SC & ST Category Seats in IIMs for MBA
Common Admission Test 2026 ( CAT )
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4 Nov '26 - 29 Nov '26
Getting into an IIM is a primary goal for many MBA candidates, though only a small percentage secure admission to these prestigious institutions. This guide offers essential details specifically for SC and ST applicants regarding seat allocation across various campuses.
IIM Seats for SC & ST Categories
SC & ST Category Seats in IIMs for MBA: Indian Institutes of Management grant MBA entry using CAT results. All 21 locations adhere to a unified reservation strategy mandated by the Government of India. The proportion of seats for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students remains consistent, regardless of the overall class size. This guide provides the specific distribution of spots for these applicants. While seat counts might fluctuate slightly during different admission cycles based on vacancy shifts, the following data is calculated using current national guidelines. Scroll down for further information on SC & ST Category seats in IIMs for MBA.
| Check Category Wise IIM Seats | ||
| Total IIM Seats for General Category | Total IIM Seats for General Category | Total IIM Seats for OBC Category |
- SC & ST Category Seats in IIMs for MBA
- IIM Reservation Policy
- MBA Admission Process at IIMs
SC & ST Category Seats in IIMs for MBA
IIM Ahmedabad provides 58 spots for SC students and 29 for ST students. IIM Bangalore follows a nearly identical pattern with 57 SC and 29 ST positions. IIM Calcutta, a premier member of the "old IIM" trio, features the largest student intake. Established in 1961, it has produced notable leaders like Sunil Alagh and Ajit Balakrishnan. It offers 69 reserved seats for SC and 35 for ST candidates. Review the campus-wise seat distribution in the table below:
| IIM Institute |
Seats for SC candidates |
Seats for ST candidates |
|---|---|---|
| 58 |
29 |
|
| IIM Bangalore |
57 |
29 |
| IIM Calcutta |
69 |
37 |
| 63 |
32 |
|
| 68 |
34 |
|
| 56 |
28 |
|
| 18 |
10 |
|
| 18 |
10 |
|
| 18 |
10 |
|
| 18 |
10 |
|
| 15 |
8 |
|
| 18 |
10 |
|
| 14 |
7 |
|
| 18 |
9 |
|
| 20 |
10 |
|
| 20 |
10 |
|
| 9 |
5 |
|
| 21 |
11 |
|
| 18 |
9 |
|
| 18 |
9 |
|
| Total |
614 |
317 |
Asterisks (*) indicate campuses where specific seat numbers may experience minor adjustments.
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IIM Reservation Policy
The distribution of seats across categories is governed by these percentages:
| 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 |
Understanding these figures is vital for estimating required CAT cutoffs for different institutes.
MBA Admission Process at IIMs
The first step towards getting into the IIMs is taking the CAT exam. The next steps are Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). The WAT and PI are the main selection criteria of IIM MBA admission. Candidates who meet the CAT cut off, are shortlisted for WAT and PI. Final selection for IIM admission is based on candidate's overall profile - CAT exam score, academic score, work experience, category and WAT and PI score.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 17 hours ago
Admission in IIM Calcutta depends on multiple factors such as: CAT scores, past academic records, gender diversity, and performance in the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI). Candidates can check below minimum required CAT score for getting shortlisted at IIM Calutta:
- OPEN / Gene
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 18 hours ago
Yes, IBS Mumbai considers top scorers in national exams like CAT, NMAT, or GMAT for tuition fee waivers. Students who secure a high percentile are eligible for these merit-based awards during the first year. The continuation of this financial aid in the second year depends strictly on maintaining a
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 23 hours ago
No, national entrance exams like JEE, CAT, or MAT are not strictly mandatory in all cases for admission to IILM University, Greater Noida. National level entrance exam scores are preferred for direct shortlisting and merit scholarships.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, for some of them. Bahra lists scholarships based on JEE Main marks and CLAT rank, along with BUSET, CAT, MAT, and CUET percentile scores. I am not sure about NEET, so confirm that with the admissions office.
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
In case of mistakes in the fields mentioned on the CAT admit card, candidates must contact the official CAT helpdesk via email or phone to get it rectified before the exam date.
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
Candidates need to log in using their CAT User ID and Password to download CAT admit card. These login credentials are generated at the time of registration.
S
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
No, the Common Admission Test (CAT) admit card cannot be obtained offline. Candidates have to download CAT 2026 admit card from the official website.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
Yes. Candidates must preserve their admit card safely. It is a mandatory document required for identity verification during the Writing Ability Test (WAT), Personal Interview (PI) rounds, and final admission stages at the institutes.
J
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 6 days ago
No. The examination authorities do not accept any requests to change the allotted exam venue, test city, or timing slot. The details printed on your CAT admit card are final.
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, you can download the PDF on your smartphone. However, it is better to use a laptop or desktop computer to prevent any layout errors and to ensure you can print a clean copy easily.
V
Contributor-Level 7
Abhishek Dhawan is a content writer and editor with 7+ years of experience in education journalism. He holds a BA degree from the University of Delhi. At Shiksha, Abhishek primarily covers MBA and BBA entrance
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