JEE Main Reservation Policy 2026 – Category-Wise Percentage, EWS/OBC Documents & Home State Quota

JEE Main 2026 registration for Session 1 will open soon. NTA’s demo link (demo.nta.nic.in) is available for practice and form-filling readiness. Before starting JEE Mains 2026 Registration, review the JEE Main reservation criteria—it directly impacts eligibility, cut-offs, and seat allocation during JoSAA counselling.

As per NTA’s reservation policy, seats in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs are allotted with category-wise provisions for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, GEN-EWS, and PwD candidates to ensure fair access to engineering education. Knowing the reservation percentages, certificate formats, and validity rules helps avoid application errors and protects category benefits at counselling.

Whether you are applying under EWS, OBC-NCL, or seeking admission through Home State quota, this article will help you understand how to claim your rightful seat under the JEE Main 2026 reservation policy.

What is the JEE Main 2026 Reservation Policy?

The JEE Main Reservation Policy 2026 is formulated according to the guidelines set by the Government of India and implemented by NTA and JoSAA during counselling. This system ensures fair access to engineering seats across NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs by reserving a specific percentage for candidates belonging to different social and economic categories. Below is the official category-wise seat reservation percentage followed for JEE Main 2026:

This JEE Main reservation percentage applies uniformly across central government-funded institutions such as NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. However, state-level NITs may also include additional Home State quotas or female-only seats as per institutional policies.

JEE Mains 2026 Reservation Policy: Vertical vs. Horizontal Reservation

The JEE Main reservation policy operates through two key systems — vertical and horizontal quotas — to ensure equal representation for candidates from different backgrounds. Understanding how these categories overlap is essential for students applying under PwD, EWS, or Defence quotas during JoSAA counselling.

Vertical Reservation (Category-Based Quotas)

Vertical reservation is applied based on social and economic categories defined by the Government of India. Each category receives a fixed percentage of total seats in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Candidates are considered only within their respective categories for rank and cutoff determination.

Horizontal Reservation (PwD, Defence, Female, etc.)

Horizontal reservation, on the other hand, cuts across all vertical categories. It ensures that a certain proportion of seats are filled by candidates from special subcategories such as Persons with Disability (PwD), Defence personnel, or female candidates, irrespective of their caste or economic group.

For example, if a PwD candidate belongs to the OBC-NCL category, they will be considered under both the OBC vertical quota and the PwD horizontal quota. Once allotted a seat, it will be adjusted within the OBC category itself, maintaining fair representation without increasing total seats. Horizontal quotas are intersecting layers within the vertical system. This ensures that PwD reservation in JEE Main and other horizontal benefits are applied across all categories, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunity in engineering admissions through JEE Main 2026.

Category-Wise Eligibility & Documents Required for JEE Main Reservation

To claim reservation benefits under JEE Main 2026, candidates must satisfy specific eligibility criteria and produce valid supporting documents during registration and JoSAA counselling. These documents verify your category, income level, or disability status as per the Government of India guidelines. Submitting incorrect or expired certificates can lead to disqualification from the reserved category and conversion to the General (Unreserved) category.

Below is a detailed explanation of the GEN-EWS, OBC, SC/ST and PwD reservation criteria and the essential documents required to prove eligibility.

GEN-EWS Reservation Criteria for JEE Main 2026

The EWS Reservation Criteria in JEE Main 2026 applies to candidates belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of the General category who are not covered under SC, ST, or OBC-NCL reservations.

Eligibility Conditions

To qualify for the EWS category, candidates must meet the income and asset conditions set by the Government of India:

• The family’s annual income must be less than ₹8 lakh from all sources (salary, agriculture, business, profession, etc.).
• The candidate’s family should not own the following assets:
  • Residential plot of 200 sq. yards or more in non-notified municipalities.
  • Residential flat of 1000 sq. ft. or more.
  • Agricultural land of 5 acres or more.
• The EWS certificate must be issued by a competent authority (Tehsildar/Revenue Officer/SDM) as per the prescribed format by the Government of India.
• The certificate must be valid for the financial year 2025–2026 and produced during JoSAA counselling.

