JEE Main 2026 reservation criteria have been prescribed in the JEE Main information bulletin 2026 available on the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in. Reservation criteria for JEE Main are prescribed in accordance with the rules prescribed by the Government of India.
- Out of the total seats in JEE Main 2026, around 59.5% seats are reserved for categories like OBC, SC, ST, and PWD.
- Around 40.5% of seats in JEE Main 2026 are available for candidates belonging to the general category.
- JEE Main reservation criteria reserves 10% seats for EWS, 27% for OBC-NCL, 15% for SC and 7.5% for ST category.
- JEE Main reservation criteria 2026 apply to seats in NITs, IIITs, and other participating universities and colleges.
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Key Summary
- JEE Main reservation has been fixed by NTA as per Government of India Norms with no changes as of November 2025.
- JEE Main reservation criteria are followed by JoSAA while allocating seats to candidates.
- Reserved candidates also have access to open seats. EWS candidates can compete for a total of 50% seats, OBC for 67%, SC for 55%, and ST candidates for 48% seats.
- Apart from lower JEE Main cutoffs, reserved category candidates are also eligible to avail benefits like lower application fee, relaxation in JEE Main eligibility, etc.
- JEE Main Reservation 2026: Category Wise
- JEE Main State Government Reservation Policy
- JEE Main Reservation Criteria in NITs
- How to Claim JEE Main Reservation?
- JEE Main Reservation 2026: Documents Required
- JEE Main Reservation 2026: Certificate Expiry
- JEE Main Reservation 2026: Category Wise Cutoff Gaps
- JEE Main Reservation 2026: Other Benefits
- JEE Main Reservation FAQs
JEE Main Reservation 2026: Category Wise
JEE Main reservation is different for different categories as mentioned in the table below.
| Category | Reservation % | Key Notes from Users |
|---|---|---|
| GEN-EWS | 10% | For economically weaker sections (family income < ₹8 lakh); requires valid certificate. Users note it's "not caste-based" but often underutilized due to documentation hurdles. |
| OBC-NCL | 27% | Non-creamy layer only; central list required. Cutoffs are lower by ~10-15% compared to General. |
| SC | 15% | Includes sub-categorisation; Reddit threads clarify that no seats transfer to General if unfilled. |
| ST | 7.5% | Highest cutoff relaxation; X posts highlight "65% Class 12 eligibility vs. 75% for General." |
| PwD | 5% | Horizontal quota across categories; >40% disability needed. Benefits include fee waivers and scribe access. |
| General | 50.5% (open) | No quota, but anyone can compete here; users complain of "highest competition" despite population share. |
JEE Main Reservation for EWS Candidates
For Gen-EWS candidates, the JEE Main reservation percentage is 10% in each course. Only candidates belonging to general category who satisfy the conditions prescribed in OM No. 20013/01/2018-BC-II dated 17 January 2019, issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment are eligible for the reservation.
| Category | Reservation (%) |
|---|---|
| Gen-EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 10% |
JEE Main Reservation for OBC Candidates
Among the reserved categories, OBC-NCL has the highest reservation percentage. JEE Main reservation percentage for OBC candidates is 27%. Students must fulfil the conditions below in order to be considered for the OBC-NCL reservation.
- As an OBC candidate, you must be listed in the current updated central list of OBCs (http://www.ncbc.ac.in).
- If you are covered in the state list of OBC candidates but NOT covered in the central list, you are NOT eligible for OBC-NCL reservation.
- If you belong to Creamy Layer of OBC category, you are not eligible for OBC reservation and you will be treated as general candidate.
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes- Non Creamy Layer) | 27% |
JEE Main Reservation for SC Candidates
Students belonging to SC category have 15% reserved seats in JEE Main 2026. Such candidates must provide valid category certificate from concerned authority.
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 15% |
JEE Main Reservation for ST Candidates
Students belonging to SC category have 15% reserved seats in JEE Main 2026. Such candidates must provide valid category certificate from concerned authority.
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 15% |
JEE Main Reservation for PwD Candidates
Government of India has also prescribed reservation for PwD candidates also. As per the JEE Main information bulletin, 5% seats are reserved for PwD candidates with 40% or more disability from each category. Categories considered for PwD reservation in JEE Main include:
- Blindness and low vision
- Deaf and hard of hearing
- Locomotor disabilities including cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy.
- Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness.
- Multiple disabilities.
- Other specified disabilities
PwD candidates must provide certificate proving their disability from multi member authority including:
- Chief Medical officer/Civil Surgeon /Chief District Medical Officer, Chairperson
- Orthopaedic/PMR specialist
- Neurologist, if available*
- Clinical Psychologist/Rehabilitation Psychologist/ Psychiatrist/Special Educator
- Occupational therapist, if available*
- Any other expert based on the condition of the candidate as may be nominated by the Chairperson.
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| PwD (Person with Disabilities) | 5% |
Source: @jeemain.nta.nic.in
JEE Main Reservation 2026: Facility of Scribe/Reader/Lab Assistant
- The facility of Scribe/Reader/Lab Assistant should be allowed to any person with benchmark disability and has limitations in writing including that of speed, if wanted by him/her.
