The JEE Main reservation criteria 2027 for admission to NITs, IIITs and other participating institutes follows Government of India norms, as confirmed in the JEE Main 2027 Information Bulletin.
NTA released the official JEE Main 2027 Information Bulletin on 24 October 2026. Session 1 registration is open until 22 November 2026.
Source: JEE Main 2027 Information Bulletin, Chapter 4 Reservations (p.23), NTA, 24 October 2026
As per the JEE Main 2027 bulletin, seats are reserved 10% for GEN-EWS, 27% for OBC-NCL, 15% for SC and 7.5% for ST candidates. PwBD reservation is 5% on a horizontal basis within each category.
| Category | Expected reservation | Reservation type | Main requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEN-EWS | 10% | Vertical | Valid EWS certificate |
| OBC-NCL | 27% | Vertical | Candidate must belong to the Central OBC list and satisfy NCL conditions |
| SC | 15% | Vertical | Valid SC certificate |
| ST | 7.5% | Vertical | Valid ST certificate |
| PwBD | 5% | Horizontal | Benchmark disability as prescribed |
| Open/General | Remaining seats | Open merit | Available to candidates of all categories on merit |
- The four main vertical reservation blocks together account for 59.5% of seats: 10% EWS + 27% OBC-NCL + 15% SC + 7.5% ST.
- The remaining 40.5% are Open seats. These are not exclusive to General-category candidates; candidates from reserved categories can also compete for Open seats on merit.
- PwBD should not be added to the 59.5% as another vertical category because it operates horizontally across categories.
Related Links:
- Check JEE Main 2027 Notification Expected in October
- JEE Main Application Process 2027: How to Apply Online, Documents Required, Application Form Fees
What is JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027?
JEE Main Reservation 2027 refers to the category-wise seat reservation system applicable during admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs and other participating institutes. It provides reservation benefits to eligible candidates from GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC and ST categories, while PwBD candidates receive horizontal reservation within the applicable categories.
- 10% of seats are allocated to GEN-EWS under the current framework.
- 27% are allocated to OBC-NCL.
- 15% are allocated to SC.
- 7.5% are allocated to ST.
- These four vertical categories together account for 59.5% of seats.
- The remaining 40.5% are Open seats under the current framework.
- PwBD reservation is 5% horizontally, so it should not simply be added to the 59.5% vertical reservation figure.
Check: JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2027: Age Limit, 75% Criteria, Attempts, Qualification & Subjects
Ques. Is JEE Main 2027 reservation officially confirmed?
Ans. Yes. The JEE Main 2027 bulletin (released 24 October 2026, Chapter 4, p.23) confirms 10% GEN-EWS, 27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC, 7.5% ST and 5% PwBD horizontal reservation.
Ques. Can reserved-category candidates compete for Open seats?
Ans. Yes. Open seats are merit-based and are not restricted only to General-category candidates.
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027: What Is Confirmed?
- The official JEE Main 2027 Information Bulletin is out: NTA released it on 24 October 2026.
- Chapter 4 (p.23) of the JEE Main 2027 bulletin confirms all 5 reservation categories: GEN-EWS 10%, OBC-NCL 27%, SC 15%, ST 7.5% and PwBD 5% (horizontal).
- New in the 2027 bulletin: PwD/PwBD candidates must upload a UDID card or disability certificate (PDF, 50–300 KB) in the application form. NTA verifies it on the UDID portal, and PwD/PwBD claims are not accepted after the correction window closes (pp.9 and 26).
- The 59.5% vertical-reservation structure is the current benchmark.
- The 40.5% Open figure follows from the 2027 bulletin quotas.
- Category-wise quotas are now officially confirmed by NTA. Only the JoSAA 2027 certificate rules are still pending.
| Information | JEE Main 2027 status |
|---|---|
| NTA Information Bulletin | Released on 24 October 2026 |
| Latest official NTA bulletin | 2027 (released 24 October 2026) |
| GEN-EWS | 10% (confirmed, bulletin p.23) |
| OBC-NCL | 27% (confirmed, bulletin p.23) |
| SC | 15% (confirmed, bulletin p.23) |
| ST | 7.5% (confirmed, bulletin p.23) |
| PwBD | 5% horizontal (confirmed, bulletin p.23) |
| Open | 40.5% (100% minus 59.5% vertical reservation) |
| 2027 certificate dates | Awaited (JoSAA 2027 rules) |
| 2027 JoSAA certificate formats | Awaited (JoSAA 2027 rules) |
| JEE Main 2027 category-wise cutoff | After Session 2 result (tentative, as per 2026: April) |
Check: JEE Main 2027: Notification Expected in October, Exam Dates, Syllabus, and High-Weightage Chapters
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027: Category-Wise Quota
- OBC-NCL has the largest vertical quota at 27%.
- OBC-NCL's share is 12 percentage points higher than EWS.
- SC reservation at 15% is exactly twice ST reservation at 7.5%.
- GEN-EWS at 10% is 5 percentage points higher than ST.
- The four vertical quotas total 59.5%.
