CUET Reservation Criteria & Policy 2026: Category Quotas, Eligibility, and Application
The CUET 2026 reservation policy provides 15% reservation for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC-NCL, 10% for EWS, and 5% horizontal reservation for PwBD candidates in Central Universities. Find category-wise eligibility, certificate requirements and more here.
Understanding the CUET reservation criteria is essential for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate programs, as it outlines the specific quotas and eligibility requirements for various categories like SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC (27%), EWS (10%), and PwD (5%). These policies are designed to ensure equitable access to central universities across India by reserving a percentage of seats for eligible students. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the NTA guidelines, category-wise quotas, eligibility, application process, and special provisions for CUET UG, PG, and LLB admissions in 2026.
CUET Reservation Policy 2026
This table details the specific CUET reservation criteria for Central Universities, outlining the percentage of seats reserved for various categories like GEN-EWS, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, and PwBD. The reservation percentage is the same for UG and PG admissions.
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
| General Economically Weaker Sections (GEN-EWS) | 10% |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (Non-creamy layer) | 27% |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwBD) | 5% in each category |
CUET Reservation Policy: NTA Guidelines and Key Provisions
The CUET reservation policy follows the reservation norms of the Government of India and the admission rules of participating universities.
- Reservation is applied during counselling and admissions by the respective participating universities.
- Central Universities follow Government of India reservation norms (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwBD).
- State, Deemed, and Private universities may follow their own reservation policies as per applicable state laws or institutional regulations.
- Candidates claiming reservation must upload and produce valid category certificates in the prescribed format during admission.
- Reservation benefits are subject to eligibility criteria and document verification by the admitting university.
- PwBD candidates with 40% or more benchmark disability are eligible for 5% horizontal reservation, subject to valid certification.
- Eligible PwBD candidates may also avail facilities such as a scribe, compensatory time, and other examination accommodations as per NTA guidelines.
Eligibility Criteria for Claiming CUET Reservation 2026
To claim CUET UG reservation benefits for 2026, proper documentation is mandatory and must be uploaded during the application process. Candidates must carefully select their desired quota under CUET reservation criteria, as NTA does not permit changes after submission.
- Documentation Mandatory: Proper documentation is mandatory for reservation benefits.
- Certificate Upload: Candidates must upload certificates during the CUET 2026 application process.
- No Category Changes: NTA does not allow category or subcategory changes after submission.
- Quota Selection: Students must select their desired quota under CUET reservation criteria 2026.
- Category Certificate Update: SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS certificates require updating and validation.
- PwBD Certificate Update: UDID cards and disability certificates must be validated and updated.
While documented proof is not required at the initial stage of filling the CUET application form, incorrect or missing documents may lead to default categorization under the General category. Candidates whose face does not match their UIDAI records will be rejected. Individual universities may also have additional reservation policies based on CUET scores.
Certificate Requirements for CUET Reservation Policy
This table outlines the specific certificate requirements and their crucial issuance dates, along with nationality criteria, essential for CUET reservation eligibility.
| Category/Requirement | Document Requirement | Latest Issue Date / Validity |
| GEN-EWS | Income & Asset Certificate (Annexure-IA) or declaration (Annexure-IB) if unable to upload | Issued on or after 1 January 2026 |
| OBC-NCL | OBC-NCL Certificate (Annexure-IIA) or declaration (Annexure-IIB) if unable to upload | Issued on or after 1 April 2025 (Central List) |
| SC/ST | Caste Certificate (Annexure-III) as per Government of India guidelines | No specific issue date prescribed; valid certificate accepted |
| PwBD | UDID Card or Disability Certificate (Annexure-IV/V/VI); Dyslexic candidates: Annexure-VII & VIII | No specific issue date prescribed; valid certificate/UDID required |
| Kashmiri Migrant | Valid migration certificate and supporting documents | Must be valid at the time of admission |
| Application Fees | Fee depends on candidate category and number of subjects | Not applicable |
| Admission Documents | Original supporting documents for verification by the admitting university | Must be valid at the time of counselling/admission |
How to Apply for CUET Reservation Quota 2026: Step-by-Step Application Process
Applying for CUET UG reservation quota 2026 requires careful attention during the application process.Â
- Quota Application: Must be done while filling out the CUET application form 2026.
