As per the official CAT 2026 update, 15% of the seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. 27% of the seats are reserved for NC-OBC candidates, while up to 10% of the seats are reserved for EWS candidates.
To be eligible for the IIM reservation criteria, candidates must select the correct category details and submit the required documents in the correct size and format during the CAT 2026 registration process.
- General, EWS and NC-OBC candidates must have at least 50% marks in a Bachelor's degree.
- SC, ST and PwBD candidates must have at least 45% marks in a Bachelor's degree.
- NC-OBC certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026.
- EWS certificates must be valid for the financial year 2026–27 and based on the income data for 2025–26.
- Category details cannot be changed after the CAT 2026 application is finally submitted.
The CAT 2026 Exam is scheduled to be held on 29th November 2026, the last Sunday of November. Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore will organize the exam in multiple slots across India in approximately 170 cities.
Related Articles:
- CAT Notification 2026: Check Dates, Download PDF @iimcat.ac.in 2026 and Application Form
- CAT Registration 2026: Check How to Apply @iimcat.ac.in, Eligibility Criteria, Documents Required and Fees
- CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Educational Qualification, Minimum Marks, Age Limit
Key Summary
- IIM Indore will conduct the CAT 2026 exam on November 29, 2026.
- The CAT 2026 registration will start on August 1, 2026 and conclude in the third week of September 2026.
- To be eligible for CAT registration 2026, SC/ST/PwD candidates should have 45% aggregate, and EWS/OBC/General candidates require 50% aggregate marks in a Bachelor’s degree.
What is CAT Reservation Policy 2026?: Category-Wise Reservation
IIMs strictly follow the Government of India’s CAT reservation criteria. Below is the table that outlines the category-wise CAT 2026 reservation:
| Category | Reservation (%) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% | Vertical |
| EWS | Up to 10% | Vertical |
| SC | 15% | Vertical |
| ST | 7.5% | Vertical |
| PwD | 5% | Horizontal |
Source: iimcat.ac.in
Related Article:
- CAT 2026 Exam Dates (Soon): Check Registration, Schedule, Admit Card & Result
- How Many Students Applied in CAT 2026 Registration
According to a Quora post, a user wanted to know the eligibility criteria for CAT for an OBC candidate.
In the discussion, it was said that the eligibility criteria are the same as those of the general category, but to claim CAT reservation for OBC, he/she should have a valid OBC certificate issued by the Government of India for the current financial year.
Source: Quora
Ques. Is there any reservation for IIM CAT exam?
Ans. Yes, there is reservation of seats in IIM for OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD candidates. Candidates belonging to these reservation categories having a valid CAT 2026 score are eligible for seat reservation in IIMs.
Ques. What is the SC reservation in CAT 2026?
Ans. 15% of seats are reserved for SC candidates.
Ques. What is the ST reservation in CAT 2026?
Ans. 7.5% of seats are reserved for ST candidates.
Ques. How much EWS reservation is available in CAT 2026?
Ans. Up to 10% of seats are reserved for eligible EWS candidates.
Ques. What is the PwD reservation in CAT 2026?
Ans. 5% of seats are reserved horizontally for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities.
Is There Reservation in CAT 2026 or IIM Admission?
The reservation policy applies to IIM admissions rather than a separate category-wise CAT examination. Candidates appear for CAT and their category is considered during the subsequent admission process.
IIMs shortlist candidates separately by category and apply their own admission criteria. For example, IIM Ahmedabad states that candidates are shortlisted separately for each category and that the number selected in different reservation categories follows the proportions mandated by law.
Ques. Is there a separate CAT exam for reserved categories?
Ans. No. All candidates appear for the CAT examination. Reservation is considered during the IIM admission process.
Ques. Does CAT reservation guarantee admission to an IIM?
Ans. No. Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements and the required level of CAT and subsequent admission performance
CAT Reservation Criteria 2026 for SC/ST
IIMs reserve 15% of seats for SC candidates and 7.5% for ST candidates under the Government of India reservation framework. Candidates claiming these categories must satisfy the applicable category requirements and provide valid supporting documents.
The CAT Reservation criteria for SC/ST are as follows:
- IIMs have a 15% seat reservation for SC and a 7.5% reservation for ST category candidates.
- Most IIMs have lower CAT qualifying cutoffs due to seat reservation for SC/ST candidates.
- Must submit a valid category certificate to claim the reservation-specific advantage.
Related Articles:
- IIM Ahmedabad Shortlist & Admission Criteria
- IIM Bangalore Shortlist & Admission Criteria
- IIM Calcutta Shortlist & Admission Criteria
Ques. Is there any separate reservation for women or any other group in CAT?
