Reservation In CAT exam 2026 for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD and Women

Q: When is CAT exam 2026?

The provisional date for CAT exam 2026 is November 329 which is likely to be conducted by IIM Calcutta.

Q: What is a CAT exam used for?

CAT or Common Admission Test, is an online computer-based exam conducted to pursue a career in business and management at top IIMs (Indian Institute of Management) and other top business schools in the country.

Q: Is the CAT exam only for MBA?

Although the CAT majorly focuses on MBA admissions, this is not true. The CAT score is also accepted for admission to PGP, MBA, Executive MBA, PhD, and FPM courses.

Q: Is there reservation in CAT?

Yes, the CAT exam follows a reservation policy, with seats allocated for categories like SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates based on government guidelines

Q: What are EWS benefits in CAT exam?

EWS candidates receive a 10% reservation in IIMs, offering them a fair chance at admission under the Economically Weaker Section category.

Q: Is there any Reservation for physically handicapped in CAT 2026?

Yes, CAT provides a 5% reservation for PwD candidates, including those with physical disabilities, to ensure inclusive education at IIMs.

Q: Is there reservation in IIM?

Yes, IIMs have reservations for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD categories, adhering to the Indian government's policies on affirmative action.

Q: Is there any reservation for girls in CAT?

No, the CAT exam does not have any specific reservation for female candidates. However, some IIMs and B-schools may offer gender-based reservations during their admission process

Q: What are some Important Points to know before appearing in CAT Exam?

Before appearing for the CAT exam, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria, understand the exam pattern, and develop a comprehensive preparation strategy, including time management and mock tests.

Author : Lalita Vishwakarma

November 25, 2025

Overview: The Government of India specifies the criteria for reservation in CAT exam for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwD, and Women in the CAT notification 2026. Read on to know the category-wise reservation for CAT exam with us!

Important Events of CAT 2026 Exam!

The CAT 2026 exam will be conducted on 29th November by IIM Kozhikode. The online CAT registration will begin on 01st Aug 2026.
It is essential to note that the last date to apply for the CAT 2026 entrance exam is September 13, 2026. Candidates should visit the official website to register.
The CAT 2026 admit card will be available for download from November 5, 2026, to November 30, 2026.

As per GOI norms, the CAT exam reservation for different categories is 15% (SC), 7.5% (ST), 27% (NC-OBC), and 10% (EWS) and helps the students in the CAT exam admission process.

Get detailed insights about the CAT exam reservation fees and documents, and complete the CAT 2026 reservation policy.

Is There Any Reservation In CAT Exam 2026?

Yes, as per the Government of India, there are reservation criteria for admission to the IIMs in the CAT exam for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD. The reservation percentage for each category is mentioned below:

CAT exam reservation percentage

Also Read | How Many Students Give CAT Exam: A Comprehensive Analysis

The CAT 2026 reservation only applies to candidates who complete the CAT eligibility criteria, relevant documents, and caste certificates.

Criteria For SC Reservation In CAT Exam 2026

According to the government of India, the CAT reservation for SC (Scheduled Caste Tribe) is 15% in IIMs. To get the CAT Exam reservation for SC, you should ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and have the relevant documents for the CAT exam.

Criteria For ST Reservation for CAT Exam 2026

If you apply under the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, you are liable for a 7.5% seat reservation in the exam. Read the full CAT 2026 notification and ensure to keep your caste certificate with the following information handy:

Mention of caste clearly
Identification as ST
District and State/UT of residence
Approval from Govt. of India

Criteria For OBC Reservation In CAT Exam 2026

As per the Government of India regulations, the NC-OBC CAT exam reservation 2026 provides a 27% reservation quota for OBC candidates in the IIMs. The CAT reservation for OBC in IIMs is the highest among all the CAT reservation categories.

The OBC reservation for IIMs for the CAT exam 2026 has been updated according to the latest Central Government list of NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Layer Other Backward Caste list).

Also Read | H ow Many Times CAT Exam is Conducted in a Year

Criteria For EWS Reservation In CAT Exam 2026

The GOI also provides reservations for the EWS category. The EWS CAT exam reservation 2026 is specifically offered to encourage and support candidates facing financial difficulties.

The CAT reservation for EWS category provides a 10% reservation quota in the IIMs. EWS reservation in CAT applies to individuals whose annual household income is not more than 8 lakhs.

Ensure to upload an income certificate issued by the concerned authority during the CAT exam registration.

Criteria For PwD Reservation for CAT Exam 2026

The Government of India also provides 5% reservation in the CAT exam for PwD candidates in IIMs. This is applicable as per the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act, 2016).

