CAT 2025 Safe Percentile for SC Category at IIMs

The safe CAT 2025 percentile for SC category at IIMs is one of those things you can’t ignore during your CAT preparation . The CAT cutoffs for SC students are more achievable compared to the general category, but the numbers still vary significantly between old and new IIMs. And when you already know what each IIM roughly expects, the whole prep becomes a bit clearer and less stressful. For most top IIMs, you should aim for the 70th percentile or above, while mid-range and newer IIMs usually fall around the 45-65th percentile bracket in CAT 2025 . It’s always better to target a bit higher than the minimum, so you feel safe during the results time.
Also Read: What is a 'Safe Target Percentile' for CAT 2025?

IIM-Wise CAT 2025 Safe Percentile for SC Category

Every IIM follows its own selection style, weightage pattern, and academic filter. So your “safe percentile” changes depending on whether you are targeting older, super-competitive IIMs or the newer, rising campuses. If you are still deciding where to apply, this part will kinda help you match your percentiles with the right colleges.
CAT 2025 Safe Percentile at Top IIMs (SC Category)

These older IIMs are still tough to get into, even for reserved categories. So you should keep your targets slightly high.

Also Read: CAT Score vs Percentile 2025: Cutoff, Score & Percentile Calculator

CAT 2025 Safe Percentile for Newer + Mid-Tier IIMs (SC Category)

If you are somewhere between confident and “still figuring things out”, these IIMs are honestly the best spot. They have good placements, more flexible cutoffs, and decent competition.

CAT 2025 Safe Percentile for Emerging IIMs (SC Category)

These IIMs have lower cutoffs, but don’t underestimate them. The number of applicants is increasing every year, so the safe score is still a little higher than the cutoff.

Also Read:

Which IIMs Can You Target Based on Your CAT 2025 Percentile?

Your CAT percentile determines which IIMs are within realistic reach and where you stand the strongest chance of conversion.

SC Candidate with 70+ CAT 2025 Percentile

You can comfortably target the following IIMs.

• IIM Ahmedabad
• IIM Bangalore
• IIM Lucknow
• IIM Kozhikode
• IIM Mumbai
• IIM Indore

SC Candidate with 65-70 CAT 2025 Percentile

You are in a safe position for the IIMs mentioned below.

• IIM Calcutta
• IIM Indore
• IIM Udaipur
• IIM Ranchi
• IIM Kashipur
• IIM Nagpur
• IIM Trichy

SC Candidate with 55-60 CAT 2025 Percentile

You have good chances in the following IIMs

• IIM Amritsar
• IIM Sambalpur
• IIM Bodhgaya
• IIM Sirmaur
• IIM Jammu

SC Candidate Scoring 45-55 CAT 2025 Percentile

You can still get calls from these IIMs.

• IIM Vishakhapatnam
• Some new IIMs, depending on the profile

Also Read:

The safe CAT 2025 percentiles we talked about give you a clear idea of where you stand and which IIMs you should aim for. Of course, the CAT safe percentile opens the door, but the final selection depends a lot on your academics, PI performance, work experience, and even writing ability. If you really want to feel secure, try to score a bit higher than the safe numbers; trust me, it reduces a lot of stress later. And choose your IIM list based on your strengths, not just “brand value”.