MBA Entrance Exam Criteria and Guidelines for Reserved Category Students

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Assistant Manager- Editorial

Updated on Aug 20, 2024 15:18 IST

Get all the information related to reservation criteria and guidelines for applying for top MBA entrance exams under Reserved categories.

The admission process and criteria for various MBA entrance exams are different. Some MBA exams have different eligibility criteria, application fees, and number of seats reserved for each category such as General category, SC, ST, etc. Some exams, on the other hand, don’t follow the quota system. For example, MBA exams like CAT, CMAT and IIFT exam fees for Reserved category students is 50 per cent less than of the fees for General category students. Still, the XAT and SNAP exam fee is the same for all students.

Similarly, in CAT and MAH CET, seats are reserved for candidates belonging to different categories as per the Reservation guidelines of the Government of India. On the other hand, in private MBA exams like SNAP and MICAT, there is no reservation of seats.

Shiksha has compiled important information regarding MBA entrance exam registration under the reserved category. In this article, you will get all information related to reservation criteria and guidelines viz top MBA exams including CAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP, MAH CET, MICAT, MAT.

MBA Reservation

Some of the common reserved categories in MBA exams are:

Schedule Caste (SC)
Schedule Tribe (ST)
Physical Disabled (PD)/ Person with Disability (PwD)
Other Backward Classes – Non- Creamy layer (NC-OBC)

A few MBA entrance exams have reservations for categories like Jammu & Kashmir Migrants, state-specific reservations, wards of defence personnel, etc. There are two key points that every aspirant applying under the reserved category must check before applying for any MBA exam:

1. The applicant must have a valid certificate attested by the concerned authority, otherwise the candidates will be considered as General category candidates.
2. The candidates must also verify before filling up the application form that it is important to check the eligibility criteria of the respective exam and individual institutes under the exam.

Reservation Criteria for MBA Admissions

Take a look at the detailed category requirements meant for different MBA exams:

Exam Name	Categories	Seats Reserved in Institutes	Certificates Required
CAT	1. Person with disability (PwD)/ Differently Abled (DA) are divided in three categories: a) Low vision blindness b) Hearing impairment c) Loco-motor disability/cerebral palsy 2. Other Backward Classes: Non- Creamy layer (NC-OBC) 3. Schedule Caste (SC) 4. Schedule Tribe (ST)	SC: 15% ST: 7.5% NC: OBC- 27% EWS: 10% PwD/DA: 5%	1. NC-OBC Certificates 2. SC/ST certificates 3. Certificate for Persons with Disabilities
XAT	No reservation	NA	NA
CMAT	1. Schedule Caste (SC) 2. Schedule Tribe (ST) 3. Physical Disabled (PD)	-	1. Caste Certificate 2.Physical Disabled Scribe Form
SNAP	1. Scheduled Caste (SC) 2. Scheduled Tribes (ST) 3. Differently Abled Category (DAC)	SC: 15% ST: 7.5% DAC: 3% Kashmiri Migrants: 2 seats per programme International Candidates: 1 %	-
NMAT by GMAC	No reservation	-	-
IIFT Exam	1. Schedule Caste (SC) 2. Schedule Tribe (ST) 3. Physical Handicapped (PH) 4. OBC (non-creamy layer)	SC: 15% ST: 7.5% NC/OBC: 27% EWS: 10% PwD/DA: 5%	Requisite certificate of the caste along with the application form
MAT	No reservation	-	-
ATMA	No reservation	-	-
IBSAT	No reservation	-	-
MICAT	No reservation	-	-
MAH-CET	1. Maharashtra candidates 2. All India candidates (for MS and OMS candidates) 3. Jammu & Kashmir Migrant candidates 4. Foreign Nationals/Persons of Indian Origin/Children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries candidates 5. Ward of NRI candidates 6. Institute Level Seats 7. Minority candidates*	Maharashtra Seats: 85% All India Seats (for MS and OMS candidates): 15% Jammu & Kashmir Migrant Seats: 1 seat over and above the sanctioned intake capacity in each management institute Foreign Nationals/Persons of Indian Origin/Children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries Seats: 15% Ward of NRI Seats: 5% Institute Level Seats: 20% Reservation for EWS Candidate: 10% Reservations for Orphan Candidates: 1% *Reservation for Backward Class Category Candidates (belonging to Maharashtra State): 66%	1. Candidates belonging to SC, VJ/DT (NT(A)), NT(B), NT(C), NT(D), OBC and SBC categories should produce “Caste Validity Certificate” issued by Scrutiny Committee of Social Welfare Department 2. The Candidate belonging to ST category should submit “Tribe Validity Certificate” issued by Scrutiny Committee of Tribal Department 3. Candidates belonging to VJ/DT (NT(A)), NT(B), NT(C), NT(D), OBC and SBC categories should produce “Non Creamy layer Certificate” issued by Sub Divisional Officer / Deputy Collector of the district in addition to the caste certificate
IRMASAT	Schedule Caste (SC) Schedule Tribe (ST) Differently Abled Person (DAP) Below Poverty Line (BPL)	IRMA follows the statutory reservation policy of Government of India.	1. Self-attested latest proof of “Below Poverty Line (BPL)” status issued by the appropriate authority

