CAT 2024 Reservation Policy for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD at IIMs
For CAT 2024, the reservation percentages can be expected at 27% for OBC, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, and 10% for the EWS category. Find all about the CAT 2024 reservation policy for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD at IIMs here.
As per the CAT 2024 reservation policy for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD at IIMs, 15% of seats are reserved for students from the Scheduled Caste (SC), while 7.5% of seats are reserved for students from the Scheduled Tribe (ST). Candidates from the Other Backward Class (OBC) category who belong to the non-creamy layer have a reserve of 27%. Additionally, candidates from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category have a reservation of 10%. Candidates must note that there is no reservation quota specifically mentioned for dyslexics and NCC cadets.
Candidates must be aware that IIMs will publish separate CAT cutoff 2024 lists for each category, after the CAT results 2024, which will be released by the last week of December 2024. The registration will be dismissed if the candidate fails to provide proof of their reservation category at any point during the selection process. If you are planning to appear for the CAT 2024 exam and are seeking admission into IIMs, check the reservation policy for the OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD categories here.
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Reservation Policy at IIMs
Top IIMs in India offer reservations to members of the underprivileged community, much like every other college in India. This is being done to support those with talent who lack the resources to finish their education. A candidate with a lower percentile can also be admitted into India's top business schools owing to the reservation policy.
However, candidates who are eligible for reservation under various categories must understand that fulfilling the reservation policy does not guarantee admission to IIMs. The candidates must have a prescribed CAT eligibility criteria 2024 along with the minimum level of performance in the CAT 2024 and subsequent rounds of the admission process. The reservation policies followed by IIMs are listed below:
The IIMs reserve 15% of its seats for Scheduled Castes (SC), 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 27% for Other Backward Classes belonging to the "non-creamy" layer (NC-OBC). Candidates from the EWS category have a reservation of 10%.
The only categories taken into consideration for reservation are those listed in the Central Government List on the final day of CAT 2024 registration .
IIMs set aside 3% of the seats for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
The three types of disabilities that are taken into account for reservations are poor vision blindness, hearing impairment, and locomotor disability or cerebral palsy.
Candidates who exhibit at least 40% of the above-mentioned disabilities will be considered for reservation.
Category-Wise Reservation of Seats in IIMs
Category | Percentage of Seats Reserved |
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 27% |
SC | 15% |
ST | 7.5% |
PwD | 5% |
EWS | 10% |
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Note: Candidates who wish to seek admission as per the reservation policies must upload the category or disability certificate at the time of CAT registration.
CAT Reservation Certificates 2024 PDF
Candidates must upload the category/ disability certificates in PDF format during the CAT application process 2024 if they wish to avail the benefits of category reservation. Download the official CAT reservation certificates PDF from the table below.| Reservation Certificate | PDF Download Link |
|---|---|
| NC-OBC Certificate | Click Here |
| SC/ ST Certificate | Click Here |
| EWS Certificate | Click Here |
| Disability Certificate (PwD)- Form V | Click Here |
| Disability Certificate (PwD)- Form VI | Click Here |
| Disability Certificate (PwD)- Form VII | Click Here |
CAT Reservation Fees 2024
Candidates are not required to pay any extra fee for CAT reservation in 2024. They must only pay the CAT registration fees depending on their categories. It is mandatory for the candidates to upload the necessary documents during registration to qualify for reservation in IIM.
| Category | CAT Reservation Fees |
| OBC | INR 2400 |
| EWS | INR 2400 |
| SC | INR 1200 |
| ST | INR 1200 |
| PwD | INR 1200 |
CAT Reservation 2024 for SC/ ST
Candidates will find the CAT Reservation policy 2024 for SC/ST categories in the CAT official notification 2024. In CAT 2023, the reservation percentage for SC candidates was observed to be 15%, while it was 7.5% for ST candidates. However, only those candidates who meet the CAT 2024 eligibility criteria and cutoffs will become eligible for CAT reservation for the SC/ST category in IIMs in 2024. To avail themselves of the reservation benefits, candidates must keep their caste certificates with the following information handy:
- Mention of caste clearly
- Identification as ST
- District and State/UT of residence
- Approval from Government of India
CAT Reservation 2024 for OBC
Candidates will find the CAT Reservation policy 2024 for OBC in the CAT official notification 2024. In CAT 2023, the reservation percentage for OBC category candidates was observed to go as high as 27%. Notably, the CAT reservation 2024 for the OBC category in IIMs depends on the latest Central Government list of OBC categories on the last date of exam registration. According to the list, candidates falling under the OBC category can avail themselves of the reserved seats in IIMs only if they meet the necessary eligibility criteria and cutoff.
