Physics Wallah

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026, Category-wise Reservation, EWS & NIT Home-State Quota

Get the official JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026: category-wise percentages for OBC-NCL (27%), SC (15%), ST (7.5%), EWS (10%), PwD (5%), and how NIT home-state/other-state quotas work. Learn required certificates, counseling steps, and FAQs to claim reservation benefits.
authorImageShrivastav 5 Dec, 2025
Share

Share

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026

The JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 released by NTA outlines how seats are distributed across categories such as SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwD. Many students search for JEE Mains reservation percentage or reservation category in JEE, and this guide explains the official reservation rules, NIT home-state quota, and eligibility requirements clearly.

JEE Main Reservation Overview 2026

The reservation criteria in JEE Main ensure fair access for students from various backgrounds. As per government norms, NTA applies fixed JEE Main reservation percentages across all centrally funded technical institutions.

This overview helps students understand how each reservation category works, which is essential during JoSAA and CSAB counselling.

Category-wise Reservation Table (2026)

Below is the official JEE Main reservation percentage table commonly searched under queries such as reservation in JEE Mains and JEE reservation percentage.

Categories JEE Main Reservation Percentage
General Economically Weaker Sections (GEN-EWS) 10%
Scheduled Castes (SC) 15%
Scheduled Tribes (ST) 7.5%
Non-Creamy Layer of Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) 27%
Persons with Disabilities 5% in each category

SC & ST Reservation

SC candidates receive 15% reservation while ST candidates receive 7.5% reservation in JEE Main. These percentages apply during JoSAA and CSAB counselling. Students searching SC reservation in JEE Mains or ST reservation in JEE often want clarity on how these rules influence seat allotment across NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

OBC-NCL Reservation (27%)

The OBC-NCL category receives 27% reservation in JEE Main. Queries such as OBC reservation in JEE Mains, OBC-NCL reservation in JEE, and What is OBC NCL in JEE Mains highlight the need for clarity.

Key details:

  • Candidate must be listed under the central OBC non-creamy layer list.

  • Certificate must follow the Government of India format.

  • Certificate should be issued after April 1, 2026.

  • Invalid or missing certificates during counselling will shift the candidate to the General category.

EWS Reservation (10%)

Candidates belonging to the General-Economically Weaker Section receive 10% reservation. Common searches include EWS reservation in JEE Mains, What is General EWS in JEE Mains, and which EWS certificate is required for JEE Mains.

Eligibility requirements:

  • Annual family income must be less than ₹8 lakh.

  • Valid EWS certificate for the current financial year is mandatory.

  • Applicable across NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

PwD Reservation (5%)

Under JEE Main, 5% PwD reservation is available within each category (General, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS). Searches for PwD reservation in JEE Mains and PwD quota highlight the importance of this category.

Eligible disabilities include:

  • Locomotor disabilities

  • Hearing impairment

  • Visual impairment

  • Other benchmark disabilities

Candidates must present a valid PwD certificate issued by a recognized medical authority.

 

Documents & How to Claim Reservation (Counselling)

Students often search how to claim reservation in JEE Main, what documents are required, and caste certificate for JEE Mains 2026. Below is the process.

Steps to Claim Reservation:

  1. Select your reservation category while filling the JEE Main application form.

  2. No certificates are required during registration.

  3. During JoSAA and CSAB counselling, candidates must upload valid category certificates.

  4. Invalid or missing certificates will categorize the applicant under General.

Required Certificates (OBC-NCL, EWS, SC/ST, PwD)

Common queries include which EWS certificate is required for JEE Mains, is non-creamy layer certificate required for JEE Mains, and OBC certificate for JEE Mains 2026.

Candidates must prepare:

  • SC/ST caste certificate in the prescribed format

  • OBC-NCL certificate issued after April 1, 2026

  • GEN-EWS certificate for the current financial year

  • PwD disability certificate issued by a competent medical board

Also Check:

 

NIT Reservation - Home State vs Other State Quota

Queries such as home state quota in NIT, what is home state quota in NIT, and NIT home state quota eligibility show that this topic is crucial for aspirants.

NITs follow a 50% Home State (HS) and 50% Other State (OS) reservation rule:

  • Candidates whose domicile matches the NIT’s state fall under the Home State quota.

  • Others fall under the Other State quota.

  • Category reservations (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD) remain applicable in both quotas.

Union Territories & NIT Mapping

Since many union territories do not have their own NIT, NTA has mapped them to specific institutes.

Union Territories NITs
Andaman & Nicobar Islands NIT Puducherry
Lakshadweep NIT Goa
Daman and Diu NIT Goa
Dadar and Nagar Haveli NIT Goa
Chandigarh NIT Delhi

This mapping determines home-state quota eligibility.

NIT Warangal & NIT Goa: Local Rules

Some NITs have additional reservation structures.

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

Common Queries & Myths (Quick Answers)

Students frequently search:

  • Is there any reservation in JEE Mains?

  • Is EWS applicable for JEE Mains?

  • Does OBC get reservation in JEE?

Quick clarifications:

  • Yes, reservation exists for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwD categories.

  • EWS reservation applies across all centrally funded institutes.

  • OBC-NCL candidates get reservation only with valid and updated certificates.

Study Material For JEE 2026 Preparation

Physics Wallah offers comprehensive study material for JEE 2026 preparation . The material includes video lectures, detailed notes, practice questions, mock tests, and doubt-solving sessions, covering all JEE syllabus topics to help students excel in the exam.
 
 

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 FAQs

What is OBC-NCL in JEE Main?

OBC-NCL stands for Other Backward Classes — Non-Creamy Layer. Candidates in the central OBC-NCL list who meet non-creamy layer income/asset criteria can claim 27% reservation in central admissions. A valid OBC-NCL certificate issued by competent authority is required during counselling.

Which EWS certificate is required for JEE Main?

A valid EWS certificate issued by the prescribed authority (state/central) for the relevant financial year is required. The certificate should state the candidate’s family income/assets fall below the EWS threshold and must be uploaded/produced at document verification during counselling.

What is home-state quota in NITs?

Home-state quota reserves 50% of seats in each NIT for candidates whose domicile matches the institute’s state/UT. The remaining 50% is for other-state candidates. Domicile rules and supporting documents decide eligibility during JoSAA/CSAB seat allocation.

Is a non-creamy-layer certificate required for JEE Main?

Yes to avail OBC-NCL reservation, candidates must produce a non-creamy-layer certificate issued as per government format and within validity dates. Without it, the candidate will be treated as general/unreserved at counselling.

How much reservation is there for SC and ST in JEE Main?

SC candidates are allotted 15% and ST candidates 7.5% of seats in central institutions under JEE Main reservation rules. These reservations apply across JoSAA/CSAB participating institutes unless a state college follows different state norms.
Popup Close ImagePopup Open Image
Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!
Popup Image
CTA Image
07290070560
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconMillions of practice questions at your fingertips
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others
Privacy Policy
Terms of use
Copyright © 2025 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.
Get App