Want to know what is the CAT 2025 safe percentile for EWS category at IIMs? A safe CAT 2025 percentile for the EWS category will be determined by the target colleges you have set for MBA admission through CAT. The CAT cutoff for EWS category can be significantly lower than the General category for some colleges, but for others, there is hardly any difference. If you wish to apply to Tier 1 colleges, you need a higher CAT percentile score, whereas for Baby IIMs and lower, you can set a target of 80-90 percentile.
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CAT 2025 Reservation Policy for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD at IIMs | What is a 'Safe Target Percentile' for CAT 2025? |
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Safe CAT 2025 Percentile for EWS Candidates at IIMs
Check what is a safe CAT 2025 percentile for EWS candidates at IIMs below:
Name of the IIM (PGP) | Safe Overall CAT 2025 Percentile (EWS) | Typical Sectional Safe Percentiles (VARC / DILR / QA) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) | 97–99+ | ~70–80 / ~70–80 / ~70–80 | IIMA raised cutoffs in 2025 cycle; top IIMs expect very high EWS percentiles. |
IIM Bangalore (IIMB) | 95–98 | ~75–80 / ~70–75 / ~75 | Top-tier shortlists remain very high for EWS. |
IIM Calcutta (IIMC) | 96–99 | ~75–80 / ~75–80 / ~70–75 | IIMC cutoff comparable to other top-3 IIMs. |
IIM Lucknow (IIML) | 97–99 | ~82 / ~85 / ~82 (reported for PGP) | IIML historically sets very high shortlisting percentiles. |
IIM Indore (IIMI) | 94–98 | ~80 / ~80 / ~80 | IIM Indore’s EWS cutoffs are high across sections. |
IIM Kozhikode (IIMK) | 93–97 | ~75 / ~75 / ~75 | Top-10 IIM — EWS near OBC levels. |
IIM Mumbai (IIMB/Ind. list — IIM Mumbai/others) | 92–96 | ~80 / ~80 / ~75 | IIM Bombay / older listings show EWS cutoffs close to other top IIMs. |
IIM Rohtak / Raipur / Ranchi / Trichy (select older/newer IIMs) | 85–94 | ~70–80 / ~70–80 / ~70–80 (varies) | Newer/2nd-tier IIMs have lower safe percentiles; wide variation by IIM. |
IIM Shillong / Visakhapatnam / Amritsar / Kashipur / Nagpur (mid/newer) | 75–90 | ~60–75 / ~60–75 / ~60–75 | Many mid/newer IIMs set EWS cutoffs significantly lower than top-6. |
Lower-ranked / newest IIMs (e.g., Sirmaur, Sambalpur, Bodh Gaya, etc.) | 60–80 | Usually lower sectionals (50–70) | These IIMs may have substantially lower shortlisting percentiles for EWS. |
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Advantages of Getting CAT 2025 Safe Percentile for EWS Category
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Find out what are the advantages of a CAT 2025 safe percentile for EWS category below:
Advantage | Explanation |
|---|---|
Higher Chances of Shortlisting | Achieving a safe percentile increases the probability of receiving calls from top and mid-tier IIMs under the EWS quota. |
Better Program Options | A strong percentile opens opportunities for flagship MBA programs across more IIMs and top B-schools. |
Reduced Competition Pressure | Reaching the safe percentile places candidates ahead of the cutoff fluctuations across institutes. |
Improved Selection Confidence | A higher score allows candidates to focus on PI, WAT, and other selection rounds confidently. |
Access to Top IIMs | Many top IIMs require high EWS percentiles; meeting safe targets boosts chances significantly. |
Stronger Profile Evaluation | A strong CAT score can compensate for weaker academics or work experience in composite score calculations. |
Eligibility for Scholarships | High scores can improve chances for merit-based scholarships in some institutes. |
Better Conversion Chances | When combined with good interview performance, a safe percentile increases final admission success. |
Hopefully, you were able to set your CAT 2025 Safe Percentile for EWS Category at IIMs using this article! Check out the links below to learn more!
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FAQs
No, the CAT exam pattern is the same for EWS and all other categories. EWS candidates follow identical sections, timings, and marking schemes. Only cutoffs, seat reservations, and shortlisting criteria differ, while the exam structure remains completely unchanged.
Top non-IIM options for EWS candidates include FMS Delhi, MDI Gurgaon, XLRI, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, SPJIMR, IMT Ghaziabad, JBIMS, TAPMI, and NMIMS. These institutes offer strong placements, good ROI, and competitive cutoffs slightly lower than top IIMs.
With a 70–80 percentile as an EWS candidate, you can target decent non-IIM B-schools like BIMTECH, SDMIMD, IBS Hyderabad, IMT Nagpur, XIME, AIM, and several state universities. Selection depends on academics, profile, and performance in interviews.
Yes, candidates from the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) under the EWS category do get seat reservations. According to government-mandated policy, up to 10% of seats are reserved for candidates from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).
EWS candidates should target high accuracy, prioritize strong sectional performance, and practice diverse mock tests to stay above fluctuating cutoffs. Focusing on time management, revising fundamentals, solving high-quality DILR sets, and improving reading speed helps maintain a safe margin above expected percentiles.
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