Bihar applies approximately 60% reservation in state quota medical admissions. The Bihar NEET category list includes six vertical categories and several horizontal reservations that together shape how seats are distributed. The remaining ~40% of seats are filled under the Unreserved (UR/OPEN) category on merit.
Vertical reservation categories
| Code | Category | Reservation % | Seats (2025 govt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPEN | Unreserved / General | ~40% | 329 |
| EBC | Extremely Backward Class | 18% | 147 |
| SC | Scheduled Caste | 16% | 132 |
| BC | Backward Class | 12% | 99 |
| EWS | Economically Weaker Section | 10% | 82 |
| ST | Scheduled Tribe | 1% | 8 |
Bihar has a dual backward-class structure that is uncommon among Indian states. EBC (Extremely Backward Class) at 18% is separate from BC (Backward Class) at 12%, together accounting for 30% of seats. The EBC reservation at 18% is one of the highest in the country for this sub-category.
The ST reservation at 1% reflects Bihar’s relatively small tribal population, far lower than the 7.5% ST reservation under AIQ.
How to determine your category
Your category for Bihar NEET counselling is determined by certificates issued by the relevant government authority:
- OPEN: If you do not belong to any reserved category
- BC: Per the Bihar State List of Backward Classes, with a certificate from the District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Officer
- EBC: Per the Bihar State List of Extremely Backward Classes, with a certificate from the same authority
- SC: Per the Scheduled Castes list for Bihar, with a certificate from the competent authority
- ST: Per the Scheduled Tribes list for Bihar
- EWS: Family income below Rs 8 lakh per annum, with a certificate issued in the year of admission
Horizontal reservations (applied across all vertical categories)
These quotas are applied within each vertical category, not in addition to the total seat count:
| Code | Category | Reservation |
|---|---|---|
| DQ | Disability Quota (PwD) | 5% |
| RCG | Reserved Category Girls | 3% |
| SM | Service Martyr / Ex-Serviceman | Present in allotment data but percentage not specified in official sources |
| WQ | Women Quota | Present in allotment data but percentage not specified in official sources |
RCG (Reserved Category Girls) at 3% is a Bihar-specific horizontal reservation for girls belonging to reserved categories (SC, ST, BC, EBC). This is separate from the Female Seat dimension described below, and separate from the general Women Quota.
Two-dimensional seat allocation
Bihar uses a two-dimensional system that is uncommon among Indian states. Each seat has two independent attributes:
- Allotted Category (vertical): The caste or quota code (OPEN, BC, EBC, SC, ST, EWS, NRI, etc.)
- Seat Type (horizontal): Either General Seat or Female Seat
These two dimensions combine. A candidate can be allotted, for example, “SC Female Seat” (an SC-category candidate in a female-reserved seat) or “EBC General Seat.” The Female Seat dimension is separate from WQ (Women Quota); a candidate could hold “WQ General Seat” as well.
When reading Bihar allotment results, check both columns: your category and your seat type.
Special quotas in private colleges
| Quota | Seats (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General/Unreserved merit | 951 | 50% of private seats, no category reservation |
| NRI | 204 | 15% of private seats; requires NRI documentation, passport, visa, notarized financial sponsorship affidavit |
| Muslim Minority | 150 | In minority-status private institutions only |
| Sikh Minority | 45 | In minority-status private institutions only |
Muslim Minority and Sikh Minority quotas are specific to private colleges with minority institution status. These quotas do not exist in government colleges or under AIQ.
Vacancy conversion
When reserved seats go unfilled after all rounds, they typically convert to the general merit pool. Horizontal reservation seats (DQ, RCG, SM, WQ) that remain vacant revert to the parent vertical category.
How Bihar categories differ from AIQ categories
| Bihar state counselling | AIQ equivalent |
|---|---|
| OPEN | UR (Unreserved) |
| BC (12%) | OBC (AIQ uses 27%; Bihar’s BC is narrower) |
| EBC (18%) | No direct AIQ equivalent |
| SC (16%) | SC (AIQ uses 15%) |
| ST (1%) | ST (AIQ uses 7.5%) |
| EWS (10%) | EWS (both 10%) |
| DQ 5% | PwD 5% (similar) |
| RCG 3% | No AIQ equivalent |
| SM, WQ | No AIQ equivalent |
| Muslim Minority, Sikh Minority | No AIQ equivalent |
If you hold both a Bihar category certificate and a central OBC/SC certificate, you can use each in its respective counselling (Bihar certificate for state quota; central certificate for AIQ).