JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for SC/ST/EWS/PwD Candidates

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for OBC-NCL

There is a list of other backward classes (non-creamy layer) on the website of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) called the Central list which has to be followed under JEE Main reservation percentage 2026. Those candidates who fall under this list will be selecting the option of OBC reservation in JEE Mains while filling out the JEE Mains 2026 application form. There will be OBC reservations in IIT and SC reservations in JEE mains based on the scores. Other candidates who fall under the OBC list as per the list of their respective states will have to choose the General category.

Persons with Disabilities (PwD) under JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026

Candidates who are suffering from 40% or more disability (specified disability) as certified by the certifying authority can claim benefits from JEE Main 2026 reservation criteria. Given below are the categories of specified disabilities to be considered under the PwD category:

• Blindness and low vision

• Deaf and hard of hearing

• Locomotor disabilities including cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack victims, and muscular dystrophy

• Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, and mental illness,

• Multiple disabilities

• Other specified disabilities

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026- Specified Disability Categories

JEE Main Reservation for Women Candidates

Recognizing the importance of gender diversity in the field of engineering, many institutions participating in JEE Main have introduced a reservation policy specifically for women candidates. This initiative aims to empower and encourage more women to pursue engineering education. Generally, around 5% of seats are reserved for women aspirants, ensuring equal opportunities and promoting inclusivity in technical education. Women candidates applying for JEE Main can avail of this reservation by applying through the designated Women Quota System, contributing to the growth of a more balanced and diverse engineering community.

JEE Main Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)

Recognizing the importance of providing equal opportunities, the JEE Main exam extends reservation benefits to candidates under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category. Approximately 5% of the total seats are set aside for PwD candidates across all categories. To avail themselves of this reservation, candidates should have a disability of 40% or more, which encompasses various types of impairments such as locomotor, visual, and severe dyslexic conditions. This inclusive approach aims to create an environment where candidates with disabilities can pursue their engineering aspirations without any hindrances, fostering diversity and representation within the technical education landscape. Students can check the JEE PWD criteria on this article.

JEE Main Reservation EWS Quota

In the pursuit of promoting inclusivity and providing equal opportunities, the JEE Main exam introduces reservation benefits for candidates from various categories. Candidates belonging to Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) can avail of a reservation benefit of 10% of the total seats. EWS Reservation in JEE Mains steps towards social equity ensure that deserving candidates from economically disadvantaged backgrounds have an enhanced chance to secure admissions to engineering institutions. The EWS Quota in JEE Mains initiative contributes to creating a diverse and inclusive academic environment, where talent transcends economic constraints. Candidates can refer to the JEE Quota on this page.

JEE Main Reservation in State Universities

The JEE Main reservation system extends to state universities, aiming to provide opportunities to candidates from different regions. Two primary categories define this reservation:

Home State Quota: Candidates who have passed their class XII examinations from a specific state and have also cleared the JEE Main exam are eligible for the home state quota. Under this quota, eligibility for home state quota in NIT candidates receive preference in admissions to institutes within their home state compared to candidates from other states.

Other State Quota: This category encompasses JEE Main candidates who are applying from states and union territories other than their home state. While these candidates may not enjoy the same preference as home state candidates, they can still compete for seats at the state universities.

The process to claim a Reservation in JEE Main 2026

To claim the benefits provided for candidates under reserved categories, candidates have to follow certain formalities. Given below are the steps to claim an IIT reservation percentage in JEE Mains 2026

• The very first step that candidates have to take is filling out the JEE Main 2026 application form which requires them to fill in various details including the category under which they fall. They are not required to provide the category proof at this stage. So, if a student misses selecting the correct reserved category, the authorities do not accept further claims.

• At the time of JEE Main 2026 counselling, candidates will be required to produce certain documents including that of caste or category certificate.

• Those candidates who are unable to show proof of having a claim under JEE Main reservation percentage 2026 will be taken as candidates under the unreserved or general category.

Documents Required under JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria

Just a statement or mere clicking on the reserved category while applying shall not be enough and candidates will be required to provide certain proofs as mentioned below for a claim as per reservation criteria 2026 of JEE Main:

• Category certificate issued in the prescribed format by the competent authority

• Caste or Tribe certificates in case of SC/ ST

• UDUD Card or Disability certificate issued by the competent authority in case of Persons with a disability

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 in Institutes of National Importance

Various institutes take up admissions into engineering courses through IIT JEE Main, and they have their reservation criteria. Talking about the Institutes of national importance, given below are the reservations in IIT JEE Advanced 2026 for such institutes:

• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) - All the Indian Institutes of Technology are under the central government and thus, they follow the All India Quota while offering admissions into engineering courses.

• Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) - Admissions into IITs are based on All India Quota as well as Home State and Other State Quotas.

• Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) - As per JEE Main reservation criteria in GFTIs, admissions are made on an All India Quota basis except for Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, and IIEST Shibpur wherein home state quota and other state quota are applicable, and Assam University, Silchar where home state quota is applicable for candidates belonging to Assam state and others are considered on All India basis.

• National Institutes of Technology (NITs) - Unlike the IITs, the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) offer engineering admissions as per State Quota and Other State Quota basis.

JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria in NITs

According to the IIT JEE reservation percentage 2026 in the NITs, 50% of seats stand reserved under the home state quota for eligible candidates, while the rest of 50% is left for candidates of other states. Herein, the ‘Home State Quota’ stands for reservation for candidates belonging to the state where the particular NIT is located, while the ‘Other State Quota’ reflects the candidates under reserved categories and belonging to a state other than the one in which that NIT is located.

It may be noted that the National Institutes of Technology are not there for all the states and Union Territories in India, thus the table below contains the home state quota to be considered in such cases:

UTs and Home State Quota in NITs

It may be noted that the above criteria apply to all the NITs except for Warangal and Goa. For these NITs, the table below reflects the JEE Main 2026 reservation criteria followed:

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for NIT Warangal and Goa