What is NC OBC Certificate for CAT 2025 - How to Apply for CAT 2025 Category Certificates Online?

What is NC OBC Certificate for CAT 2025 - How to Apply for CAT 2025 Category Certificates Online?

Himanshu ShekharUpdated on 13 Sep 2025, 05:31 PM IST

The NC OBC Certificate for CAT is an official document in India that certifies that an individual belongs to the 'non-creamy' layer of the Other Backwards Classes (OBC) category. This is for all those who have a family income below a certain threshold, typically Rs. 8 lakhs per year.

What is NC OBC Certificate for CAT 2025 - How to Apply for CAT 2025 Category Certificates Online?
NC OBC Certificate for CAT

The NC OBC certificate for the CAT exam helps the NC OBC category candidates authenticate their identity. The NC OBC certificate for CAT is effective in availing of the prescribed reservation benefits in CAT. Along with NC OBC, the candidates from other reserved categories like SC, ST, EWS, and PwD also need to have the category certificate for CAT to avail the same benefits.

What is the NC OBC Certificate for CAT

The NC OBC certificate for CAT is a document that needs to be attached to the CAT application form ensuring that the candidate belongs to the stated reserved category. It comes in the format of a form that needs to be filled by the candidate. Similarly to that candidates from SC, ST, EWS, and PwD categories are also mandatorily required to attach their category authentication certificates while filling out the application form for CAT.

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How to Apply for the NC OBC Certificate for CAT

The application process for the NC OBC certificate is simple. The steps to get the NC OBC certificate and other reserved category certificates are mentioned below.

  1. Go to the official IIMCAT website, iimcat.ac.in.
  2. Click on the name of the category given under the Certificates Proformas and Forms section.
  3. A PDF will open up in the next tab containing a form.
  4. Download and take a printout of the certificate for the respective reserved category.
  5. Fill in all the details required.
  6. Get it signed by the District Magistrate, Deputy Commissioner, etc. Also, get a seal from the respective office.
  7. Once done, take a scanned copy of the signed certificate and attach it to the application form of CAT 2025.
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Important Details Mentioned on NC OBC Certificate for CAT

The NC OBC certificate has to be filled with important details for authentication purposes. The details should be correct according to the government records. If false information is found in the certificate, it can lead to the termination of the candidature for a candidate. The same is the case for candidates belonging to other reserved categories (SC, ST, EWS, and PwD). Therefore cross-check all the necessary details before submitting. The important details to be mentioned on the NC OBS certificate for CAT are given below.

  1. Name
  2. Address
  3. Entry Number
  4. Name of the district
  5. O.M Number
  6. Date and signature by the District Magistrate, Deputy Commissioner, etc. (with designation seal)
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Importance of NC OBC Certificate for CAT

If you belong to the Non-Creamy Other Backward Classes (NC-OBC), you must produce the NC-OBC certificate for CAT duly signed by the competent authority and enclose its photocopy at the time of interviews. Moreover, the NC OBC certificate must be submitted at the time of joining the programs of any of the IIMs. Failure to do so during the post CAT selection process will result in you not being considered under the reserved category.

If you belong to SC or ST categories, your caste/tribe must be listed in the Government of India schedule. The caste certificate that you send to IIM should be in the Government format and should clearly state:

  1. Name of your caste/tribe
  2. Whether you belong to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe
  3. District and the State or Union Territory of your ordinary residence
  4. Government of India schedule under which your caste/tribe is approved by it as Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe.

A copy of the SC/ST and /or PWD (DA) certificate(s) must be uploaded at the time of CAT

Application online. Failure to upload a copy of the caste/class certificate will result in the rejection of your CAT registration.

The SC/ST and/or PWD (DA) certificate(s) must be shown and a photocopy should be submitted at the time of the interviews. Moreover, the certificate(s) must be submitted at the time of joining programs of any of the IIMs.

Reservation Criteria for NC OBC Certificate for CAT

As per the Government of India requirements, 15% of the seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) and 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates. 27% of seats are reserved for Other Backward Classes candidates belonging to the “non-creamy” layer (NC - OBC).

As per the provision under section 39 of the PWD Act, 1995, 3% of seats are reserved for Differently Abled (DA) candidates. The three categories of disability are

  1. Low vision blindness
  2. Hearing impairment, and
  3. Locomotor disability/cerebral palsy.

This provision is applicable if the candidate suffers from any of the listed disabilities to the extent of not less than 40%, as certified by a medical authority as prescribed and explained in the said Act.

The candidates belonging to categories for which seats are reserved need to note and read the eligibility requirements carefully before applying. It should be noted that while it is the endeavor of IIMs that the candidates belonging to SC/ST/PWD/Non-Creamy OBC categories join the Program in proportions mandated by the law, they have to meet the minimum eligibility criteria and a certain minimum level of performance in the admission process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many days to get an NC OBC certificate?
A:

The time to receive an OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate varies by location and the application status of the candidate. The certificate is typically available within 10 to 30 days or more after the application, with some expedited processes available for renewals. 

Q: What is the validity of NC OBC certificate?
A:

An OBC-NCL (Other Backwards Classes - Non-Creamy Layer) certificate is generally valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance for Central Government purposes. While for the State Government application, the validity may differ, and in some cases, a District Magistrate (DM) issued certificate might be valid for three years. 

Q: What is the CAT cutoff for NC OBC?
A:

The CAT (Common Admission Test) cutoff for the Non-Creamy layer Other Backward Class (NC-OBC) varies by IIM, and it is determined by both sectional and overall percentile. 

