Category-wise Reservation in JEE 2026
The Category-wise Reservation in the JEE is Government of India provision that defines the eligibility for, and allocation of, reservation categories in IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur, and the remaining Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) through JoSAA Counselling. The purpose of the reservation policy is to promote equal opportunity for access to higher education for candidates belonging to the reserved categories that include OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, and Persons with Disabilities (PwD). The percentage of the reservations provided, will be in accordance with the Central Government guidelines and reflected in the official JoSAA seat matrix.
Candidates who claim to receive reservation benefits must meet the eligibility criteria and submit all necessary documents required by the relevant authority during document verification. Reserved category candidates also compete for Open (Gender-Neutral) seats solely based on merit. If a candidate receives a reserved seat based on merit, then they will retain the open seat, which is available to another eligible candidate.
1.0Category-wise Reservation in JEE 2026
The following reservation percentages are applicable in centrally funded technical institutions participating in JoSAA Counselling.
Note: The Open category does not have a fixed reservation percentage. It consists of seats remaining after applying the prescribed reservations. Candidates from all categories can compete for Open seats based purely on merit.
2.0Reservation Categories Explained
- General (Open) Category: There is no set percentage of reservations in The Open category. It represents the number of seats left over after the reservations must be applied. All applicants may compete for Open seating without regard to their respective category and on the basis of merit alone.
- GEN-EWS Reservation: Candidates belonging to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category are eligible for 10% reservation.
To claim EWS reservation, candidates must:
- Belong to the General category.
- Meet the income and asset criteria prescribed by the Government of India.
- Produce a valid EWS certificate in the prescribed format during counselling.
- OBC-NCL Reservation: Candidates belonging to the Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) are eligible for 27% reservation.
To claim OBC-NCL reservation:
- The caste must be included in the Central List of OBCs.
- The candidate must belong to the Non-Creamy Layer.
- A valid OBC-NCL certificate issued by the competent authority is mandatory.
- Scheduled Caste (SC) Reservation: Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category receive 15% reservation in participating institutes. A valid SC certificate in the prescribed format must be produced during document verification.
- Scheduled Tribe (ST) Reservation: Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category receive 7.5% reservation. Candidates must submit a valid ST certificate issued by the competent authority to claim the benefit.
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Reservation: Candidates with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD) are eligible for 5% horizontal reservation. Unlike other reservations, PwD reservation is horizontal, meaning it is applied within every category, including:
A valid disability certificate issued by the designated medical authority is required.
3.0Vertical vs Horizontal Reservation
JoSAA follows both vertical and horizontal reservation policies.
Vertical reservation allocates a fixed percentage of seats to specific social categories, while horizontal reservation is applied across all categories for candidates with benchmark disabilities.
4.0Category-wise Reservation in NITs, IIITs, IITs and GFTIs
The Government reservation policy applies across all JoSAA participating institutes, but the seat allocation process differs slightly.
NITs additionally follow the Home State (HS) and Other State (OS) quota policy, whereas IIT admissions are based solely on category reservation and JEE Advanced ranks.
5.0Documents Required to Claim Reservation
Candidates claiming reservation benefits should keep the following documents ready:
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS)
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- JEE Main or JEE Advanced Score Card
- Class 10 Certificate
- Class 12 Mark Sheet
- Aadhaar Card or Government-issued Photo ID
- Passport-size Photographs
- JoSAA Seat Allotment Letter
All certificates must be issued in the format prescribed by JoSAA and be valid on the date of document verification.
6.0Important Points About Category-wise Reservation
- Reservation benefits are available only after successful document verification.
- Reserved category candidates can also secure Open seats based on merit.
- OBC reservation is applicable only to candidates listed in the Central OBC List.
- EWS reservation is available only to candidates meeting the prescribed income and asset criteria.
- PwD reservation is horizontal and applicable across all categories.
- Invalid or outdated category certificates may result in cancellation of reservation benefits or allotment under the Open category.