Reservation in CAT Exam 2025: Eligibility, Categories, Documents & Fee Structure

CAT Exam 2025 follows the Government of India's reservation policy to promote equal opportunities for candidates from marginalized communities seeking admission in the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Reservations are allotted across categories including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD). A specific percentage of seats is reserved for different categories: 15% for Scheduled Castes (SC), 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes (ST), 27% for Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer), 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and 5% for Persons with Disabilities (PwD). Candidates must provide valid certificates issued by authorized government officials to avail themselves of these benefits.

The reservation policy does not include a separate quota for women, although female candidates can benefit under the existing categories if applicable. The fee structure differs across these categories, with candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD groups generally paying lower fees than those from OBC-NCL and EWS backgrounds. It is crucial to obtain proper documentation such as caste, income, and disability certificates from competent authorities before applying to ensure smooth processing and claim reservation benefits in the CAT 2025 admissions.

Is There Any Reservation in CAT Exam 2025?

Yes, CAT follows the reservation policy of the Government of India. These reservations apply to admission in Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) for candidates belonging to specific categories. The reservation policy for CAT 2025 is outlined as follows:

Category	Reservation Percentage
Scheduled Caste (SC)	15%
Scheduled Tribe (ST)	7.5%
Other Backward Classes (OBC - Non-Creamy Layer)	27%
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)	10%
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD)	5%

 

Reservation Criteria for CAT 2025

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) reserve a fixed percentage of seats in accordance with Government of India norms to ensure equal opportunities for students from marginalized and underrepresented sections of society. The reservation criteria for CAT 2025 are outlined below:

SC Reservation Criteria for CAT 2025

Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community are eligible for reservation as per official government guidelines. This helps improve representation of SC students in IIMs.

Category	Details
Reservation %	15%
Required Proof	Valid SC Caste Certificate
Certificate Must Include	Clearly mentioned caste name, identified as SC, state/district of residence
Issuing Authority	Certificate must be issued by a competent authority approved by GOI

ST Reservation Criteria for CAT 2025

Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates can also apply under a reserved quota. It is important to have proper documentation with specific details.

Category	Details
Reservation %	7.5%
Required Proof	Valid ST Caste Certificate
Certificate Must Include	Clear mention of tribe name, ST identification, district & state/UT info
Issuing Authority	Must be approved by the Government of India

OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Reservation Criteria for CAT 2025

Candidates under the Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) can apply for reservation in IIMs as per the latest central government list.

Category	Details
Reservation %	27%
Required Proof	NC-OBC Certificate as per central government guidelines
Latest Status	Must be listed under the updated NC-OBC category
Additional Info	OBC reservation is the highest among all categories in IIMs

EWS Reservation Criteria for CAT 2025

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) are eligible for reservation, introduced to support financially weaker families.

Category	Details
Reservation %	10%
Income Criteria	Annual household income must be INR 8 lakh or less
Required Proof	A valid EWS certificate must be issued by an authorized government body.
Issuing Authority	As prescribed by the Government of India

PwD Reservation Criteria for CAT 2025

Candidates with benchmark disabilities can apply under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) quota as per the RPwD Act, 2016.

Category	Details
Reservation %	5%
Eligibility	Minimum 40% of a specified disability
Applicable Disabilities	Blindness, low vision, hearing issues, cerebral palsy, autism, mental illness, leprosy, etc.
Required Proof	Disability certificate in accordance with RPwD Act, 2016

Women's Reservation in CAT 2025

There is currently no specific reservation category for women in CAT or IIM admissions. However, female candidates are eligible for reservation under SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PwD categories if applicable.

Category	Details
Women's Quota	Not available in CAT or IIMs
Applicable Reservation	Only through SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PwD categories

Where to Get Your Income or Caste Certificate for CAT Reservation?

Before applying for reservations in the CAT 2025 exam for admission to IIMs, it is essential to secure the required income and caste certificates. These certificates must be obtained from designated government authorities who are officially authorized to issue such documents.

To apply under reserved categories, candidates must obtain valid certificates. The following authorities are authorized to issue income or caste certificates:

• District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, 1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Taluka Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, or Extra Assistant Commissioner.
• Authorities such as the Chief Presidency Magistrate, Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate, or Presidency Magistrate are recognized for certain official verifications.
• Revenue Officer of rank not lower than Tehsildar.
• Sub-Divisional Officer in the candidate's local area of residence, including the candidate's family.

Essential Documents for Reservation in CAT Exam 2025

When applying for the CAT exam 2025 and seeking reservation benefits under categories like SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PwD, it is crucial to have the necessary documents ready. Below is a list of important documents and details you must ensure to complete your application smoothly and claim the reservation:

Category/Requirement	Details
SC/ST Reservation	Confirm that your caste or tribe is included in the Government of India's official schedule.
Caste Certificate Details	The certificate should clearly state the caste or tribe name, classification as SC or ST, your district and state/union territory, and must be approved by the Government of India.
Uploading Certificates	While registering for the CAT Exam 2025, candidates must upload the applicable caste or reservation certificates such as SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PwD certificates.
Original Certificates	Carry the original reservation certificate along with a photocopy of the interview stage.
PwD Category	Candidates with disabilities are required to obtain a UDID card and submit it during the registration process.
Scribe Facility	If a candidate needs a scribe, they should download the scribe affidavit form, fill it out, and upload it at the time of registration.

Reservation Fee Structure for CAT Exam 2025

Here is an overview of the fee structure for reserved categories in the CAT Exam 2025. The exam fee differs based on the candidate's reservation status, ensuring affordability for various groups.

CAT Reservation Category	CAT Application Fee Structure (INR)
SC - Scheduled Caste	1250/-
ST - Scheduled Tribe	1250/-
PwD - Persons with Disabilities	1250/-
NC-OBC - Non-Creamy Other Backward Caste	2500/-
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)	2500/-

 Read More:

• CAT Exam Registration 2025
• CAT Answer Key 2025
• CAT Exam Syllabus 2025
• CAT Eligibility Criteria 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Can candidates avail of reservation benefits in CAT if they belong to multiple categories, such as SC and PwD? +

Ans: Yes, candidates who belong to multiple reserved categories (like SC and PwD) are entitled to benefit from reservations in both categories. Typically, they can claim the highest applicable reservation percentage. They must provide valid certificates for each category and follow the guidelines issued by the IIMs during the admission process.

Is there any relaxation in the CAT exam syllabus or pattern for reserved category candidates? +

Ans: No, the CAT exam syllabus and pattern remain the same for all candidates regardless of category. The reservation only affects the admission process and seat allocation at the IIMs and does not imply any relaxation in exam content, difficulty level, or evaluation criteria.

What happens if a candidate submits a fake caste or income certificate for reservation in CAT? +

Ans: Submitting false documents is a serious offense and can lead to disqualification from the exam and admission process. It may also attract legal penalties under Indian laws. The IIMs conduct thorough verification of certificates, and candidates found guilty of fraud face cancellation of admission and blacklisting.

Can reserved category candidates apply under the general category in CAT if they do not want to avail reservation benefits? +

Ans: Yes, reserved category candidates have the option to apply under the general (unreserved) category if they believe they can compete on merit without reservation benefits. Many candidates choose this route to avoid category-based cut-offs and improve their chances at institutes or programs with limited reserved seats.

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