The NMAT Reservation Policy 2026 offers no seat quota at the exam stage and GMAC treats SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD candidates the same as General ones. Reservation in MBA admission through NMAT is decided by each of the 58+ accepting B-schools including NMIMS. The NMAT 2026 exam runs from November 2 to December 20, 2026 with registration open till October 25 on the official website mba.com/exams/nmat.

  • NMAT results of all categories sit on one merit scale and GMAC publishes no category-wise rank list or reserved cutoff.
  • A caste or EWS certificate brings no benefit during NMAT registration since category benefits apply only at colleges with reserved seats.
  • The NMIMS reservation policy offers 30% of MBA seats to female candidates which makes gender the only seat share in its 2026 handout.
  • NMIMS Mumbai MBA cutoff reached 209 for 2026 admission, so reserved category candidates needed the same NMAT score as General ones.
  • IIMs admitting through CAT reserve 15% seats for SC, 7.5% for ST and 27% for OBC-NCL whereas NMIMS keeps no caste based quota.
  • PwD candidates get no seat quota under the NMAT Reservation Policy 2026 and receive only testing support such as extra time or a scribe.

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NMAT Reservation Policy 2026

Key Summary

  • SC, ST and PwD candidates pay Rs 1,350 for CAT 2026 and Rs 1,250 for CMAT but they get no fee cut when they register for NMAT.
  • Applying to NMIMS costs another Rs 3,000 on top of the NMAT fee so every candidate spends Rs 6,000 before tax.
  • There is no management quota at NMIMS and the 2026 handout says nothing about seats for EWS or PwD candidates.
  • Other NMAT colleges follow their own rules and only their admission brochures show whether category, domicile or women’s seats exist.

Table of Contents

  1. NMAT Reservation Policy 2026 Overview
  2. Is There Reservation in NMAT by GMAC?
  3. NMAT Registration Fee and Fee Concession 2026
  4. NMIMS Reservation Policy 2026: Seat Rules for MBA Admission
  5. NMIMS 30% Seats for Female Candidates and Campus-Wise Programmes
  6. Reservation Policy at Other NMAT Accepting Colleges
  7. NMAT Reservation Policy 2026 FAQs

NMAT Reservation Policy 2026 Overview

NMAT by GMAC has no reservation policy at the exam stage. Registration, eligibility, fee and test rules stay the same for every candidate and any quota comes only from B-schools during admission.

  • The NMAT Reservation Policy 2026 works in two parts which is one common rule set from GMAC for the test and a separate quota policy at each college.
  • NMIMS, the main NMAT accepting college keeps a single open merit pool and offers 30% of its MBA seats to female candidates.
Particulars Key Details
Reservation in NMAT Exam No category-wise reservation; all candidates compete equally
Category Field in Form GEN, SC, ST, OBC, NT or DT for Indian candidates
Category for Foreign Nationals GEN only
Eligibility and Exam Conditions Same for every category
Minimum Graduation Marks 50% aggregate at NMIMS for all categories; other colleges set their own limit
Fee Concession None for SC, ST, OBC or PwD, including retakes
Age Limit No upper age limit for any category
PwD Accommodations Extra time, scribe or enlarged fonts on request
PwD Documents Valid Disability Certificate uploaded during registration
NMIMS Caste-Based Quota None; single open-merit pool
NMIMS Seats for Female Candidates 30% of MBA seats
NMIMS Management Quota None
Other NMAT Accepting Colleges Reservation varies; check each admission brochure
Separate Application NMAT registration and B-school applications are filed separately

Also Check:

Ques. What is the NMAT Reservation Policy 2026?

Ans. The NMAT Reservation Policy 2026 has no category quota at the test level. GMAC applies one fee and one score scale, and quotas come only from accepting colleges.

Ques. Which NMAT cycle is used for 2027 MBA admissions?

Ans. The NMAT 2026 cycle, held from November 2 to December 20, 2026, feeds MBA admissions for the 2027-29 batch.

Is There Reservation in NMAT by GMAC?

No, NMAT by GMAC carries no SC, ST, OBC, EWS or PwD quota at the exam stage.

