The escalating severity of air pollution and climate-change issues has necessitated the development and implementation of effective pollution-control measures. Nitrogen oxides (NOx), primarily originating from the exhaust emissions of automobiles and industrial processes, contribute significantly towards the production of acid rain and photochemical smog. Fast and NO2 selective catalyst reduction (SCR) strategies (utilizing NH3 as the reducing agent) have gained prominence for the mitigation of NOx emissions. These strategies are preferred for their ability to operate effectively at low temperatures, minimize ammonia slip, and offer excellent durability. They find applications in a wide range of scenarios. Catalyst selection is vital in optimizing the efficiency of the conversion process. This review explores the prevalent fast and NO2 SCR catalysts, focusing on metal oxide and zeolite catalysts. It also provides an overview of the reaction mechanisms involved in fast and NO2 SCR, relevant to diverse catalyst types, along with the factors influencing their performance. Finally, it addresses the challenges encountered in fast and NO2 SCR catalyst technology, highlighting some essential aspects that warrant attention, and proposes future directions of research in this field.