WBJEE Reservation Criteria 2026: Category-Wise Rules and Eligibility

Understanding the WBJEE Reservation Criteria 2026 is important for students who wish to secure seats in West Bengal’s engineering and pharmacy colleges through reserved categories. The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations Board (WBJEEB) follows specific reservation rules for SC, ST, OBC-A, OBC-B, PwD, EWS, and TFW categories to ensure fair opportunities in admission. Knowing whether you qualify for a reservation, what documents are required, and how the policy works can help you plan better before counselling begins.

WBJEE Reservation Criteria 2026 Overview

The reservation policy applies primarily to candidates who are residents of West Bengal. Candidates from other states are generally treated as General category students, regardless of their category in their home state. The reservation is applicable in various government and self-financing institutions across the state.

WBJEE Reservation Criteria 2026 for SC

Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates who are permanent residents of West Bengal are eligible for reservation benefits.

• Seat Allocation: A specific percentage of seats in government colleges is reserved for SC candidates as per state government norms.

• Documentation: Candidates must provide a valid SC certificate issued by a competent authority in West Bengal (e.g., Sub-Divisional Officer or District Magistrate).

• Eligibility: The certificate must be in the name of the candidate and should specify the sub-caste recognised by the West Bengal government.

WBJEE Reservation Criteria 2026 for ST

Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates follow similar domicile and documentation protocols as SC candidates.

• Reservation Benefits: Reserved seats are available in both Engineering and Pharmacy courses for ST applicants.

• Verification: During the counselling process, ST certificates must be verified. Certificates issued by authorities outside West Bengal are not accepted for reservation benefits.

WBJEE Reservation Criteria 2026 for OBC

The Other Backwards Classes (OBC) category in West Bengal is divided into two sub-categories: OBC-A and OBC-B.

• OBC-A and OBC-B: These categories have separate seat allocations in government-aided institutions.

• Non-Creamy Layer (NCL): Candidates must often provide an NCL certificate to prove they do not fall under the "creamy layer" to claim a reservation.

• State List: Only castes included in the West Bengal state list for OBC are eligible for these benefits.

WBJEE Reservation Criteria 2026 for PwD

The Persons with Disabilities (PwD) reservation is a horizontal reservation, meaning it applies within each category (General, SC, ST, etc.).

• Criteria: Generally, candidates with a minimum of 40% disability are eligible.

• Medical Board: Candidates must be certified by a recognised medical board or authorised hospital as specified by the WBJEEB.

• Special Considerations: Specific types of disabilities (Locomotor, Visual, Hearing, etc.) are recognised under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.

WBJEE Reservation Criteria 2026 for EWS

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation is for candidates from the General category who meet the financial criteria set by the government.

• Income Limit: Candidates must have a family income below the specified threshold (typically ₹8 Lakhs per annum).

• Certificate: An EWS certificate must be issued by a designated government official, such as a Block Development Officer (BDO) or higher.

• Seat Availability: EWS seats are over and above the regular intake in many institutions.

WBJEE Reservation Criteria 2026 for JEE Main Quota

The JEE Main Quota is specifically designed for candidates who wish to take admission in private/self-financing engineering and technology colleges in West Bengal through their JEE Main ranks.

• Allocation: Approximately 10% of seats in private engineering colleges are reserved for JEE Main rank holders.

• All India Basis: Unlike other categories, the JEE Main quota is often open to candidates from all over India, not just West Bengal.

• Separate Counselling: Candidates must register separately for the JEE Main quota seats during the WBJEE counselling process.

Tuition Fee Waiver (TFW) Scheme

The TFW scheme is an additional benefit for meritorious students from economically weak backgrounds.

• Waiver: It provides a 100% waiver on the tuition fee component.

• Income Criteria: Family income must be below ₹2.5 Lakhs per annum.

• Applicability: Available in all government colleges and many private institutions.