* Percentage of Reservation

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Castes Converts to Buddhism (SC ): 13%
Scheduled Tribes (ST): 7%
Vimukta Jati & Denotified Tribes (VJ/DT) i.e. NT (A): 3%
Nomadic Tribes: 1 (NT-B): 2.5%
Nomadic Tribes: 2 (NT-C): 3.5%
Nomadic Tribes: 3 (NT-D): 2%
Other Backward Classes (OBC): 19%
Socially and Economically Backward Classes: 66%

Top MBA Entrance Exams: Eligibility Criteria for Reserved category students and application fee

Listed below in the table is information on eligibility criteria and application fees of top MBA entrance exams for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

Exam Name	Eligibility	Application Fees
CAT	The minimum aggregate required in graduation for SC/ST/PwD candidates is 45% For the General category, it is 50%	The application fee for SC/ST /PwD candidates is INR 1,250 Application fee for General & NC-OBC candidates is INR 2,500
XAT	Minimum 50% aggregate in graduation for all candidates	Application fee for all students is INR 2,200
CMAT	Minimum 45%aggregate in graduation for Reserved category 50% for aggregate General category candidates	Application fee for reserved category students is INR 1000 Application fee General Category students (Female) is INR 1000 Application fee General Category students (Male) is INR 2000
SNAP	Minimum 45% aggregate in graduation for Reserved category 50% for General category	Application fee for all students is INR 2,250
NMAT by GMAC	Minimum 50% aggregate in graduation for all	Application fee for all students is INR 2,800 plus taxes
MAT	No minimum marks are required to apply	Application fee for all students is INR 2,100 for all candidates (One attempt)
ATMA	Minimum 50% aggregate in graduation for all	Application fee for all students is INR 2000 for all candidates 25% concession for women candidates and 50% concession for candidates belonging to the seven northeastern states
IBSAT	Minimum 50% aggregate in graduation for all	Application fee for all students is INR 1,800
MICAT	Minimum 50% aggregate in graduation for all	Application fee for all students is INR 2,100 for all candidates
MAH-CET	Minimum 45% aggregate in graduation for candidates of backward class categories and PwD belonging to Maharashtra State only) 50 per cent marks for General category	Application fee for General Category Maharashtra State, Outside Maharashtra State and J&K Migrant candidates is INR 1,000 Application fee for Reserved Category & Physically Handicapped Candidates belonging to Maharashtra State is INR 800
IRMASAT	Minimum 45% aggregate in graduation for SC/ST/DAP and 50% for General category	Application fee for Reserved Category students is INR 1,000 Application fee for General category students is INR 2,000

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For admission to top MBA institutes in India candidates must ensure to fulfill the prescribe eligibility criteria and provide the required documents in case of reserved category.

Q: What are the benefits of appearing in CMAT?

There are several benefits of appearing in the CMAT exam. It is easier than other exams and accepted by many B-schools. Check below some of the key benefits of CMAT.

CMAT is conducted at the end of MBA entrance exam season, so MBA aspirants don't have to study much as the previous experience of exams like CAT, XAT, SNAP comes in use.
CMAT score is accepted by about 1,300 MBA colleges in India which includes top colleges in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
CMAT exam is a moderate difficulty level exam so it is easier to score high in CMAT than CAT, XAT, IIFT, GMAT.
CMAT cut offs for admission to top colleges are not exceptionally high, so you can get a good MBA college with a decent CMAT score.
There's no 50 per cent aggregate criteria for CMAT application. Candidates with passing marks in graduation can also appear for the exam.
CMAT application fee for women and reserved category candidates is only INR 1,000 which is quite less as compared to CAT, XAT, IIFT, SNAP fees.

Q: Is MICAT compulsory for MICA?

Yes, candidates seeking admission to PGP (PGDM/ PGDM-C) course at MICA must qualify for MICAT. Based on the MICAT scores along with the scores obtained in national-level entrance exams such as CAT, XAT and GMAT, the institute shortlists candidates for the next round. MICAT is conducted mainly to choose the right candidate for the course. It’s a complete Computer Based Test (CBT) conducted twice a year in two phases. MICAT registration for the academic year 2024-24 has started. Candidates can apply online on the official website.

Q: What is the eligibility criteria for MBA-CET?

Eligibility criteria for appearing in MAH MBA-CET is as follows: (a) Candidate must have completed his/her graduation (of minimum period 3 years) from any college, institute or university, which is recognised by the UGC or Association of Indian Universities (AIU). (b) Candidates belonging to the general category can take up the examination only if they have scored minimum 50 per cent marks in aggregate. (c) Backward class candidates and those with disability need to have secured at least 45 per cent marks in aggregate in their graduation. (d) Students, who are in the final year of their graduation, are also eligible to apply for MBA-CET subject to meeting above mentioned criteria at the time of admission. Some MAH MBA CET participating institutes may have their additional criteria for admission.

About the Author

Shruti Garg

Assistant Manager- Editorial

Shruti is a graduate in Education and Literature. She is a passionate writer. As her name suggests she is a good listener, a binge-watcher, and a great foodie. She loves playing badminton and doing meditation in her... Read Full Bio