Navi Mumbai Reserved Seats 2026: SC ST OBC Women Ward List and Reservation Details for Navi Mumbai Elections
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) elections, scheduled for January 15, 2026, feature a structured reservation system for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and women across its 111 seats. This marks the first general election under a new multi-member ward panel system, with reservations drawn via a transparent lottery process to ensure fair representation.
Overview of Ward Structure and Total Seats
Navi Mumbai’s electoral map consists of 28 ward panels: 27 four-member wards and one three-member ward, totaling 111 corporator seats. This panel system differs from single-member wards in places like Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), allowing multiple candidates per ward and providing opportunities across categories. The State Election Commission (SEC) approved this structure to accommodate diverse aspirants and prevent dissatisfaction over reservations.
Ward reservations were finalized through a lottery held on November 11, 2025, at Vishnudas Bhave Theatre in Vashi, supervised by Municipal Commissioner Kailas Shinde. The process used numbered lots in a transparent roller, drawn by blindfolded school students, ensuring impartiality.
Reservation Breakdown by Category
Reservations align with constitutional mandates and the 2011 census data for Navi Mumbai’s population of 11.36 lakh, including around one lakh Scheduled Castes and 19,646 Scheduled Tribes.
- Scheduled Castes (SC): At least 10 wards reserved, reflecting the highest SC population areas. Five of these are for SC women.
- Scheduled Tribes (ST): Two wards reserved.
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 29 seats, constituting 27% of the total, distributed as open or OBC seats in every ward.
- Women: At least 50% of seats (56 out of 111) reserved for women, with a minimum of two women per ward. This includes overlaps with SC, ST, and OBC women reservations.
Every ward guarantees at least two open or OBC seats alongside reserved ones, promoting balanced representation. The design ensures no ward lacks opportunities for general category candidates.
Detailed Ward List and Reservation Patterns
While the full enumerated ward list from the lottery is available on the Maharashtra SEC website, key patterns emerge from the draw. SC reservations prioritized wards with the largest SC populations, determined in descending order. Half of these SC wards were allotted to women via lottery. ST reservations targeted areas with notable tribal demographics.
OBC seats are integrated across all 28 wards, with 29 total allocations ensuring proportional representation. Women’s quotas are mandatory per ward: the three-member ward has at least two women, and four-member wards follow suit, totaling 56 seats. This horizontal reservation cuts across vertical categories like SC, ST, and OBC.
| Ward Type | Total Wards/Seats | SC Seats | ST Seats | OBC Seats | Women Seats (Min.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four-Member Wards | 27 wards (108 seats) | Portion of 10 wards | Portion of 2 wards | In every ward | 2 per ward (54 total min.) |
| Three-Member Ward | 1 ward (3 seats) | – | – | Included | 2 min. |
| Total | 28 wards (111 seats) | 10+ wards | 2 wards | 29 | 56 (50%) |
Aspirants can contest from their eligible categories within multi-member wards, unlike single-seat systems. For precise ward-wise details, such as which specific wards are SC, ST, OBC, or women-reserved, refer to the official SEC notification or NMMC portal via Maharashtra State Election Commission.
Significance for 2026 Elections
These reservations reflect Maharashtra’s broader civic poll framework, where 2,869 seats across 29 corporations, including Navi Mumbai, emphasize inclusivity. The Model Code of Conduct is active, with polling on January 15 and results the next day. Special facilities like ramps and pink booths support vulnerable voters.
The panel system in Navi Mumbai fosters competition while upholding diversity. Political alliances, including MahaYuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi, are gearing up, making these reservations pivotal for candidate selection and voter outreach. With boundaries recently rectified based on population shifts, the stage is set for a landmark election.
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