Maratha reservation has been a long-debated issue in Maharashtra for nearly three decades. Over the years, policies and legal decisions have evolved, leading to a situation where Maratha candidates may have multiple reservation options like SEBC VS OBC VS EWS, depending on their eligibility.
At present, eligible Marathas can apply under EWS at the central level, while in Maharashtra they may qualify under SEBC VS OBC, subject to applicable conditions. In some cases, candidates may also be eligible for OBC benefits at both the state and central level, provided they meet the required criteria.
For detailed eligibility criteria, required documents, and category-wise explanation, read our earlier post here: Maratha Reservation Eligibility Explained .
Purpose of This Article
The purpose of this article is to help students and job seekers from the Maratha community understand which reservation option—OBC VS SEBC—may be more beneficial. Maratha candidates who possess Kunbi records often have the option to apply either under SEBC using Maratha caste certification or under OBC using existing Kunbi documentation. To support this understanding, the article uses cutoff marks from government examinations as well as admission cutoffs from professional courses such as engineering and pharmacy for comparison.
Sample Cutoff Data Used for Analysis of SEBC VS OBC
To determine which reservation category—OBC or SEBC—is more beneficial for Maratha candidates, we will analyze cutoff data from MPSC examinations along with engineering and pharmacy admission cutoffs. These cutoffs play a key role in understanding real competition levels across categories and will help in making an informed decision about which reservation option may offer better opportunities for jobs and admissions.
To ensure accurate and balanced results, the data has been collected from multiple regions such as Kolhapur, Pune, Mumbai, and Sambhaji-nagar, and across different domains including competitive examinations, government jobs, and admission processes. For examinations, MPSC main results declared after the implementation of SEBC reservation have been specifically considered, so that the analysis reflects the actual impact of reservation categories on real outcomes.
The following tables present sample cutoff data used for this analysis. The data is displayed in a structured format to allow easy comparison across different exams, institutions, and regions. All the data for Cutoff is from GOBC, GSEBC, GEWS
These tables are provided only for reference and comparative understanding and do not represent official or final cutoffs for future selections.
| Examination Name | Open | OBC | EWS | SEBC | Result Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Services Main Examination 2024 | 507.5 | 485.5 | 445 | 490.75 | 09-09-2025 |
| Police Sub Inspector (PSI) 2024 – Revised | 292.5 | 276 | 260 | 281 | 15-10-2025 |
| Maharashtra Agriculture Services Main 2024 | 275 | 217 | 189 | 240 | 24-12-2025 |
| Group-C Services Main 2024 – Tax Assistant | 283 | 270 | 252 | 274.5 | 16-12-2025 |
| College Name | Open | OBC | EWS | SEBC | Course Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCCOE, Pune | 5310 (98.46) | 5559 (98.37) | 10766 (96.92) | 5440 (98.41) | 0617524590L |
| KIT College of Engineering, Kolhapur | 19676 (94.29) | 22373 (93.51) | 32562 (90.42) | 21156 (93.87) | 626791110 |
| Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli | 1766 (99.43) | 1929 (99.38) | 9806 (97.19) | 2110 (99.33) | 600729310 |
| MMCOE, Karvenagar Pune | 4266 (98.73) | 4783 (98.59) | 9050 (97.40) | 5625 (98.36) | 0617524510 |
Pharmacy Colleges Cutoff (CET 2025)
| College Name | Open | OBC | EWS | SEBC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai | 32 (99.83) | 42 (99.80) | 266 (99.10) | 160 (99.43) |
| Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune | 394 (98.74) | 579 (98.20) | 2279 (94.77) | 995 (97.24) |
| Govt. College of Pharmacy, Amravati | 1506 (96.23) | 1755 (95.69) | 3604 (92.46) | 4556 (90.95) |
| Govt. College of Pharmacy, Karad | 1272 (96.65) | 2089 (95.09) | 3308 (92.97) | 1729 (95.80) |
| Govt. College of Pharmacy, Sambhajinagar | 1990 (95.31) | 2467 (94.43) | 3319 (92.96) | 2958 (93.59) |
| Govt. College of Pharmacy, Ratnagiri | 1558 (96.14) | 3211 (93.11) | 4519 (90.99) | 6938 (87.41) |
Category Wise data Interpretation of SEBC VS OBC
We have taken cutoff data for engineering and pharmacy colleges from different region of the Maharashtra as well as MPSC different Class results but for ease of interpretation we will categories it as MPSC cutoff and College’s cutoff.
