CAT Reservation 2022: Check SC/ST, OBC, EWS, and PWD Reservation Criteria

CAT 2022 Reservation policy is based on the norms specified by the Government of India. As per rules OBC, SC, ST, EWS category candidates can avail 27%, 15%, 7.5%, and 10% reservation benefits during the time of admission process.

• The option to fill your category comes at the time CAT Registration process which is expected to start from the 1^st week of August 2022. Candidates must upload a caste certificate, disability proving certificate along with the form to claim reservation. 
• It should be noted that IIMs releases separate CAT cut off lists for all categories, thus no forging of documents should be done. If found guilty in proving one’s reservation category at any stage of selection, the candidature shall be cancelled. 
• Read the article to check the details of CAT Reservation Criteria. 

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CAT Reservation 2022 Highlights

Each Indian institute of Management has a reservation policy for:

• Scheduled Caste (SC): 15%
• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 7.5%
• Other Backward Classes (OBC): 27%
• People with Disability (PWD): 5%
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 10%

CAT Reservation 2022: Category Wise

Candidates belonging to reserved categories and planning to appear in CAT this year should know the reservation policies of IIMs for a clear understanding. The different number of seats are reserved for each category as per the rules of the Government of India. A policy of up to 10 % reservation of seats for the EWS category shall be implemented by IIMs for their coming batch. IIMs adhere to the following CAT Reservation Criteria for their post-graduate management courses:

Also Check CAT Cutoff 

CAT Reservation 2022 of EWS

As per CAT EWS quota, 10% reservation shall be granted to the EWS candidates belonging to the General quota candidates. 

Who falls under the EWS category?

• Persons who are not covered under the scheme of reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs and whose family has a gross annual income below Rs 8 lakh are only identified as EWS for benefit of reservation.
• The benefit of reservation under EWS can be availed upon production of an Income and Asset Certificate issued by a Competent Authority.

Who can’t access the EWS quota?

Regardless of what the family income is, if the candidates fall under any of the following, they can’t avail the benefits of the EWS quota: 

• Candidates whose families own 5 acres of agricultural land and above.
• Candidates who owe a residential flat of 1,000 sq. ft. and above.
• Candidates whose parents possess a residential plot of 100 sq. yards and above in notified municipalities.
• Candidates whose parents own a residential plot of 200 sq. yards and above in areas other than the notified municipalities.

Authorities to issue an ‘Income and Asset Certificate’

Following is the list of the competent authorities who can issue an ‘Income and Asset Certificate’:

• 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 or the area where the candidate and/or his family normally resides

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CAT Reservation Policy for Differently Abled Candidates

There is a separate reservation policy for differently-abled candidates. The criteria for differently-abled candidates are defined as below:

1. Blindness and low vision
2. Deaf and hard of hearing
3. Locomotor disability including cerebral palsy, leprosy cured, dwarfism, acid attack victims and muscular dystrophy.
4. Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability and mental illness
5. Multiple disabilities from amongst persons under clauses (1) to (4)
6. Other ‘specified disabilities’ mentioned in ‘The Schedule’ of the RPwD Act 2016

This reservation is, however, applicable only for those candidates who suffer from the said disabilities at least to the extent of 40% or more. These candidates must possess a medical certificate stating the same, issued by an authorized medical authority.

Reservation Criteria for Differently Abled Candidates

Following CAT reservations criteria must be understood by candidates appearing for the exam.

1. There is a reservation of 3% seats for differently abled candidates in IIMs.
2. Differently abled candidates need to have 45% marks in their graduate degree.
3. Differently abled candidates will be provided with a wheelchair (blind candidates or those affected with a locomotor disability) at the exam center if selected during CAT Registration.
4. Differently abled candidates in the low vision category can bring a scribe with them. There are no eligibility criteria set for scribes.

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Mandatory Certificates and Forms for CAT Reservation

Given below are all important documents required for reservation in CAT 2022. Candidates also need to produce the original certificate at the time of interview in the desired format:

1. NC-OBC Certificate
2. SC-ST Certificate
3. DA/PwD Certificate
4. Format for Final Year Certificate
5. Format for Candidate Identification Affidavit

Necessary Reservation Details

Candidates shall read all the instructions carefully before filling up CAT 2022 Application Form. Those who want to avail reservation facility shall confirm their eligibility and then fill the application form. A separate caste certificate shall be filled by the candidates who belong to SC/ST/ PWD/ OBC category. Apart from filling the details, it is equally important for the candidates to attach their caste certificate to prove their eligibility. The competent authority should sign the certificates. Those candidates who belong to Physically Disabled category shall produce the disability certificate duly signed by the registered doctor. It is compulsory that the degree of disability should be mentioned on the disability certificate. Also, the certificate should have a small description of the disability.

Important Information for Reserved Category Candidates

Additional Information for SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS, and PwD is as mentioned below:

• Candidates belonging to the SC/ ST category must have been listed in the Government of India schedule. 
• Submit the caste or category certificates in government-approved formats only. 
• The format should state the following:
  • Name of the caste/tribe
  • Whether the candidate belongs to SC or ST
  • District and State or Union Territory of the candidate’s residence
  • An appropriate Government of India schedule under which the candidate’s caste/tribe is approved by it as SC or ST.
• Upload the certificates during the time of CAT Registration. 
• The certificates will be required during the time of interviews. 

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