- Quota Selection: Select desired quota under CUET reservation criteria 2026 before submitting the application form.
- Document Upload: Certificates must be uploaded during the CUET 2026 application form process.
- Category Changes: NTA does not allow changes to categories or subcategories after form submission.
- Document Consequence: Missing/incorrect documents will place the candidate in the default (General) category.
- PwBD Scribe: Candidates needing a scribe must opt for this facility during online application form completion.
CUET UG Special Reservation Categories 2026: Kashmiri Migrant and Others
Apart from the standard reservation categories, participating universities also provide special provisions and supernumerary quotas for eligible candidates, subject to their admission policies.
| Category | Eligibility | Benefits | Required Documents |
| Kashmiri Migrants (KM) | Valid migration certificate and supporting documents. | Up to 5% increase in seat intake, up to 10% cut-off relaxation, domicile waiver, minimum 1 merit seat in professional/technical courses, fee waiver (where applicable). | Migration certificate and supporting documents. |
| PwBD | 40% or more benchmark disability certified by a competent authority. | 5% horizontal reservation, scribe facility (if eligible), 20 minutes compensatory time per exam hour, other exam accommodations. | UDID Card or Disability Certificate; scribe undertaking (if applicable). |
| Sports / ECA / NCC | Available only at universities offering these quotas. | Admission based on CUET score + trials/certificates. At DU, 25% CUET + 75% trials/certificates. Quota varies by university. | Relevant certificates and documents prescribed by the university. |
CUET UG vs PG Reservation Policies 2026: Key Differences
While the constitutional reservation policy remains the same for CUET UG and PG, the implementation of special quotas and admission rules varies across participating universities.Â
| Aspect | CUET UG | CUET PG |
| Reservation Policy | Government of India reservation norms apply in Central Universities. | Same Government of India reservation norms apply in Central Universities. |
| Reservation Categories | SC (15%), ST (7.5%), OBC-NCL (27%), EWS (10%), PwBD (5% horizontal). | Same reservation percentages. |
| Implementation | Applied during university counselling and seat allotment. | Applied during university counselling and seat allotment. |
| Sports/ECA/NCC Quotas | Commonly available at several universities (e.g., DU). | Limited availability; depends on the university and programme. |
| Kashmiri Migrant/CW/Other Special Quotas | Offered by eligible universities as per admission policy. | May be available only for selected universities or programmes. |
| Seat Matrix | Based on undergraduate programme-wise intake. | Varies by postgraduate programme and department. |
| Reservation Certificates | Valid category certificates required during admission. | Same document requirements apply during admission. |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the CUET reservation policy the same for UG and PG admissions?
Yes. Central Universities follow the same reservation percentages for CUET UG and PGâ15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, 27% for OBC-NCL, 10% for EWS, and 5% horizontal reservation for PwBD. However, university-specific quotas may differ.
2. Can I change my reservation category after submitting the CUET application form?
No. NTA does not allow candidates to change their category or sub-category after the application form is submitted. Candidates should carefully select the correct reservation category before final submission.
3. Which certificates are required to claim reservation under CUET 2026?
Candidates must submit valid category certificates during admission. EWS certificates should be issued on or after 1 January 2026, while OBC-NCL certificates must be issued on or after 1 April 2025. SC/ST and PwBD certificates must be valid.
4. Does NTA verify reservation documents during the CUET application process?
No. NTA collects reservation details during application, but the admitting university verifies the original certificates during counselling and admission. Invalid or missing documents may result in the candidate being treated under the General category.
5. Are Sports, ECA, NCC, and Kashmiri Migrant quotas available at all CUET universities?
No. These are university-specific quotas and are not available at every participating institution. Candidates should check the admission brochure of their preferred university for eligibility, seat availability, and selection criteria.
6. Are PwBD candidates eligible for additional facilities in CUET?
Yes. Candidates with 40% or more benchmark disability are eligible for 5% horizontal reservation and may also avail facilities such as a scribe, compensatory time, and other examination accommodations as per NTA guidelines.
