JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2025: SC, ST, EWS, and PwD Candidates

As the JEE Main 2025 exam approaches, understanding the JEE Main reservation criteria is crucial for candidates from various backgrounds. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has outlined specific JEE Mains Reservation Percentage to ensure fair access to education for all. The JEE Main Reservation Criteria include provisions for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates.

JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2025 are designed to promote diversity and inclusivity within engineering programs, allowing students from underrepresented groups to benefit from educational opportunities. These reservations play a significant role in the admission process, influencing seat allocation and eligibility requirements. By understanding the reservation criteria for JEE Main 2025, students can navigate the admission process more effectively and take full advantage of the opportunities available to them. Candidates can read the article below to clear up any confusion about the reservation criteria for more details.

JEE Main Reservation Percentage for Each Category

Under the JEE Main 2025 reservation criteria, distinct categories have been identified to ensure fair access to education. The allocation of seats is as follows:

EWS Reservation in JEE Mains 2025

The Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category is designed to support individuals who do not fall under reserved categories and have an annual income of less than 8 lakh rupees. This category aims to provide educational opportunities for those with limited financial resources. However, it's important to note that individuals belonging to SC, ST, or OBC categories are not eligible for the EWS quota. The EWS quota is a governmental initiative in India to ensure that students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds can access quality education.

Eligibility criteria for availing the EWS Reservation in JEE Mains are as follows:

• Gross Annual Income: The family of the candidate should have a gross annual income that is below Rs. 8 Lakh.

• Reservation Categories: The candidate should not belong to any of the reservation categories, including SC, ST, and OBC.

• Income and Asset Certificate: The candidate must possess a valid 'Income and Asset Certificate' issued by a government authority. This certificate serves as evidence of the candidate's eligibility for the EWS quota.

By adhering to these criteria, eligible candidates can benefit from the EWS quota in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for the year 2025. This initiative aims to create equitable opportunities for students from economically weaker backgrounds, enabling them to access quality education and contribute to their academic growth and future success.

Who Cannot Avail of the EWS Reservation in JEE Mains?

• The EWS quota is applicable only to undergraduate engineering programs.

• Candidates who are already covered under any other reservation category, such as SC/ST/PWD.

• Candidates whose family income exceeds Rs. 8 lakhs per annum.

• Candidates who own agricultural land of more than 5 acres.

• Candidates who own a residential house of more than 1000 square feet.

• Candidates who have a parent or sibling who is a government employee in Group A or Group B.

• Candidates who avail of the EWS quota will be required to submit an income certificate from the Income Tax Department.

• Candidates who are found to have misrepresented their income will be disqualified from the EWS Reservation in JEE Mains.

Documents Required for EWS Category

• Category Certificate: A certificate issued by a competent authority, proving that the candidate belongs to the EWS category. The certificate must be issued by the State Government/UT Administration/Directorate of Social Welfare/Department of Social Justice and Empowerment/Department of Women and Child Development/Department of Minority Affairs.

• Income Certificate: A certificate issued by the Income Tax Department, proving that the candidate's annual family income is less than Rs. 8 lakhs. The certificate must be issued in the format prescribed by the NTA.

• Passport-size Photograph: Two recent passport size photographs of the candidate.

• Signature: The signature of the candidate in blue ink.

It is important to note that the documents required for the EWS category may vary from state to state. Candidates are advised to check the NTA website for the latest updates on the documents required for the EWS category in their state.

Some additional things to keep in mind about the documents which are required for the EWS category:

• The documents must be original and self-attested.

• The documents must be in English or Hindi.

• The documents must be submitted in the order mentioned above.

• The documents must be submitted before the last date of submission of the JEE Main 2025 application form.

OBC Reservation in JEE Mains

• The Other Backward Classes OBC reservation in JEE Mains ensures that students from this category receive a fair opportunity in the admission process. 

• In JEE Mains 2025, OBC candidates are entitled to a 27% reservation in seats, allowing them to compete for admission to engineering colleges. 

• This reservation aims to promote inclusivity and support students who may face challenges due to socioeconomic factors. 

• Understanding the details of OBC reservations can help candidates better navigate their applications and increase their chances of securing a seat in their desired programs.

SC Reservation in JEE Mains

• The Scheduled Castes SC reservation in JEE Mains provides essential support for students from this category, ensuring they have equal access to education. 

• For JEE Mains 2025, SC candidates are allotted a 15% reservation in seats, which helps them compete fairly in the admission process. 

• This reservation is part of the efforts to enhance inclusivity and address historical disadvantages faced by SC students. 

