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NEET counselling · guide

OBC-NCL certificate for NEET: central vs state list and creamy layer

Every point below links to its official source.

Key facts

  1. In MCC counselling (AIQ, central institutions, AIIMS, JIPMER), OBC reservation is 27% and covers only non-creamy-layer OBCs on the central list. [1]
  2. OBCs listed only on a state list, and not on the central OBC list on ncbc.nic.in, cannot claim OBC reservation in central counselling. [1]
  3. Creamy-layer OBC candidates get no reservation. They are treated as General (UR) and compete only for open seats. [1]
  4. NTA tells creamy-layer candidates, and those whose caste is not on the central list, to fill their category as Unreserved/General. [1]
  5. The OBC creamy layer income limit was raised from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh a year by DoPT OM No. 36033/1/2013-Estt.(Res.) dated 13.09.2017, effective 1 September 2017, and applied to admissions in central educational institutions. [2]
  6. MCC's OBC-NCL format requires the parents' income/status to be based on the financial year ending 31 March 2026. [3]
  7. The OBC-NCL certificate can be issued by a DM/ADM/SDM-level magistrate, a revenue officer not below Tehsildar, or the SDO of the area where the family lives. [3]
  8. At reporting, the sub-caste on the certificate must match the central OBC list, and the certificate must be in the standard format. [3]
  9. For state quota seats, the state's own reservation policy applies, so state OBC lists matter there. [1]

Next steps

My caste is OBC in my state but not on the central list. What do I fill for AIQ?

General/UR. NTA says state-only OBCs are not eligible for OBC reservation in central counselling, though state counselling follows state rules.

Which year's income does my OBC-NCL certificate need to reflect for 2026?

MCC's 2026 OBC format says parental income/status should be based on the financial year ending 31 March 2026.

Sources

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