CUET Reservation Policy for SC Students: Percentage, Documents, Eligibility, More
15% seats are reserved for SC candidates under CUET reservation policy. Applicants must also produce Scheduled Caste (Annexure-III) as per latest Government of India guidelines to be eligible for the reservation.
For students aspiring to secure admission through CUET 2026, understanding the nuances of SC reservation in CUET and other quotas is crucial. 15% seats are reserved for SC candidates under CUET reservation policy. Applicants must also submit Scheduled Caste/Tribe Certificate (Annexure-III) as per latest Government of India guidelines. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) adheres strictly to government-mandated reservation policies, allocating specific percentages of seats for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD). This comprehensive guide explains the criteria, required documents, and how universities apply these reservation policies for 2026 admissions.
CUET Reservation Criteria 2026 for SC Candidates
The CUET Reservation Criteria 2026 for SC candidates provide a 15% seat reservation in Central Universities, along with category-specific relaxations and document verification requirements under Government of India norms.
| Criteria | Details for SC Candidates |
| Reservation Quota | 15% seats reserved in Central Universities under GoI norms. |
| Applicable Institutions | Central Universities and participating institutes following GoI reservation policy. |
| Eligibility | Must belong to a recognized Scheduled Caste and apply under the SC category. |
| Required Document | Valid SC certificate issued by the competent authority. |
| Admission Basis | Must qualify CUET and meet the university’s eligibility and merit criteria. |
| Category-wise Merit | Separate SC merit lists and cut-offs are prepared by universities. |
| Application Fee | Eligible for the reduced CUET application fee for SC candidates. |
| PwBD Benefit | SC-PwBD candidates can claim additional PwBD reservation, if eligible. |
| Reservation Stage | Reservation is applied during counselling and admission, not score calculation. |
Essential Documents Required for CUET Reservation Claims 2026
Candidates must upload mandatory certificates during the CUET 2026 application process to avail reservation benefits, as NTA does not permit category changes after submission. Failure to provide correct documents will result in default categorization under the General category, making proper submission crucial for all applicants.
- SC/ST: Scheduled Caste/Tribe Certificate (Annexure-III) as per latest Government of India guidelines.
- GEN-EWS: Certificate (Annexure-IA) issued on or after April 1, 2025, or declaration (Annexure-IB).
- OBC-NCL: Certificate (Central List, Annexure-IIA) issued on or after April 1, 2025, or declaration (Annexure-IIB).
- PwBD: UDID Card OR Certificate of Disability (Annexure-IV/V/VI) from notified medical authority.
- Dyslexic PwBD: Annexure-VII (Form-DYSLEXIC-1) and Annexure-VIII (Form-DYSLEXIC 2), merged PDF.
- Kashmiri Migrant: Valid migration certificates and supporting documents as per government rules.
Overall CUET Reservation Criteria 2026: SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD Quotas Overview
The CUET Reservation Criteria 2026 for undergraduate admissions aligns with Government of India norms, applying to Central, State, Deemed, and Private CUET participating universities. Proper documentation is mandatory for availing reservation benefits, including for sc reservation in CUET.
| 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 |
The NTA CUET Reservation Policy 2026 aligns with Government of India norms, but individual universities may have additional policies. Proper documentation is mandatory for availing reservation benefits, with certificates required during the CUET 2026 application process.
Horizontal Reservation Quotas in CUET 2026: Detailed Overview
Horizontal reservations in CUET 2026 work as an overlay within each vertical category, such as SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and UR. These policies, including specific quotas like the sc reservation in CUET, are implemented by the admitting university at the counselling stage, not by NTA.
| Horizontal Reservation Category | Quota / Benefit | Applicable To | Implementation |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 5% reservation in each vertical category | Candidates with 40% or more benchmark disability and a valid PwBD certificate | Applied within SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and UR seats during university counselling. |
| Sports Quota | Varies by university (no common CUET quota) | National, state, or recognized sportspersons meeting university criteria | Offered as a supernumerary or special quota by universities like DU; may include sports trials. |
| Extra-Curricular Activities (ECA) Quota | University-specific | Candidates with achievements in music, dance, debate, NCC, NSS, etc. | Available only in select universities (e.g., DU) with additional evaluation or trials. |
| Kashmiri Migrants / Kashmiri Hindu Families | University-specific concessions | Eligible candidates under notified Government guidelines | May include supernumerary seats, relaxed cut-offs, or additional intake depending on the university. |
| Single Girl Child / Orphan / Other Special Categories | Varies by university | Eligible candidates notified by individual universities | Not a common CUET reservation; applicable only where the university provides such provisions. |
Additional Reservation Guidelines by Govt. of India
- University-specific Reservations: Additional quotas vary by the participating university.
