Out of the total 5500 IIM seats combined across the MBA and PGDM programs, a staggering 27% of the IIM seats are reserved for the OBC category candidates. The OBC candidates fill in the IIM seats for the OBC category by clearing the CAT exam with the required CAT percentile. The CAT percentile for the OBC category is different from one IIM to another. CAT 2024 concludes on November 24 in three different shifts.
This Story also Contains
To select the candidates for the IIM seats for the OBC category a set selection process takes place. A candidate’s entire profile along with CAT score and work experience (if applicable) is taken into consideration for final shortlisting.
The total number of seats in IIM for the OBC category is around 809 approximately. The percentage-wise distribution of IIM seats for different categories is given in the table below.
Category | Distribution of IIM Seats |
40.5% | |
IIM Seats for OBC Category | 27% |
7.5% and 15% | |
PwD and EWS | 10% |
Check out the Total Seats in IIM for MBA/PGDM
Different IIMs have different seats reserved for the OBC category as per the total IIM seats offered by them. The total IIM seats for the OBC category candidates in different IIMs are provided in the table below.
Name of the IIM | Total IIM Seats | IIM seats for the OBC Category |
398 | 104 | |
412 | 103 | |
462 | 125 | |
436 | 113 | |
450 | 122 | |
525 | 102 | |
240 | 33 | |
240 | 33 | |
120 | 37 | |
210 | 28 | |
210 | 32 | |
210 | 32 | |
120 | 37 | |
150 | 32 | |
120 | 33 | |
180 | 32 | |
170 | 17 | |
240 | 32 | |
550 | 148 |
The CAT cutoff is mandatory to clear for any candidates wishing to apply to any IIM for admission to its MBA/PGDM programs. The CAT cutoff depends on several factors including CAT exam difficulty level, normalization, total qualifying candidates, reservation criteria, etc. The CAT cutoff for IIM seats for the OBC category is given in the table below.
Name of the IIM | CAT 2024 cutoff for IIM seats for OBC Category (Expected) |
75 | |
75 | |
75+ | |
77 | |
80 | |
75 | |
75 | |
76.5 | |
74 | |
74 | |
74 | |
74 | |
70 | |
74 | |
74 | |
82 | |
74 | |
78 | |
75 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The total IIM seats for OBC are 809, about 27% of the total IIM seats. The SC and ST categories are given a reservation of 15% and 7.5% in the IIM seats respectively.
The CAT percentile required for IIM by the OBC candidate is around 85-90. This is the qualifying percentile. The percentile for final selection is generally much higher around 97-99.
The CAT exam registration fee for OBC category candidates is Rs. 2400 similar to that for the General category candidates. The fees for SC, ST, and PwD categories are Rs. 1200.
The OBC percentile for IIM Kozhikode is 75 (qualifying basis). OBC candidates with 75 percentile can apply to IIM Kozhikode. The selection will be based on the overall profile assessment, performance in the PI round, and CAT score (post-normalization).
On Question asked by student community
Hello there,
Yes, you should surely give a try. Your score and being Non-Engineer gives you an edge. The previous trends shows that cutoff typically hovers around 75-84 for EWS category. Therefore you must give a try.
NIBM gives proper weightage to academics as well, therefore your 8\8\8 would work
HELLO,
With an overall 98.54 percentile ( QA/DILR 97.55, VARC 94.89) and strong academics 9/9/0, you have a good profile. As a B.Tech candidate you can expect calls from :-
Hope this
Hello there,
The IIMs you should expect are listed below:
Your biotech background
Hello there,
With a 70 percentile it is not easy to make it in the IMT Hyderabad because the cutoff usually reaches 85-90+ for general category, even IMT Nagpur has low chances since the cutoff usually reaches 75-85. However, IMI Kolkata, is your safe option, since the cutoff is around
Hello aspirant,
Your kid has a good profile even in the general category with a BTech from IIT Delhi, three years of excellent job experience in a leading industry, and a 96 percentile in the CAT. He has a strong chance at reputable MBA schools like IIM Shillong, IIM Udaipur,
Ranked among top 10 B-Schools in India by multiple publications | Top Recruiters-Google, MicKinsey, Amazon, BCG & many more.
Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025
Highest Package 27.25 LPA | Top 100 Average package 16.65 LPA | AACSB Accredited | Ranked 52 by QS International
Phase 02 Applications Window Closing on 23rd January 2026 | 100% Placement Record | Average CTC 12.75 LPA | Highest CTC 40.31 LPA | Median CTC 12.49 LPA
Ranked #36 amongst institutions in Management by NIRF | 100% Placement
Application Deadline 15th Jan’26 | UGC Approved Programs | Near 100% Placement Record | Up to 100% Scholarships | Highest CTC 21.32 LPA