- Open seats account for the remaining 40.5%.
- JoSAA's live seat matrix separately lists PwD seats within each category rather than treating PwD as a standalone fifth vertical quota.
Related Links:
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027 for GEN-EWS Candidates
- GEN-EWS accounts for 10% of seats under the current framework.
- EWS is separate from OBC-NCL and has its own eligibility conditions.
- Candidates claiming EWS reservation need the prescribed certificate during the relevant admission process.
- JoSAA currently publishes a separate GEN-EWS certificate format.
- The exact 2027 certificate issue date and financial-year requirement should not be copied from 2026 until JoSAA releases the 2027 rules.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Reservation | 10% |
| Category | GEN-EWS |
| Type | Vertical |
| Certificate | GEN-EWS certificate |
| Verification | Counselling/admission |
Check Out: What is JoSAA Counselling 2026? Step-by-Step Process Explained
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027 for OBC-NCL Candidates
- OBC-NCL represents 27% of seats under the current framework.
- It is the largest single vertical reservation category.
- Candidates need to satisfy the applicable Central OBC-NCL conditions.
- A State OBC listing alone does not automatically establish eligibility for central OBC-NCL reservation.
- JoSAA currently provides a dedicated OBC-NCL certificate format
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Reservation | 27% |
| Category | OBC-NCL |
| Type | Vertical |
| Central OBC List | Required |
| Certificate | OBC-NCL certificate |
| Verification | Counselling/admission |
Reddit discussions highlight confusion among candidates about whether a State OBC-NCL certificate issued in 2026 can be used for JEE Main 2027 and JoSAA counselling.
One response suggests that candidates may need a Central OBC-NCL certificate issued after April 1 of the relevant financial year, particularly for JoSAA counselling.
Candidates should check the latest NTA and JoSAA certificate requirements before applying
Source: Reddit
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027 for SC Candidates
- SC reservation is 15%, making it the second-largest vertical category after OBC-NCL.
- The SC quota is 7.5 percentage points higher than ST.
- SC candidates can compete for both SC-reserved and Open seats, subject to merit and counselling rules.
- JoSAA currently publishes a common SC/ST certificate format for counselling.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Reservation | 15% |
| Category | SC |
| Type | Vertical |
| Certificate | SC certificate |
| Verification | Counselling/admission |
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027 for ST Candidates
- ST reservation is 7.5%, not 15%.
- ST reservation is half of the SC reservation.
- ST is the smallest of the four major vertical reservation categories.
- ST candidates can also compete for Open seats on merit.
- JoSAA currently provides SC/ST documentation as part of its counselling certificate formats
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Reservation | 7.5% |
| Category | ST |
| Type | Vertical |
| Certificate | ST certificate |
| Verification | Counselling/admission |
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027 for PwBD Candidates
- PwBD reservation is 5% horizontally.
- PwBD should not be added as an extra 5% vertical category.
- JoSAA's current seat matrix explicitly shows Open-PwD, GEN-EWS-PwD, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC-PwD and ST-PwD categories.
- This structure demonstrates that PwD seats are distributed across the underlying category structure.
- JoSAA currently lists multiple disability-related certificate formats.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Reservation | 5% |
| Type | Horizontal |
| Applies to | Applicable category seats |
| Certificate | Prescribed disability certificate |
| Verification | Counselling/admission |
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027: Open Seats vs Reserved Seats
- Open seats account for 40.5% of the vertical seat structure.
- OBC-NCL accounts for 27%, which is the largest reserved vertical block.
- Open seats exceed the OBC-NCL quota by 13.5 percentage points.
- Open seats exceed the combined EWS and ST quotas by 23 percentage points.
- Reserved-category candidates can also take Open seats on merit.
- Reddit discussions repeatedly show confusion over the term “General seats”; candidates often clarify that the 40.5% are Open seats, not seats reserved only for General candidates.
| Seat category | Current share |
|---|---|
| GEN-EWS | 10% |
| OBC-NCL | 27% |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| Open | 40.5% |
| Total vertical structure | 100% |
Check: JEE Main All India Rank and All India Category Rank Difference
Reddit discussions show significant confusion over the meaning of “Open” seats in JoSAA allotment.
One discussion specifically questions why an OBC candidate can receive an Open seat, showing that candidates often assume category candidates can only receive seats reserved for their category.
Another discussion shows how candidates compare their category rank with Open-seat cutoffs while trying to understand JoSAA allotments
Source: Reddit
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027 in NITs: Home State vs Other State Quota
- The broad structure is 50% Home State + 50% Other State at NITs.
- These are state-based allocation categories, not replacements for SC/ST/OBC/EWS reservation.
- A candidate's Home State is linked to the applicable state of eligibility, not simply their permanent residential address.
- Category reservation and state quota can operate together within the seat matrix.
- Candidates should check institute-specific exceptions before assuming a universal 50:50 structure.
| Quota | Broad current structure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Home State | Generally 50% | State of eligibility |
| Other State | Generally 50% | Other eligible states/UTs |
Current JEE Main 2027 competitor guidance describes the broad NIT structure as 50% Home State and 50% Other State, while noting that institute-specific rules can apply.
