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.

BIMTECH PGDM Admissions 2026

AACSB Accredited | Highest CTC: 22 LPA

The Vedica Scholars Programme for Women 2026

Assured Placements and Career Support

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.
CAT 2025 College Predictor
Use CAT 2025 College Predictor to check your chances for IIM and top MBA calls based on CAT percentile, profile, work experience and cut-off trends.
Use Now

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)
Great Lakes - PGDM & PGPM Admissions 2026

Last Date to Apply: 10th Feb | Globally Recognized by AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK) | 17.8 LPA Avg. CTC for PGPM 2025

K J Somaiya Institute of Management MBA Admissions 2026

Highest Package 27.25 LPA | Top 100 Average package 16.65 LPA | AACSB Accredited | Ranked 52 by QS International

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: 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 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: 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 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)
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 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: 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: 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 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.

Articles
|
Upcoming Bschool Exams
Ongoing Dates
ACAT Application Date

7 Oct'25 - 26 Jan'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
VITBEE Application Date

31 Oct'25 - 12 Apr'26 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
B-MAT Application Date

19 Nov'25 - 8 Feb'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Online MBA
Via Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida
Corporate Law
Via National Law University, New Delhi
Strategic Management
Via Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Online BBA
Via Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida
Management of Commercial Banking
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Management of Inventory Systems
Via Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Udemy
 703 courses
Edx
 467 courses
Swayam
 236 courses
Emeritus
 231 courses
Explore Top Universities Across Globe
University of Essex, Colchester
Wivenhoe Park Colchester CO4 3SQ
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
Headington Campus Oxford OX3 0BP UK
Northumbria University, Newcastle City Campus
Sutherland Building, Northumberland Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 8ST
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB
University of Reading, Reading
Whiteknights PO Box 217 Reading Berkshire RG6 6AH
Bristol Baptist College, Bristol
The Promenade, Clifton Down, Bristol BS8 3NJ

Questions related to CAT

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CAT ?

Hello,

Here are some top colleges accepting XAT and CAT exams :

Top colleges accepting CAT:

  • IIMs (All Indian Institutes of Management)

  • FMS Delhi

  • SPJIMR Mumbai

  • MDI Gurgaon

  • IIT Bombay (SJMSOM)

  • IIT Delhi (DMS)

  • IIFT

  • IMT Ghaziabad

  • JBIMS Mumbai

Top colleges accepting XAT:

  • XLRI Jamshedpur

  • XIMB Bhubaneswar

  • IMT Ghaziabad

  • Great

Hi there,

A female candidate with a CAT percentile of 67.97 and low sectional scores should target private and tier-2/3 B-schools that accept overall CAT scores in the 60–70 percentile range and have flexible sectional criteria.

Some suitable options include AIMS Institute Bangalore, Doon Business School Dehradun, Christ Institute of

Hi there,

Yes, you are eligible for XISS Ranchi with a CAT percentile of 67.60.

According to recent admission trends, the CAT cutoff for the PGDM in Human Resource Management for the general category has been around 60 percentile. For other programs such as Marketing, Finance, and Rural Management, the

Hi there,

Careers360 offers a wide range of eBooks and study materials to assist with CAT preparation. You can access past CAT question papers with solutions to understand the exam pattern and difficulty level. Additionally, there are quantitative aptitude handbooks, cheat sheets, and section-specific practice sets for arithmetic, algebra, and

Hi there,

The minimum eligibility criteria for a general candidate to receive a call from IIM Sambalpur are as follows:
VARC: 65%ile
QUANTS: 65%ile
LRDI: 65%ile
Overall: 90%tile
Keep practising and aim to improve your score. You can also focus on other management exams where you may secure a strong