- Seat Availability: Seat intake differs across universities and programmes.
- DU ECA & Sports: Delhi University offers up to 5% supernumerary seats each under ECA and Sports quotas.
- Kashmiri Migrants: Eligible universities may offer special admission concessions under GoI guidelines.
- Cut-off Relaxation: Up to 10% relaxation may be available for eligible Kashmiri Migrants.
- Reserved Seats: Select institutions may provide at least one reserved or supernumerary seat for Kashmiri Migrants.
- Relaxation: Domicile requirements may be relaxed for eligible Kashmiri Migrants.
- Migration Facility: Eligible students may apply for migration from the second year onwards, subject to guidelines.
Minimum Eligibility Marks for Reserved Categories in CUET 2026
There is no common minimum qualifying percentage prescribed by NTA for reserved category candidates. Instead, each participating university specifies its own minimum eligibility marks, with most universities offering a 5% relaxation to SC/ST candidates in the qualifying examination.Â
| Category | Typical Minimum Eligibility | Key Details |
| SC | Usually 5% relaxation in qualifying marks | Most universities require 45% instead of 50%, though course-specific criteria may differ. |
| ST | Usually 5% relaxation | Similar relaxation as SC candidates in most participating universities. |
| OBC-NCL | University-specific | Many universities prescribe 45% minimum marks, while others may require 50% or higher depending on the programme. |
| EWS | Same as General category | No relaxation in qualifying marks unless specified by the university. |
| PwBD | Usually 5% relaxation | Additional relaxation is available in many universities, subject to eligibility and a valid disability certificate. |
CUET Application fees for Each Category
UG
The base fee covers up to 3 subjects. Candidates can choose a maximum of 5 subjects, with an additional fee applicable for each subject beyond three.
| Category | Fee (Up to 3 Subjects) | Additional Fee (Per Subject) |
| General (UR) | ₹1,000 | ₹400 |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹900 | ₹375 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Third Gender | ₹800 | ₹350 |
| Outside India | ₹4,500 | ₹1,800 |
PG
The base fee includes up to 2 test papers. Candidates can opt for up to 4 papers, with an additional fee charged for each paper beyond two.Â
| Category | Fee (Up to 2 Test Papers) | Additional Fee (Per Paper) |
| General (UR) | ₹1,400 | ₹700 |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | ₹1,200 | ₹600 |
| SC / ST / Third Gender | ₹1,100 | ₹600 |
| PwBD | ₹1,000 | ₹600 |
| Outside India | ₹7,000 | ₹3,500 |
Consequences of Incorrect CUET Reservation Claims 2026
Incorrect or missing reservation documents for CUET 2026 will result in default categorization to the General category. This section outlines the critical consequences of such claims, emphasizing the strict policies regarding category changes after application submission, particularly for those seeking sc reservation in CUET.
- Consequence of missing documents: Categorization in the default category.
- Default categorization: General category for incorrect or missing reservation documents.
- Category change policy: NTA does not allow changes post-submission; initial application details are final.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the SC reservation percentage in CUET 2026?Â
SC candidates are eligible for 15% reservation in Central Universities and other participating institutions following Government of India reservation norms. Reservation is applied during university counselling, not by NTA.
2. Can I change my reservation category after submitting the CUET application form?Â
No. NTA does not allow candidates to change their reservation category after the application correction window closes. Incorrect or missing documents may result in General category consideration.
3. What documents are required to claim SC reservation in CUET 2026?Â
SC candidates must upload a valid Scheduled Caste certificate in the prescribed Government of India format. Original documents are also verified during counselling and admission by the participating university.
4. Does NTA apply reservation while calculating the CUET score?Â
No. NTA only conducts the examination and declares scores. Reservation benefits are implemented by individual universities during counselling, seat allocation, and preparation of category-wise merit lists.
5. Is there any minimum qualifying mark for SC candidates in CUET 2026?Â
NTA does not prescribe minimum qualifying marks for SC candidates. Most universities provide around 5% relaxation in eligibility marks, but the exact criteria vary by institution and programme.
6. Is the CUET application fee different for reserved category candidates?Â
Yes. Reserved category candidates pay a reduced CUET application fee. For CUET UG 2026, SC/ST/PwBD/Third Gender candidates pay ₹800 for up to three subjects, compared to ₹1,000 for General candidates.