1. MPSC interpretation
MPSC conducts examinations across the entire state of Maharashtra, so these cut-offs provide a clear statewide picture. We have also included results from Group A (Services Main Examination 2024, Maharashtra Agriculture Services Main 2024), Group B (Police Sub Inspector (PSI) 2024), and Group C (Services Main Examination 2024).
- In every group, the data clearly shows that the SEBC category cut-offs are significantly higher than OBC and EWS.
- The EWS cut-off shows a decline, as a large number of Maratha candidates are no longer eligible for EWS.
- The OBC category has lower cut-offs, which means the chances of securing a government job are higher compared to SEBC and Open categories.
- Maratha candidates with a Kunbi certificate face less competition in OBC compared to competing under the separate SEBC reservation.
- SEBC has a 10% reservation cap, while OBC has 19% reservation, along with multiple other communities. This difference in reservation share could be one of the reasons why competition in the SEBC category is tougher.
2. College Admission interpretation
We also have a reservation system in college admissions conducted under the CET Cell. Most candidates use reservation benefits for college admissions rather than for government jobs. There are 372 engineering colleges and more than 500 pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra, but for interpretation, we have selected only a few colleges from different regions of Maharashtra for simplified analysis.
- Unlike MPSC cut-offs, we see a different trend here. In some regions, OBC cut-offs are higher than SEBC and even EWS.
- Cities such as Kolhapur, Karad, and Pune, which fall under Western Maharashtra, show higher SEBC cut-offs than OBC, as the Maratha population is significantly higher in this region.
- In the Konkan and Nagpur regions, SEBC shows much lower cut-offs than OBC and even EWS, as most Marathas in these regions are already Kunbis.
- In regions other than Western Maharashtra—such as Sambhajinagar, Amravati, Mumbai, and Ratnagiri—OBC cut-offs are generally higher than SEBC.
Final Conclusion
- All trends of MPSC results show that getting a job under the SEBC category is tougher than in other categories. This gives a direct answer that Maratha candidates should choose OBC if they have Kunbi Nondhi proof from old documents, instead of entering the highly competitive SEBC category.
- College admissions, however, show a different picture. In some cases, OBC cut-offs are higher, while in others SEBC cut-offs are higher, due to different factors such as seat distribution, college preference, and applicant pool. Also, the available data set is limited, so we cannot conclusively determine which category gives Maratha candidates a clear edge over OBC or EWS in college admissions.
Therefore, candidates are advised to check the cut-offs of their preferred or dream colleges before deciding which reservation category is more beneficial for them.
Note: A candidate is eligible to choose only one reservation category. If you apply under SEBC, you cannot avail OBC or EWS benefits. Similarly, if you choose OBC, you cannot avail EWS or SEBC benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. SEBC vs OBC: Which is more beneficial for government job exams if you have Kunbi records?
If you are a Maratha candidate with a valid Kunbi certificate, OBC is more beneficial than SEBC, as OBC cut-offs are generally lower. If you do not have Kunbi records, you must apply under SEBC, as there is no other option available.
2. SEBC vs OBC: Which is more beneficial for college admissions?
There is no single clear answer. Candidates should check the cut-off trends of their preferred colleges and regions, as in some areas OBC cut-offs are higher, while in others SEBC cut-offs are higher.
3. Can Marathas apply under both SEBC VS OBC categories?
No. If you have a valid Kunbi certificate and validity, you are only allowed to apply under OBC and cannot claim SEBC benefits. Similarly, if you apply under SEBC, you cannot claim OBC benefits.
4. Can Marathas apply for EWS in Maharashtra?
No. Since Marathas have a separate reservation under SEBC in Maharashtra, they are not eligible for EWS at the state level. However, EWS may be applicable in certain Central-level examinations or admissions, subject to applicable rules.
5. Can I apply for OBC or SEBC if my family income is more than ₹8 lakh?
No. Both OBC and SEBC require Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) eligibility. If your family income exceeds ₹8 lakh, you will not qualify for either category.
