IIM Reservation Policy 2026: Category-wise Admission Criteria

IIM Reservation Policy 2026?

The IIM Reservation Policy 2026 follows the reservation norms prescribed by the Government of India for all 22 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). These reservations are applicable during the admission process for MBA/PGP programs through CAT 2026.

Reservation in IIMs does not exempt candidates from qualifying for admission. Every applicant, irrespective of category, must:

• Meet the minimum percentile required for IIM admissions and sectional cutoffs.
• Fulfil the CAT eligibility criteria and of the respective IIM.
• Perform well in subsequent selection stages such as the Personal Interview (PI), Written Ability Test (WAT), or any other institute-specific evaluation.

The primary objective of the reservation policy is to ensure equal educational opportunities for candidates from historically disadvantaged and economically weaker sections while maintaining merit-based selection within each category.

Category-Wise Seat Reservation in IIMs

All IIMs follow the Government of India reservation policy for MBA admissions.

*Note: PwD reservation is a horizontal reservation, meaning it is provided within each category (General, SC, ST, NC-OBC, and EWS), not as a separate vertical category.

IIM Category-wise MBA Seats

The category-wise number of seats in the top B schools in India is mentioned in the table below:

Eligibility Criteria for Reserved Categories

Scheduled Caste (SC)

Candidates belonging to communities notified in the Central Government SC list are eligible for reservation.

Requirements:

• Valid SC caste certificate issued by a competent authority.
• Certificate should be in the prescribed Government of India format.

Scheduled Tribe (ST)

Candidates whose tribe appears in the Central Government ST list can claim reservation.

Requirements:

• Valid ST certificate.
• Issued by the competent authority.
• Must match the details submitted in the CAT application.

NC-OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)

Only candidates belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer are eligible.

Requirements:

• Your caste must appear in the Central OBC List.
• You must satisfy the latest Non-Creamy Layer income and eligibility conditions prescribed by the Government of India.
• Valid OBC certificate.
• Creamy Layer candidates are treated as General category candidates.

Economically Weaker Section (EWS)

Candidates from the General category whose family income and assets fall within the Government-prescribed EWS limits may apply.

Candidates must possess:

• Valid EWS Income and Asset Certificate.
• Certificate issued in the prescribed format.

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD)

Candidates with at least 40% benchmark disability under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 are eligible.

Eligible disabilities include:

• Locomotor disability
• Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Intellectual disability
• Multiple disabilities
• Other notified benchmark disabilities

A valid disability certificate from the competent medical authority is mandatory.

Also Read: IIM Admission Criteria 2026: Complete Eligibility Guide

Documents Required to Claim IIM Reservation

Candidates must upload valid documents during CAT registration and may need to produce originals during admission.

Important Points:

• Certificates must be in the prescribed Government of India format.
• Details such as name, category, and date of issue must match your CAT application.
• Incorrect, expired, or invalid certificates can lead to cancellation of reservation benefits.
• IIMs may verify documents again during admission.

CAT Cutoff for Reserved Categories in IIMs

The CAT cutoff varies across IIMs and categories. There are generally two types of cutoffs:

• Qualifying Cutoff: Minimum percentile required to be considered for the next stage.
• Final/Competitive Cutoff: Percentile typically needed to receive an interview call or secure admission.

Typical CAT Percentile Range:

However, for top IIMs such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and Indore, the actual competitive percentiles are often much higher due to intense competition. Admission also depends on academics, work experience, diversity factors, and PI/WAT performance rather than CAT percentile alone.

Important Rules Every Reserved Category Candidate Should Know

Reservation Does Not Guarantee Admission

Reservation only provides category-wise competition. Candidates must still satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria and perform well throughout the admission process.

CAT Eligibility Remains Mandatory

Every reserved-category candidate must meet the educational eligibility prescribed for CAT and the individual IIM.

Category Selection Cannot Be Changed Easily

The category selected during CAT registration should be accurate and supported by valid documents. Incorrect category claims may result in rejection of reservation benefits.

Valid Documents Are Mandatory

Failure to submit the required certificates in the prescribed format can lead to the application being considered under the General category or even cancellation if false information is provided.

Every IIM Has Its Own Admission Policy

Although reservation percentages are common across IIMs, each institute has its own shortlisting criteria, composite score calculation, academic weightage, work experience evaluation, and interview process. Candidates should carefully review the admission policy of each IIM before applying.

IIM Reservation Policy 2026: Conclusion

The IIM Reservation Policy 2026 aims to provide equal educational opportunities to candidates from reserved and economically weaker categories while maintaining a merit-based admission process. All 22 IIMs follow the Government of India reservation guidelines, offering reserved seats for SC, ST, NC-OBC, EWS, and PwD candidates. However, every applicant must still meet the required CAT cutoffs, satisfy eligibility criteria, and perform well in the interview and final selection process.