The PwD CAT reservation applies only to persons with at least 40% of the specified disability. You can apply under the following categories for disability:

Blindness and low vision
Deaf and hard of hearing
Locomotor disability includes cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy.
Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness
Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (a) to (d) f) Other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in ‘The Schedule’ of the RPwD Act 2016.

Also Read | Important CAT Exam Day Instructions

Criteria For Women's Reservation In CAT Exam 2026

The reservation for the 2026 CAT exam applies only to the following categories: SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD. Until now, there have been no Women’s reservation criteria in CAT exam for IIMs.

Women candidates will only receive a CAT exam reservation if they fall under the aforementioned categories.

Also Read | How to crack CAT exam in 6 months?

Where to Get your Income or Caste Certificate for Applying for Reservations in CAT Exam?

To get all your documents done before applying for CAT 2026 reservation at IIMs, you should know the authorities that issue them:

District Magistrate/Additional District Magistrate/Collector/Deputy Commissioner/Additional Deputy Commissioner/1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate/Sub-Divisional Magistrate/Taluka Magistrate/Executive Magistrate/Extra Assistant Commissioner.
Chief Presidency Magistrate/Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/Presidency Magistrate.
Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar.
Sub-Divisional Officer in the area where the candidate and his family normally reside.

Also Read | CAT Exam Pattern 2026

Is There Any Reservation For NCC Students In CAT Exam 2026?

Although many government competitive examinations have separate reservation quotas for NCC cadets for CAT 2026 exam, there is no such reservation for NCC students.

However, if the candidate belongs to SC, ST, OBC, EWS or PwD category, he or she can get the reservation.

Therefore, it is important to read and understand each point of the CAT 2026 Notification, including the CAT exam pattern and syllabus, before registering for CAT 2026.

Also Read | CAT Exam Preparation Strategy

Is There a Reservation For Dyslexic Persons In CAT Exam?

Dyslexics have difficulty learning and processing information. According to the official guidelines of the IIMs, reservations for the CAT exam are only provided for five major categories: SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD.

There is no reservation quota specifically mentioned for dyslexics. However, to clarify any doubts, it is best to refer to the CAT 2026 official website for the exam reservation policy.

Check | CAT Exam Analysis

Also Read | CAT Exam Top Colleges 2026

Important Documents For Reservation In CAT Exam 2026

If you belong to any of the categories- SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD and are applying for the reservation for CAT exam, then ensure you hold the following documents for CAT examination 2026:

Requirements	Description
SC/ST Reservation	Ensure your caste/tribe is listed in the Government of India's schedule.
Caste Certificate Details	The certificate must include the Name of the caste/tribe, Identification as SC or ST, District and State/UT of residence, and Approval by the Government of India for SC or ST.
Upload of Certificates	Upload caste certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) during registration.
Original Certificates	Carry the original reservation certificate (with a photocopy) for the interview.
PwD Category	Apply for a UDID card and upload it during registration (applicable for Persons with Disabilities).
Scribe Facility	Download, fill, and upload the scribe affidavit during registration (if availing of the scribe facility).

Also Read | How to prepare for CAT in 3 months?

Use SuperGrads Free Resources 2026 Strategically

CAT VARC Mock Test 2026
CAT DILR Mock test 2026
CAT QA Mock Test 2026
CAT VARC Prep Videos 2026
CAT DILR Prep Videos 2026
CAT QA Prep Videos 2026
CAT Syllabus 2026
CAT PYQs
CAT VARC Questions

Fee Structure for Reservation in CAT Exam 2026

The fee structure for CAT exam reservations in 2026 also varies according to the CAT reservation category. Here are the fees for different reservation categories for CAT exam:

CAT Reservation Category List	CAT Reservation Fee Structure (INR)
SC- Scheduled Caste	1250/-
ST- Scheduled Tribe	1250/-
PwD- Persons with Disabilities	1250/-
NC-OBC - Non-Creamy Other Backwards Caste	2500/-
Economically weaker section	2500/-

Also Read | CAT Exam subjects

Concluson

Although reservation in the CAT exam is one factor that helps students get close to their dream IIM institute, it is more important to get the right preparation tips and strategies for CAT 2026 from the best faculty to crack the exam.

Understanding the CAT 2026 syllabus and exam pattern and practising CAT papers from previous years is the right approach to achieving good marks in the CAT exam 2026.

Additionally, regularly practising the free mock test series for CAT 2026 is another option to refine your knowledge.

Check | Enroll to CAT Online Coaching

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