CAT Reservation 2024 for Women
No specific percentage of seats have been reserved for women in IIMs. However, women can avail themselves of the benefit of gender diversity points during the selection process and this enhances the representation of women in management education. For example, additional 5 points are awarded by IIM Bangalore while 4 points are allotted for women candidates at IIM Calcutta to promote gender diversity in IIMs.
Who is Included Under EWS category at IIMs?
The following individuals are covered under the EWS category:
- Only those whose family has a gross annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh and those who are considered to be ineligible for the SC, ST, and OBC reservation schemes are designated as EWS for reservation.
- An Income and Asset Certificate issued by a Competent Authority must be presented to receive the advantage of reservation under the EWS category.
Who is Ineligible for EWS Reservations Offered by IIMs?
No matter how much money their family makes, candidates who fall within any of the following categories are not eligible for the EWS quota:
- Candidates whose families have agricultural lands of 5 acres or more.
- Candidates who have their own residential apartment that is at least 1,000 square feet.
- Candidates with parents who own a residential plot in certain municipalities that are at least 100 square yards.
- Candidates whose parents reside outside of eminent municipalities and who possess a residential plot of 200 square yards or more.
Who is Offered Reservation Under PwD Category at IIMs?
A Person with Benchmark Disability is a person with not less than 40% of specified disability as specified in The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Check all the disabilities that fall under the PwD category.
- Blindness and low vision
- Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d)
- Deaf and hard of hearing
- Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness
- Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy.
- Other 'specified disabilities' mentioned in 'The Schedule' of the RPwD Act 2016
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Reservation Requirements for Differently Abled Candidates at IIMs
Candidates taking the exam must be aware of the CAT reservation requirements:
- In IIMs, 3% of the seats are reserved for different abled candidates.
- Differently abled candidates must have a graduate degree with a minimum aggregate of 45%.
- Differently abled candidates (such as those who are blind or have a locomotor disability) will be given a wheelchair at the exam location.
- Differently abled candidates who fall under the low vision category are allowed to bring a scribe with them. Scribes are not subject to any specified requirements.
Documents Required for CAT Reservation for SC/ ST Category
Candidates belonging to the SC/ ST category will have to submit the caste certificate along with some other documents. These documents must comprise some information provided below.
- Whether the candidate belongs to the Scheduled tribe or Scheduled caste category
- Union Territory or District and the State of the ordinary residence
- Name of the belonging caste or tribe of the candidate.
- Signatures of required authorities
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Certificates & Forms Required for Reservation at IIMs
All required documents for reservations in CAT 2024 are provided below. At the time of the interview, candidates must also present the original certificate in the specified format:
- SC-ST Certificate
- NC-OBC Certificate
- DA/PwD Certificate
- Format for Final Year Certificate
- Format for Candidate Identification Affidavit
Important Documents For Reservation In CAT Exam 2024
Candidates belonging to any of the categories among SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD who are aiming to avail themselves of the reservation benefits of the CAT exam must ensure they possess the following documents for the CAT exam 2024:
| Documents Required | Description |
| SC/ST ReservationCertificate | Make sure that your caste/tribe is listed in the Government of India's schedule |
| Caste Certificate Details | Name of the caste/tribe, Identification as SC or ST, District and State/UT of residence, and Approval by the Government of India for SC or ST must be included in the certificate |
| Upload of Mandatory Certificates | Caste certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) must be uploaded during registration |
| Original Certificates | The original reservation certificate (with photocopy) must be carried by the candidates for the interview. |
| PwD Category | Candidates belonging to the Persons with Disabilities category are required to apply for a UDID card and upload it during registration |
| Scribe Facility | If availing of the scribe facility, candidates are required to download, fill, and upload the scribe affidavit during registration |
Where to Fetch your Income or Caste Certificate to Apply for Reservations in CAT Exam From?
