The present invention provides an exhaust gas purifying catalyst including a first catalyst layer (12). The first catalyst layer (12) includes a first section (14) and a second section (15) in an exhaust gas flow direction, the first section (14) being located on an upstream side in the exhaust gas flow direction relative to the second section (15). The first section (14) and the second section (15) both contain a catalytically active component including a specific element. A concentration of the specific element is higher in the first section (14) than in the second section (15). A concentration gradient of the specific element contained in the first section (14) in a thickness direction of the catalyst layer (12) is milder than a concentration gradient of the specific element contained in the second section (15) in the thickness direction.