While engineering is a popular course, it can be quite expensive, especially for the economically weaker sections of society. The tuition fees alone run in 7-figure amounts. In 2013, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) introduced the SNQ (SuperNumerary Quota) to address this issue. If you have not heard about it before, keep scrolling to learn more.
Read: The Changing Dynamic of Engineering Seats In Karnataka
What is SuperNumerary Quota?
SNQ is a system wherein engineering/polytechnic colleges reserve 5% of their seats over the seat matrix for students from economically poorer sections of society who pay reduced tuition fees. This means if a college has 100 seats, 5 additional seats are made available as SNQ seats bringing the total to 105 seats.
As many as 5,000 seats in government and private aided/unaided colleges are available under this system. In such cases, the government fees are waived and the student needs to pay only a token amount.
SNQ Quota Eligibility
Candidates must meet two main criteria to be eligible for SNQ seats.
Firstly, the student must be a rank holder in the entrance exams. Secondly, his/her family income must be lower than 6 lakhs per annum. The government has created 5 income slabs to prioritize candidates.
| Slab Type | Income |
| Slab 1 | <Rs 1 lakh |
| Slab 2 | Rs 1 lakh – 2 lakh |
| Slab 3 | Rs 2 lakh – 3 lakh |
| Slab 4 | Rs 3 lakh – 4.5 lakh |
| Slab 5 | Rs 4.5 lakh – 6 lakh |
Students in the lowest income slab will get first priority for the seats followed by the second lowest slab and so on.
Read Karnataka Engineering College Admissions – Government Introduces New Rules
Claiming Or SuperNumerary Quota
Eligible candidates are automatically identified from the merit lists. There is no need to take any additional steps if you meet the eligibility criteria. At the document verification stage, you will need to furnish an income certificate as issued by the jurisdictional Tahasildar to prove your family income status.