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    CAT 2026 Reservation Policy: Category-Wise Seats, Fees, Documents & Eligibility

    CAT 2026 Reservation Policy: Category-Wise Seats, Fees, Documents & Eligibility

    Sambhav ThakurUpdated on 24 Apr 2026, 05:51 PM IST

    CAT 2026 Reservation: The CAT 2026 reservation policy follows the government of India approved regulartions. According to that, 27% of IIM MBA seats are reserved for OBC candidates, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, and up to 10% of seats are reserved for EWS candidates. Meanwhile, 5% of seats are reserved for PwD candidates according to the CAT 2026 reservation policy set by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. The Indian Institute of Management follows the CAT reservation policy for offering IIM MBA seats. Read this article to know about the CAT 2026 exam reservation policy, CAT reservation fees 2026, and CAT reservation documents.

    CAT 2026 Reservation Criteria

    This Story also Contains

    1. CAT Reservation 2026: Documents Required
    2. CAT 2026 Reservation: List of Documents
    3. CAT 2026 Reservation Policy: Exam Fees
    4. IIM Admission Reservation Criteria 2026
    5. CAT Reservation 2026 for General Category
    6. CAT 2026 Reservation for OBC Category
    7. CAT Reservation 2026 for SC/ST Category
    8. CAT Reservation 2026 for PWD Category
    9. CAT Reservation 2026: Eligibility Criteria
    10. IIM Admission 2025-2027: Category-wise Class Composition
    CAT 2026 Reservation Policy: Category-Wise Seats, Fees, Documents & Eligibility
    CAT Reservation

    The reservation in the CAT exam, IIM reservation policy and list of documents will be available on the CAT 2026 official website, iimcat.ac.in and are also mentioned in the CAT notification 2026, once released. The category-wise CAT 2026 reservation certificates needed to be submitted for the CAT reservation 2026 verification.

    CAT 2026 Reservation Policy and Certificates

    Category

    Reserved Percentage

    CAT 2026 Reservation Certificates

    NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Other Backwards Classes)

    27%

    NC-OBC Certificate

    SC (Scheduled Caste)

    15%


    SC/ST Certificate

    ST (Scheduled Tribe)

    7.5%

    Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

    up to 10%

    EWS Certificate

    PwD (Person with Disability)*

    5%


    • PWD Certificate Form 5
    • PWD Certificate Form 6
    • PWD Certificate Form 7

    *Based on the physical disability, candidates can download and fill out any one of the forms to avail of the seats under the CAT exam reservation for the PwD category.

    Check out: IIM Admission Criteria

    CAT Reservation 2026: Documents Required

    To verify the category of the applicants, it is necessary to submit the relevant documents as proof of the category certificate and the income certificate. The certificate must be collected from the government officials. A copy of the category/caste certificates must be submitted at the time of document verification in front of the IIMT CAT admission cell of the institution. The candidate must carry the original CAT 2026 reservation documents for verification. If the candidates fail to submit the CAT exam documents, the admission process of the candidates will be cancelled.

    CAT 2026 Reservation: List of Documents

    Candidates must be ready with the following CAT exam reservation documents to apply for the CAT 2026 and further rounds of the admission process. The documents below are to be uploaded at the time of CAT 2026 registration in the prescribed size and format. Candidates can refer to the points mentioned below for more information.

    • ID proof
    • OBC Certificate (applicable for OBC candidates only)
    • SC Certificate (applicable for SC candidates only)
    • ST Certificate (applicable for ST candidates only)
    • EWS Certificate (applicable for economically backward candidates only)
    • Disability certificate (applicable for specially challenged candidates only)
    • Income certificate
    • Identification affidavit
    • Scribe Educational Qualifications Affidavit
    • Academic certificates
    • CAT authorisation form
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    Browse for the Reservation in CAT 2026 Cut-off Marks (Category-Wise)

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    💡 Conversion Formula used is: Percentage = CGPA × 9.5

    CAT 2026 Reservation Policy: Exam Fees

    As per the CAT 2026 registration policy, there are no additional fees to be paid for the CAT registration to apply under any category. Based on the category where candidates are in can fill out the CAT application form. The table below shows the expected CAT registration fees to be paid by candidates from various categories.

