JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026: Category-Wise Seats Percentage

JEE Main Reservation Criteria differ every year. There are a limited number of seats for the JEE Main 2026 examination. It is very important for all aspirants. In simple words, it directly impacts aspirants' eligibility and admission chances. Moreover, always check the latest updates and guidelines before applying for any exam. The reservation criteria for JEE Main 2026 is 27% for OBC/NCL, 15% for SC, 10% for EWS, 7.5% for ST, and 5% for PwD candidates.

There are several benefits, like admission fee relaxation, reduced cutoff marks, and lower application fees for reserved categories. Around 59.5% seats are for PwD, SC/ST, and OBC candidates. Moreover, 40.5% seats are reserved for the General category in the JEE Main 2026 Exam. Here is the JEE Main reservation criteria for 2026:

Note:

1: Reservation benefits are only provided to the tribes, castes, or classes registered under the central reservation list published by the Govt of India.

2: OBC/NCL is defined by the list on the NCBC website.

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 Overview

JEE Main offers reserved seats for PwD, EWS, OBC, and SC/ST applicants. Every reserved applicant must have the required certificate based on their reserved category. Students can use the JEE Main College Predictor Tool to get the expected college results based on the reserved category. Here is the required reservation criteria for each category:

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for OBC/NCL

The OBC Reservation Criteria only applies to Other Backwards Class or Non-Creamy Layer candidates. Applicants belonging to this category must choose the OBC/NCL option. Applicants listed under the OBC or NCL category will also be considered during IITs, NITS, and central government institutions.

However, applicants listed under the State government’s OBC list and not on the central list will not be able to apply under this category. Those candidates will have to apply under the General category. Make sure that the reservation certificate follows the latest eligibility guidelines. Candidates can download the list of other backward classes (non-creamy layers) on the NCBC official website. Students can check the JEE Main Cutoff to have a better understanding. Here is the JEE Main Reservation Criteria for the OBC/NCL candidates:

• Candidate/Applicant must be listed under the OBC/NCL list.
• Applicant/Candidate must have a valid certificate certified by the Government of India.
• The issue date of the certificate must be the current year.
• Incorrect or Missing information on the certificate will result in invalidation.
• Invalid candidates will be shifted to the General category.

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for SC/ST

Applicants from the SC category must have a valid category certificate from certified Indian authorities. They have 15% reserved seats in JEE Mains. The reserved percentage only applies to the CSAB or JoSAA counselling. There are 7.5% reserved seats for ST applicants in every course of JEE Mains 2026. Here is the JEE Main Reservation Criteria for SC/ST candidates:

• Applicants must be listed under the SC/ST category list released by the Govt of India.
• All the information listed in the certificate must be accurate.
• There should be no spelling errors in the certificate regarding name, surname, and parents’ names.

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for EWS

There is a dedicated 10% reserved quota for EWS or Economically Weaker Section candidates. This reservation system promotes equal opportunities to deserving candidates from the General category. Eligible candidates can avail the EWS quota and secure admission in top engineering institutes all over India. Reservation is only applicable for those candidates who fulfil the JEE Main Eligibility Criteria.

The EWS Reservation criteria support social equality, ensuring that talented students can’t be limited by economic barriers. The JEE Main Reservation Criteria for the EWS quota are listed below:

• Applicant’s total annual family income must not be more than 8 Lakhs.
• The EWS certificate must be for the current financial year.
• There should be no error in the candidate's or parents' name.
• The certificate should be issued by the state or central authorities.

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for PwD

Applicants who have a 40% or higher disability certificate will be able to get reservation benefits under the PwD category. Moreover, the certificate must be certified by a recognised authority. We have listed the disabilities below for PwD reservation in the 2026 JEE Mains:

• Low Vision / Blindness.
• Hard of Hearing / Deafness.
• Locomotor Disabilities
• Multiple Disabilities
• Disabilities certified by the government.

However, candidates need to offer a valid disability certificate to avail the PwD reservation quota. The following table will help applicants understand the JEE Main Reservation Criteria for the disability category clearly:

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for Females

Many colleges offer female reservations in JEE Mains. The reservation is designed to assist and motivate female candidates. As a result, it creates more opportunities for girls in technical education. Female candidates will have to apply through the Women Quota system during the JEE Main 2026 Application Process.

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for Home vs Other States

Applicants who passed the 12th class from the same state and cleared the JEE Main will have preference in admission to their home state institutes. On the other hand, students applying from any different union territory or state will have to compete for the state universities' seats. They will not get any preference similar to the home state applicants.

Home State Quota for Union Territories in NITs

Some NITs have an extra reservation structure for their students. Here is the home state quota list for union territories in NITs:

Category-wise JEE Main Reservation Percentage for 2026

JEE Main offers reservations for PwD, SC, ST, EWS, and OBC category students. The table includes category-wise reservation percentage for JEE Main 2026:

How to Claim Reservation in JEE Main 2026?

Follow these steps to avail the JEE Main Reservation Criteria benefits in JEE Main 2026:

• First of all, choose the correct reserved category while filling out the form.
• The candidate must select the right category because it can’t be changed later.
• After that, present valid reservation documents during the counselling process.
• Provide a scanned copy of all documents.
• Finally, claim the reservation for the required category.

Documents Required for JEE Main Reservation 2026

All JEE Main applicants will need some proof of valid documents during counselling. Here we have listed the required documents:

1. Disability Certificate.
2. UDID Card.
3. Caste Certificate.
4. Tribe Certificate.
5. Category Certificate.

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 FAQs