NEET UG Reservation Categories 2026 — Complete Guide
Understand all reservation categories, eligibility conditions, and how they impact your seat allotment in MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH counselling under AIQ and State Quota.
Last updated: June 2026
AIQ Reservation at a Glance
Central government norms applicable to MCC counselling
| Category | Reservation % | Type | Key Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR) | — | Open Merit | All candidates compete on merit |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% | Vertical | SC certificate from competent authority |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% | Vertical | ST certificate from competent authority |
| Other Backward Classes – NCL (OBC) | 27% | Vertical | Central OBC-NCL certificate, income < ₹8L/yr |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% | Vertical | EWS certificate, income < ₹8L/yr, upper-caste only |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PWBD) | 5% | Horizontal | Disability certificate, ≥40% disability |
Understanding Each Category
SC — Scheduled Castes
15%Who qualifies
Candidates belonging to castes notified as Scheduled Castes under the Constitution
Certificate required
Caste certificate issued by Tehsildar/SDM/DC in prescribed format
NEET qualifying marks
40 percentile (vs 50 for UR)
For AIQ
Central SC list applies; state SC lists may differ
ST — Scheduled Tribes
7.5%Who qualifies
Candidates from tribes notified as Scheduled Tribes under the Constitution
Certificate required
Tribe certificate issued by competent authority
NEET qualifying marks
40 percentile
For AIQ
Central ST list. Certain tribes are state-specific; verify your tribe is listed centrally
OBC-NCL — Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer)
27%Who qualifies
Candidates from castes in the Central OBC list with family income below ₹8 lakhs/year
Certificate required
Central OBC-NCL certificate (state certificate NOT valid for AIQ)
Creamy layer exclusion
Parents with income > ₹8 lakhs/year or in certain government positions are excluded
Validity
Certificate should be recent (current/previous financial year)
EWS — Economically Weaker Section
10%Who qualifies
Upper-caste (not SC/ST/OBC) candidates with family income < ₹8 lakhs/year
Additional conditions
No agricultural land ≥ 5 acres; no flat ≥ 1000 sq.ft; no plot ≥ 100 sq.yards in municipality
Certificate required
EWS Income & Asset Certificate from Tehsildar/SDM
Note
SC, ST, OBC candidates are not eligible for EWS even if their income is below ₹8 lakhs
PWBD — Persons with Benchmark Disability
5% (Horizontal)Who qualifies
Candidates with benchmark disability (≥ 40% disability in specified categories)
Types of disability
Locomotor, visual, speech/hearing impairment, or multiple disabilities
Certificate required
Disability certificate from District Hospital / UDID card
Application
5% of seats in EACH vertical category are set aside for PWBD candidates
AIQ Reservation vs State Reservation — Key Differences
| Aspect | AIQ (MCC) | State Quota |
|---|---|---|
| OBC Certificate | Central OBC-NCL only | State-issued OBC certificate valid |
| Domicile required? | No | Yes (must be state domicile) |
| Seat share | 15% Govt + 100% Deemed/Central | 85% Govt + 100% Private in state |
| Reservation norms | Central government norms | State government norms (may vary) |
| Additional sub-categories | None (standard 5 categories) | May include local body, sports, NCC, ex-servicemen quotas |
| EWS percentage | 10% (central norm) | May vary by state implementation |
Other Special Quotas
NRI Quota
Private/Deemed15% seats in private and deemed colleges. For Non-Resident Indians and their relatives. Fees are significantly higher (often in USD). NEET is mandatory.
Management Quota
PrivateReserved by private/deemed colleges for management discretion. High fees apply. NEET score and minimum eligibility still required.
Defence/Ex-Servicemen Quota
State-SpecificSmall quota for children of defence personnel in some states. Separate merit list based on NEET rank.
Minority / Trust Quota
InstitutionalSome minority-run institutions have reserved seats for religious/linguistic minority communities. Subject to court orders and MCC guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim OBC reservation in AIQ if I have a state-level OBC certificate?
What is EWS reservation and who is eligible?
Is PWBD reservation separate from category reservation?
Do NRI quota seats require NEET?
Can I claim both AIQ and state reservation simultaneously?
Related Guides
Complete Counselling Guide
Full NEET UG counselling process
Documents Checklist
Category certificates you need to prepare
Choice Filling Strategy
How to use your category advantage in choices
MBBS Admission Guide
Complete MBBS admission process
Category-Wise Cutoffs
Historical cutoffs per category
State Admission Process
State-specific reservation rules
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Important Disclaimer
This page provides general guidance based on published counselling data and official notifications. Admission procedures, dates, seat counts, and cutoffs may change each year. Always verify the latest information from the official counselling authority website. This is not a guarantee of admission.