Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Reservation in CAT and IIM admission is one of the most misunderstood topics. Many students think reservation means easy admission, while many others think it helps equally at every stage. But the reality is different.
In this video, Amiya Sir explains how reservation actually works in CAT and IIM admissions, who gets the maximum benefit, why SC/ST cutoffs are lower, how NC-OBC and EWS reservation work, and why the waitlist game can be completely different from the first merit list.
We will discuss:
✅ Reservation percentage distribution
✅ NC-OBC 27%, SC 15%, ST 7.5%, EWS 10%, PwD 5% horizontal reservation
✅ What “Open category” really means
✅ Why Open seats are open for everyone
✅ Who gets maximum benefit from reservation
✅ Why SC/ST cutoffs look lower
✅ How reservation helps in CAT form, shortlist, GDPI and final merit list
✅ Merit List vs Waitlist difference
✅ Why EWS or category waitlist may move slowly
✅ Why your target should be first merit list, not waitlist
✅ How AzuCATion Profile Mapper can help you understand realistic IIM calls
Important message:
Reservation supports you, but preparation converts you.
If you want to know your realistic IIM call chances based on your category, academics, profile and CAT score, use the AzuCATion Profile Mapper.
🔗 AzuCATion Profile Mapper: azucation.org.in/mba-profile-mapper
🔗 CAT 2026 Super Mocks / Courses: azucation.org.in/course/cat-2026/mocks
🔗 Join AzuCATion: azucation.org/new-courses
Your best effort, my best guidance, together we create your super best result.
CAT ke saath bhi, CAT ke baad bhi, Think CAT, Think AzuCATion.
⏰ Timestamps
0:00 Introduction: Why Reservation Matters in CAT & IIM Admissions
0:39 What This Video Will Cover
1:28 Amiya Sir’s Experience with CAT & MBA Admissions
1:58 What Reservation Really Means
2:27 Reservation Is a Support System, Not a Shortcut
3:26 Category-Wise Reservation Distribution in IIM Admissions
3:42 PwD Horizontal Reservation Explained
4:21 Open Category Seats and Reservation Percentages
4:56 Biggest Confusion: Is Open Category Only for General?
5:07 Open Category Means Open for Everyone
5:40 Merit Decides Open Seat Access
6:49 Who Gets Maximum Benefit from Reservation?
7:00 SC/ST Cutoffs vs Actual Reservation Benefit
7:30 NC-OBC Gets the Largest Direct Reservation Share
8:38 NC-OBC Benefit: Reserved Pool + Open Pool
9:49 Why OBC Students Should Check NC-OBC Eligibility
10:18 Why SC/ST Cutoffs Look Lower
11:10 Lower Cutoff Does Not Mean Easy Admission
12:05 Where Reservation Actually Helps
12:19 Stage 1: CAT Form Fee and Documentation Benefit
12:35 Stage 2: Minimum Eligibility and Category Documents
12:46 Stage 3: CAT Percentile Cutoff Benefit
14:01 Stage 4: GDPI Shortlist Benefit
14:25 Stage 5: Final Merit List Benefit
14:59 Why You Should Target the First Merit List
15:31 What Happens After You Enter the Waitlist
16:37 Category-Wise Waitlist Movement Explained
17:06 EWS, NC-OBC and General Waitlist Movement
17:28 Reservation Helps More Before Waitlist
17:41 Percentile, Profile and Strategy Matter
18:20 Why IIM Calls and Converts Are Not Only Percentile-Based
19:23 Waitlist Movement Explained Again with Example
20:13 Why EWS/Open Movement Confusion Happens
20:29 If You Are Waitlisted, Category Movement Matters
20:37 Final Advice for NC-OBC Candidates
20:54 Final Advice for EWS Candidates
21:24 Final Advice for SC/ST Candidates
21:30 Final Advice for PwD Candidates
21:46 Final Advice for General/Open Category Candidates
22:03 AzuCATion Profile Mapper CTA
22:23 How Profile Mapper Helps You Plan IIM Calls
22:57 Don’t Guess Your Calls, Plan with AzuCATion
23:10 Final Message: Reservation Is Support, Not Shortcut
23:28 Understand College-Wise Criteria and Plan Better
23:53 Reservation Supports, Preparation Converts
24:01 Final Brand Message
24:09 Think CAT, Think AzuCATion
24:15 Closing and Sign Off
#CAT2026 #IIMAdmission #Reservation #NCOBC #EWS #SCST #CATPreparation #MBAAdmission #IIMCalls #AzuCATion #AmiyaSir #ProfileMapper #CATExam #IIMWaitlist #MeritList
Reservation in CAT and IIM admission is one of the most misunderstood topics. Many students think reservation means easy admission, while many others think it helps equally at every stage. But the reality is different.
