JEE Main Attempts for OBC Category: What to Know

The JEE Mains exam is a major milestone for aspiring engineers across India. For candidates from the OBC (Other Backward Class) category, the rules around attempts, eligibility, and benefits can sometimes feel unclear.

If you’re from the OBC category, this guide is your go-to resource. We’ll break down everything you need to know, including:

• How many attempts OBC candidates get in JEE Mains
• Differences in age and eligibility criteria
• Reservation benefits and what they actually mean
• Mistakes to avoid while applying
• Strategic tips for maximizing your chances

Whether you’re still in school or planning a drop year, it’s crucial to understand your rights, your limits, and your opportunities.

Let’s break it down.

How Many Times Can OBC Candidates Attempt JEE Mains?

Contrary to popular belief, OBC category candidates do not get extra attempts for JEE Mains.

The rule is the same for everyone:

• You can appear in JEE Mains for 3 consecutive years starting from the year of passing Class 12
• Each year has 2 sessions (January and April)
• This gives a total of 6 possible attempts

So if you passed Class 12 in 2024, you can attempt:

• 2024 (January & April)
• 2025 (January & April)
• 2026 (January & April)

That’s your complete attempt window—whether you’re General, OBC, SC/ST, or EWS.

While OBC does not affect the number of attempts, it does offer other critical advantages. Let’s explore those next.

Do OBC Candidates Have a Relaxed Age Limit?

For JEE Mains, the NTA has no upper age limit for any category—including OBC.

This means:

• You can appear for JEE Mains regardless of your age, as long as you meet the year-of-passing rule (within 3 years of Class 12)
• There is no extra age relaxation for OBC in JEE Mains

However, if you qualify for JEE Advanced, that’s where the age limit matters:

• General candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2000
• OBC-NCL candidates get a 5-year relaxation — i.e., born on or after October 1, 1995

So while age doesn’t affect your JEE Mains attempts, it does impact JEE Advanced eligibility for OBC candidates.

OBC-NCL vs. OBC: Know the Difference

Many students lose out on benefits simply because they misunderstand this one thing.

To claim OBC reservation in JEE:

• You must belong to the OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) category
• Your family income should be below ₹8 lakhs per annum
• You must have a valid OBC-NCL certificate issued within the past year

If you're from the OBC Creamy Layer, you fall under the General category for JEE purposes and won’t receive reservation benefits.

Always double-check your income status and ensure your certificate is recent and valid.

What Reservation Do OBC Candidates Get in JEE?

OBC-NCL candidates get 27% reservation in:

• NITs
• IIITs
• CFTIs
• GFTIs
• Other institutions under JoSAA counseling

This reservation applies only if you meet the cutoff score for your category.

There is also a separate merit list for OBC-NCL candidates, so you’re not directly competing with General candidates.

This is one of the biggest advantages of applying under the OBC category—a significantly lower cutoff for the same seat.

Understanding Cutoff Relaxation for OBC Candidates

Here’s how the cutoff benefits actually look:

• If the General cutoff is 90 percentile
• The OBC-NCL cutoff may be around 75–80 percentile
• This means you may qualify for JEE Advanced or NITs with a score that would not work under General category

Cutoffs change each year based on difficulty level and competition, but the trend is consistent: OBC candidates benefit from a 10–15 percentile relaxation.

However, these cutoffs are not automatic—you still need to fill in OBC-NCL status correctly in your application.

What Happens If You Miss a Session?

Let’s say you skip the January session. Will that count as a lost attempt?

No. You can choose to appear in either January, April, or both.

Each session is optional, and only your best score from the two is used for final merit and rank calculation.

But if you're a dropper, time becomes limited. Missing sessions reduces your chances unnecessarily.

Smart strategy for OBC droppers:

• Attempt both sessions every year
• Use January for practice, April for performance
• Make sure OBC certificate is ready before registration

Tips to Maximize Your JEE Mains as an OBC Candidate

1. Keep Your Certificate Updated

Your OBC-NCL certificate must be:

• Dated within 1 year before registration
• Issued by a competent authority
• Correct in caste spelling, format, and jurisdiction

Scan and save both a digital and physical copy.

2. Apply Early for Each Session

Seats for centers, cities, and shifts fill up fast. Apply as soon as registration opens to avoid last-minute stress or travel issues.

3. Aim Higher Than the Cutoff

While reservation offers a relaxed cutoff, don't rely on the bare minimum.

For top NITs and IIITs under OBC-NCL, aim for:

• 180+ marks or 95+ percentile
• Focus on your strongest subject to push rank

4. Don’t Skip Any Year

Even if you feel underprepared, take the session. Real exam experience is better than any mock test.

Every session gives:

• A chance to improve
• Real-time performance analytics
• Confidence for future attempts

5. Use Drop Year Strategically (If Needed)

If you’ve exhausted one year and didn’t get the college or branch you wanted, you still have 2 more eligible years.

But only drop if:

• You have a clear plan
• You're improving in mocks
• You’re ready to treat prep like a full-time job

What If My OBC Certificate Is Delayed?

You can:

• Apply under General category temporarily
• Upload a self-declaration if allowed by NTA
• Update to OBC-NCL during JoSAA counseling, if permitted

But note: if you can’t prove your OBC-NCL status during final admission, you’ll lose the reservation benefits.

Always try to arrange your certificate well before the registration window.

FAQs on JEE Main Attempts for OBC Category

Do OBC candidates get more attempts than General?

No. All candidates—General, OBC, SC, ST—get the same number of attempts: 3 years × 2 sessions = 6 attempts

Does OBC reservation apply to JEE Advanced too?

Yes. If you qualify for JEE Advanced, OBC-NCL candidates also get reservation in IIT admissions, with similar documentation requirements.

Can I change my category after registration?

Usually no. You can’t change category once the application is submitted. Make sure to get your documents in place before applying.

Is there a separate cutoff for OBC in every state?

JEE Mains is a national exam, so the OBC cutoff is common across India. State counseling may have additional quotas—check those separately.

Final Thoughts

Understanding jee main attempts for OBC category helps you take full advantage of what’s available to you—not just in terms of seats, but in confidence, planning, and peace of mind.

To recap:

• OBC candidates get equal attempts, but lower cutoffs and 27% reservation
• OBC-NCL status must be correctly documented
• Use all sessions strategically—don’t skip
• Aim high, not just to qualify, but to secure your ideal college and branch

With smart planning and the right mindset, you can turn reservation into real opportunity—and JEE Mains into your success story.