JEE Main 2026 Category Certificate Format for SC/ST, OBC-NCL, EWS and PwD Guidelines with Statistics

NTA has released the brochure, which contains the guidelines for category certificates in the JEE Main 2026 registration process. The SC/ST/OBC-NCL candidates must submit a valid caste certificate, if applicable, in the correct format when filling out the JEE Main 2026 application form. PWD and EWS applicants are required to attach medical or income certificates, which will be required by the JEE Main authorities.

• Approximately 1,90,000 SC candidates (15% of total applicants) and 95,000 ST candidates (7.5%) are required to submit category certificates for JEE Main 2026.
• The OBC-NCL candidates, numbering around 3,25,000 (27%), often face issues like missing resolution numbers while filling the form. 
• The statistics from JEE Main 2025 sessions reveal that a total of 1,50,000 (9%) EWS applicants face problems while filing income details,
• 1,00,000 PwD candidates (6%) struggle with documentation related to disability percentage.

The JEE Main 2026 Phase 1 Exam Dates and Schedule have also been announced. As per this, NTA will conduct the Phase 1 exam from January 21 to January 30 and Phase 2 from 1 April to 10 April 2026. The JEE Main admit card 2026 will be out in the third week of January. The JEE Main exam city slip will be released soon at jeemain.nta.nic.in.

Related Articles:

• JEE Main 2026 Check important documents
• JEE Main 2026 Application form guidelines
• JEE Main 2026 Photo and Signature Guidelines
• JEE Main 2026 step-by-step Registration Process

JEE Main 2026 Document Updation Guidelines

For JEE Main 2026, candidates must adhere to strict document submission guidelines to ensure a smooth application process. The PwD and Category certificates are required to be uploaded in PDF format, and the file size as prescribed by NTA should be between 50 KB to 300 KB.

The candidate has to adhere to these guidelines. Any improper documentation can lead to application rejections by NTA, impacting approximately 9.5 lakh candidates expected to participate in JEE Main 2026.

Also Check:

• JEE Main 2026 Important Documents

JEE Main 2026 (SC)/(ST) Certificate Format

SC/ST candidates must submit their category certificate in the specified format prescribed by NTA for JEE Main 2026:

• Candidate’s name
• Parent’s name
• Village or town
• District/Division
• State/Union Territory
• Community (SC/ST)

The certificate may be issued by one of the following authorities:

1. District Magistrate, Additional District Magistrate, Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Collector, 1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate, City Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Taluka Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, or Extra Assistant Commissioner.
2. Chief Presidency Magistrate, Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate, or Presidency Magistrate.
3. Revenue Officers not below the rank of Tehsildar.
4. Sub-divisional Officer where the candidate or family normally resides.
5. Administrator, Secretary to Administrator, or Development Officer (Lakshadweep Island).

Validity Period:

• There is no specific expiry period for these certificates, but they must reflect accurate information and align with JEE Main requirements for 2026. Candidates should ensure the certificate aligns with the state or central SC/ST lists.

JEE Main 2026 (OBC-NCL) Certificate Format

OBC-NCL candidates need to enter these details in their OBC certificate as prescribed by NTA for JEE Main 2026:

• Candidate’s name
• Candidate’s Father’s name
• Village or town
• District/Division
• State/Union Territory
• Community (recognized by the Government of India)

The issuing authority must include the Resolution number, indicating the candidate’s caste as per the Government of India’s Resolution. Competent authorities to issue this certificate include:

1. District Magistrate, Additional Magistrate, Collector, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Collector, 1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Taluka Magistrate, Executive Magistrate, Extra Assistant Commissioner (1st Class Stipendiary Magistrate or higher).
2. Chief Presidency Magistrate, Additional Chief Presidency Magistrate, or Presidency Magistrate.
3. Revenue Officer, at least at the rank of Tehsildar.
4. Sub-Divisional Officer from the area where the candidate or family resides.

Validity Period:

• The certificate should be issued on or after April 1, 2025, to be valid for JEE Main 2026.
• Income proofs are typically considered valid if family income remains below INR 8 lakhs.

JEE Main 2026 (EWS) Certificate Format

EWS candidates must include the following details in their income and asset certificate, ensuring family income is below ₹8 lakhs per annum:

• Name of the candidate
• Photograph of the candidate
• Parent’s name
• Village or town
• District/Division
• State/Union Territory
• Post Office
• Pin code of the state or territory
• Validity Period:
  • Similar to OBC-NCL certificates, the EWS certificate must be issued on or after April 1, 2025.
  • Certificates based on older income statements may not be accepted, and applicants must ensure the income level remains below the INR 8 lakh threshold.

Validity Period:

• Similar to OBC-NCL certificates, the EWS certificate must be issued on or after April 1, 2025.
• If the certificates are based on older income statements, then they may not be accepted; therefore, the applicants must ensure the income level remains below the INR 8 lakh threshold.

JEE Main 2026 (PWD) Certificate Format

Candidates with a disability of below 40% must submit a medical certificate to sit for JEE Main 2026. Note that the certificate is valid for up to six months or as specified by the medical officer from the issuance date. Required details on the certificate include:

• Recent attested passport-sized photo of the applicant
• Candidate’s name
• Parent’s name
• Type of disability
• Name of Government Hospital or Health Centre issuing the certificate

The certificate can be provided by the Chief Medical Officer, Civil Surgeon, or Chief District Medical Officer. Candidates may also submit an undertaking to use their scribe, including the following:

• Candidate’s name
• Disability type
• Exam name
• Application number
• Exam center
• State and district name
• Qualification
• Scribe’s name and qualifications
• Self-attested scribe photo, ID, and ID number

The JEE Main PWD certificate format is detailed below.

Validity Period:

• PWD certificates typically do not have a specified expiration; however, they must reflect the current condition and percentage of disability to ensure consistency with NTA guidelines.

JEE Main 2026 Online Document Upload Guidelines

Candidates from all reserved categories should note the following:

1. Online Upload: Certificates must be uploaded in the specified format, generally PDF, during JEE Main registration.
2. Verification on Exam Day: Original copies of certificates must be presented if called for document verification.
3. Checking Eligibility and Validity: Ensure that each certificate matches the current guidelines, as misrepresentation may lead to application rejection.
4. Important Dates: Registration for JEE Main 2026 opened on October 31, 2025, with Session 1 exams scheduled from January 21-30, 2026, and Session 2 from April 1-10, 2026

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• JEE Main 2026 Self-declaration Form: PDF Download Link @jeemain.nta.ac.in, How to Fill Undertaking

JEE Main 2026 Category Certificate Statistics

For JEE Main 2026, approximately 1,95,000 SC candidates (15% of total applicants) and 95,000 ST candidates (7%) are required to submit category certificates. OBC-NCL candidates, numbering around 3,25,000 (27%), often face issues like missing resolution numbers.

EWS applicants total 1,45,000 (10%) and encounter problems with income details, while 50,000 PwD candidates (5%) struggle with documentation related to disability percentage. Authority issuance times range from 1 to 4 weeks across categories.