CAT Exam Reservation 2024: Category Wise OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD

CAT Exam Reservation 2024: Category Wise OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD

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Alen Tom ShajiUpdated on 22 Oct 2024, 06:16 PM IST

CAT 2024 Reservation: 27% of IIM MBA seats are allotted for OBC candidates, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, and up to 10% of seats are reserved for EWS according to the CAT 2024 reservation policy set by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. Meanwhile, 5% of seats are reserved for PwD candidates. Candidates filling the CAT application form 2024 must fill the CAT 2024 reservation details appropriately in the form. Indian Institute of Management follows the CAT reservation policy for offering IIM MBA seats. Read this article to know about the CAT exam reservation policy, CAT reservation fees and CAT reservation documents.

CAT Reservation Criteria 2024

This Story also Contains

  1. Documents Required for CAT Reservation 2024
  2. CAT Reservation 2024: List of Documents
  3. CAT Reservation 2024 Fees
  4. IIM Admission Reservation Criteria
  5. CAT Reservation 2024 for General Category
  6. CAT Reservation 2024 for OBC Category
  7. CAT Reservation 2024 for SC/ST Category
  8. CAT Reservation 2024 for PWD Category
  9. CAT Reservation 2024: Eligibility Criteria
CAT Exam Reservation 2024: Category Wise OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD
CAT Reservation

The reservation in the CAT exam, IIM reservation policy and list of documents are available on the CAT official website, iimcat.ac.in and also mentioned in the CAT notification 2024. The category-wise CAT 2024 reservation policy and certificates to be submitted for the CAT reservation 2024 verification documents pdf links are also listed in the table.

CAT 2024 Reservation Policy and Certificates

Category

Reserved Percentage

CAT Reservation 2024 Certificates

NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Other Backward 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

Documents Required for CAT Reservation 2024

To verify the category of the applicants, it is necessary to submit the relevant documents as proof of category certificate and 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 admission cell of the institution. The candidate must carry the original CAT reservation 2024 documents for verification. If the candidates fail to submit the CAT exam documents, the admission process of the candidates will be cancelled.

CAT Reservation 2024: List of Documents

Candidates must be ready with the following CAT exam reservation documents to apply for the CAT 2024 and further rounds of the admission process. The below documents are to be uploaded at the time of CAT registration 2024 in the prescribed size and format.

  • 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 EducationalQualifications Affidavit
  • Academic certificates
  • CAT authorisation form
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Browse for the Reservation in CAT 2024 Cut off Marks (Category-Wise)

CAT Reservation 2024 Fees

As per the CAT 2024 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 below table the CAT registration fees to be paid by the candidates from various categories.

Category

CAT Exam Fees

General/OBC/EWS

Rs. 2500

SC/ST/PWD

Rs. 1250

Also Read: How to fill out CAT 2024 application form

IIM Admission Reservation Criteria

Indian Institute of Management reserves seats for the reserved 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 IIM Admission criteria.

See also: IIM Fees for MBA

CAT Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
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CAT Reservation 2024 for General Category

There is no reservation for the general candidates in applying for the CAT exam, CAT 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 only without any reservation in the CAT exam.

CAT Reservation 2024 for OBC Category

CAT exam reservation for the OBC candidates is 27%. The reservation policy for the non-creamy layer backward class is mentioned in the CAT notification 2024. CAT reservation for 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 National Commission for Backward Classes - ncbc.nic.in. before filling out the NC OBC Certificate for CAT 2024.

CAT Reservation 2024 for SC/ST Category

The CAT reservation 2024 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 IIM admission under the SC/ST category. Candidates from SC or ST categories can use the same certificate as proof to submit before the authorities of IIM MBA admission for reservation in CAT exam.

CAT Reservation 2024 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 2024 reservation policy for 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 2024: 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 2024 exam.

  • Candidates from the general category must have a 3 year bachelor’s degree from an approved university with 50% of the minimum aggregate of marks.
  • As per the reservation in 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can a candidate apply under both OBC and EWS categories for CAT 2024?
A:

No, the applicants can do the CAT registration 2024 only under one category. 

Q: What documents are required for CAT reservations 2024?
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: What are the CAT reservation percentages for different categories of candidates?
A:

The CAT 2024 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.

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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello Aspirant,

Since your payment status shows "S" , it means your payment is successful. The "payment unsuccessful" message on the form is likely a temporary system error or a delay in updating.

Do not make another payment.

Making a second payment could cause a double debit, which is difficult to get a refund for. You should:

  1. Wait 24-48 hours for the status to update automatically.

  2. Download and save a copy of your form and a screenshot of the "S" payment status as proof.

  3. Check your bank statement to confirm the money has been debited.

  4. If the issue is not fixed after 48 hours, contact the official CAT helpdesk immediately with your transaction details.

Hello

The CAT 2025 exam is a national-level MBA entrance test for IIMs and top B-schools in India. It will be held on 30th November 2025 in computer-based mode across ~170 cities.
The registration is open from 1st August to 13th September 2025 on iimcat.ac.in .
Admit cards will be available from 5th November 2025 onward.
Graduates with at least 50 marks (45 for SC/ST/PwD) are eligible to apply.
The exam tests English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude in three timed sections.

Yes, you can pursue an MBA at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU), Lucknow, through the CAT exam.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: A bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/PwD candidates) from a recognized university.

  • Entrance Exam: A valid CAT score is required for admission.

Admission Process:

  1. Application: Register online through the BBAU admission portal.

  2. Entrance Exam: Appear for the CAT exam and obtain a valid score.

  3. Counseling: Shortlisted candidates will be called for counseling based on their CAT scores.

  4. Document Verification: Submit necessary documents for verification.

  5. Fee Payment: Complete the fee payment to confirm admission.

Course Details:

  • Duration: 2 years (full-time).

  • Specializations: Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, among others.

Placement Opportunities:
BBAU has a strong placement record, with top companies recruiting MBA graduates.

For more details and to apply, visit the  official BBAU MBA admission page

Hello Amgothu

With 305 marks in ICAR PG and being from ST category, your chances of getting an AIEEA (CAT) seat is good, especially in plant sciences and less competitive subjects