Q: What is the NC OBC certificate for CAT?
A:

The NC OBC certificate for CAT is an important document for the candidates belonging to the non-creamy layer of the Other Backward Classes. The NC OBC certificate for CAT helps the NC OBC category candidates authenticate their identity.

Q: What is the validity of the NC OBC certificate for CAT?
A:

The validity of the NC OBC certificate for CAT is limited to one year. If a candidate fills out the CAT form for the subsequent year under a reserved category, they would have to attach a scanned copy of a newly issued NC OBC certificate.

Q: What is the difference between an OBC certificate and an NC OBC certificate?
A:

The difference between an OBC and an NC OBC certificate is that of net family income. The OBC category is the one with above 8 lakh net family income while the NC OBC category is the one with a net family income of below 8 lakhs.

Q: Can I change my category from general to OBC in CAT?
A:

The CAT form has the field of category that is mandatory to be filled by the candidates. The candidates can choose their category. Candidates choosing any reserved category such as SC, ST, SBC, EWS, and PwD are required to attach a category certificate for authentication purposes.

Q: Is an NC-OBC certificate required for CAT registration?
A:

Yes, a valid NC-OBC certificate authenticated by an appropriate authority must be submitted by the candidate in the admission process to IIMs.

Q: What documents are required for CAT registration 2025?
A:

The following are the list of documents required for CAT registration 2025:

  • Class 10 and 12 marksheets
  • Graduate marksheets
  • Work experience certificate (if applicable)
  • Photo identification
  • Pasport-size photograph
  • Signature
  • Category certificates such as SC/ST/PwD certiticate ( if applicable)
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Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

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 :-

  • IIM Shillong
  • IIM Udaipur
  • IIM Trichy
  • IIM Ranchi
  • IIM Raipur
  • IIM Kashipur
  • IIM Nagpur
  • IIM Indore is Boderline

Hope this will help you !

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, IIM Trichy, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, and others, depending on interview performance and profile match, even though the top IIMs often require higher percentiles.

Thank you

Hope it helps you

With an overall CAT percentile of 82.71 in CAT 2025 as a general category candidate, along with section-wise percentiles of 80.56 in VARC, 75.81 in DILR and 84.56 in QA, your chances at top IIMs are limited, as most older IIMs usually shortlist general category candidates at much higher percentiles. However, this percentile still keeps you eligible for admission calls from several Tier-2 and Tier-3 MBA colleges across India, especially those that consider overall performance, academic background and work experience along with CAT scores. You can expect calls from institutes such as IMT Nagpur, IMI Bhubaneswar, FORE School of Management (some programs), TAPMI Manipal (borderline), Great Lakes Institute of Management (Chennai or Gurgaon for PGPM/PGDM variants), K J Somaiya (depending on cut-offs), GIM Goa (through CAT or other exams), and state-level universities that accept CAT scores. Additionally, many good private universities and autonomous B-schools consider candidates in the 80–85 percentile range and conduct their own GD-PI rounds. To improve your chances, you should apply widely, prepare well for interviews, and highlight your academics, work experience, certifications and extracurricular achievements, as final selection is not based on CAT score alone.

All the best.

With an overall CAT 2025 percentile of 82.71, you are unlikely to get calls from the IIMs (including new or baby IIMs), as most of them generally shortlist candidates at 90+ percentile, even after considering category and profile factors. However, this percentile is still quite decent and opens doors to many good Tier-2 and Tier-3 MBA colleges in India that offer solid academics, reasonable placements, and good industry exposure.

At around 80–85 percentile, you have a strong chance of getting shortlisted by institutes such as IMI Bhubaneswar, IMT Nagpur, IMT Hyderabad, XIME Bangalore/Chennai, TAPMI Manipal (borderline, profile-dependent), IFMR GSB Krea University, FORE School of Management (certain programs), GIM Goa (specialised programs), LIBA Chennai (borderline), K J Somaiya Institute of Management (profile-based), Great Lakes Chennai/Gurgaon (PGDM – profile matters a lot), and Welingkar Mumbai (especially through profile + GDPI). Many reputed state universities and private institutes like PUMBA Pune, Delhi School of Management (DTU – if accepting CAT that year), BIMTECH (some programs), NDIM Delhi, ITM Navi Mumbai, and Jaipuria Institute of Management campuses are also realistic options.

Your sectional percentiles (VARC 80.56, DILR 75.81, QA 84.56) are fairly balanced, which works in your favor, as several colleges apply sectional cut-offs around 60–70 percentile. Final selection will depend not only on CAT score but also on academic background, graduation marks, work experience, diversity factors, and GD-PI performance. If you have work experience, it significantly improves your chances at colleges like Great Lakes, FORE, IFMR, and Welingkar.

In summary, while top IIMs are not achievable at 82.71 percentile, you can still secure admission into reputed mid-tier MBA colleges that provide good ROI and career growth if you perform well in the GD-PI process. It is advisable to apply broadly, focus on profile-based institutes, and prepare seriously for interviews to convert the best possible calls.

With 84.91 percentile in CAT (General, male, no work experience), top colleges like IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI, etc. are not possible. You may get calls from private institutes such as IMT Nagpur/Hyderabad, IMI Bhubaneswar, XIME, SDMIMD, Welingkar (some programs) and similar colleges. Universities like Amity or LPU are also options.

It’s better to choose carefully, as placements and ROI may be average. Reattempting CAT or trying XAT/CMAT could improve options.