IIM Reservation Policy 2026 for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwD
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
Registration - To be notified
India has as many as 21 IIMs following a common reservation policy laid down by the Government of India. IIM reservation policy includes seats reserved for OBC, SC, ST, EwS, and PwD categories. Seats left after the IIM reservation are allocated for the general category candidates. Check IIM reservation policy 2026 here.
IIM Reservation Policy 2026 for SC, ST, OBC NCL, PwD, EwS
IIM Reservation Policy 2026: The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are centrally funded institutes that follow a reservation policy for different social categories in India. The policy ensures representation of various social and economic categories in their PG programs. Under the IIM reservation policy 2026, seats are allocated for OBC, SC, ST, PwD, and EWS categories. All candidates appearing for CAT exam need to meet the catego=ry wise cutoff to be eligible for the shortlists. IIM category wise cutoffs are based on the reservation policy set by the government.
CAT aspirants must obtain an understanding the IIM reservation criteria in India to plan their preparation. During shortlisting for admissions, the IIM reservation quota 2026 requires a general category candidate to score higher compared to a PwD candidate. This article indicates the IIM reservation policy 2026.
IIM Reservation Policy 2026
The table below mentions the IIM reservation percentage for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories:
| Category |
IIM Reservation Criteria |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) |
15 |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) |
7.5 |
| Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) |
27 |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) |
10 |
| Total |
59.5 |
As per the policy a total of 59.5 per cent reservation prevails in IIMs. On top of this reservation, PwD candidates have a horizontal reservation of 5 per cent. Therefore, five per cent of seats for all categories is reserved for PwD candidates.
NOTE: IIMs do not release IIM reservation criteria PDF. The reservation policy is common for all centrally funded institutes
IIM Reservation Criteria for PwD - Horizontal Reservation
PwD candidates who belong to any of the social and economic categories mentioned above have a five per cent reservation among the reserved seats. The table below indicates the PwD IIM reservation criteria for MBA:
| Category |
IIM Reservation Criteria for PwD candidates |
|---|---|
| PwD candidates from SC category |
5% of 15% seats |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) |
5% of 7.5% seats |
| Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) |
5% of 27% seats |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) |
5% of 10% seats |
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How IIM Reservation Policy works during MBA Admissions via CAT?
The IIM admission process has multiple stages; the reservation policy is applied at each step of the IIM admission to ensure fairness for all categories. During the shortlisting process cutoff scores are defined based on the IIM reservation policy.
IIM Reservation Criteria: Shortlisting for WAT-PI
After CAT results are declared, each IIM releases its shortlist based on CAT cutoff percentile. Reserved category candidates have a slightly lower cutoff percentile compared to the General category candidates. Each IIM has a separate cutoff percentile which keeps varying every admissions session.
The table below mentions category-wise expected cutoff requirements for all IIMs:
| Category |
Approx. Cut-off |
|---|---|
| General |
98+ percentile |
| NC-OBC |
90–92 percentile |
| SC |
80–85 percentile |
| ST |
70–75 percentile |
| PwD* |
60–70 percentile |
IIM Reservation Policy during Final Selection
Candidates shortlisted for WAT and PI are evaluated on a composite score that includes:
- CAT percentile
- Academic performance
- Work experience
- Diversity factors
- WAT-PI performance
IIMs prepare a separate merit list for each category (General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, PwD). This ensures that a candidate competes only within their own category.
IIM Reservation Policy in Seat Allotment & Waitlist Movement
IIMs release final selection lists after evaluating candidates on multiple factors. Candidates have to accept or reject the converted seats. Along the selection lists, IIMs publish a waitlist. Vacant seats after rejections are offered to candidates as per the category-wise waitlists. IIMs follow the reservation policy during seat allotment and waitlist movement to ensure the reservation criteria is met as per the IIM reservation policy.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 14 hours ago
The percentile needed for admission would depend on the category you belong to. JAGSoM accepts various entrance examinations for admission to the MBA/PGDM course, like CAT, XAT, MAT, etc.
As per the estimated XAT cutoff in 2026, a percentile of 70 would be good enough to secure a chance at admission
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 14 hours ago
Students who get valid results in any of the above exams are eligible to apply to ISBR, after they have cleared the eligibility
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
You don't strictly need CAT to get into GIBS Business School. They accept both CAT and MAT scores, but even if you haven't appeared for them, you can still get admission through their direct admission or interview process.
CAT → accepted, helps in selection
MAT → also accepted, gives another option
No
P
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Candidates should practice at least past 10 years' CAT question papers to have a good control over the exam. Many times, questions are repeated so prior practice will be helpful. CAT question papers are also best source of RC passages.
N
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
Yes, the question papers of all CAT exam slots are different from each other. This is done to ensure that there is no question leak before the next slot, and that second and third slot candidates have no advantage over first slot candidate.
E
Contributor-Level 7
Answered Yesterday
XIM University accepts the CAT cutoff for admission to the MBA course. According to the XIM University CAT cutoff 2025, a percentile of 91 (both overall and sectional) would be required to be eligible for XIM University admission.
Candides should know that just clearing the final cutoff does not gr
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Yes, Talent Skillsvarsity admissions are possible without the CAT scores. The below are the Talent Skillsvarsity admission related criteria:
- PG course: NMAT, MAT, CMAT, CET, XAT, ATMA, & GMAT.
Selection: Aptitude test, personal interview round & panel interview
V
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
IBS Mumbai CAT cutoff 2025 was released for admission to the PGPM course for various All India categories. The cutoff was published in the form of percentiles.
For the General AI category, the overall percentile was 70 and 40 sectional for to the PGPM programme. Students who attain these percentile
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
To attain admission in Loyola Institute of Business Administration, students who belong to the General category under the All India quota would need to attain a CAT percentile of 80 overall and 50 for the Quants, VA-RC and DI-LR sections.
Other categories will have different cutoffs accordingly. Gen
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
IMI New Delhi admission to the MBA/PGDM courses is based on the CAT exam. The CAT cutoff is not released publicly and can only be accessed via students' registered login ID and password. As per the past years' cutoff trends, the overall estimated CAT cutoff percentile is 90.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Abhishek is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He completed his graduation from University of Delhi with a BA Degree. At Shiksha.com, he handles content for MBA, BBA, an
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