In this video, Amiya Sir explains how reservation actually works in CAT and IIM admissions, who gets the maximum benefit, why SC/ST cutoffs are lower, how NC-OBC and EWS reservation work, and why the waitlist game can be completely different from the first merit list.
We will discuss:
✅ Reservation percentage distribution
✅ NC-OBC 27%, SC 15%, ST 7.5%, EWS 10%, PwD 5% horizontal reservation
✅ What “Open category” really means
✅ Why Open seats are open for everyone
✅ Who gets maximum benefit from reservation
✅ Why SC/ST cutoffs look lower
✅ How reservation helps in CAT form, shortlist, GDPI and final merit list
✅ Merit List vs Waitlist difference
✅ Why EWS or category waitlist may move slowly
✅ Why your target should be first merit list, not waitlist
✅ How AzuCATion Profile Mapper can help you understand realistic IIM calls
Important message:
Reservation supports you, but preparation converts you.
If you want to know your realistic IIM call chances based on your category, academics, profile and CAT score, use the AzuCATion Profile Mapper.
🔗 AzuCATion Profile Mapper: azucation.org.in/mba-profile-mapper
🔗 CAT 2026 Super Mocks / Courses: azucation.org.in/course/cat-2026/mocks
🔗 Join AzuCATion: azucation.org/new-courses
Your best effort, my best guidance, together we create your super best result.
CAT ke saath bhi, CAT ke baad bhi, Think CAT, Think AzuCATion.
⏰ Timestamps
0:00 Introduction: Why Reservation Matters in CAT & IIM Admissions
0:39 What This Video Will Cover
1:28 Amiya Sir’s Experience with CAT & MBA Admissions
1:58 What Reservation Really Means
2:27 Reservation Is a Support System, Not a Shortcut
3:26 Category-Wise Reservation Distribution in IIM Admissions
3:42 PwD Horizontal Reservation Explained
4:21 Open Category Seats and Reservation Percentages
4:56 Biggest Confusion: Is Open Category Only for General?
5:07 Open Category Means Open for Everyone
5:40 Merit Decides Open Seat Access
6:49 Who Gets Maximum Benefit from Reservation?
7:00 SC/ST Cutoffs vs Actual Reservation Benefit
7:30 NC-OBC Gets the Largest Direct Reservation Share
8:38 NC-OBC Benefit: Reserved Pool + Open Pool
9:49 Why OBC Students Should Check NC-OBC Eligibility
10:18 Why SC/ST Cutoffs Look Lower
11:10 Lower Cutoff Does Not Mean Easy Admission
12:05 Where Reservation Actually Helps
12:19 Stage 1: CAT Form Fee and Documentation Benefit
12:35 Stage 2: Minimum Eligibility and Category Documents
12:46 Stage 3: CAT Percentile Cutoff Benefit
14:01 Stage 4: GDPI Shortlist Benefit
14:25 Stage 5: Final Merit List Benefit
14:59 Why You Should Target the First Merit List
15:31 What Happens After You Enter the Waitlist
16:37 Category-Wise Waitlist Movement Explained
17:06 EWS, NC-OBC and General Waitlist Movement
17:28 Reservation Helps More Before Waitlist
17:41 Percentile, Profile and Strategy Matter
18:20 Why IIM Calls and Converts Are Not Only Percentile-Based
19:23 Waitlist Movement Explained Again with Example
20:13 Why EWS/Open Movement Confusion Happens
20:29 If You Are Waitlisted, Category Movement Matters
20:37 Final Advice for NC-OBC Candidates
20:54 Final Advice for EWS Candidates
21:24 Final Advice for SC/ST Candidates
21:30 Final Advice for PwD Candidates
21:46 Final Advice for General/Open Category Candidates
22:03 AzuCATion Profile Mapper CTA
22:23 How Profile Mapper Helps You Plan IIM Calls
22:57 Don’t Guess Your Calls, Plan with AzuCATion
23:10 Final Message: Reservation Is Support, Not Shortcut
23:28 Understand College-Wise Criteria and Plan Better
23:53 Reservation Supports, Preparation Converts
24:01 Final Brand Message
24:09 Think CAT, Think AzuCATion
24:15 Closing and Sign Off
#CAT2026 #IIMAdmission #Reservation #NCOBC #EWS #SCST #CATPreparation #MBAAdmission #IIMCalls #AzuCATion #AmiyaSir #ProfileMapper #CATExam #IIMWaitlist #MeritList