- In case of persons with benchmark disabilities in the category of blindness, Locomotor disability (both arm affected-BA) and cerebral palsy, the facility of scribe/reader/lab assistant shall be given, if so desired by the person.
- In case of other category of persons with benchmark disabilities, the provision of scribe/reader/lab assistant can be allowed on production of a certificate to the effect that the person concerned has physical limitation 5 to write, and scribe is essential to write examination on his behalf, from the Chief Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon/Medical Superintendent of a Government health care institution.
- The order further allows the candidate to opt for their own scribe/reader provided the qualification of the scribe is one step below the qualification of the candidate taking the examination.
- The candidate with bench-mark disabilities opting for their own scribe/reader should submit details of their own scribe.
- Twenty minutes per hour compensatory time as per duration of examination will also be allowed to the candidates who are availing the facility of scribe/reader/lab assistant.
- Candidates are advised to look for the details regarding the reservation policy at the time of admission.
JEE Main Reservation for Female Candidates
Many institutes participating in JEE Main 2026 offer reservation for female candidates to promote gender diversity. Reservation to female candidates in JEE Main is offered in order to empower and encourage more female candidates to pursue engineering courses. For female candidates, around 5% seats are reserved in each course.
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| Female Candidate | 5% |
Ques. Whatis the JEE Main seat access across categories?
Ans. seat access is different from that of JEE Main reservation percentage. Candidates belonging to general category have access to only 40% seats. However, students belonging to SC category have access to 15% reserved seats as well as 40.5% open seats.
Similarly, otherreserved categories have access to respective reserved seats percentage as well as the 40.5% open seats. The open category seats are shared by each and every candidate irrespective of their category.
| Category | Access to Seats | Reality Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General (GC) | 40.5% (open only) | Competes with all on open seats; no reserved access |
| SC | 56% (40% open + 15% reserved) | Population ~15%; double opportunity vs. GC |
| ST | 48% (40% open + 7.5% reserved) | Population ~7.5%; exclusive reserved seats |
JEE Main State Government Reservation Policy
For institutions run by state governments, reservation criteria prescribed by respective state governments will be applicable.
| Quota | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Home State Quota | Candidates of JEE Main who have passed class XII from a particular state and have cleared the examination will come under home state quota. These candidates will get preference in admission to the institutes of that state as compared to those who are from other states. |
| Other State Quota | This comprises JEE Main candidates who are applying from other states and union territories, apart from the home state. |
Notes:
- For admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, the benefits of reservation will be given only to classes/castesThis comprises JEE Main candidates who are applying from other states and union territories, apart from the home state.This comprises JEE Main candidates who are applying from other states and union territories, apart from the home state./tribes which are in respective central List published by the Government of India from time to time.
- Only those castes, and tribes will be eligible for reservation benefits that are mentioned in respective central list of corresponding states published by Government of India (websites: http://socialjustice.nic.in and https://ncst.nic.in).
JEE Main Reservation Criteria in NITs
In NITs, seats are reserved for Home State candidates and Other Setate candidates. 50% seats are reserved for each HS and OS candidates.
| Institute Type | HS Reservation | OS Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| NITs | 50% | 50% |
The above reservation criteria applies to all NITs except for NIT Warangal and NIT Goa.
JEE Main Reservation for NIT Warangal and NIT Goa
Candidates can check the JEE Main Reservation Criteria for their home state and other state quotas of NIT Warangal and NIT Goa in the table below
| Name of the NIT | Quota | Eligible candidates |
|---|---|---|
| NIT Warangal | Home State Quota | Candidates belonging to Telangana claim reservation under this quota |
| Other States Quota | Candidates belonging to other states and those belonging to Andhra Pradesh, both can apply for admission under this quota | |
| Andhra Pradesh Quota | Candidates belonging to the state of Andhra Pradesh can apply for admission under this quota. | |
| NIT Goa | Home State Quota | Candidates belonging to Goa have 40% reservation of seats. In case of further vacancy of seats, 10% of seats are filled by candidates from Daman & Diu, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, and Lakshadweep |
| Other States Quota | Candidates of Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadar & Nagar Haveli, and Lakshadweep can apply for admission |
How to Claim JEE Main Reservation?
To claim the JEE Main reservation, you must follow the steps listed below and fulfil the formalities prescribed.
- You must mention your category while filling out the JEE Main application form. However, at this stage, you will not be required to provide any proof for your category.
- While participating in the JEE Main counselling 2026, you will be required to provide proof of your category using category/caste certificate.
- If you are unable to prove your category, you will be considered for admission under general category.
JEE Main Reservation 2026: Documents Required
SC, ST, OBC, PwD and GEN- EWS candidates are required to produce original certificates issued by the competent authority at the time of Seat Allocation Process as well as at the time of admission.
