Check OBC NCL Certificate Eligibility

Confused about income limits, parents’ government jobs, or OBC Non-Creamy Layer rules?
Get instant clarity with Student Setu’s free OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) Eligibility Checker,designed to help students understand their likely eligibility based on income limits, parental employment, and Central Government guidelines.

✔ Based on official DoPT rules
✔ No login or signup required
✔ Free, private, and student-friendly

Built by a student, for students.

OBC Non-Creamy Layer Eligibility Checker

Answer a few simple questions to check whether you are likely eligible for OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) as per Central Government rules.

Do NOT include salary or agricultural income.

What is OBC Non Creamy Layer?

OBC Non Creamy Layer refers to individuals belonging to the Other Backward Classes whose family income and parental status fall below the limits defined by the Government of India.
Eligible candidates can claim reservation Candidates who fall under the Non Creamy Layer category are eligible for reservation benefits in Central Government jobs, educational institutions, and competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET, UPSC, and SSC. The primary objective behind this distinction is to prevent the reservation benefits from being monopolized by the relatively affluent and influential sections within the OBCs, thereby ensuring that these opportunities genuinely reach the more disadvantaged members.

OBC Non Creamy Layer Income Limit

  • Current income limit: ₹8 lakh per annum

  • Applies only to income from non-salary sources

  • Salary and agricultural income are excluded

  • Income is checked for last 3 consecutive years

⚠️ Many candidates get rejected because they wrongly include salary income.

Who is Eligible for OBC Non Creamy Layer?

Eligible if:

  • Candidate belongs to an OBC caste listed in the Central OBC List

  • Parents are not Group A (Class I) officers

  • Income from non-salary sources is below ₹8 lakh

  • Parents do not hold constitutional posts

Not Eligible if:

  • Parent is a Group A government officer

  • Parents hold constitutional positions

  • Income from non-salary sources exceeds the limit for 3 consecutive years

OBC Non Creamy Layer for Government Employees

OBC Non Creamy Layer eligibility for government employees depends more on designation and rank than income amount.

  • Group A officers → ❌ Not eligible

  • Group B officers → Depends on promotion history and both parents’ status

  • Group C / D employees → Generally eligible if income rules are satisfied

👉 A high salary alone does not automatically disqualify a candidate.

Documents Required for OBC Non Creamy Layer Certificate

Commonly required documents include:

  • OBC caste certificate

  • Income certificate (last 3 years – non-salary income)

  • Aadhaar card

  • Residence proof

  • Self-declaration affidavit

Requirements may vary slightly by state, but Central rules remain the same.

OBC Non Creamy Layer – Common Questions

Clear answers on OBC Non Creamy Layer eligibility, income limits, rules, and certificates.

What does OBC Non Creamy Layer mean?

OBC Non Creamy Layer refers to eligible candidates from Other Backward Classes whose family income and parental status fall within limits set by the Central Government. Such candidates can claim reservation benefits in government jobs and educational institutions.

What is the OBC Non Creamy Layer income limit?

The income limit for OBC Non Creamy Layer is ₹8 lakh per year. This limit applies only to income from non-salary and non-agricultural sources, calculated over the last three consecutive financial years.

Is parents’ salary included in OBC NCL income calculation?

No. Salary income and agricultural income are excluded while calculating OBC Non Creamy Layer income. Only income from business, profession, rent, or interest is considered.

Are children of government employees eligible for OBC NCL?

It depends on the parent’s rank. Children of Group A officers are not eligible. Group B cases may require additional verification. Group C and D employees are usually eligible if income rules are satisfied.

How accurate is the StudentSetu OBC NCL Checker?

The checker provides a practical, rule-based assessment using official guidelines. However, it is for informational purposes only. Final eligibility is confirmed by the issuing authority during certificate verification.

Is OBC Non Creamy Layer valid for all exams?

Yes, the OBC Non Creamy Layer certificate is valid for Central Government exams such as JEE, NEET, UPSC, SSC, and other central recruitments, provided the certificate is issued in the correct format.