IIM Reservation Policy 2025: CAT Category-wise Seat Distribution

The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) follow a comprehensive reservation policy mandated by the Government of India to ensure equal opportunities for candidates from diverse backgrounds. With over 5,500 MBA seats available across all 21 IIMs in 2025, understanding the reservation system is crucial for every CAT 2025 aspirant.

IIM Reservation Policy 2025 Overview

As per the IIM Reservation Policy 2025, 27% of seats are reserved for OBC candidates, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 5% for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). This leaves approximately 40% of seats for the General category candidates.

Category-wise IIM Seat Distribution 2025

The reservation breakdown across all IIMs is as follows:

• General Category: ~2,200 seats (40% of total)

• OBC-NCL: ~1,485 seats (27% of total)

• SC: ~825 seats (15% of total)

• ST: ~413 seats (7.5% of total)

• EWS: ~550 seats (10% of total)

• PwD: ~275 seats (5% of total)

Top IIM Seat Matrix 2025

CAT 2025 Eligibility Criteria by Category

General Category Requirements

For the General and NC-OBC categories, candidates must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum score of 50% from a recognized university. Professional degrees like CA, CS, or ICWA with 50% marks are also eligible.

Reserved Category Requirements

For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the minimum percentage requirement is 45% in their undergraduate degree. Final-year students can also apply provided they meet the percentage criteria upon graduation.

Category-wise CAT Cut-off Ranges 2025

Based on historical data, here are the expected CAT percentile ranges for different categories:

• General: 85-100 percentile

• OBC-NCL: 75-95 percentile

• SC: 40-70 percentile

• ST: 35-65 percentile

• EWS: 80-95 percentile

• PwD: 30-85 percentile

Documents Required for Reservation Benefits

OBC-NCL Category

• Valid Non-Creamy Layer certificate issued on or after April 1, 2025

• Certificate must be in the Government of India format

• Annual family income should be below ₹8 lakh

SC/ST Category

• Caste certificate in the Government of India format

• Issued by a competent authority

• Must be from the Central Government list

EWS Category

EWS certificate for candidates with family gross annual income below ₹8 lakh who are not covered under SC/ST/OBC reservation schemes

PwD Category

Valid PwD certificate stating not less than 40% disability as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. Eligible disabilities include:

• Blindness and low vision

• Deaf and hard of hearing

• Locomotor disability, including cerebral palsy

• Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability

• Multiple disabilities

Gender Diversity in IIMs 2025

While there's no specific reservation quota for women, many IIMs award gender diversity points during selection - for example, IIM Bangalore offers 5 extra points, while IIM Calcutta awards 4 points to promote gender diversity.

Recent data shows encouraging trends:

• IIM Sambalpur achieved a 60% female cohort, and IIM Rohtak reported 73% women in their batch

• IIM Kozhikode saw 48% female representation, with several newer IIMs having women outnumber men

How to Maximize Your Chances with Mockat CAT Preparation

Success in CAT 2025 requires strategic preparation, especially for reserved category candidates who still need to meet minimum cut-offs. Here's where Mockat's comprehensive CAT coaching becomes invaluable:

Personalized Strategy for Reserved Categories

• Category-specific preparation: Understanding your target percentile based on reservation category

• Focused mock tests: Practice with Mockat's CAT mock tests designed to simulate actual exam conditions

• Expert guidance: Access to CAT preparation experts who understand category-wise requirements

Key Preparation Tips

1. Know Your Target: Calculate the percentile you need based on your category and preferred IIM

2. Strategic Sectional Preparation: Focus on clearing sectional cut-offs, which vary by category

3. Regular Assessment: Take Mockat's CAT course for continuous evaluation

4. Document Preparation: Ensure all category certificates are ready well before CAT registration

IIM Admission Process Beyond CAT

Selection Parameters

Most IIMs consider multiple factors beyond CAT scores:

• Academic Profile: Class 10, 12, and graduation marks

• Work Experience: Relevant professional experience

• Written Ability Test (WAT): Communication skills assessment

• Personal Interview (PI): Comprehensive evaluation

• Diversity Points: Academic and gender diversity factors

Timeline for CAT 2025

• Registration: August 1 - September 13, 2025

• Exam Date: November 30, 2025

• Results: January 2026

• PI Rounds: January-March 2026

• Final Results: April-May 2026

Special Considerations for Different Categories

For OBC Candidates

• Ensure your caste is in the Central OBC list

• Non-Creamy Layer certificate must be valid

• 27% reservation makes OBC the highest reserved category percentage

For SC/ST Candidates

• Combined 22.5% reservation (15% SC + 7.5% ST) with lower cut-off requirements

• Focus on clearing minimum percentiles which are significantly lower than General category

For EWS Candidates

• Recently introduced 10% reservation

• Income limit of ₹8 lakh annually

• Requires specific EWS certificate format

For PwD Candidates

• 5% horizontal reservation across all categories

• Additional time and scribe facilities available

• Wide range of eligible disabilities under RPwD Act 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1 : Can the reservation category be changed after CAT registration?

A:  No, category selection cannot be modified after final submission of the CAT application.

Q2 : Do IIMs have management quota?

A:  No, IIMs do not have any management quota. Admission happens only through the CAT examination.

Q3 : Is work experience mandatory for CAT? 

A:  Work experience is not mandatory for CAT registration, though some IIMs may consider it during final selection.

Q4 : Are there separate cut-offs for each category? 

A:  Yes, each IIM publishes category-wise cut-offs, which are typically lower for reserved categories.

Conclusion

The IIM reservation policy 2025 ensures equitable access to premier management education while maintaining academic standards. Success requires understanding your category requirements, preparing strategically, and having proper documentation ready.

For comprehensive CAT 2025 preparation tailored to your specific category needs, consider joining Mockat's expert coaching programs. With personalized guidance, category-specific strategies, and extensive mock test series, Mockat helps candidates from all backgrounds achieve their IIM dreams.

Remember, a reservation provides the opportunity, but clearing the CAT with adequate preparation remains essential for every category. Start your preparation early, understand the requirements thoroughly, and work consistently towards your goal.