CAT cutoffs vary significantly across reservation categories at top IIMs, with SC/ST having 20-25 percentile lower cutoffs, OBC having approximately 10 percentile lower, and EWS having 2-5 percentile lower than general category. These are percentile cutoffs for shortlisting; final admission also requires competitive composite scores including academics and interviews.
Approximate cutoffs for IIM Ahmedabad (PGP): - General: 99+ overall, 85+ each section - OBC: 88-90 overall, 78-82 each section - EWS: 95-97 overall - SC: 80+ overall, 65+ each section - ST: 70+ overall, 60+ each section - PwD: 70+ overall
IIM Bangalore and Calcutta: similar patterns, slightly easier sectional cutoffs at IIM B.
IIM Lucknow: - General: 97+ overall - OBC: 85+ overall - EWS: 92+ overall - SC: 75+ overall - ST: 65+ overall
IIM Kozhikode: - General: 96+ overall - OBC: 84+ overall - EWS: 91+ overall - SC: 73+ overall - ST: 63+ overall
IIM Indore: - General: 97+ overall - OBC: 85+ overall - EWS: 92+ overall - SC: 70+ overall - ST: 60+ overall
Baby IIMs have lower cutoffs across all categories — typically 5-10 percentile below the above numbers.
FMS Delhi: similar pattern with slightly lower overall cutoffs but strict academic weightage.
Composite scoring: cutoffs just get you shortlisted for GD-PI. Final admission weighs CAT score (35-50%), academics (20-30%), work experience (5-10%), diversity (5-10%), gender (5% typically), and GD-PI performance (25-35%). Reservation status affects cutoff, not composite weightage — everyone competes on the same formula post-shortlist.
Sectional cutoffs matter — a high overall percentile with low DILR or VARC may not clear IIM shortlists. Reservation cutoffs relax sectional requirements proportionally.
For aspirants: target percentile should be 3-5 above the cutoff to have buffer. Never aim exactly at cutoff — composite score competition is fierce. Check your eligibility at collvera.com/eligibility