CAT 2026 Reservation Rules : SC/ST/OBC/PwD Seat Reservation

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CAT 2026 Reservation Rules : SC/ST/OBC/PwD Seat Reservation

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Registration

03 Aug 2026 - 15 Sep 2026

CAT Latest Updates

09 Oct, 2026

CAT 2026 admit cards will be available for download from Nov 4, 2026, ahead of the Nov 29 exam.

Aparajita Debnath

Data Manager

Updated On - Aug 07, 2026

CAT Reservation 2026 follows the reservation guidelines prescribed by the Government of India for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). If you're applying under a reserved category, it's important to understand the reservation policy and keep the required documents ready before completing your CAT 2026 application. Under the current policy, 15% of the seats are reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates, 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST), 27% for Non-Creamy Other Backward Classes (NC-OBC), up to 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and 5% for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).

To claim reservation benefits, you must upload the relevant category certificate while submitting the CAT 2026 application form. If you're shortlisted during the admission process, you'll also be required to produce the original certificate in the prescribed format whenever requested by the participating IIM or institute. Candidates applying under the PwBD category must submit a valid disability certificate issued in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.

Category-Wise Reservation Criteria for CAT 2026

CAT exam reservation policy is set by the Government of India for admissions to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). You belonging to specific categories such as SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD are eligible for reserved seats. However, they must meet the eligibility criteria and submit the required documents.

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) follow a structured reservation policy to ensure fair opportunities for you from diverse social and economic backgrounds. Below are the category-wise reservation criteria for CAT 2026 exam:

CAT Reservations 2026: Scheduled Caste (SC)

15% of seats in IIMs are reserved for SC you.
Applicants must provide a valid caste certificate issued by the government.

CAT Reservations 2026: Scheduled Tribe (ST)

7.5% of seats are reserved for ST you.
The caste certificate must clearly mention the candidate's caste, district, and state/UT of residence, along with approval from the Government of India.

CAT Reservations 2026: Other Backward Classes (OBC)

Non-Creamy Layer OBC (NC-OBC) you are eligible for a 27% reservation in IIM admissions.
Applicants must ensure that their caste is listed in the latest NC-OBC category list issued by the central government.

CAT Reservations 2026: Economically Weaker Section (EWS)

10% of seats are reserved for you in the EWS category.
To qualify, the candidate's annual family income must be INR 8 lakh or less.
A valid income certificate issued by the appropriate authority must be submitted during CAT 2026 registration.

CAT Reservations 2026: PwD

CAT 2026 exam provides reservations for you under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category. Eligible disabilities include:

Blindness & Low Vision
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Locomotor Disabilities: This includes conditions such as cerebral palsy, leprosy (cured), dwarfism, acid attack survivors, and muscular dystrophy
Neurodevelopmental & Mental Health Conditions: Such as autism, intellectual disabilities, specific learning disabilities, and mental illnesses
Multiple Disabilities: A combination of any of the mentioned disabilities
Other Specified Disabilities: As recognized under The Schedule of the RPWD Act, 2016

CAT Reservations 2026: Women

Currently, no separate reservation exists for women you in the CAT exam. The reservation policy applies only to you from the SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD categories. Women who belong to these categories can avail of the respective reservations, but there is no additional quota specifically for female you.

CAT Reservations 2026: NCC Students

There is no specific reservation for National Cadet Corps (NCC) students in the CAT exam. However, if an NCC cadet belongs to the SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PwD category, they can apply for reservations under their respective category.

It is crucial for all you to carefully read the official CAT 2026 notification, which includes details about the exam pattern, syllabus, and reservation policies, before completing their registration.

CAT Reservations 2026: Dyslexic

Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects reading, writing, and processing information. As per the official guidelines from the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the CAT exam offers reservations for five main categories: SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), OBC (Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer), EWS (Economically Weaker Section), and PwD (Persons with Disabilities).

While dyslexia fall under the category of Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), which is recognized as a disability under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, there is no exclusive reservation for dyslexic you in the CAT exam. Dyslexic you can, however, apply under the PwD category if they have the required medical certification.

