What is the JEE Mains Reservation Percentage 2026, and How Does Reservation Work in JEE Mains?
The JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 have been officially released by NTA on jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates must review the latest reservation in JEE Mains to understand eligibility, seat allocation, and category-specific benefits for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwD candidates.
These reservation percentages apply to seat allotment and counselling for NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs through JEE Main. Understanding the JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 is crucial for all candidates, as it directly impacts admission chances and eligibility for reserved seats.
Always check the detailed category-wise guidelines and latest government updates before applying.
Also Check: JEE Mains 2026 Registration JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates
Central Government Institutes: JEE Main Reservation Percentages 2026
Candidates should know that the JEE Main reservation criteria 2026 offer benefits like lower application fees, reduced cutoff marks, and admission fee relaxation for reserved categories. The JEE Mains reservation percentage applies to OBC, EWS, SC, ST, PwD, and sometimes female candidates.
Institutes may also have home-state or special female reservations in JEE Main 2026. Check the latest reservation in JEE Mains and verify your documents to take full advantage of these benefits during admission.
Top Cities and Colleges Accepting JEE Main 2026 Scores
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026 for OBC-NCL
For JEE Main 2026, OBC reservation applies to candidates from the Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) included in the Central List published by the NCBC. Applicants who belong to this list must select the OBC-NCL option while filling out the JEE Main 2026 application form.
Only candidates listed under the Central OBC list are eligible for the OBC reservation in JEE Mains. This reservation is also considered during admissions to NITs, IIITs, and other central government institutions. Candidates who are only included in their state’s OBC list (and not in the Central list) will need to apply under the General category.
For successful admission through the OBC quota, ensure that your category certificate meets the latest eligibility guidelines as specified for JEE Main 2026.
JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
Candidates with a 40% or higher disability (as certified by a recognised authority) are eligible for reservation benefits under the JEE Main 2026 PwD category. This reservation ensures fair opportunities and support during the admission process to NITs, IIITs, and other central institutions.
The following disabilities are considered for the PwD reservation in JEE Mains 2026:
Blindness or low vision
Deafness or hard of hearing
Locomotor disabilities (including cerebral palsy, leprosy, dwarfism, acid attack survivors, and muscular dystrophy)
Autism, intellectual disability, specific learning disabilities, and mental health conditions
Multiple disabilities (combination of two or more disabilities)
Any other disabilities as notified by the government
To claim these benefits, candidates must provide a valid disability certificate when applying. Review the latest guidelines on jeemain.nta.nic.in and ensure your documents are updated to avail of the PwD reservation quota for JEE Main 2026.
JEE Main 2026 – Specified Disability Categories Under the PwD Quota
Female Reservation in JEE Mains 2026
To support gender diversity in engineering, many colleges participating in JEE Main offer a dedicated female reservation in JEE Mains 2026. This policy is designed to motivate and assist more women in pursuing engineering careers. Typically, about 5% of seats are set aside for women candidates, creating more opportunities and fostering inclusivity in technical education.
Women who wish to benefit from this reservation should apply through the official Women Quota System while filling out the JEE Main application form. By taking advantage of the JEE Main Reservation for Women Candidates 2026, women aspirants contribute to a more balanced and diverse engineering environment across India.
EWS Reservation in JEE Mains 2026
The EWS reservation in JEE Mains 2026 provides a dedicated 10% quota for candidates from Economically Weaker Sections. This initiative is designed to promote equal opportunities and make engineering education more accessible to deserving students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
By availing the EWS quota in JEE Mains, eligible candidates gain a better chance at securing admission in top engineering institutes across India. The policy aims to support social equity and foster a diverse, merit-driven academic environment; ensuring that economic barriers do not limit talented students.
For detailed eligibility and how to apply for the JEE Main Reservation EWS Quota 2026, candidates should refer to the latest guidelines on the official NTA website.
JEE Main Reservation in State Universities: Home State vs Other State Quota
How to Claim Reservation in JEE Main 2026
To get the benefits of reservation in JEE Main 2026, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: While filling the JEE Main 2026 application form, select your correct reserved category (like SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, or PwD). You don’t need to upload your category certificate at this stage, but make sure you choose the right option because you can’t change it later.
