CAT OBC Reservation Criteria for Admission to IIMs

CAT OBC Reservation Criteria for Admission to IIMs give clarity on the 27% OBC quota, how seats are shared across categories, and the expected intake for CAT 2025. Know how many seats fall under OBC before applying across several IIMs.

Table of Contents

CAT OBC Reservation Percentage in IIMs for MBA
IIM-Wise Seats Reserved for OBC Category
Total Seats at IIMs Across India
Faqs

CAT OBC Reservation Criteria for Admission to IIMs indicate how many seats are distributed for the OBC category for the CAT 2025 admission cycle, as per the Government of India’s reservation policy. Out of roughly 5,500+ seats offered by various IIMs, around 3,491 seats fall under the open category, nearly 809 are reserved for OBC candidates, and close to 538 seats are allotted to the SC/ST category, with the remaining seats assigned to EWS and PwD applicants.

With CAT being an extremely competitive exam, having a valid OBC certificate can increase your chances of securing a seat for the next academic cycle (2026-28). In this article, you can find an overview of the CAT OBC Reservation Criteria for Admission to IIMs across India.

Also Read: CAT Reservation Policy for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD at IIMs

CAT OBC Reservation Percentage in IIMs for MBA

Aspirants from the OBC category can apply for 27% of the available seats at IIMs for MBA admissions. This equates to almost 809 seats that are exclusively set out for OBC applicants. The expected qualifying percentiles for OBC students for the 2026-28 admissions cycle are predicted to fall between 80 and 90. Each IIM determines its own CAT cutoff for the OBC category.

Particulars	Details
Reservation Percentage for OBC in IIMs for MBA	27% of total seats
Total OBC Category Seats in IIMs	809 seats (approx)
CAT Cutoff Variation for OBC Candidates in IIMs	Varies among different IIMs
Expected Qualifying Marks for IIM CAT (OBC Category)	80 to 90 percentiles

IIM-Wise Seats Reserved for OBC Category

Here is a detailed analysis of the CAT OBC reservation criteria or seat distribution for admission to IIMs across India:

List of IIMs	Seats Reserved for OBC Candidates (roughly)
IIM Lucknow	113
IIM Indore	122
IIM Kozhikode	102
IIM Shillong	32
IIM Ranchi	32
IIM Rohtak	32
IIM Raipur	32
IIM Trichy	28
IIM Udaipur	32
IIM Kashipur	25
IIM Nagpur	33
IIM Vishakhapatnam	37*
IIM Sambalpur	37*
IIM Sirmaur	17*
IIM Jammu	38*
IIM Amritsar	33*
IIM Bodh Gaya	33*
Total	1110

Note: An asterisk (*) has been used next to the seat numbers to give clarity on colleges where the availability of seats might vary a bit. This should help in giving a more accurate view of seat distribution across institutions.

Total Seats at IIMs Across India

Here’s a breakdown of the total number of seats available across all the IIMs for admissions:

List of IIMs	Total Number of Seats (approximately)
IIM Ahmedabad	385
IIM Amritsar	240
IIM Bangalore	565
IIM Bodh Gaya (IIM BG)	120
IIM Calcutta	462
IIM Indore	450+150
IIM Jammu	120
IIM Kashipur	210
IIM Kozhikode	525
IIM Lucknow	490
IIM Mumbai	550
IIM Nagpur	240
IIM Raipur	210
IIM Ranchi	210+150
IIM Rohtak	240+60
IIM Sambalpur	120
IIM Shillong	180
IIM Sirmaur	170
IIM Tiruchirappalli	210
IIM Udaipur	150
IIM Vishakhapatnam (IIM Vizag)	120

IIMs offer explicit reservation guidelines, as stated in their official notification if you are an OBC candidate preparing for the CAT. Of all the restricted categories, the percentage of OBC candidates' reservations is the highest at 27%. But be careful as only individuals on the list at the time of CAT registration closing will be eligible for this reservation. Make sure to consult the most recent OBC list issued by the Central Government.

Also Read:

List of Top 25 MBA Colleges Accepting CAT 2025 Scores	How Many Questions to Attempt in CAT 2025 for a 99 Percentile Score?
List of Non-IIM MBA Colleges to Apply to Before and After CAT 2025 Exam	CAT 2025 Score Weightage in IIMs

Stay updated with CollegeDekho for more information related to CAT 2025 reservation criteria! Reach out to us through the QnA Zone for any questions and doubts related to CAT 2025.

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FAQs

How many seats are reserved for the OBC category in IIMs for MBA?

For IIMs, the OBC reservation percentage is usually 27%. The overall number of seats available in each IIM determines the precise number of seats set aside for OBC candidates. However, 809 out of the 5,500 seats are set aside for candidates from the OBC category.

What are the eligibility criteria for OBC reservation for admission in IIMs?

To qualify for the eligibility criteria for OBC reservation for admission in IIMs, you must be in the Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) of the OBC category and hold a current OBC certificate from an authorized authority. Ensure the certificate is issued after April 1 of the admission year.

What documents are required to claim an OBC reservation for admission in IIMs?

To claim an OBC reservation for admission to IIMs, you will need specific documents:
- A valid OBC certificate from an authorized authority
- A caste certificate, if it is requested by the particular IIM you are applying to
- An income certificate, if it applies in your case

Is there a separate cutoff for OBC candidates in IIMs?

Yes, there will usually be a specific cutoff to satisfy if you are an OBC candidate applying to an IIM. However, the precise cutoff frequently varies based on variables like the volume of applications and their overall performance. This may result in marginal changes to the required cutoff score every year.

Can I claim an OBC reservation if I belong to the Creamy Layer?

You are not eligible for reservation benefits if you belong to the OBC category's Creamy Layer. To concentrate help on individuals who might need it more, this category is not eligible for reserved seats. To make use of the benefits provided by the reservation policies, one must be a member of the Non-Creamy Layer.

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