JEE Main 2026 Reservation: Seats, Eligibility & Counselling
JEE Mains Reservation implements a policy prescribed by the Government of India, which aims to create reasonable, equal opportunities to study engineering education. The reservation percentages for the year 2026 are as follows in each particular category: OBC-NCL: 27%, SC: 15%, ST: 7.5%, GEN-EWS: 10%, and PwD: 5%. Applicants must fill in the category they belong to within the application form and provide all relevant certificates at the time of counselling as requested.
There are Home State and Other State quotas offered for both central and state institutes. Reservation status impacts admission cut-offs, distribution of seats, and fees, as it is a mechanism to promote admissions for a sizeable number of entitled groups. Applicants must verify their documents in order to claim reservation benefits during the admission rounds.
JEE Mains Reservation Percentage: Category-Wise Breakdown
JEE Mains reservation 2026 percentage defines how many seats are set aside for each group. Here’s how it works for 2026:
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GEN-EWS: 10% for candidates from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
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OBC quota in JEE Mains: 27% for Other Backwards Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL).
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SC: 15% for Scheduled Caste students.
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ST: 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe students.
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pwd quota in JEE: 5% in every category for Persons with Disability (PwD).
These reserved seats allow students from these categories to compete on relaxed cut-offs, increasing their chances for admission. The reservation is strictly based on valid documents and eligibility—all applicants should keep their caste certificates, EWS certificates, and disability proof ready during registration.
Documents Required to Claim Reservation in JEE Mains
To avail the benefits of JEE Mains reservation 2026, candidates have to upload documentary proofs as follows:
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Caste certificate for JEE Mains (for SC, ST, OBC-NCL)
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Income and asset certificate (for GEN-EWS)
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PwD certificate (for JEE Mains PWD quota)
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Domicile document (if required for NIT state quota and IIIT Reservation)
Candidates have to upload all essential documents in PDF in English or Hindi while making an application. At the time of JoSAA/CSAB counselling, candidates have to show their original documents for verification. In case of any discrepancies reservation benefit can be cancelled.
How to Claim JEE Mains Caste Quota and Other Reservations
Here’s a step-by-step guide for students that can be followed to access the reservation quota
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Indicate the correct category (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS/PwD) in the JEE application form.
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Upload a valid caste, EWS, or disability certificate in the required format and time.
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Sit for the JEE Main exam—reservation is applied during counselling, not in the test itself.
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Register for JoSAA/CSAB counselling, where your category-wise rank determines available seats.
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Present original documents at counselling for approval and seat confirmation.
Following the process correctly is vital to secure benefits under JEE Mains Reservation 2026.
JEE Mains Home State Quota and NIT State Quota Explained
Another strength of the students who are seeking admission to NITs and IIITs is the home state quota in the JEE Mains. In case a candidate has domicile in the state in which he or she is registered in the NIT or IIIT, special consideration is given to seats, and hence NIT state quota is an excellent alternative to many students. Reservation quota of home state candidates may vary according to institutes, and as such, the admission brochure of each college should always be consulted.
Students seeking IIIT reservation or NITs are required to read in detail regarding the criteria of the home state quota and provide domicile certificates whenever any are necessary to prove so. This quota may be a determining factor, particularly in situations where the cut-offs on all-India seats are greater than home state seat cut-offs.
EWS Benefits in JEE Mains and Who Can Apply
EWS benefits in JEE Mains were introduced to help students from families with an annual income below ₹8 lakh. The GEN-EWS reservation in JEE provides a 10% quota for eligible candidates who do not fall under SC/ST/OBC categories. To claim this, students must submit a valid EWS certificate as per government guidelines.
Making sure all income and asset documents are up-to-date is important. EWS quota allows increased chances of admission and often lower cut-off ranks—so it’s a valuable option for many.
JEE Mains Reservation FAQs
Q1: What is the JEE Mains reservation percentage for different categories?
Ans: JEE mains reservation percentage is GEN-EWS: 10%, OBC-NCL: 27%, SC: 15%, ST: 7.5%, PwD: 5% in each category.
Q2: How does the home state quota in jee mains work?
Ans: Home state quota in JEE Mains gives priority to candidates whose domicile matches the location of the NIT or IIIT. This means more seats are available to local candidates versus all-India seats.
Q3: What documents are needed for the caste quota in JEE Mains?
Ans: Students need a valid caste certificate in the required government format when applying for JEE Mains caste quota, and must also present originals during counselling.
DASA Admission for NRI Students 2026 requires JEE Main scores for UG and GRE/GMAT for PG admissions. Registration starts online at dasanit.org in June 2026, with 15% supernumerary seats and a CIWG quota. Tuition fees are around USD 4,000 per semester (USD 2,000 for CIWG), and counselling will be conducted online in July after JEE Main results.