Authorities empowered to issue SC/ST Certificate are:
| S.No | Scheduled Castes |
|---|---|
| i) | District Magistrate/ Additional District Magistrate/ Collector/ Deputy Commissioner/ Additional Deputy Commissioner/ Deputy Collector/ I Class Stipendiary Magistrate/ City Magistrate/ Sub- Divisional Magistrate/ Executive Magistrate/ Extra Assistant Commissioner( not below the rank of I Class Stipendiary Magistrate) |
| ii) | Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate/ Presidency Magistrate |
| iii) | Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar |
| iv) | Sub- Divisional Officer of the area where the candidate and/or his family normally resides. |
| v) | Administrator/ Secretary to Administrator/ Development Officer Lakshadweep Islands.(Circulated vide No. 2/223/79- SWL/4337 dated 8.6.96) |
| vi) | M.L.A. of the concerned constituency (Circulated vide No. 1/19/94- RCI/6045 dated 15.7.94) |
Authorities empowered to issue certificates for backward classes are:
| S. No. | Backward Classes |
|---|---|
| i) | Sub- Divisional Officer (C) |
| ii) | Executive Magistrate |
| iii) | Tehsildar |
| iv) | Naib Tehsildar |
| v) | Block Officer |
| vi) | District Revenue Officer (Circulated vid No. 2/223/79-SWL/4337 dated 8.6.90) |
| vii) | M.L.A. of the concerned constituency (Circulated vide No. 1/19/94- RCI/6045 dated 15.7.94) |
JEE Main Reservation 2026: Certificate Expiry
Category certificates have different validity periods. For candidates belonging to OBC-NCL and EWS category, their category certificates are valid for 1 year. However, certificates of candidates belonging to SC/ST and PwD categories are valid for the lifetime.
| Certificate Type | Validity Period | Tip from Users |
|---|---|---|
| OBC-NCL | 1 year (from issue date) | Renew before April 2026 for counseling. |
| SC/ST | Lifetime | State vs. Central: Use Central for JEE. |
| EWS | FY 2025-26 | Income proof < ₹8L; apply via state portal. |
| PwD | Lifetime (UDID card) | >40% benchmark disability required. |
JEE Main Reservation 2026: Category Wise Cutoff Gaps
JEE Main cutoff is different for different categories, with general category having the highest cutoff 93.1023262 percentile last year. It is because the number of applicants are higher in UR category than any other category. ST candidates have the lowest cutoff of 47.9026465 percentile last year.
| Category | JEE Main Cutoff |
|---|---|
| UR | 93.1023262 |
| EWS | 80.3830119 |
| OBC | 79.4313582 |
| SC | 61.1526933 |
| ST | 47.9026465 |
Also Check: JEE Main Cutoff
JEE Main Reservation 2026: Other Benefits
Candidates belonging to reserved categories are also eligible to avail fee concession on JEE Main application fee and relaxation in JEE Main eligibility criteria as mentioned below.
JEE Main Application Fee Benefits for Reserved Candidates
For general candidates, the JEE Main application fee is INR 1,000 for 1 paper and INR 2,000 for 2 papers. For reserved categories, it is lower then general category candidates as mentioned in the table below.
| Papers | Category | JEE Main Fee (In India) | JEE Main Fee (Outside India) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: B.E./B. Tech OR Paper 2A: B. Arch OR Paper 2B: B. Planning | General Female/ Gen-EWS Female/ OBC NCL Female | 800 | 4000 |
| Gen-EWS/ OBC (NCL) Male | 900 | 4500 | |
| SC/ ST/ PwD/ PwBD/ Third Gender | 500 | 2500 | |
| Paper 1: B.E./ B. Tech & Paper 2A: B. Arch OR Paper 1: B.E./B. Tech & Paper 2B: B. Planning OR Paper 1: B.E./B. Tech, Paper 2A: B. Arch & Paper 2B: B. Planning OR Paper 2A: B. Arch & Paper 2B: B. Planning | General/ Gen-EWS/ OBC (NCL) Female | 1600 | 8000 |
| SC/ ST/ PwD/ PwBD/ Third Gender | 1000 | 5000 |
Check Here: JEE Main Login
JEE Main Eligibility Relaxation for Reserved Candidates
For reserved candidates, the JEE Main eligibility criteria is different from the general candidates. Students belonging to general candidates musat have secured a minimum of 75% for admission to participating institutes. However, reserved candidates require only 65% for admission based on JEE Main scores.
| Category | Minimum Marks Required |
|---|---|
| General | 75% |
| Reserved | 65% |
JEE Main Reservation FAQs
Ques. Does JEE Main reservation affect CRL or category rank?
Ans. No, JEE Main reservation does not affect the common rank list. JEE Main reservations are only applied during the JoSAA seat allocation.
Ques. How JEE Main cutoff for ST and General candidates differ due to reservation?
Ans. Cutoffs for general category candidates are generally higher than that of any other category candidates. For ST candidates, with 7.5% reserved seats, JEE Main cutoff is 20-30% lower than that of general category candidates. In 2025, the JEE Main cutoff for ST category was around 46 percentile while as for general candidates, it was around 93 percentile. This cutoff gap is due to more applicants in general category.
Ques. Do category certificates get rejected in JEE Main?
Ans. Yes, students must upload valid category certificates to avail benefits in JEE Main 2026. In case of mismatch in the name of candidate on reservation certificate, the category certificate will be rejected.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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