The Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) will implement the Government of India's reservation policy for CAT 2026 admissions. IIM Indore will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) on November 29, 2026 . Registration is open until September 15, 2026 .
CAT 2026 Reservation Policy Details
The CAT 2026 reservation policy allocates seats for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes–Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL), Economically Weaker Section (EWS), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) candidates. These percentages align with government mandates.
Category-Wise Seat Breakdown
The following reservation percentages apply to IIM admissions:
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| OBC-NCL | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| PwD | 5% (Horizontal) |
| General/Open | Remaining seats |
Combined SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and EWS reservations account for 59.5% of seats. The remaining 40.5% are for the open category before applying the horizontal PwD reservation.
Understanding PwD Reservation
The 5% PwD reservation is applied horizontally. This means eligible PwD candidates receive reservation within their specific social category (e.g., an SC candidate with a disability is considered within the SC quota's PwD provision).
Candidates claiming PwD reservation must meet disability criteria and provide necessary documentation during admission.
Category-Specific Reservation Information
SC Category: 15% of seats are reserved. Candidates must select SC during application and provide a valid certificate.
ST Category: 7.5% of seats are reserved. Candidates must ensure their ST certificate meets requirements.
OBC-NCL Category: 27% reservation applies to candidates meeting Non-Creamy Layer criteria. A valid OBC-NCL certificate is required.
EWS Category: 10% reservation is available. Candidates must satisfy eligibility conditions and possess an EWS certificate.
CAT 2026 Exam Schedule
IIM Indore will conduct CAT 2026 on Sunday, November 29, 2026 . The exam will have three sessions.
Key Dates:
- Registration Begins: August 3, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: September 15, 2026, 5 PM
- Admit Card Release: November 4, 2026
- CAT 2026 Exam: November 29, 2026
- Result: First week of January 2027 (exact date to be confirmed by IIM Indore)
CAT 2026 Exam Pattern
The CAT 2026 will be a computer-based test (CBT). It features three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Quantitative Ability (QA). Each section has a 40-minute time limit, totaling 120 minutes for the exam. Candidates cannot switch between sections within their allotted time.
Eligibility and Fees
Applicants need a bachelor's degree with at least 50% marks (45% for SC, ST, PwD). Final-year students are eligible. Professional degree holders may also apply.
Application Fees:
- General, EWS, NC-OBC: Rs 2,700
- SC, ST, PwD: Rs 1,350
How Reservation Impacts Admissions
Reservation determines seat allocation percentages. However, admission is not guaranteed. Candidates must meet the CAT qualifying percentile, sectional cutoffs, and individual IIM selection criteria. IIMs also consider academic records, work experience, and diversity in their final selection process.