Ans. Unlike a reserved category, women do not have IIM seat reservation. But IIMs provide separate diversity points during the composite scores calculation.
CAT Reservation Criteria 2026 for EWS
The EWS CAT reservation criteria 2026 are listed below:
- As per the Government of India, EWS has a 10% seat reservation across IIMs.
- Must have a gross family annual income of less than INR 8 Lakhs.
But apart from family income, if you belong to any of the following, then you will be exempted from CAT reservation for EWS-
- Candidates whose families own 5 acres or more of agricultural land.
- Candidates who own a residential flat of 1,000 sq. ft. and above.
- Candidates whose parents possess a residential plot of 100 sq. yards or above in notified municipalities.
- Candidates whose parents own a residential plot of 200 sq. yards or above in areas other than the notified municipalities.
Authorities to issue an ‘Income and Asset Certificate’
Following is the list of the competent authorities who can issue an ‘Income and Asset Certificate’-
- District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/ Collector/ Deputy Commissioner/Additional Deputy Commissioner/ 1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate/ Sub-Divisional Magistrate/ Taluka Magistrate! Executive Magistrate/ Extra Assistant Commissioner
- Chief Presidency Magistrate/Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Presidency Magistrate
- Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar
- Sub-Divisional Officer in the area where the candidate and/or his family normally resides
Related Articles:
Ques. What is the fee for CAT reserved category?
Ans. The exam fees for CAT reserved category are 50% lower than those for the unreserved category. The registration fees for SC/ ST/ PwD category is INR 1300, while for all other categories, it is INR 2600.
CAT Reservation Criteria 2026 for OBC
The reservation applies specifically to OBC candidates belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer (NC-OBC) category. The applicable Central Government list is used for determining eligibility.
The CAT reservation criteria 2026 for OBC are:
- The CAT reservation for NC- OBC includes a 27% seat reservation across IIMs.
- The family income should be less than INR 8 Lakhs per annum.
- It is the highest reservation quota after the general category candidates.
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CAT Reservation Criteria 2026 for PwD
As per the official CAT 2026 guidelines, 5% of the seats are reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. A candidate is considered a person with benchmark disability if they have at least 40% of a specified disability, as certified by the competent authority.
The specified disability 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 covered under the specified categories.
- Other specified disabilities mentioned in the Schedule of the RPwD Act, 2016.
PwD candidates must possess a medical certificate issued by an authorized medical authority that clearly states their level and type of disability.
Ques. Is there any CAT Reservation Criteria for Women?
Ans: No, there is no seat reservation for women. However, women do get the benefit of gender diversity points offered in the selection process. For example, IIM Bangalore offers 5 extra points, while IIM Calcutta awards 4 points to promote gender diversity in IIMs.
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Documents Required for CAT Reservation Criteria 2026
The documents required for CAT reservation criteria 2026:
| Category | Required Documents for CAT |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | Valid Caste certificate in prescribed format |
| OBC | Valid OBC certificate renewed for the current financial year |
| EWS | Valid certificate, Income and Asset Certificate |
| PwD | Valid disability certificate with 40% of a specified disability |
Related Article: CAT Documents Required: Check Documents Required for CAT Registration and Exam Day
CAT Reservation Criteria 2026: Document Format
To avail the CAT reservation criteria in IIMs, candidates need to submit the correct size and document format as tabulated below:
| Category | Document Format Link |
|---|---|
| NC- OBC Certificate | Check Here |
| EWS Certificate | Check Here |
| SC/ ST Certificate | Check Here |
| Disability Certificate (PwD)- Form V | Check Here |
| Disability Certificate (PwD)- Form VI | Check Here |
| Disability Certificate (PwD)- Form VII | Check Here |
CAT Reservation Document Format: Important Points
While uploading your category certificate, you should note the following points to benefit yourself for IIM CAT reservation criteria:
- An EWS/OBC candidate must renew the category certificate before uploading it if it is not renewed.
- For SC/ST candidates, no annual renewal is required.
- Your certificate should be in the correct format, and the validity dates fall within this financial year.
- No regional language format is acceptable to claim the IIM CAT reservation criteria 2026.
- Your category certificate must be signed by the competent authority and clearly visible.
Source: YouTube
Related Article: CAT Documents Upload Guidelines: Check Photo Size, Dimension and Format
Ques. Is there any validity process for NC-OBC certificate?
Ans. Generally, the validity of an NC-OBC certificate is 1 year. If a candidate has obtained the NC-OBC certificate before 1 year time period then he/ she is advised to get the new and updated NC-OBC certificate for the current financial year.