Step 2: During JEE Main 2026 counselling, you must show valid documents (such as caste or category certificates) to prove your eligibility for reservation.
Step 3: If you can’t provide valid proof during counselling, you’ll be considered under the general (unreserved) category.
Documents Needed for JEE Main 2026 Reservation
When claiming a reservation in JEE Main 2026, just selecting your category on the application form isn’t enough. You’ll need to show valid documents as proof during counselling. The main documents required are:
Category certificate (issued in the correct format by the relevant authority)
Caste or Tribe certificate (for SC or ST candidates)
UDID Card or Disability certificate (for candidates applying under the PwD category)
Also Check: JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria JEE Mains 2026 Exam Pattern
JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria for Institutes of National Importance
Many top engineering colleges in India use JEE Main scores for admissions and have their own reservation rules. Here’s how reservation works in major institutes:
IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology): Admissions are based only on the All India Quota. There is no separate home state quota for IITs.
IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology): Admissions are based on both the All India Quota and Home State/Other State quotas.
GFTIs (Government Funded Technical Institutes): Most GFTIs use the All India Quota for admissions. However, some (like Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra; IIEST Shibpur; and Assam University, Silchar) offer a home state quota in addition to the All India Quota for eligible candidates.
NITs (National Institutes of Technology): NITs allocate seats through both State Quota (for students from the same state) and Other State Quota (for students from other states).
Home State Quota for Union Territories in NITs (JEE Main 2026)
JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria for NIT Warangal and NIT Goa
Important Study Materials Links for JEE Exams
FAQs on JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwD Candidates
1. How much reservation is there for SC, ST, and OBC in JEE Mains?
As per the JEE main reservation criteria 2026, the reservation percentage is 15% for Scheduled Castes (SC), 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 27% for Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) in central government educational institutions. These quotas are part of the total JEE mains reservation percentage applied during seat allocation and admissions.
2. What is the 80/20 rule in JEE Mains?
The 80/20 rule in JEE Mains, also known as the Pareto Principle, means that around 80% of the exam marks are typically derived from just 20% of the syllabus. Focusing on these high-yield topics can help candidates maximise their scores and take better advantage of the available reservation in JEE mains.
3. What is the new SC, ST reservation rule?
The established sc reservation in JEE mains remains at 15% and for ST it is 7.5% for direct recruitment and admissions, including in educational institutions. Some government departments and states may have specific implementation details, but the overall policy is based on these central guidelines for reservation in JEE mains.
4. Can reservations exceed the 50 percent cap in JEE Mains?
Generally, the Supreme Court of India has set a 50% cap on total reservation. However, exceptions exist—such as the introduction of the 10% EWS reservation in JEE mains, which is outside the backward class reservation cap. Some states, based on recent caste data or local policies, may implement quotas exceeding 50%, but these are special cases and subject to legal review.
5. Is a category certificate required for JEE Main 2026?
Yes, as per the JEE main reservation criteria 2026, candidates applying under reserved categories—such as OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, or PwD—must upload their valid category certificate while filling the JEE Main 2026 application form.
6. Is JEE Main 2026 reservation for PwD candidates available as an overall 5%?
No, the 5% JEE mains reservation percentage for PwD is not an overall quota. Instead, 5% reservation is provided to PwD candidates within each category (GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST) as per the JEE reservation in 2026.
7. Is EWS certificate required for JEE Mains registration?
Yes, candidates applying under the ews reservation in JEE mains are required to upload a valid EWS (Economically Weaker Section) certificate for JEE Main 2026 registration.
8. Who is eligible for state quota in JEE?
Eligibility for the state quota under the reservation in JEE mains is based on passing the 12th board exam or equivalent from a specific state. The Home State Quota applies to candidates who have completed their Class 12 from that state, while others may apply through the Other State Quota.
9. Who can avail JEE Main reservation benefits?
As per the JEE mains reservation criteria 2026, candidates from the following categories can avail reservation benefits: GEN-EWS (10%), OBC-NCL (27%), SC (15%), ST (7.5%), and PwD (5% within each category). Additionally, some institutes may offer female reservation in JEE mains 2026 for women candidates.
