Category Rank vs CRL (OBC, SC, ST, EWS) in JoSAA
Two ranks, two seat pools
Every reserved-category student gets a CRL (Common Rank List — everyone together) and a category rank (only within your category). In JoSAA:
- Open seats are filled on the CRL — open to all categories.
- Reserved seats (EWS / OBC-NCL / SC / ST) are filled on your category rank.
Why reserved cutoffs look "lower"
A category closing rank (say SC rank 1,200) is not comparable to an Open CRL closing (say 5,000) — they are different lists. So always read a reserved cutoff as a category rank, not a CRL.
In the predictor, pick your category and it compares your category rank against reserved-seat cutoffs (and your CRL against open seats) automatically — so the colleges shown are the ones you can actually get.
Frequently asked questions
Which rank is used for reserved seats — CRL or category rank?
Reserved seats (EWS/OBC-NCL/SC/ST) are filled on your category rank. Open seats are filled on the CRL, which is open to everyone.
Is category rank better than CRL?
Your category rank is always a smaller number than your CRL because it ranks you only within your category. They are different lists and should not be compared directly.
Do I need to enter both ranks in the predictor?
Enter your category and the relevant rank. For reserved categories the predictor uses your category rank for reserved seats; if you also want open-seat results it uses your CRL.
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