Documents Required for EWS Reservation

To claim EWS reservation, candidates must upload and later produce the following documents:

1. Income and Asset Certificate (in the prescribed format available on the official NTA/JoSAA website).
2. Duly signed declaration form (if required by the counselling authority).
3. Recent passport-size photograph and Aadhaar-based proof (to verify applicant identity).

The EWS certificate issued on or after April 1, 2025, will be considered valid for JEE Main 2026. Outdated certificates will not be accepted during verification.

By fulfilling these EWS reservation criteria and submitting the correct documents for EWS reservation, candidates can ensure their category benefits are accurately applied during seat allocation in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

JEE Mains 2026 OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) Reservation Criteria

The OBC-NCL Reservation under JEE Main 2026 provides a 27% seat quota for candidates belonging to the Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) as per the Central Government list. It aims to ensure equitable access to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs for students from socially and economically backward backgrounds.

Eligibility Conditions

To qualify for the OBC-NCL category, candidates must:

• Belong to the central list of OBCs issued by the Government of India (not just the state list).
• Belong to the Non-Creamy Layer, meaning the annual family income must be below ₹8 lakh.
• The income limit is evaluated based on income from salaries, business, agriculture, and other sources, excluding government-specified exceptions.
• The category status must be valid as of the financial year 2025–2026.

Documents Required

Candidates must submit:

1. OBC-NCL Certificate (Central List) issued on or after April 1, 2025, in the prescribed format available on the NTA or JoSAA website.
2. Self-declaration form, if required by the counselling authority.
3. Identity proof (Aadhaar/PAN) matching the name on the certificate.

Note: State-specific OBC certificates are not valid unless the caste is also listed in the central OBC list. Candidates failing to meet these conditions will be treated as General category.

JEE Mains 2026 SC/ST Reservation Criteria

The SC/ST Reservation Policy for JEE Main 2026 follows constitutional guidelines to promote inclusion for candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). These categories enjoy 15% and 7.5% seat reservations respectively in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

Eligibility Conditions

• The candidate must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) as per the central list issued by the Government of India.
• The caste or tribe name must appear in the central list, not only in the state list.
• Proof must clearly mention the candidate’s caste/tribe, issuing authority, and state/UT of origin.

Documents Required

1. SC/ST Caste Certificate in the Government of India–prescribed format.
2. Certificate must be issued by a competent authority, such as District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Officer, or Tehsildar.
3. The document should include the candidate’s name, father’s name, caste/tribe name, and seal/signature of the issuing officer.

Important: Certificates that are illegible, incomplete, or state-level only may lead to rejection during JoSAA counselling. Candidates should verify the authenticity of their certificate before submission.

PwD (Persons with Disability) Reservation

The PwD Reservation in JEE Main 2026 ensures equal opportunities for candidates with benchmark disabilities, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. A 5% horizontal reservation is applied across all categories — General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS.

Eligibility Conditions

• The candidate must have a minimum of 40% benchmark disability as certified by a competent medical authority.
• The disability may include conditions such as:
  • Visual impairment
  • Hearing impairment
  • Locomotor disability
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Chronic neurological conditions or other listed disabilities under government norms.

Documents Required

1. Valid Disability Certificate issued by a notified medical authority (such as a government hospital).
2. UDID (Unique Disability ID) Card, issued under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, can also be used as proof.
3. For candidates requiring a scribe, a separate Scribe Request Form must be filled and approved before the exam.

Note: The disability certificate or UDID card must clearly mention the percentage and type of disability to be considered valid for PwD reservation eligibility during JEE Main 2026 admissions.

This section clarifies every major reservation category — OBC-NCL, SC/ST, and PwD — along with the exact documents and eligibility conditions required. Submitting updated and authentic certificates ensures smooth document verification and prevents disqualification during JoSAA counselling.

