JEE Main 2026 Reservation Breakdown – Seats for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD

JEE Main 2026 exam is scheduled from January 22 to 3, 2026, for admission to the B.Tech., B.E., B.Arch, and B.Planning programs in the top engineering colleges such as IITs, NITs, and CFTIs. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has set a few JEE Main reservation percentages to ensure that applicants from different categories have an equal opportunity in the admission process. The JEE Main 2026 reservation criteria include categories such as SC Reservation in JEE Mains, ST Reservation in JEE Mains, OBC Reservation in JEE Mains, EWS Reservation in JEE Mains 2026, and JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria for PWD applicants.

Read on to understand the JEE Main reservation breakdown and category-wise distribution of seats and eligibility criteria for students falling under different categories.

JEE Main 2026: Category-Wise Reservation

JEE Main 2026 aspirants should also understand that the JEE Main reservation policy affects more than just seat allocation. It provides benefits such as lower application fees, lower JEE Main cutoffs, and, in some cases, admission fee relaxation for reserved category candidates. Most universities follow the central JEE Mains reservation percentage; however, home state quotas, female quotas, and other state-level quotas may be offered in addition to the central ones.

The category-wise JEE Main 2026 seat percentage is as follows:

JEE Main Reservation Criteria for OBC Candidates

Under this category, the candidates belonging to the Other Backwards Classes category (OBC) are eligible for admission to the engineering colleges. 27% seats are for the OBC candidates under the All India Quota  (AIQ) ranking, ensuring that the candidates get an opportunity to earn a higher education degree based on their skills. To take advantage of the perks, qualified applicants must select the OBC Reservation option on the JEE Mains 2026 application form. It is beneficial to be aware of the integrated JEE Main Reservation Criteria for OBC since it will help students understand how the system works and, eventually, increase their chances of admission to the best universities.

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JEE Main Reservation Criteria for SC/ST Candidates

The SC and ST candidates get a reservation of 15% and 7.5% of the total seats for the JEE Main. To get the advantage, they must select the category to which they belong while filling out the JEE Main 2026 application form. It must be kept in mind that the candidates choosing a particular category must produce or submit the original category document at the time of admission or counselling.

JEE Main Reservation Criteria for PwD Candidates

According to the latest reservation policy, a candidate with more than 40% of disability is eligible for the JEE Main 2026 reservation. 5% seats are reserved for such candidates. The candidates are required to produce a medical certificate at the time of counselling before the administering authority.  The candidates falling under this category should have:

1. Blindness and low vision
2. Deafness or hard of hearing
3. Locomotor disabilities like cerebral palsy, leprosy, muscular dystrophy, dwarfism, or acid attack victims
4. Autism, intellectual disability, learning disorders, and psychiatric disorders
5. Two or more disabilities or other categories of disabilities

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JEE Main Reservation Criteria for EWS Candidates

The EWS (Economically Weaker Section) criteria are for those families whose annual income is less than 8 LPA. The students in this category must not fall below the SC/ST/OBC sections. The EWS category reservation is a part of a government scheme where all deserving candidates must get an equal chance of higher education, despite their annual income.

EWS Candidates’ Eligibility for JEE Main 2026

1. Annual Income Limit: The aspirant’s household should have an annual income of less than Rs. 8 lakh.
2. Exclusion of Reserved Categories: You are not eligible for the SC Reserved Category, the ST Reserved Category, or the OBC Reserved Category in JEE Mains.
3. Income and Asset Certificate: To be eligible for the EWS category, you must have a valid income and asset certificate from a government institution.

Documents Required for EWS Category:

1. EWS Certificate issued by the State Government/UT Administration or concerned departments like Social Welfare or Minority Affairs.
2. Income Certificate from the Income Tax Department confirming family income below ₹8 lakhs (as per NTA guidelines).

Which Candidates Are Ineligible for EWS Reservation

1. Students who have already taken advantage of the benefits offered by SC/ST/OBC/PwD Reservation in JEE Mains.
2. Candidates with a family annual income of over ₹8 lakhs.
3. Families with more than five acres of agricultural property.
4. Possession of a home measuring more than 1000 square feet.
5. Parents or siblings who work in Group A or Group B of government services.
6. All individuals who provided incorrect income details for EWS Reservation in JEE Mains would be deleted.

Steps to Claim Your Reservation in JEE Main 2026 

The step-by-step process to check and get benefits from your reservation is as follows:

1. Category Selection During Registration
2. Prepare Required Documents

Get the documents which prove that you belong to that category. 

• SC/ST Reservation in JEE Mains  – Caste certificate from the authority
• OBC Reservation in JEE Mains – OBC-NCL certificate and income certificate
• EWS Reservation in JEE Mains 2026 – EWS income and asset certificate
• JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria for PwD – Disability certificate from a government medical practitioner.

1. Upload the Documents
2. Document Verification
3. Download Admit Card and Appear for Exam
4. Use Category Benefits 
5. Get Your Seat According to Your Rank and Reservation

State Quota for JEE Main 2026 

1. Home State Quota (50%): This quota is for students who have completed their Class 12th or equivalent test from a specific state. They are given preference for seats in the state’s engineering colleges.
2. Other State Quota (50%): This quota is for candidates who are inhabitants of all states and union territories save the state in which they completed Class 12.

JEE Main 2026 Reservation in National Colleges

1. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are central government institutions. As a result, JEE Main 2026 reservation criteria for IITs would be based on the All-India Quota when admitting students to engineering programs.
2. Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs): IIITs give JEE Main 2026 reservations in two categories: All India Quota and Home State/Other State Quotas.
3. The majority of government-funded technical institutes (GFTIs) admit students through the All-India Quota. 

• Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi / IIEST Shibpur have quotas for both home and other states.
• Assam University, Silchar, gives admission to Assam state candidates under the Home State Quota, while others are considered under the All-India Quota.

1. National Institutes of Technology (NITs): Unlike IITs, NITs admit students based on home state and other state quotas as determined by the JEE Main 2026 reservation criteria.

Conclusion

The JEE Main 2026 reservation criteria provide numerous benefits to students from the SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PWD categories. These include increased chances of admission to top engineering universities, less competition for seats, and access to financial aid through scholarships and fellowships. Furthermore, the reservation mechanism ensures equal access to reputable universities and boosts the possibility of students acquiring their selected engineering fields through the JEE Main 2026 admission process.