CAT Form Filling: Every SC ST OBC EWS Certificate Rule You Must Check First | Divya Sir Rodha

Main ideas / purpose of the video

• The video is a “one-stop solution” for CAT form filling rules specifically related to SC, ST, OBC, and EWS certificates.
• Key focus:
  • Which certificate to use
  • What information/validity it must include
  • What happens if the required certificate isn’t available on time

When category certificates are needed (3 times)

1. During CAT registration

   • You must have a copy of your relevant certificate to register under that category.

2. During IM interview document verification

   • After CAT results, during document verification, you must submit the category form/certificate.

3. At the time of joining

   • Admission to a college is granted only after category verification during joining.

Critical rule: category is “locked” early

• Your category is not changeable later.
• If you register as General but later cannot produce the claimed OBC/SC/ST/EWS certificate, your candidature can be disqualified.
• No switching is allowed:
  • General → reserved category later (if certificate not available)
  • Reserved category → General later

SC & ST certificate rules (lifetime certificate + required fields)

Core concept

• SC/ST certificate is treated as a lifetime certificate.
• It does not need to be “recent” (even an older certificate can be valid).

Must contain these 4 elements for CAT upload

1. Name of caste/tribe
2. Statement that the person belongs to SC or ST
3. District and State/UT of ordinary residence
   • Nuance: SC/ST status can be state-linked via scheduled lists, so the claiming state must match ordinary residence.
4. Government of India scheduled proof details
   • The order/recognition number (government schedule reference) must be mentioned.

Additional upload/format checks

• Issued by a competent authority
• Both caste name and caste number must be present
• Not in a regional language (must be English or Hindi)

NC OBC / NCL certificate rules (“Non-Creamy Layer”) — 7 conditions

Core concept

• OBC eligibility is tied to non-creamy layer (NCL), which is economic and can change year to year—so the certificate must be current.

The certificate must satisfy these points

1. Issued by a competent authority

   • Typically Tehsildar level and above (as per CAT guidelines).

2. Issue date rule

   • Must be issued after 1 April 2026 (fresh/current year).

3. Caste and caste entry number

   • Must include caste details and the entry number.

4. Ordinary residence

   • Must include district and UT of ordinary residence.

5. Explicit non-creamy layer declaration

   • Must clearly state you do not belong to the creamy layer.
   • CAT expects wording like OBC NCL / NC OBC, not just “OBC”.

6. Ministry order/resolution number

   • Must be present and in Hindi or English.

7. Central list vs state list validity

   • Only the Central OBC list matters for CAT eligibility.
   • If your caste is OBC in some states but not in the Central OBC list, the certificate won’t be valid for CAT.
   • If your caste is in the Central list, then even a state-issued OBC certificate can work.

Consistency warning (no extra income proof)

• CAT does not require you to submit separate income proof.
• They rely on the valid certificate from a competent authority.
• However, the video warns against inconsistency across documents (example: claiming a job/salary that conflicts with non-creamy layer status).

EWS certificate rules (income + assets + exclusion)

Core concept

• EWS eligibility uses:
  • Income test
  • Asset test
  • Plus strict exclusion from SC/ST/OBC at the central level

Must include validity and conditions

1. Validity/year rule

   • Must mention validity applicable after 1 April.

2. Competent authority / format

   • Must be issued by the specified competent authority (per CAT references).

3. Income condition

   • Gross annual family income < ₹8 lakh

4. Asset condition

   • Family must own none of the listed assets (examples mentioned):
     • 5 acres agricultural land
     • 1000 sq. ft. residential flat (or above)
     • 100 sq. yard plot (or 200 sq. yard plot elsewhere)

5. Exclusion condition

   • Caste must not be listed in SC/ST/OBC (as applicable for EWS eligibility).

Format / language

• Should be in Hindi and English.

Important nuance: state OBC vs central OBC for EWS

• A caste may be OBC only at the state level but not in the central list.
• Such candidates can qualify for EWS, because EWS exclusion is based on central-level SC/ST/OBC membership.

What counts as “income sources”

• Income sources include more than salary (e.g., bank FD interest).
• Family definition used for calculation:
  • You + parents + siblings below 18 years
• Elder siblings above 18 earning more does not affect EWS eligibility under the described rule.

If you don’t have OBC/EWS certificate at CAT registration (exception route)

If you lack the certificate at registration, CAT provides an exception where you upload one single PDF containing 3 documents:

1. Undertaking

   • Downloaded from CAT website within a few days.
   • If not received, email CAT help desk to get it.
   • Undertaking content (as described):
     • Certificate is not available now
     • You have applied and will provide it during admission/interview

2. Old certificate (if you have one)

3. Proof you applied

   • Examples: communication from authority or copy of submitted application

Warning

• If you submit undertaking but do not apply or cannot produce the certificate later, your candidature will be disqualified.
• Timing recommendation (as stated):
  • Avoid using this route until about one week before CAT registration closes.
  • If the certificate isn’t available by then, fill normally and proceed.

CAT center allocation misconception

• Filling CAT early does not guarantee your preferred center.
• CAT allocates centers randomly, typically favoring earlier preferences.

FAQ-style clarifications

• Old SC certificate (e.g., from 2014/2008)?

  • Not a problem: SC/ST certificates are for life.

• Can you apply General and switch later?

  • No category switching is allowed.

• Is a “My State OBC” certificate sufficient?

  • Only if your caste is also in the Central OBC list.
  • If only state-level OBC, it is not sufficient for CAT.

• Can someone be eligible for both OBC and EWS?

  • Not per the video: EWS excludes those who belong to SC/ST/OBC.

• EWS example: income < threshold but owns a large flat?

  • Then you cannot be EWS (asset condition fails).

• Does elder brother’s income count for EWS?

  • No, because family definition excludes siblings above 18 years.

• Is the CAT paper easier for reserved candidates?

  • No: CAT is the same for everyone; differences in cutoffs arise due to admission criteria.

• Graduation percentage cutoff for SC/ST/EWS

  • If graduation limit is 45% for SC/ST, it does not apply to EWS.
  • EWS and General are stated as needing 50% minimum in graduation.

Speakers / sources featured

• Divya Sir Rodha (referred to repeatedly as “Rudha/Divya Sir Rodha” in subtitles)
• CAT (official CAT guidelines / FAQs / help desk / CAT website undertaking template)