Home State (HS) vs. Other State (OS) Quota Explained (50% Seat Distribution)

The Home State Quota in NITs is one of the biggest factors shaping cut-offs and seat chances. By rule, 50% of seats are reserved for Home State (HS) candidates, while the remaining 50% go to Other State (OS) candidates. Understanding how Home State vs Other State seats are assigned—and what counts as your “home state”—is critical before filling preferences in JoSAA.

Quick Snapshot: HS vs OS at a Glance

What Counts as ‘Home State’ (State Code of Eligibility)

Candidates Home State is determined by the state/UT from which student passed Class 12 (or equivalent), not by native place, domicile certificate, or where you live currently. In JoSAA, this appears as your State Code of Eligibility (SCE).

• If Class 12 was passed in State X → SCE = State X → You compete for HS seats in the NIT of State X; for all other NITs, you are OS.
• CBSE/ISC/State Board schools: The location of the school/board center that issued the Class 12 qualification determines SCE.
• Repeaters/Improvement: The latest qualifying exam’s state (as accepted by JoSAA) governs SCE.
• Change of residence after Class 12: No impact—SCE stays tied to the Class 12 state.
• Name/Category change has no effect on SCE; it only affects category mapping.

Documents typically checked: Class 12 mark sheet/certificate (shows board and state), and your JEE 2026 application details carrying the State Code of Eligibility.

Why HS vs OS Matters (Cut-off Behaviour)

• HS cut-offs can be lenient or tougher depending on the state’s competition and that NIT’s popularity/branch demand.
• OS cut-offs reflect nationwide competition for the other 50% seats.
• Branches like CSE/ECE in high-demand NITs often remain tight in both HS and OS pools.
• Smaller states with lower applicant density may show more relaxed HS closing ranks in specific branches.

Examples (for clarity)

• You studied Class 12 in Rajasthan → HS for NIT Jaipur (MNIT), OS everywhere else.
• You are originally from Bihar but finished Class 12 in Kota (Rajasthan) → HS = Rajasthan (native state does not apply).
• You moved to Maharashtra for college prep after Class 12 in West Bengal → HS remains West Bengal.

IIITs & GFTIs: Institute-Specific Variations

• IIITs: Many operate on All-India quota only; some IIITs have state-preference or special seats for local candidates. Always verify via the JoSAA seat matrix for that year.
• GFTIs: Policies vary widely—some follow All-India, others include state-linked quotas. Check each institute’s official brochure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing domicile with Home State:Domicile is irrelevant for NIT HS; Class 12 state decides.
• Assuming IITs have HS quota:IITs do not—they use All India ranks only.
• Relying on old/incorrect SCE: Ensure your JEE application reflects the correct Class 12 state to avoid HS/OS misallocation.

How Reservation Impacts JEE Main 2026 Cutoffs & Closing Ranks

The reservation policy in JEE Main 2026 plays a key role in determining both qualifying cutoffs and admission cutoffs during JoSAA counselling. Each category—GEN, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PwD—has its own percentile range and closing ranks that reflect the level of competition within that category.

Understanding the difference between the JEE Main qualifying percentile and the admission closing rank helps in predicting college chances more accurately.

JEE Main Qualifying Cutoff vs. Admission Cutoff (Category-Wise)

The qualifying cutoff refers to the minimum percentile required to be eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. It is released by NTA after the JEE Main result.

The admission cutoff, on the other hand, is the closing rank at which a particular seat in an NIT, IIIT, or GFTI is filled during JoSAA counselling. It varies for each category, institute, branch, and even between Home State (HS) and Other State (OS) seats.

Here are the Official JEE Main 2025 Qualifying Cutoffs, which are the latest baseline for 2026 projections:

Key Difference:

• Qualifying Cutoff = Eligibility to appear for JEE Advanced.
• Admission Cutoff (Closing Rank) = The final rank where the last seat is allotted in a specific college branch.

This distinction is critical for aspirants tracking category-wise cutoff scores and planning their JoSAA counselling strategy.

Impact of Reservation on Closing Ranks for Top NITs & IIITs

Reservation significantly impacts closing ranks. Reserved categories (EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST) have higher (more relaxed) closing ranks, allowing students to secure seats in competitive branches even with a lower All India Rank (AIR).

