CAT 2015 : Are u an OBC CANDIDATE writing CAT? Then you need to take a look at this.

Hey Guys! 

I have seen lot of people asking questions on about OBC certificate, eligibility, income criterion and especially the validity of certificate. Firstly I'm not an expert in this, but I have done some research about this after I faced few problems during my previous admissions.

1. First and the most common question I have seen on this thread is "I have a certificate dated 20xx, is it okay to submit that during my interviews? " 

Ans: Nope, unless the certificate is of the current financial year, it's not okay to submit it. And Yeah! Financial year 2014-15 starts from March 2014 and is till March 2015. So, for the IIM interviews of the CAT-2014 season, you need to get a certificate dated after April 1st 2014. People preparing for CAT15 should apply for their certificate after March 2015. 

2. Why is it like this? I have a certificate which is valid for 5 years?

Ans: Yeah! It is like this because OBC reservation is applicable only for Non-Creamy layer applicants, which is decided based on their annual income. So, you need to get it renewed every financial year. And also note that five year validity is for OBC certificate, not for the Non-Creamy Layer Certificate

3. My father is govt. employee and my NCL certificate is not based on salary. Should I get a new one every year? And why I should I get it renewed simply?

Ans: Yep! You need to get it renewed irrespective of the method of deciding NCL status. This is firstly because it will not be mentioned in your certificate how you qualified the NCL criteria. Secondly because if your parents get promoted before the age of 40, then you might lose the OBC cover. So it's necessary for everyone to get a new certificate every year.

4. My certificate format doesn't EXACTLY match with the one on the CAT website. 

Ans: No problem, until unless all the wordings and the resolutions match with your certificate. And I'm pretty sure all the states issue the certificate in the same format, though the heading "for the admission to IIMs" might not be present. Thus this won't be a problem. But please note, if your certificate doesn't match the wordings and resolutions as given on the certificate on CAT website then, I doubt if it's a Valid Central Govt. Certificate.

5. Often people get confused with State OBC and Central OBC Certificate. Few queries are like I got certificate from my tahasildar, is it okay?

Ans: Guys, Please note State government OBC is completely different from Central govt. OBC certificate. And for Central govt. institutions it's compulsory that you submit Central govt. certificate. Please check NCBC website (www.ncbc.nic.in) for the central list of state-wise OBC (Few castes which come under Central OBC quota in few states, don't come under in few , so the central OBC list is state-wise. But note this doesn't mean state govt. and central govt. lists are same)

Coming to second part of the question, note that the State government issues both Central govt. OBC certificate and state govt. OBC certificate. But the eligibility criteria for both is completely different in many states. And about issuing authority, usually Tahasildar issues the certificates. But anyone equal to or above the rank of tahsildar can issue the certificate.

6. I have a certificate with a heading "For Central Govt. Jobs". Is it okay?

Ans: As per my previous experience, YES, it's okay! Content of the certificate is what that matter. Even if it's a rare case, they will allow you after an undertaking.

7. Should I submit income certificate?

Ans: Nope! You don't need to submit any other documents other than Non Creamy Layer Certificate. 

8. My income is more than 6 lakhs. Am I not eligible?

Ans: OBC certificates are issued on the basis of your parent's income and NOT yours. And also income is not a criteria for all the cases. For govt. employee it is based on Class, not on salaried income.  

9. My certificate doesn't has signature of competent authority but instead it has a barcode. Will it be accepted?

Ans: Yes! It will be accepted. This is esp. in case of certificate issued by states like Karnataka where the certificates are digitally signed. So, no need to worry, it will be accepted.  

10. Now there are few people appearing for interviews this season with outdated certificate. What should they do?

Ans: Risky Business. But no need to panic if you have correct central govt. certificate. Usually you'll have to submit an undertaking during your interviews, if your certificate is outdated. But I'm not sure if every IIM will do the same. So those who have interviews late in March and April, please apply for new one.

And those who are preparing for CAT 2015, it's a kind request for you people to get a certificate BEFORE you register for CAT15, else you may simply get rejected during interviews and ruin chance of another eligible candidate. So applying for certificate in July/August 2015 will be a safe option.