• Understanding the SC reservation criteria is crucial for candidates to navigate the application process effectively and maximise their chances of admission to engineering colleges.

ST Reservation in JEE Mains

• The Scheduled Tribes ST Reservation in JEE Mains is an essential provision that aims to support candidates from tribal communities in accessing higher education. 

• For JEE Mains 2025, ST candidates are granted a 7.5% reservation in seats, allowing them to compete for admission in engineering programs on a fair basis. 

• This reservation is part of the broader efforts to promote equality and inclusivity within the educational system. 

• Understanding the specifics of ST reservation is important for candidates to navigate the admission process effectively and maximise their chances of securing.

Female Reservation in JEE Mains 2025

• Majority of the engineering colleges in India reserve a minimum of 5% seat for women. All a female applicant needs to do is apply through the Women Quota System.

• Women who fall under the PWD category (People with Disability) get a new 3% seat reservations in all the topmost Indian engineering colleges.

Note: Even if there is no female reservation in JEE Mains 2025 exam, women candidates can still be admitted to engineering colleges and universities on the basis of their overall performance. Lack of reservation for women in the JEE Main 2025 exam does not mean that women are at a disadvantage in terms of their chances of getting admission to engineering colleges and universities in India. There are a number of other factors that women can consider in order to increase their chances of admission.

JEE Main 2025 Reservation: General Eligibility Criteria 

• Attainment of a minimum of 75% aggregate score in the XII board examination is mandatory for candidates to become eligible for the JEE Main 2025 examination.

• It is compulsory for all students to include Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as their core subjects during their 10+2 level examinations.

• Age limitations need not be a concern for candidates, as there are no age restrictions for those aiming to secure JEE Main 2025 Reservation.

• Achieving a minimum of 20 percentile in the 10+2 board exams from any relevant academic stream is imperative for all applicants.

• Fulfilling the specified criteria set for JEE Mains 2025 is a prerequisite for becoming eligible to attempt the JEE Advanced examination. It is noteworthy that students satisfying the JEE Main Reservation criteria are assigned separate rankings.

• Furthermore, candidates have the opportunity to appear for the mains examination for a span of three consecutive years after successfully clearing their board examinations.

What is the Procedure to Claim JEE Main Seat Reservation?

The procedure to claim JEE Main Seat reservation involves several steps to ensure that eligible candidates from various reserved categories can avail the benefits. Here's a concise overview of the process:

Step 1: Registration and Application:

Begin by registering for the JEE Main 2025 examination on the official website. During the application process, you'll be asked to specify your category (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD). Make sure to select the appropriate category accurately.

Step 2: Documentation:

Collect and prepare the necessary documents that validate your reservation claim. These may include caste certificates (for SC/ST), non-creamy layer certificates and income documents (for OBC-NCL and EWS), and disability certificates (for PwD).

Step 3: Uploading Documents:

During the application process, you'll be required to upload scanned copies of the relevant documents. Ensure that these documents are clear, authentic, and meet the specified requirements.

Step 4: Verification:

After successfully uploading the documents, there is usually a document verification process. Some examination authorities might conduct this verification at the time of counseling or admission, while others may ask for verification during the application process itself.

Step 5: Admit Card and Examination:

Once your documents are verified, you will be issued the admit card for the examination. Make sure to carry the admit card to the examination center along with a valid photo ID.

Step 6: Availing Reservation Benefits:

Candidates belonging to reserved categories who have successfully verified their documents will be eligible for reservation benefits. These benefits might include adjusted qualifying scores, lower cut-off percentages, and reserved seats.

Step 7: Counseling and Admission:

If you qualify the JEE Main 2025 examination, you'll proceed to the counseling and admission process. During this stage, your reservation category will play a role in seat allocation. Be prepared to provide necessary documents again during the counseling process.

Step 8: Regular Updates:

Stay updated with official notifications and guidelines provided by the examination authorities. Ensure that you adhere to any additional requirements or changes in the process.

What Documents are Required for JEE Main Seat Reservations?

The documents required for JEE Main 2025 reservations vary depending on the category you belong to. Here's a general overview of the documents typically required for each reserved category:

1. Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) Categories:

• Caste Certificate: Valid and attested caste certificate issued by a competent authority.

• SC/ST Certificate: A certificate indicating that you belong to the SC or ST category.

• Domicile Certificate (if applicable): Sometimes, a domicile certificate might also be required to establish your eligibility.

2. Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) Category:

• Non-Creamy Layer Certificate: A non-creamy layer certificate issued by an authorized authority, verifying your non-creamy layer status.

