In a surprising development related to JEE Main and JEE Advanced eligibility, a case from Rajasthan’s Sikar district has grabbed attention. According to reports, some candidates under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category have become eligible for JEE Advanced even with extremely low or near-zero percentile in JEE Main.
This has created confusion, curiosity, and debate among students preparing for IIT admissions.
Let’s understand the complete story in a simple and human way.
📍 What is the News About?
The report highlights that PwD category candidates can qualify for JEE Advanced even at very low percentile levels, sometimes close to zero, depending on the number of available reserved seats and category-wise eligibility rules.
This is not a “shortcut” or mistake—it is part of the official reservation and eligibility structure defined by NTA and IIT authorities.
As per JEE Advanced rules, students are selected from the top 2.5 lakh candidates of JEE Main, and within this pool, seats are distributed across categories including PwD reservation.
🧠 Why Does This Happen? (Simple Explanation)
To understand this, you need to know how JEE Advanced selection works:
🎯 1. Top 2.5 Lakh Rule
Only the top ~2.5 lakh JEE Main candidates are eligible for JEE Advanced, based on rank—not just percentile.
This pool is then divided into categories:
- General (Open)
- OBC-NCL
- EWS
- SC/ST
- PwD (horizontal reservation)
♿ 2. PwD Horizontal Reservation
PwD reservation is horizontal, meaning:
- It applies within every category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.)
- A fixed percentage of seats are reserved for PwD candidates within each group
Even if fewer PwD candidates score high marks, seats still need to be filled.
📉 3. Very Low Cutoff Possibility
In some cases:
- Very few PwD candidates appear or qualify in a category
- Seats remain vacant
- The cutoff can drop extremely low to fill all available seats
That is why sometimes candidates with 0 percentile or near-zero score may still appear eligible under PwD category criteria.
⚠️ Important Reality Check
This does NOT mean:
- 0 percentile candidates are generally selected for IITs
- Everyone in PwD category gets automatic entry
- JEE Advanced is “easy” for PwD students
It simply reflects a statistical and reservation-based adjustment, not a relaxation of academic standards overall.
📊 How JEE Advanced Selection Actually Works
Here is a simplified flow:
Step 1: JEE Main Result
- Millions of students appear
- Percentile is calculated (relative scoring)
Step 2: Top Candidates Filtered
- Only top 2.5 lakh candidates qualify for JEE Advanced
Step 3: Category Distribution
Seats are divided like:
- OPEN (General) ~40%
- OBC-NCL ~27%
- SC ~15%
- ST ~7.5%
- EWS ~10%
- PwD: 5% horizontal reservation within each category
Step 4: Final Eligibility List
If PwD seats are still vacant:
- Lower-ranked candidates may be included until seats are filled
🧩 Why People Are Talking About It
This news became viral because:
- “0 percentile eligibility” sounds shocking
- It raises questions about fairness
- Many aspirants misunderstand reservation rules
But experts say this is a technical outcome of the reservation system, not a loophole or mistake.
⚖️ Is This Fair or Unfair?
This topic always creates debate.
👍 Supporters Say:
- PwD candidates deserve equal opportunities
- Reservation ensures inclusion in competitive exams
- Without it, many would be excluded completely
👎 Critics Say:
- It may look unfair to general category students
- Misinterpretation leads to confusion
- Awareness about eligibility rules is low
The truth lies somewhere in between—reservation is meant for equal opportunity, not equal competition.
🎓 What Students Should Understand
If you are preparing for JEE, here are key takeaways:
✔ Percentile is not everything
What matters is rank + category cutoff
✔ PwD cutoff is different
It is adjusted based on available seats and candidates
✔ Always check official rules
Many viral claims online are misleading without full context
🧠 Bigger Picture: Why This System Exists
India’s entrance exams are extremely competitive. Reservation exists to:
- Provide access to underrepresented groups
- Ensure diversity in top institutions like IITs
- Support students with disabilities in higher education
Without this system, many deserving candidates would never get a chance.
🚀 Final Verdict
The “0 percentile eligibility for PwD category” in JEE Advanced is not a loophole or shortcut—it is a rare outcome of reservation-based seat allocation rules when candidate numbers and seat availability do not align perfectly.
👉 It does NOT affect general competition levels
👉 It does NOT reduce IIT standards
👉 It simply ensures no reserved seat remains vacant
💬 Final Thought
JEE Advanced is still one of the toughest exams in India. Whether it is General or PwD category, clearing it requires effort, preparation, and consistency.
This news only highlights one thing:
👉 Competitive exams are not just about marks—they are also about systems, rules, and fairness policies.
–Content Writer and SEO – Riya Singh