The Home State (HS) vs. Other State (OS) quota is often the most dramatic factor. Let's look at the actual JoSAA 2025 (Round 6) closing ranks for a high-demand branch: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at NIT Trichy.

Example: JoSAA 2025 Closing Ranks — NIT Trichy (CSE)

1. Massive Home State (HS) Advantage: The most significant impact remains the Home State quota. A General (HS) candidate could get a seat with a rank of 7,922, while an Other State (OS) candidate needed a rank under 1,000.
2. Intense OS Competition: For top NITs, the competition for Other State seats is exceptionally high across all categories. The closing rank for an ST (OS) candidate was an incredible 38.
3. SC/ST Rank Gaps (HS): The data clearly shows the rank relaxation in the Home State quota, where the SC closing rank (1,180) and ST rank (2,710) were significantly more relaxed.

Historical Cutoff Trend: Closing Ranks by Category (Last 3 Years)

By analyzing the JoSAA 2023, 2024, and 2025 data, we can see the competition trend. Let's track the same high-demand branch: NIT Trichy CSE (Other State).

Historical Trend: NIT Trichy CSE (Other State) Closing Ranks

As the official data from the last three years shows, for top-tier branches, the closing ranks are becoming more competitive (i.e., the rank number is getting lower) across all categories, including the reserved ones. The "gap" between categories remains, but the overall competition for premier seats is intensifying.

• Reservation policies create distinct admission paths. The two biggest factors are your Category (Vertical/Horizontal) and your Quota (Home State vs. Other State).
• Candidates must track the latest JoSAA 2025 closing ranks for their desired college and branch, not just the general qualifying percentile.
• Understanding these trends enables better choice-filling during counselling and allows for realistic college predictions based on your specific category and rank.

How to Claim Your Reservation: A Step-by-Step Guide

This section walks you through exactly how to claim your category-based reservation benefits in Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) 2026 for admission via JEE Main. Follow each step carefully—missing any document, selecting the wrong category, or using an invalid certificate can lead to loss of your reservation benefit.

Step 1: During JEE Main 2026 Registration

• At the time of filling the registration form for JEE Main 2026, select your reservation category accurately—GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD—based on your eligibility and documentation.
• Once the form is submitted, you cannot generally change your category later during JoSAA counselling.
• Make sure the category selected aligns with the certificate you will produce later; preparing an EWS or OBC-NCL certificate after registration might not guarantee category change acceptance.

Step 2: Preparing Your Documents (Certificate Validity)

• For GEN-EWS Reservation, ensure the Income and Asset Certificate is in the format prescribed by the Government of India and by JoSAA. For JEE Main/JoSAA 2026, certificates issued on or after April 1, 2025 were required in prior years; check the 2026 notification for the exact date.
• For OBC-NCL Reservation, the certificate must clearly state inclusion in the Central OBC list, be valid for the admission year, and often must be issued on or after a specified date.
• For SC/ST Reservation, the caste certificate must be in the Government of India / JoSAA-prescribed format; these are generally permanent unless stated otherwise.
• For PwD Reservation, a valid disability certificate (benchmark ≥ 40%) or UDID card is required, issued by a notified medical authority.
• Upload scanned copies of these certificates during counselling and carry original documents for physical verification. Certificate format must match the prescribed JoSAA forms. 

Step 3: During JoSAA Counselling 2026

• Register on the JoSAA portal once your JEE Main or JEE Advanced result is declared. This registration confirms your participation in the seat‐allocation process.
• While filling choices and locking them, upload the scanned category certificate and other required documents (Class X/XII mark sheets, JEE Mains admit card, etc.). Ensure your proof exactly matches the category selected.
• If any certificate is found invalid or not in correct format, your reservation category may be changed to General and you will lose your reserved category benefit.
• After seat allotment, report to the allotted institute and carry original documents for verification and admission. Once verification is complete, your seat under the claimed reservation category will become confirmed.