MBA Entrance Exam 2025 Criteria and Guidelines for Reserved Category Students

MBA Entrance Exam 2025 Criteria and Guidelines for Reserved Category Students

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Shruti
Shruti Garg
Assistant Manager- Editorial
Updated on Jan 27, 2025 16:06 IST

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

Eligibility Criteria for MBA Course

Eligibility Criteria for MBA Course

The admission process and criteria for various MBA entrance exams 2025 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 MBA 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

Top MBA Colleges in India with NIRF Ranking 2024

Candidates can refer the table below to know the list of Top MBA colleges in India with NIRF ranking along with the MBA entrance exam score accepted:

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College Name NIRF 2024 MBA Exam Score Accepted
Indian Institute of Management, (IIM) Ahmedabad 1 CAT
Indian Institute of Management, (IIM) Bangalore 2 CAT
Indian Institute of Management, (IIM) Kozhikode 3 CAT
Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Delhi 4 CAT
Indian Institute of Management, (IIM) Calcutta 5 CAT
IIM Mumbai (formerly known as NITIE) 6 CAT
Indian Institute of Management, (IIM) Lucknow 7 CAT
Indian Institute of Management, (IIM) Indore 8 CAT
XLRI-Xavier School of Management 9 XAT
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay 10 CAT

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:   Is MICAT compulsory for MICA?

A:

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 are the dates for MAT 2025 exam?

A:

MAT 2025 exam schedule has been announced for February session. In February MAT will be conducted in CBT and PBT mode. Registration process for the same began from December 24, 2024. Check MAT 2025 exam dates below:

MAT 2025 February PBT (PAPER BASED TEST)

PBT registration last date

March 2, 2025

MAT PBT admit card release

March 5, 2025 (5.00 PM Onwards)

MAT PBT Date

March 9, 2025

 

MAT 2025 February CBT (COMPUTER BASED TEST)

CBT registration last date

March 9, 2025

MAT CBT admit card release

March 17, 2025 (5.00 PM Onwards)

MAT CBT date

March 23, 2025

Q:   How many seats are there in SIBM Pune for its MBA courses?

A:

There are a total of 282 seats for the MBA/PGDM programmes. The seat intake vary from one specialisation to another. Mentioned below is the specialisation-wise seat count:

  1. PGDBM: 40
  2. MBA: 182
  3. MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship: 60

Q:   What is the NMAT exam date?

A:

Graduate Management Admission Council conducts the NMAT exam within a particular exam timeline. Every year, NMAT exam is typically scheduled to be conducted from October 10. Candidates are able to take the exam until December 19. Candidates can appear for the NMAT exam three times during the testing window. Soon after taking the first exam attempt, candidates can fill the retake registration form to apply for the NMAT retake. However, one can schedule a retake of the NMAT exam 15 days after the first take.

NOTE: NMAT xam dates can vary every year.

Q:   When will MAH MBA CET 2025 exam dates be announced?

A:

The MAH MBA CET 2025 exam date announcement was done on November 27, 2024 The Maharashtra State CET Cell announced the exam date on its official website mahacet.org. The exam dates were announced as March 17, 18 and 19, 2025. But the dates have been revised as April 1, 2 and 3, 2025.

There will be six sessions. Two sessions per day. In 2024, the MAH CET exam was conducted on March 9, 10 and 11, 2024.

The exam slot and session will be allotted to candidates by the examination body and no changes will be allowed.

Q:   What is the eligibility for EPGDM at XLRI Jamshedpur?

A:

Candidates must pass bachelor's degree of minimum three years duration in any discipline with at least 5 years of managerial/supervisory experience by March 31, of the admission year to apply for Executive PGDM at XLRI Jamshedpur. Candidates must hold the documents proving their eligibility for verification at the time of admission.

Q:   How can I choose my preferred ATMA exam city?

A:
There are over a 100 ATMA test centres across the country. These cities consist of metropolitan cities, capital cities, Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. Candidate can select up to three cities for allotment of test centre. The process of test city selection is a part of ATMA application process. In the ATMA application form, there is a field in which candidates have to select the cities. They need to select the city of preference in order of 1 to 3. The examination authorities will try to allot the test centre in the city of first preference. Thus, candidates must fill all the three cities carefully. They must choose their home city or city of current residence as the first preference. Once the application form has been submitted, the request for change of the city will not be accepted by the exam authorities.

Q:   Does SIBM Pune accept the CAT score?

A:

No, SIBM Pune does not accept the CAT score. The eligibility criteria for a two-year MBA/PGDM is a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate and the accepted entrance exam is SNAP. The total fee for MBA is INR 15.9 lakh - INR 22.2 lakh. The final selection is done based on the student's performance in Group Exercises, Personal Interviews & Written Ability Tests. Candidates who complete the course will receive a degree from Symbiosis International (Deemed University).

Check the Other Top MBA Colleges in Pune

About the Author
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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

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Comments

(5)

C

Christy raju

4 years ago

There is any reservation for oec students to apply kmat exam

Reply to Christy raju

S

Shivani BEHL

5 years ago

Is there any reservation for EWS students

Reply to Shivani BEHL

A

Aparna Jeemon

5 years ago

Is there any scholarship for oec /sebc

Reply to Aparna Jeemon

S

Sneha Nirmale

7 years ago

Can I get a list of colleges with SC cutoff

Reply to Sneha Nirmale

a

aboli jumde

7 years ago

Is there any scholarship for sc category