Also, Check:
- Safe Score for JEE Main 2027 for the General Category
- Safe Score for JEE Main 2027 for the ST Category
- Safe Score for JEE Main 2027 for the PwD Category
- Safe Score for JEE Main 2027 for the OBC Category
A Reddit discussion explains that State Code of Eligibility is linked to the state from which a candidate first appeared for Class 12, rather than simply the candidate's permanent/native address.
Source: Reddit
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027: Documents Required
- At least five major document categories are directly relevant to reservation claims: EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST and PwBD.
- JoSAA currently provides separate formats for GEN-EWS and OBC-NCL.
- JoSAA provides SC/ST through a dedicated format.
- Multiple PwD-related forms are currently listed.
- The 2026 certificate formats should be treated as the current reference, not automatically as 2027-final formats.
- Candidates should not assume that a certificate accepted for NTA registration will automatically satisfy every JoSAA document-verification requirement.
| Category | Main document | Current JoSAA evidence |
|---|---|---|
| GEN-EWS | GEN-EWS certificate | Dedicated 2026 format |
| OBC-NCL | OBC-NCL certificate | Dedicated 2026 format |
| SC | SC certificate | SC/ST format |
| ST | ST certificate | SC/ST format |
| PwBD | Prescribed disability certificate | Multiple PwD formats |
Check: JEE Main 2027 Preparation: What Should Students Do Before Registration Starts?
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2027: OBC-NCL and EWS Certificate Validity
- OBC-NCL and EWS are the two categories where certificate timing is particularly important.
- Current 2026 JoSAA documentation confirms that separate OBC-NCL and GEN-EWS formats exist.
- Reddit questions ahead of JEE Main 2027 are already focused on whether a certificate issued in 2025/2026 will remain usable for the 2027 cycle.
- Candidate discussions should be treated as user concerns, not official rules.
- The article should replace any 2026 certificate deadline with the official 2027 requirement as soon as JoSAA publishes it.
| Certificate | What candidates should verify for 2027 |
|---|---|
| OBC-NCL | Central List, NCL status, issue date and format |
| GEN-EWS | Applicable financial year, issue date and format |
| SC/ST | Category status and prescribed format |
| PwBD | Disability status and prescribed format |
Check:
- Documents Required for JEE Main 2027 Exam Centre: Complete Guide
- JEE Main 2027 Photo Size and Signature Guidelines
- Understand the JEE Main 2026 Photo Verification Process
An August 2026 Reddit thread specifically asks whether a Central OBC-NCL certificate issued in November 2025 should be used during JEE Main 2027 registration or whether another certificate will be required for counselling
Source: Reddit
Another user commented that if you have the doc after 2026, then you can upload it.
Source: Reddit
JEE Main Reservation 2027 FAQs
Ques. What is the reservation percentage for JEE Main 2027?
Ans. The JEE Main 2027 bulletin (24 October 2026, p.23) confirms 10% GEN-EWS, 27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC and 7.5% ST, with 5% PwBD horizontal reservation.
Ques. Is there reservation for General category candidates in JEE Main?
Ans. There is no separate General-category reservation block. General-category candidates compete for Open seats, while eligible GEN-EWS candidates can use the 10% GEN-EWS quota.
Ques. What is PwBD reservation in JEE Main 2027?
Ans. PwBD reservation is 5% horizontally across the applicable categories under the current framework. JoSAA's seat matrix displays PwD seats within Open, GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC and ST categories.
Ques. Is a State OBC certificate valid for JEE Main reservation?
Ans. A State OBC certificate does not automatically establish eligibility for central OBC-NCL reservation. Candidates should verify their community against the applicable Central OBC List and meet the prescribed requirements.
Ques. When should I obtain my OBC-NCL certificate for JEE Main 2027?
Ans. The exact 2027 issue-date requirement is not yet available from JoSAA. Candidates should wait for the official 2027 rules rather than applying a 2026 deadline to 2027.
Ques. What documents are required for JEE Main reservation?
Ans. Candidates claiming reservation generally need the relevant GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST or PwBD certificate in the prescribed format during the counselling/admission process. JoSAA currently lists separate 2026 formats for these categories.
Ques. Does JEE Main reservation guarantee an NIT seat?
Ans. No. Admission depends on rank, category, institute, course, quota, seat availability and counselling rules.
Ques. What is the difference between JEE Main reservation and Home State quota?
Ans. Reservation is category-based, while Home State/Other State allocation is state-based. They are separate components of the JoSAA seat-allocation process.
Ques. Will JEE Main 2027 reservation rules change?
Ans. Category percentages are confirmed in the JEE Main 2027 bulletin. The JoSAA 2027 Business Rules, which set certificate formats and dates, are not out yet.
Ques. What should reserved-category candidates do before JEE Main 2027 counselling?
Ans. They should verify their category eligibility, check Central List requirements where applicable, prepare the relevant certificate, and monitor the official JoSAA 2027 certificate format and issue-date requirements.
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