The Common Admission Test (CAT) is one of the most contested entrance exams in India to gain admission into the highly reputed Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other top business schools. This exam is held each year by one of the IIMs, and the CAT test fee varies from candidate to candidate depending on their category. This article will discuss CAT exam fees for OBC candidates, compare them to the fees of other categories, and answer some common questions about the exam fee structure and reservations.
Exam Fees for CAT for OBC Candidates
The fee structure for OBC categories is less than that for general categories and higher for SC and ST categories. The actual fee may, however, vary from year to year, as determined by the conducting IIM. The comparative table below presents a comparison of CAT exam fees across different categories.
| Category | CAT Exam Fee (2025) |
| General | INR 2400 |
| OBC | INR 2400 |
| SC/ST/PWD | INR 1200 |
From the table, it becomes clear that CAT fees for OBC payable by OBC candidates are the same as those of general category candidates. Unlike other competitive exams where OBC candidates enjoy fee relaxation, CAT does not provide such a benefit. Other relaxations do exist regarding cutoff marks, which shall be discussed further.
The registration fee is non-refundable, and the payment must be made according to the candidate category. Hence, since this is an important exam for any MBA aspirant, every candidate should make sure about the specified amount he or she is paying while registering for the exam. Registration will be followed by a “Make Payment” step, at which time the invoice will feature instruction,s if any, and refund policy notations.
CAT exam fees for OBC Category
Hence, the CAT exam fee for an OBC candidate is the same as that of a CAT exam fees for general is INR 2400. There is no concession for an OBC candidate as provided to an SC/ST candidate; they must pay the entire amount. This fee includes application processing, administering the examination, and declaring results.
To make the most of this opportunity, many OBC aspirants are turning to online CAT coaching platforms. These offer a cost-effective, flexible, and highly personalized way to prepare — ideal for students balancing studies or work. With recorded lectures, live doubt-solving, mock tests, and performance tracking, online coaching ensures comprehensive preparation at a fraction of the cost of traditional coaching centers.
OBC cutoff for CAT
The OBC cutoff for CAT is lower than the cutoff of the general category and gives an advantage to the admission process to OBC (NCL) candidates. The actual cutoff varies every year, depending mainly on the difficulty level of the exam and the number of applicants. It has been observed that the percentile required by OBC candidates stands at approximately 10-15 percentile lower than that of the general category. For example:
| Category | Expected CAT Cutoff Percentile (2025) |
| General | 98-100 percentile |
| OBC (NCL) | 85-90 percentile |
| SC/ST | 70-75 percentile |
OBC candidates should examine whether they belong to the Non-Creamy Layer category since only Non-Creamy Layer candidates are eligible for the reserved seats and lower cutoffs.
The OBC certificate is accepted for the CAT
To claim the benefits of OBC reservation, a valid OBC-NCL certificate authenticated by an appropriate authority must be submitted by the candidate in the admission process of IIMs. The concerned certificate must be in the format prescribed by the Government of India and issued within a period specified in the CAT notification. Candidates categorized as OBC Creamy Layer shall not be considered for reservation benefits and will fall under the general candidate category.
Conclusion of CAT exam fees for OBC
The CAT exam fee for OBC candidates amounts to INR 2400, the same amount collected from general category candidates. While the OBC candidates do not enjoy any fee relaxation, the reservation policy provides 27% seat allocation to OBC-NCL applicants in IIMs. Also, the cutoff for OBC candidates is lower than that for general candidates, therefore giving an edge to OBC candidates in the selection processes. OBC aspirants wishing to pursue their MBA should ensure they hold a valid OBC-NCL certificate and remain well aware of the recent notifications regarding the CAT exam to avoid any hassles during admission.
FAQs for CAT exam fees for OBC
1. Is the CAT exam free of cost?
No, the CAT exam is not free of cost. The registration fee is charged to all the candidates to appear for the exam, regardless of their category. However, this fee is reduced to INR 1200 for SC/ST/PWD candidates.
2. What quota is available for OBC?
According to the reservation policy of the Indian government, 27% of the total seats in IIMs and other participating institutions can be reserved for OBC candidates belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer. This reservation applies to admissions only, i.e., not to a waiver of registration fees for the exam.
3. Is there any upper age for CAT?
There is no upper age limit for appearing in the CAT exam. Unlike a handful of exams, which have an upper age limit to be eligible for examination, CAT is open to any candidate fulfilling the minimum eligibility criteria of having graduated with 50% marks (45% for SC/ST/OBC candidates), irrespective of age.
4. How much is the CAT Exam Fee?
INR 2400 is for the general and OBC category of students appearing in the CAT exam, and INR 1200 is for CAT exam fees for SC/ST/PWD candidates. This amount is for registration and exam-related items but doesn’t cater to coaching costs, other study materials, and travel expenses to the exam centre.
5. Is there any OBC quota in CAT
CAT is also a reservation exam, according to the Indian Government policy. As per the rule, 27% of the seats in IIMs are reserved for applicants under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) Non-Creamy Layer (NCL). However, it must be noted that reservation is for seats available in an IIM and does not affect the fee structure relevant to the exam.