CAT Reservation Policy 2027: Registration Fees
Candidates can check the registration fee for CAT reservation criteria 2026 to give the CAT 2026 exam.
| Category | CAT Registration Fee 2026 |
|---|---|
| General/EWS/NC-OBC | INR 2700 |
| SC/ST/PwD | INR 1350 |
Source: iimcat.ac.in
Related Article: CAT Registration Fee: Check Category Wise CAT Exam Fees & Modes of Payment
Ques. Which documents should I submit if I belong to SC/ ST category?
Ans. Candidates need to submit a caste certificate that provides proof that a candidate belongs to that particular category. Providing the right and authentic certificates is very important, as invalid documents lead to disqualification.
CAT Reservation Policy 2027: Academic Qualification
Candidates will get the advantage of CAT reservation criteria 2026 only if they meet the basic eligibility requirements as tabulated below:
| Category | CAT Eligibility Criteria 2026 |
|---|---|
| General/EWS/NC-OBC | 50% aggregate marks in graduation |
| SC/ST/PwD | 45% aggregate marks in graduation |
Source: iimcat.ac.in
Related Article: CAT 2026 Eligibility Criteria: 50% Marks Rule, Final-Year Students & Reservation
Qus. Is PwD reservation separate?
Ans. Yes, unlike other reserved categories, PwD reservation is separate. Candidates with PwD have vertical reservation across all categories. It applies the 5% CAT reservation criteria 2026.
IIM Reservation Certificate 2026
IIM reservation criteria are the same as prescribed by the Government of India, and the seat reservation percentages across various categories are uniform across all IIMs. The admission process at IIMs includes:
- Shortlisting Criteria: The category-specific required qualifying cutoff is low for SC/ST/PwD candidates. EWS/ OBCNCL candidates typically require higher CAT cutoff percentiles than SC/ST/PwD candidates for shortlisting to later rounds.
- Publication of Merit List: The final admission is done by calculating composite scores of sections such as CAT percentile, academics, work experience, diversity, and PI/WAT performance.
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CAT Reservation Policy 2027: Category-Wise Eligibility and Cutoff
Reservation and CAT cutoff are two different things. Reservation determines the applicable seat allocation, while each IIM sets its own qualifying and shortlisting criteria.
For example, IIM Ahmedabad's published CAT-2025 cutoff for its 2026–28 admission cycle was 95 overall for General/EWS, 90 for NC-OBC, 85 for SC and 75 for ST for non-PwD candidates. These are institute-specific qualifying cutoffs and should not be treated as universal CAT 2026 cutoffs for every IIM.
| Category | IIM Ahmedabad Overall Cutoff* |
|---|---|
| General/EWS | 95 |
| NC-OBC | 90 |
| SC | 85 |
| ST | 75 |
CAT Reservation Policy 2027: Is There Reservation for Women?
There is no separate women-specific reservation percentage in the central IIM reservation categories listed above. However, individual IIMs can use gender diversity as part of their shortlisting or final admission criteria.
Therefore, candidates should check the admission policy of the specific IIM they are applying to instead of assuming that CAT has a fixed women reservation quota.
CAT Reservation Policy 2027: Does Reservation Guarantee IIM Admission?
No. Reservation does not guarantee an IIM seat. Candidates from reserved categories must still meet the applicable eligibility requirements and achieve the required level of performance in CAT and subsequent selection stages.
IIM Ahmedabad, for example, states that reserved-category candidates must meet the eligibility criteria and a minimum level of performance in CAT and the subsequent admission process. Its final selection also uses a composite score rather than CAT percentile alone.
CAT Reservation Criteria 2026 FAQs
Ques. Can I use a state OBC certificate in CAT?
Ans. As per the official notification, the candidate whose name is in the central OBC list and who has a valid income certificate will be eligible for CAT reservation for OBC.
Ques. When should I collect my documents for CAT?
Ans. You should start collecting your documents for CAT, so that if any are not renewed, you can do it now to avoid last-minute hassles.
Ques. Does a reservation help in admission through CAT at IIMs?
Ans. A reservation will not help you secure admission in CAT, as final admission is based on your performance in past academic records, CAT percentile and PI round.
Ques. I have SC/ ST certificate in the format uploaded on the CAT official portal. Can I use the same, or do I have to download the certificate template from the CAT website and fill it out again?
Ans. Candidates can use the format for the SC/ST certificate provided on the official website of CAT. All the candidates are advised to upload the documents in the prescribed or provided format only.
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