    Category

    CAT 2026 Exam Fees

    General/OBC/EWS

    Rs. 2600

    SC/ST/PWD

    Rs. 1300

    Also Read: How to fill out the CAT application form

    IIM Admission Reservation Criteria 2026

    Indian Institute of Management reserves seats for the candidates from SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PWD categories. Based on the IIM reservation policy, candidates from these categories also get reservations in the CAT cut-off marks and a relaxation of 5% of marks in the bachelor's degree to get shortlisted for the next rounds of the IIM Admission criteria.

    See also: IIM Fees for MBA

    CAT Reservation 2026 for General Category

    There is no reservation for the general candidates in applying for the CAT exam, the CAT 2026 cutoff marks and MBA admission criteria. As per the Government of India reservation policy, the candidates from the general category are not eligible for any reservation in getting seats at IIMs. General candidates can get the IIM MBA admission straightforwardly without any reservations in the CAT exam.

    CAT 2026 Reservation for OBC Category

    CAT 2026 exam reservation for the OBC candidates is 27%. The reservation policy for the non-creamy layer backward class is mentioned in the CAT notification 2026. CAT reservation for the OBC category is fully dependent on the central list of state-wise OBCs eligible for the reservation. For the latest updates on the Central Government list of OBC candidates, applicants can visit the official website of the National Commission for Backwards Classes - ncbc.nic.in. before filling out the NC OBC Certificate for CAT 2026.

    CAT Reservation 2026 for SC/ST Category

    The CAT reservation 2026 for SC and ST categories is 15% and 7.5%, respectively. The candidates who meet the MBA eligibility criteria and submit the SC/ST certificate documents will get the benefits of reservation for IIM admission under the SC/ST category. Candidates from SC or ST categories can use the same certificate as proof to submit to the authorities of the IIM MBA admission for reservation in the CAT exam.

    CAT Reservation 2026 for PWD Category

    As per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, Government of India, candidates with disabilities, irrespective of any category, will get 5% of seats for the IIM MBA admission. Based on the physical disability of the applicant, candidates can fill out the certificate from the CAT official website and attest it by the notified medical authority. The physical disabilities considered for the CAT exam under the CAT 2026 reservation policy for the PwD category are below:

    • Blindness or low vision
    • Deaf
    • Locomotor disability
    • Autism or intellectual disability
    • Other disabilities are mentioned under 'The Schedule' of the RPwD Act 2016.
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    CAT Reservation 2026: Eligibility Criteria

    To apply for the CAT exam, the applicants must fulfil the minimum CAT eligibility requirements as mentioned below. The candidates who failed to meet the MBA eligibility requirements will not be allowed to attend the CAT 2026 exam.

    • Candidates from the general category must have a 3-year bachelor’s degree from an approved university with 50 the minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
    • As per the reservation in the CAT exam, Candidates from the reserved category are eligible to apply for the CAT exam with 45% marks from a bachelor’s degree as minimum aggregate.

    IIM Admission 2025-2027: Category-wise Class Composition

    List of IIMsGeneralEWSNC-OBCSCSTPwD
    IIM Ahmedabad18920103573016
    IIM Bangalore20150138773920
    IIM Calcutta23391307235-

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: What are the CAT reservation percentages for different categories of candidates?
    A:

    The CAT 2026 exam follows the reservation criteria set by the Government of India. The CAT reservation policy says 27% for OBC, 15% for SC, 10% for EWS, 7.5% for ST and 5% for PWD.

    Q: What documents are required for CAT reservations 2026?
    A:

    Candidates who meet the CAT reservation criteria will get the favours in the CAT registration and IIM admission process. It is mandatory to submit the valid and latest documents given by the government authority to verify the candidate's category, income certificate for EWS and disability certificate for PwD applicants.

    Q: How does the CAT reservation policy affect CAT cut off and IIM MBA admissions?
    A:

    Reserved candidates have to meet low CAT cut off marks compared to the general category. However, candidates from all categories must obtain minimum qualifying marks for the CAT exam. The CAT reservation policy is considered while releasing the shortlist and final IIM MBA admission offer letter.

    Q: Can a candidate apply under both OBC and EWS categories for CAT 2026?
    A:

    No, the applicants can do the CAT registration 2026 only under one category. 

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