Documents Required for CAT Exam Reservation 2026

If you belong to SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), EWS, or PwD categories, ensure you have the following documents ready for the CAT exam 2026 registration:

Category	Required Documents
SC/ST	Caste/Tribe certificate mentioning the name of the caste/tribe, recognition as SC or ST, district/state of residence, and approval by the Government of India.
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	Caste certificate stating non-creamy layer status, issued by a competent authority, as per the Government of India format.
EWS	Income and asset certificate confirming eligibility for the EWS category, as per the Government of India format.
PwD	Valid UDID card or disability certificate, specifying the type and percentage of disability.
Scribe (if applicable)	Affidavit for scribe assistance, available for download on the CAT portal. Must be filled in and uploaded during registration.

You must upload scanned copies of the required certificates during online registration and carry the originals (with photocopies) during the interview and verification stages.

Important: NC-OBC certificates must be issued on or after April 1, 2026, in the prescribed Government of India format. Certificates issued before this date will not be accepted for CAT 2026.

Caste & Income Certificates for CAT Exam Reservation 2026

You applying under reserved categories must provide valid caste or income certificates issued by authorized officials. The following authorities are eligible to issue these certificates:

District-level Officials: District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, First-Class Stipendiary Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Taluka Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, Extra Assistant Commissioner
Presidency-level Officials: Chief Presidency Magistrate, Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate, Presidency Magistrate
Revenue Officers: Officers ranked Tehsildar or higher
Sub-Divisional Officer: Officers from the area of residence of the candidate or their family

You must ensure all certificates are up-to-date and valid to avoid any issues during the admission process.

CAT Exam 2026 Fees Structure for Reserved Categories

The CAT exam 2026 fees for different reservation categories are as follows:

Category	Fee (INR)
SC/ST	1350/-
PwD	1350/-
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	2700/-
EWS	2700/-
General (Unreserved)	2700/-

You must pay the fee during registration to complete the application process.

Myths Vs. Facts: CAT Exam Reservation

The table below shows some myths vs. facts related to the CAT exam fees:

Myths	Facts
Reservation doesn't apply to IIM admissions.	Reservation is applicable both in CAT exam and IIM admissions, as per government norms.
You can claim multiple reservation categories.	You can claim only one applicable category, that is SC or PwD, not both.
OBC reservation is for all backward classes.	Only Non-Creamy Layer OBC candidates are eligible. Income and documentation matter.
EWS candidates don't need certificates.	Valid EWS certificate is mandatory, issued by a competent authority in the prescribed format.
PwD reservation is for any disability.	Only candidates with benchmark disabilities (40%) are eligible under PwD.
Reserved category candidates will get automatic admission.	They must meet minimum cutoff and clear selection rounds like everyone else.
Reservation percentages are flexible.	They are fixed by law: SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC-NCL (27%), EWS (10%), PwD (5%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ans: Yes, PwD you are given extra time during the CAT exam. According to the guidelines:

PwD you get 40 minutes per section, instead of the standard 30 minutes per section.
You must select the PwD status while filling out the application form to avail themselves of extra time.
Those requiring a scribe must mention this requirement in the application and provide a valid scribe certificate.

The extra time allows you with disabilities to complete the exam without unnecessary pressure.

Ans: CAT application correction window usually available for 2-3 days after registration closes. This window allows changes to key details, including category, uploaded documents, and photograph/signature. If the mistake involves an incorrect category, you must re-upload the correct certificate. However, if they fail to correct the error within this period, the application will proceed under the initially selected category (or General category if left unselected).

Ans: No, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) you must submit a fresh certificate issued on or after April 1, 2026.

The certificate should confirm that the candidate belongs to the Non-Creamy Layer and must be in the format prescribed by the Government of India.
If the certificate was issued before April 1, 2026, it will be considered invalid for CAT 2026 registration.

You should check the official CAT website for the latest certificate format and ensure they obtain a new one if necessary.

Ans: No, there is no separate reservation for transgender you in CAT 2026. However, transgender you can apply under SC, ST, OBC, EWS, or PwD categories if they meet the respective eligibility criteria.

If a transgender candidate belongs to the OBC-NCL or EWS category, they must provide the appropriate caste or income certificate.
If they have a recognized disability, they may apply under the PwD category.

Transgender you should check the latest guidelines issued by the Government of India regarding reservations and IIM admissions.

Ans: If a candidate submits an incorrect, expired, or fake certificate, they may face the following consequences:
Their application may be rejected during the registration process.

If the mistake is found later (during interviews or document verification), they may lose their seat in the IIM admission process.
The candidate may be barred from appearing for CAT in future years if found guilty of misrepresentation.

To avoid issues, you should double-check the validity and format of their certificates before submission. If unsure, they should get a fresh certificate from the issuing authority.