• OBC-NCL Certificate: A certificate confirming your classification under the OBC-NCL category.

3. Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) Category:

• EWS Certificate: A certificate that demonstrates your eligibility as per the EWS criteria, including income verification.

• Income Certificate: Document verifying your family's annual income.

4. Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Category:

• Disability Certificate: A valid disability certificate issued by a recognized medical authority.

• Category Certificate: In some cases, you might need to provide proof of belonging to SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS along with your disability certificate.

Document Verification

Candidates who are eligible for reservation in the JEE Main 2025 exam will be required to submit the following documents for verification:

• Category certificate: A certificate issued by a competent authority, proving that the candidate belongs to the reserved category.

• Income certificate: A certificate issued by the Income Tax Department, proving that the candidate's annual family income is less than Rs. 8 lakhs.

Reservations /Quotas Based on the State of Residence 

Apart from the reservations mentioned above for JEE Main 2025, all engineering colleges and institutes are further divided into two quotas. They are – Home State Quota (HS) and the Other State Quota (OS).

• Home State Quota: It is applicable for candidates who have passed the 12th board examination or any other equivalent examination from a state.

• Other State Quota: This one incorporates all the states and the Union territories except the home state or province the candidate has applied from.

The table below will give an applicant a brief idea regarding the percentage of seats under each quota.

Persons with Disabilities (PwD) under JEE Main 2025 Reservation Criteria

Candidates with disability above 40% or more as verified by the certifying authority can claim for benefits from JEE Main 2025 reservation criteria. Below, they can find the categories of specified disabilities to be considered under the PwD category:

• Blindness and low vision

• Deaf and hard of hearing

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

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

• Multiple disabilities

• Other specified disabilities

JEE Main 2025 Reservation Criteria in Institutes of National Importance

There are various institutes that take up admissions into engineering courses through JEE Main, and they have their own reservation criteria. Talking about the Institutes of national importance, given below are the JEE Main 2025 reservation criteria for such institutes:

• Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) - All the IITs run under the central government and they follow the AIQ while offering admissions into engineering courses.

• Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) - Admissions into IITs rely on All India Quota, Home State Quota, and Other State Quotas.

• Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) - For getting admissions into GIFTs, there is an All India Quota basis except for Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi and IIEST Shibpur.

However, candidates can claim for the home state quota and other state quotas in Assam University, Silchar, where the home state quota is applicable for candidates belonging to Assam and others on An India basis.

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

JEE Main 2025 Reservation Criteria for NITs

The National Institutes of Technology (NITs) provides admission to 50% seats to the Home State Quota students and for the remaining 50% seats to the Other State Quota students.

Note: For Union Territories and states which don't have NIT, the following NITs will be deemed as their state quota.

For NIT Goa and NIT Warangal, the JEE Main 2025 Reservation Criteria are mentioned below:

NIT Warangal:

1. Home State Quota – Applicants whose home state is Telangana can apply for admission under this reservation criteria.

2. Other State Quota – Candidates who belong to Andhra Pradesh and other states can apply for admission under this reservation criteria.

3. Andhra Pradesh Quota – Candidates whose home state is Andhra Pradesh can apply for admission under this reservation criteria.

NIT Goa:

1. Home State Quota – 40% of those students will be taken into consideration whose home quota state is Goa and in case, if there are any vacant seats, 10% seats will be given to students from Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, and Lakshadweep.

2. Other State Quota – Students who belong to Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep can apply for admission process under this quota.

Benefits JEE Main 2025 Reservation

The JEE Main 2025 reservation criteria provides a number of benefits for candidates who belong to the reserved categories. These benefits include:

• Increased chances of admission to engineering colleges and universities.

• Reduced competition for seats in these institutes.

• Financial assistance in the form of scholarships and fellowships.

Key Highlights of JEE Main 2025 Reservation Criteria

1. JEE Main Reservation Quota are followed by the eligibility and reservation rules and directions set by the Government of India.

2. Students who are seeking admissions into NITs, IITs and GFTIs under the reservation categories will be provided to only those classes/ castes/ tribes which will be in the respective central list published by the government of India.

3. Students who are applying for admission into the state engineering colleges accepting JEE Main 2025 scores will be given reservation as per the reservation rules set by the state government.

Conclusion

The 2025 JEE Main Reservation Quota is a progressive step towards ensuring that all eligible candidates, regardless of their social and economic background, have an equal opportunity to pursue their dreams of becoming engineers. The criteria provides a number of benefits for candidates who belong to the reserved categories, and it is expected to play a major role in increasing the diversity of the engineering workforce in India.