In India, the reservation system has always sparked debates—especially when results of competitive exams are published. A common question that arises is:
Can the cut-off marks for a reserved category (like SC, ST, OBC, or EWS) ever be higher than the General (UR) category, in short Can Reserved Category Cut-off Be Higher Than General?
The answer is: Yes, it’s possible. And no—it doesn’t violate merit or fairness.
Let’s break this down with logic, examples, and the actual mechanism used by recruiting bodies and institutions.
What is Cut-off?
In simple terms, a cut-off mark is the minimum score required to qualify for a seat or job. Every category—General (UR), SC, ST, OBC, EWS—has its own cut-off, depending on:
- Number of seats available for that category
- Number of candidates applying in that category
- Their performance (marks obtained)
What is Reservation in Government Exams?
India follows a constitutionally mandated reservation system to uplift socially and educationally disadvantaged groups.
As per the current policy (for central jobs/education):
| Category | Reservation % |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC (NCL) | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| UR | Remaining (~40.5%) |
🎯 These percentages are applied over a batch of vacancies or seats, not necessarily in every single instance.
What is the 100 Point Roster system?
To implement reservations practically over time, the government uses a Roster Point System. The most common one is the 100-point roster, where each point (or post) is assigned to a particular category in a rotating sequence.
Example (simplified):
| Roster Point (Position of Vacancy) | Category |
|---|---|
| 1 | UR |
| 2 | SC |
| 3 | UR |
| 4 | ST |
| 5 | OBC |
| … | … |
| 100 | EWS |
The idea is to ensure cumulative compliance with reservation percentages after every 100 appointments or admissions.
So, when a new vacancy arises, it’s not just “open to all”—it’s assigned to a specific category as per the next roster point.
Mock Example: When Reserved Cut-off Is Higher Than General
Let’s say there are 10 seats in a government exam.
Reservation Breakup:
- UR – 4 seats
- SC – 2 seats
- ST – 1 seat
- OBC – 2 seats
- EWS – 1 seat
Exam Results:
| Rank | Name | Marks | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | 98 | SC |
| 2 | B | 96 | SC |
| 3 | C | 95 | SC |
| 4 | D | 93 | OBC |
| 5 | E | 88 | General |
| 6 | F | 87 | ST |
| 7 | G | 86 | OBC |
| 8 | H | 85 | SC |
| 9 | I | 84 | SC |
| 10 | J | 83 | General |
Allocation:
UR Seats (4):
- Top 4 scorers: A, B, C, D (even though A–C are SC, they qualify under UR by merit)
SC Seats (2):
- Next best SC candidates: H (85), I (84)
Result:
| Category | Cut-off | Note |
|---|---|---|
| UR | 93 | Last UR candidate: D (OBC) |
| SC | 84 | Last SC candidate: I |
| OBC | 86 | From reserved list |
| ST | 87 | 1 seat only |
| EWS | Unfilled or separate |
Now reverse it slightly:
Let’s say General category students scored lower overall, and reserved candidates performed better, but couldn’t fill UR seats due to fixed roster points.
Then SC/OBC/ST cut-offs could appear higher than UR due to:
- Competition within category
- Limited seats
- Roster-assigned posts not open to general competition
Real-Life Example: NEET PG Counselling – General vs Reserved Category Cut off
In NEET PG Counselling 2022, many students were surprised when:
- OBC Cut-off (in some institutes) was higher than General
- In certain rounds, EWS or SC candidates needed higher marks than UR
Why?
- Because reserved seats had very few vacancies, but many high-scoring candidates
- Meanwhile, UR seats were filled by slightly lower scoring but eligible general candidates
📌 When demand is high and supply is limited in a reserved category, its cut-off can go higher than UR.
Does It Violate Merit?
No. Because:
- UR seats are filled by open competition—top scorers, regardless of category, qualify here
- Reserved category students compete again within their own category for reserved seats
- The cut-off difference is a statistical outcome, not a bias
Final Takeaway
Yes, reserved category cut-offs (SC, ST, OBC, or EWS) can sometimes be higher than General—not because of unfair rules, but due to how the reservation + roster system works.
It’s essential to understand:
- The difference between open competition and reserved competition
- The impact of limited reserved seats
- The rotation of roster points, which affects who gets which seat
F.A.Q.
Q. Can an SC candidate take a UR seat?
Yes, if their marks are high enough—they compete in open merit.
Q. Why would a reserved category cut-off be higher?
Because of higher competition and fewer reserved seats, even high scorers may not make it.
Q. Is this system fair?
Yes—it balances merit and social equity by ensuring representation without denying deserving candidates a chance.