  • GMAC only conducts the NMAT examination and dispatches the scores so it doesn't allot any seats or conduct any counselling.
  • Scaled scores of all test takers sit on one merit scale with no category-wise rank list issued by GMAC.
  • The NMAT form fee has no category-based slab which keeps the cost uniform across applicants.

Also Check:

Ques. Is there caste reservation in NMAT?

Ans. No, the NMAT Reservation Policy has no caste-based quota. SC, ST and OBC candidates take the same test, pay the same fee and get scores on the same scale as general candidates.

Ques. Is EWS reservation applicable in NMAT by GMAC?

Ans. No, an EWS certificate brings no benefit at the NMAT stage. An EWS quota applies only if a specific accepting college offers one.

NMAT Slot Booking 2026 Rules for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD Candidates

NMAT slot booking follows one rule set for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD candidates and GMAC keeps no reserved dates, shifts or centres for any category.

  • NMAT slot booking 2026 runs on a first-come first-served basis so reserved category candidates get no priority dates or test centres.
  • Candidates can book an NMAT 2026 slot from August 20 to October 25, 2026 for a test date between November 2 and December 20.
  • Each retake needs a fresh slot at least 15 days after the previous attempt and the same gap applies to every category.
  • PwD candidates seeking accommodations should register well before October 25 since their slot booking opens only after GMAC approval.
Slot Booking Rule NMAT 2026 Details
First Attempt Slot Booking August 20 – October 25, 2026
Exam Delivery Window November 2 – December 20, 2026
Retake Registration and Scheduling November 3 – December 17, 2026
Rescheduling Deadline
  • 72 hours before the booked slot
  • Last date: December 17, 2026
Gap Between Attempts At least 15 days
Priority Slots for SC, ST, OBC and EWS None; first-come, first-served
PwD Candidates (with accommodations)
  • Booking opens after GMAC approval
  • Test centre only
Test Mode Test centre or online, chosen while booking
Daily Shifts Morning, afternoon and evening

Also Check:

Ques. Do SC and ST candidates get priority in NMAT slot booking?

Ans. No, NMAT slots are booked on a first-come, first-served basis for all candidates. SC, ST, OBC and PwD candidates get no reserved dates or centres.

Ques. When does NMAT 2026 slot booking close?

Ans. First-attempt NMAT 2026 slot booking closes on October 25, 2026. Retake slots can be booked from November 3 to December 17, 2026.

Ques. How many days gap is needed between two NMAT attempts?

Ans. Candidates need a gap of at least 15 days between two NMAT attempts. The rule applies to every category, with up to 3 attempts in the testing year.

NMAT Rules for PwD Candidates: Extra Time, Scribe and Accommodations

PwD candidates get no seat quota under the NMAT Reservation Policy 2026 but they can ask GMAC for testing accommodations while registering.

  • Accommodated NMAT exam slots run only at test centres so a PwD candidate cannot take such a test online from home.
  • Requests are accepted only at the time of registration and cannot be added after a test slot is booked.
Accommodation Details
Extra Testing Time Granted case by case; GMAC sets no fixed percentage
Enlarged Fonts For candidates with visual impairments
Reader or Scribe Mainly for candidates with visual impairments
Scribe Arrangement Candidate brings own, with prior GMAC approval
Personal Care Assistant For physical disabilities, with prior GMAC approval
Wheelchair Access Available at equipped test centres
Medical Devices Inhaler or glucose monitor allowed in the test room
Other Accommodations Any reasonable change approved after document review
Persons Allowed in Test Room Only an approved scribe, reader or PCA
Slot Booking Only accommodation-friendly slots after approval

Source: mba.com/exams/nmat (Test Takers with Disabilities)

How to Request NMAT PwD Accommodations: Step-by-Step Process

A step-by-step guide to request NMAT accommodations is mentioned below:

  • Step 1: Confirm the registered email address.
  • Step 2: Select “Yes” for “Are You Differently Abled?”
  • Step 3: Choose the disability type and accommodation.
  • Step 4: Write the rationale within 250 words.
  • Step 5: Upload the disability certificate and declaration forms.
  • Step 6: Wait about 15 calendar days for GMAC’s review.

Also Check:

Ques. Does NMAT give extra time to PwD candidates?

Ans. Yes, GMAC can approve extra testing time for PwD candidates. The amount is decided case by case after GMAC reviews the disability certificate.

Ques. Can a PwD candidate bring a personal scribe to the NMAT exam?

Ans. Yes, a PwD candidate can bring a personal scribe once GMAC approves the request. The scribe must sign the declaration, consent and non-disclosure forms and carry government photo ID.

NMAT Registration Fee and Fee Concession 2026

The NMAT registration fee is the same for all categories which makes NMAT fee concession a frequent search among reserved candidates.

  • A candidate who takes all 3 attempts pays the NMAT exam fee each time with no category discount on retakes.
  • NMIMS aspirants also pay Rs 3,000 to NMIMS so the cost before tax reaches Rs 6,000 for every category.
Fee Component Amount Category Concession
Test Registration (First Attempt) ₹3,000 + applicable taxes No concession. Same fee for General, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD and all other categories.
Retake (per attempt) ₹3,000 + applicable taxes No concession. Same fee applies to all categories.
Rescheduling ₹1,200 + applicable taxes No concession. Same fee for all categories.
Additional Score Reports (beyond the first 5 free reports) ₹400 + applicable taxes per report No concession. Same fee for all categories.
Score Reports (Up to 5 Schools) Included free with registration fee No concession. Available equally to all categories.
NMIMS Application Charge ₹3,000 (non-refundable, separate from NMAT fee) No concession. Same fee for all categories. Must be paid separately on the NMIMS portal.

Also Check:

Ques. Is there any fee concession for SC and ST candidates in NMAT?

Ans. No, NMAT fee concession is not available to SC or ST candidates. The NMAT registration fee is Rs 3,000 plus taxes for every category.

Ques. What is the NMAT form fee for OBC and EWS candidates?

Ans. The NMAT form fee for OBC and EWS candidates is Rs 3,000 plus taxes. It matches the amount general candidates pay.

Candidates can watch the YouTube video “NMAT Registration 2026: Complete Form Filling Process, Fees, Slots And NMIMS Steps” by Rodha to understand the NMAT fee and slot booking. The video by Rodha explains the registration fee, slot selection and the separate NMIMS application steps.

NMAT Exam Fee vs CAT, CMAT and XAT: Category Concession Compared

The NMAT exam fee for reserved categories is ₹3,000 in 2026 while CAT charges ₹1,350 for SC, ST and PwD candidates.

  • NMAT and XAT charge the same exam fee across categories while CAT and CMAT offer fee concessions to eligible candidates.
Exam General Fee SC/ST/PwD Fee Category Concession
NMAT ₹3,000 + taxes ₹3,000 + taxes No concession. Same fee for all categories.
CAT ₹2,700 ₹1,350 50% concession for SC, ST and PwD candidates.
CMAT ₹2,500 (General Male) ₹1,250 Concession available. Female, Gen-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and Third Gender pay ₹1,250.
XAT ₹2,200 ₹2,200 No category concession. Same fee for all candidates (extra ₹200 per XLRI programme).

Also Check:

Ques. Which MBA entrance exam gives fee concession to reserved categories?

Ans. CAT and CMAT offer reduced application fees for reserved-category candidates. For CAT 2026, SC/ST/PwD candidates pay ₹1,350, compared with ₹2,700 for General and NC-OBC candidates. For CMAT 2026, SC/ST/PwD candidates pay ₹1,250, compared with ₹2,500 for General-category male candidates. XAT and SNAP do not offer category-based application fee concessions.

NMIMS Reservation Policy 2026: Seat Rules for MBA Admission

The NMIMS reservation policy for MBA admission 2027–29 provides 30% seat reservation for female candidates with no caste based quotas for SC, ST or OBC candidates.

  • NMIMS MBA admission seat rules are merit based with no management or NRI quota as stated in the university's admission policy.
NMIMS Rule Details (2027-29 Batch)
SC, ST and OBC Quota None; all candidates compete on open merit
EWS and PwD Quota Not listed in the NMAT 2026 handout
Female Candidates 30% of MBA seats offered to women
Management Quota None for MBA programmes
NRI and Foreign Quota Not listed for regular MBA programmes
Minimum Graduation Marks 50% aggregate for all categories
NMAT Score Considered First attempt only
Selection Stages
  • Shortlisting on NMAT sectional and total score
  • Competency Test and/or Personal Interview
  • Weightage to academics and work experience
Seat Allocation
  • Rank in the final merit list
  • Programme preference chosen at application
  • Seats across 6 campuses (listed below)

Also Check:

Ques. Is there any reservation in NMIMS for SC, ST and OBC candidates?

Ans. No, NMIMS lists no seat quota for SC, ST or OBC candidates in its NMAT 2026 handout. All candidates compete on one open-merit list for its MBA programmes.

Ques. Does NMIMS have a management quota for MBA?

Ans. No, NMIMS states that there is no management quota for its MBA programmes. Every seat is filled through the merit-based selection process.

Ques. Does NMIMS consider the best NMAT score?

Ans. No, NMIMS considers only the score of the first NMAT attempt. Retake scores can still be sent to other NMAT-accepting colleges.

NMIMS 30% Seats for Female Candidates and Campus-Wise Programmes

The NMIMS 30% seat reservation for female candidates applies across MBA programmes but the admission handout does not provide a campus-wise breakdown.

  • NMIMS MBA admission through NMAT covers six campuses, including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
  • The NMIMS Mumbai MBA programmes include five options, covering HR, Business Analytics, Digital Transformation and Pharmaceutical Management.
Campus MBA Programmes Through NMAT
Mumbai MBA (Core), MBA Human Resources, MBA Business Analytics, MBA Digital Transformation, MBA Pharmaceutical Management
Bengaluru MBA
Hyderabad (Jadcherla) MBA
Navi Mumbai MBA
Indore MBA
Ahmedabad MBA

Ques. Does NMIMS give preference to female candidates?

Ans. Yes, NMIMS offers 30% of seats in its MBA programmes to female candidates. Female applicants still go through the same NMAT shortlisting and second-stage selection.

Ques. Which NMIMS campuses admit students through NMAT?

Ans. NMIMS admits MBA students through NMAT at Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jadcherla (Hyderabad), Navi Mumbai, Indore and Ahmedabad.

On Quora, candidates ask whether NMIMS female candidates receive cutoff relaxation. One user stated that there was no cutoff relaxation, but 30% of seats were reserved for female candidates at the time of the response.

Source: Quora

Reservation Policy at Other NMAT Accepting Colleges

The reservation policy at NMAT accepting colleges varies with XIMB following applicable quotas while TAPMI and KJ Somaiya use merit based admissions.

  • NMAT cutoffs for reserved categories may be lower at XIMB but category-wise differences are not common across private NMAT colleges.
What to Check Where It Appears Why It Matters
Caste-based quotas (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) Official admission brochure or prospectus of the college Determines if you get relaxed cutoffs or reserved seats (e.g., XIMB has government-mandated quotas; many private colleges do not).
Domicile / State quota College website under Admissions and Reservation Policy section Some institutes (especially XIM University) give preference or lower cutoffs to state residents.
Gender / Diversity seats Admission handout or FAQ page Helps assess competition; a few colleges offer limited women or diversity seats beyond open merit.
PwD / Differently-abled seats Application form instructions or disability policy document Confirms availability of reserved seats and required documentation for PwD candidates.
Category-wise cutoff differences Previous year cutoff lists or selection criteria page Reserved category candidates may clear at significantly lower NMAT scores at colleges that follow reservation.
Management / NRI quota existence Fee structure and admission rules page Clarifies whether seats are purely merit-based or include paid/management seats.

Also Check:

Ques. Do colleges accepting NMAT score follow government reservation?

Ans. Some do and many do not, since each NMAT college sets its own admission rules. The reservation clause in each brochure decides the answer.

Ques. Can a reserved candidate get admission at a lower NMAT score?

Ans. Only at colleges that run category-wise seats or cutoffs. At NMIMS, one merit list applies to every category.

How to Check Reservation Rules at Colleges Accepting NMAT Score

A step-by-step guide to check reservation rules at NMAT accepting colleges is mentioned below:

  • Step 1: Visit the official website of the target college
  • Step 2: Open the Admissions section and find the Admission Brochure or Prospectus for the 2027-29 batch
  • Step 3: Download the latest admission brochure or handout
  • Step 4: Check the SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD, domicile and gender quotas listed in the brochure
  • Step 5: Read the application form instructions for category certificates and seat percentages
  • Step 6: Review the previous year’s category-wise cutoff list
  • Step 7: Confirm whether the college counts the first NMAT attempt or the best score
  • Step 8: Email or call the admissions office to confirm reserved seats and required documents
How to Check Reservation Rules at Colleges Accepting NMAT Score

Also Check:

Ques. Where can candidates find the reservation policy of NMAT accepting colleges? Ans. The reservation policy appears in the college's MBA admission brochure. GMAC does not publish college-wise quotas on the NMAT portal.

Ques. How many NMAT colleges can receive scores for free?

Ans. NMAT registration covers score reports to 5 B-schools at no extra cost. Each additional school costs Rs 400.

NMAT Reservation Policy 2026 FAQs

Ques. Is there any reservation in NMAT?

Ans. No, NMAT has no reservation for any category at the exam stage. Reservation, where it exists, is applied by individual B-schools during their own admission process.

Ques. Is 246 a good NMAT score?

Ans. Yes, 246 is an excellent NMAT score in the 97–98 percentile band, based on previous year trends. It clears the NMIMS Mumbai MBA total cutoff of 209 by 37 marks.

Ques. Is 227 a good score in NMAT?

Ans. Yes, 227 falls in the 82–89 percentile band and crosses the NMIMS Mumbai MBA cutoff of 209. Final admission still depends on the Competency Test, interview, academics and work experience.

Ques. Is 222 a good NMAT score?

Ans. Yes, 222 is a good score in the 70–81 percentile band. For an NMIMS Mumbai MBA shortlist, candidates also need at least 60 in each of the three sections.

Ques. Is 210 a good NMAT score?

Ans. A 210 is an average NMAT score in the 56–69 percentile band. It sits just 1 mark above the NMIMS Mumbai MBA cutoff of 209, so a call depends on clearing every sectional cutoff.

Ques. Is a 195 NMAT score good?

Ans. No, 195 is below average and falls in the 42–55 percentile band. It misses the NMIMS Mumbai MBA cutoff of 209 but clears the 190 total cutoff for MBA Pharmaceutical Management.

Ques. Is it easy to score 200 in NMAT?

Ans. Yes, 200 is a moderate target, since it sits in the 42–55 percentile band. NMAT has no negative marking, so attempting every question helps push the score up.

Ques. What score is 90 percentile in NMAT?

Ans. A score of about 233 equals the 90th percentile in NMAT, based on previous year trends. The 233–240 band maps to the 90–94 percentile range.

Ques. Is NMIMS tier 1 or tier 2?

Ans. NMIMS Mumbai ranks 24th in the NIRF 2025 Management ranking, down from 21st in 2024. “Tier 1” is an informal label, though aspirants commonly group NMIMS Mumbai with top private B-schools.

Ques. Does the NMIMS cutoff change for SC, ST or OBC candidates?

Ans. No, NMIMS applies one cutoff to every category. The Mumbai MBA cutoff of 209 total and 60 per section applied equally to General and reserved candidates.

Ques. Is NMAT better than CAT for reserved category candidates?

Ans. No, CAT gives SC, ST and PwD candidates a 50% fee cut and seat quotas at IIMs. NMAT offers neither at the test stage.

Ques. Can candidates use a caste certificate in the NMAT registration form?

Ans. A caste certificate brings no benefit in the NMAT form, since the NMAT Reservation Policy has no category quota. Certificates matter only at colleges that offer reserved seats.

Ques. Is there a Kashmiri migrant or armed forces quota at NMIMS?

Ans. No such quota appears in the NMIMS NMAT 2026 handout. Older handouts, such as the 2016 edition, listed these seats, so candidates should confirm with NMIMS admissions.