You can get all your documents before applying for CAT 2024 reservation at IIMs from the following authorities who issue them:- District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner/Additional Deputy Commissioner/Collector/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 of residence of the candidate and his family
However, there is a disadvantage to the reservation policy. Many deserving students are denied admission to the preferred IIMs as a result of the reservation policy simply because they fall under the general category. The selection process for candidates for an IIM is extremely rigorous, yet, owing to the reservations, some individuals pass the process only for the sake of it. These students are not deserving enough to attend these colleges, which lowers the standard of the batch. The students who enter through reservations are unable to compete with the rest of the class and students who were admitted to the institution based on merit, and this affects the decorum of the classes.
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If you have further queries related to CAT 2024, you ask questions on our QnA zone. You can even check our CAT College Predictor 2024 and CAT Percentile Predictor 2024 to get an idea of your results based on your performance in the CAT 2024 exam. For admissions-related inquiries, fill out our Common Application Form (CAF) or call 1800-572-9877 to talk to the experts.
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FAQs
What cutoff percentile is required for OBC in CAT 2024 for IIM admission?
The cutoff percentile required by OBC candidates for IIM admission is 95% percentile. Different CAT 2024 percentile requirements apply to different groups and academic backgrounds. A 99.9+%ile in the General category, a 95%ile in the OBC category, and a 90%ile in the SC/ST category are required by IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta.
What are the details that reserved category students must submit during CAT 2024 registration?
Reserved category students must upload the Caste Certificate that was granted by the Indian government during CAT 2024 registration. The following needs to be stated explicitly on the certificate:
- Name of the caste/tribe
- Whether the candidate belongs to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe
- District and the State or Union Territory of the candidate’s ordinary residence
- The appropriate category under which the candidate’s caste/tribe is approved by it is Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.
What are the documents required by reserved category students for CAT registration 2024?
The documents required by reserved category students for CAT registration 2024 include the following. The original certificates must be presented in the specified form at the time of personal interview.
- SC-ST Certificate
- NC-OBC Certificate
- DA/PwD Certificate
- Format for Final Year Certificate
- Format for Candidate Identification Affidavit
Is there reservation for defence/army soldiers for IIM admission?
No, there is no reservation for defence/army soldiers for IIM admission. Although there is a special course designed just for army officers that only takes a limited number of officers, there is no similar reservation for army personnel in the regular IIM courses. Most bookings are made according to the individual's category, which includes OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PWD, and so forth.
What is the format for the SC/ST certificate that must be used for CAT reservation?
The format for the SC/ST certificate that must be used for CAT reservation is the one that is provided on the official CAT website. The SC/ST certificate format is available on the official CAT website for all reserved category candidates to use. It is recommended that reservation documents for CAT must be provided in the official format only by all candidates.
What is the validity of NC-OBC certificate for CAT reservation?
The validity of an NC-OBC certificate for CAT reservation is generally 1 year. Students are recommended to procure a fresh and updated NC-OBC certificate if they have already held an NC-OBC certificate for more than a year.
When was reservation introduced in the IIMs?
Reservation at IIMs was introduced in 2006. Since all IIMs were founded in accordance with the law, which includes the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act of 2006, they are required to abide by its provisions. On the final day of CAT registration, only those categories that were on the Central Government List were taken into account for reservations.
How many IIM seats are reserved?
Different numbers of IIM seats are reserved for different categories. The reservation guidelines that IIMs follow are as follows:
- 15% of seats at the IIMs are set aside for Scheduled Castes (SC)
- 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- 27% for Other Backward Classes from the "non-creamy" layer (NC-OBC).
How many OBC seats are there at IIM?
809 OBC seats are there at IIMs out of the total number of seats at the IIMs.There are a total of 3,491 seats available for open allocation; 538 seats are for people of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST); and the rest seats are for People with Disabilities (EWS and PwD).
What is the CAT eligibility criteria for the scribe for PwD candidates?
There are no particular CAT eligibility criteria for the scribe for PwD candidates. However, candidates who want to take the CAT exam need to submit a scribe affidavit certifying that they will be appearing as the scribe for a specific candidate.