT?

You can download the OBC-NC certificate from the official website at iimcat.ac.in. Visit the website and find the OBC-NCL certificate at the bottom of the homepage at the ‘Certificate’ section. Download the PDF and get it attested by a competent authority. We have added PDF copies of OBC-NC and SC/ST certificate PDFs in this article for CAT exam 2025.

What is the Percentile Required for Top IIMs in India for OBC-NCL Category?

Here is a list of expected cutoffs for top IIMs for the OBC-NCL category.

What is the Reservation Criteria for PwD Category Candidates in CAT Exam 2025?

The PwD reservation for the Common Admission Test will be 5%. As per the RPWD act of 2016, you have to fill out Form V, Form Vi, or Form VII to avail PwD reservation. The disability has to be 40% as certified by a doctor to avail PwD reservation benefits. You can also avail the services of a scribe, providing the scribe fulfills CAT Eligibility, if you are from PwD category. Here are the list of disabilities as per the act to avail PwD reservation:

• Blindness and Low Vision
• Dead and Hard of Hearing
• Locomotor Disability Including Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Muscular Dystrophy
• Autism, Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability and Mental Illness.

Where Can I Get Form V, VI, and Form VII for PwD in CAT Exam 2025?

You can access Form V, VI, and VII from the official website of CAT at iimcat.ac.in. The PDFs will be in the bottom right corner at the ‘Certificate’ section. Download them, duly fill the details, and get the signature and seal from competent authorities. Remember these points while filling the forms:

Form V:

Use this form if you have a disability related to locomotor or cerebral palsy. It will be issued by the Competent Authority after they verify your details.

Form VI:

If your disability doesn't fit into the categories covered by Forms V and VII, you'll need Form VI. This form helps assess the extent of your permanent physical impairment based on specific guidelines for different disabilities.

Form VII:

For any disabilities not addressed by Forms V and VI, use Form VII. This form is issued by the Medical Authority and provides a certificate of disability.

What is the Reservation Criteria for EWS in CAT Exam 2025?

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation percentage in the exam is 10%. You can avail the EWS quota if your income bracket falls under the specified categories (Data below). You can refer to the EWS certificate (Link in Article) in the official website at iimcat.ac.in. Download and fill it in with signature and seal of competent authorities.

How Much Income Bracket Falls under EWS Category for CAT Reservation 2025?

• The EWS quota was introduced in January 2019 and it was a part of the 103rd Constitutional amendment. Refer to these criterias that highlight if a person is eligible to apply for EWS reservation benefits or not:
• Those with annual Income less than 8 Lakh Per Annum in the fiscal year previous to the submission of the application are eligible. Income from all sources such as salary, business, agriculture are considered.
• If you have assets such as a residential flat of 1,000 square feet or above, five or more acres of agricultural land, residential plot of 100 square yards or more in certain municipalities, and a residential plot of 200 square yards or more in other areas, then you cannot avail EWS quota.

What is the Percentile Required for Top IIMs in India for EWS Category?

We have compiled a list of expected cutoffs for the EWS category for admission to IIMs through CAT Scores. Refer to the cutoff data below in tabular format so that it is easy for you to refer:

Which Authorities can Issue Income Certificates?

Here is a list of authorities who can issue Income Certificates. Remember that your certificates will not be valid if they are not signed and have the seal of designated authorities.Issuing authorities will vary from state to state. Refer below:

• District Magistrate
• Village Tehsildar
• Revenue Circle Officer
• Collector
• Sub-Divisional Magistrate

Authorities who Can Validate SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD Certificates

Your SC/ST/OBC certificates have to be signed and have the seal of competent authorities. Here is a list of authorities who can issue SC/ST/OBC-NCL certificates:

• State Government
• UT Administration
• Directorate of Social Welfare
• Department of Women and Child Development
• Department of Minority Affairs
• Department of Social Justice and Empowerment

PwD certificates can be issued by medical boards in certain government hospitals. You can also register at india.gov.in and apply for a PwD certificate. You will be called at a designated hospital to verify your status.

Will there be CAT Reservation for Women?

There is no reservation for female candidates in the Common Entrance Test. IIMs focus on gender diversity in their campus. So, female candidates with good percentile and strong applications have a high chance in cracking seats at top IIMs of the country.

What is the Total Category-Wise Reservation of Seats in IIM?

IIMs reserve seats in their courses as per the reservation guidelines set by the Government of India. Here is a category-wise breakdown of seats in IIMs. The data is for 2023 and seats are expected to increase in 2025 as Baby IIMs have finished constructing their campuses: