JEE Main Cutoff 2026: Expected Percentile, Category-Wise Qualifying Marks & Complete Previous Year Analysis
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is one of India’s most competitive engineering entrance tests. Every year, lakhs of aspirants appear in the exam with the dream of securing admission into NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs). While preparation is crucial, knowing the JEE Main cutoff also plays a vital role in strategy, target setting, and goal achievement.
In this detailed guide, we will explore expected cutoffs for 2026, category-wise qualifying marks, previous year trends, factors that influence cutoff, and strategies to achieve your goal.
1. What Is JEE Main Cutoff?
The JEE Main cutoff refers to the minimum score or percentile required to qualify for the next stage of the examination (JEE Advanced) or to be eligible for admissions through JoSAA counselling.
There are typically two types of cutoffs:
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Qualifying Cutoff — The minimum score needed to be eligible for JEE Advanced.
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Admission Cutoff — The closing rank/score required for admission into institutes through JoSAA.
2. How Cutoffs Are Decided
Understanding the cutoff helps you plan better. The key factors that influence the cutoff are:
✔ Number of Candidates Appearing
More students generally lead to higher competition and higher cutoffs.
✔ Difficulty Level of Exam
If the paper is easy, average scores are higher → cutoff increases.
✔ Total Number of Seats
More seats can lower the cutoff and vice-versa.
✔ Normalization Process
JEE Main is held in multiple sessions; NTA uses normalization to equate difficulty across shifts.
3. Previous Year Trends (2023–2025)
Trimmed data from previous years helps in predicting 2026 cutoff.
| Year | General Cutoff (Qualifying for Advanced) | OBC-NCL | SC | ST | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ~90.75 | ~72.88 | ~50.77 | ~39.02 | ~77.31 |
| 2024 | ~92.50 | ~74.15 | ~52.50 | ~41.25 | ~78.60 |
| 2025 | ~93.00 | ~75.00 | ~53.00 | ~42.00 | ~79.20 |
📌 Note: These figures are illustrative based on typical pattern.
Trend Insight:
-
The General cutoff has steadily increased.
-
Category cutoffs (OBC/SC/ST) have also shown upward movement due to intense competition.
4. Expected Cutoff for JEE Main 2026
While nothing is official until NTA releases it, based on historical data and trends:
| Category | Expected 2026 Cutoff (Qualifying for JEE Advanced) |
|---|---|
| General | 93 – 95 percentile |
| EWS | 80 – 82 percentile |
| OBC-NCL | 76 – 78 percentile |
| SC | 54 – 57 percentile |
| ST | 42 – 45 percentile |
👉 These numbers are expected qualifying percentiles, not rank or marks.
5. Category-Wise Qualifying Marks (Expected)
Percentile is relative, not absolute marks. However, based on normalized trends:
| Category | Expected Marks Range (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| General | 105 – 115 marks |
| EWS | 85 – 95 marks |
| OBC-NCL | 80 – 90 marks |
| SC | 55 – 65 marks |
| ST | 40 – 50 marks |
📌 These are estimated score bands based on past paper difficulty & normalization context.
6. Expected Seat Allotment Cutoffs (JoSAA Closing Ranks)
Different institutes have different cutoffs. Below is a general view of seat allotment trends:
Top Tier NITs (e.g., NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal)
| Category | Expected Closing Rank |
|---|---|
| General | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| OBC-NCL | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| SC | 7,000 – 12,000 |
| ST | 20,000 – 30,000 |
| EWS | 2,000 – 4,000 |
Mid Tier NITs (e.g., NIT Jamshedpur, NIT Calicut)
| Category | Expected Closing Rank |
|---|---|
| General | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| OBC-NCL | 10,000 – 15,000 |
| SC | 20,000 – 30,000 |
| ST | 35,000 – 45,000 |
| EWS | 7,000 – 12,000 |
Lower Tier NITs & IIITs
| Category | Expected Closing Rank |
|---|---|
| General | 10,000 – 25,000 |
| OBC-NCL | 15,000 – 30,000 |
| SC | 30,000 – 60,000 |
| ST | 50,000 – 80,000 |
| EWS | 10,000 – 20,000 |
⚠️ These are expected closing ranks based on recent counselling data.
7. How to Use Cutoff Data Smartly
🎯 Set Target Percentile
If you aim for top NITs, target above 98 percentile.
For mid NITs, a target of 90+ percentile works well.
📊 Compare with Last Year Trends
Always benchmark your practice tests against past cutoff patterns.
📌 Evaluate Subject-Wise Performance
Since normalized cutoff depends on total score, focus on strengthening weak areas.
8. Tips to Clear JEE Main Cutoff 2026
Here’s a proven strategy that successful aspirants follow:
✅ Start Early & Stick to Timetable
Plan daily targets subject-wise.
✅ Revision is Not Optional
Schedule multiple revisions to reinforce concepts.
✅ Practice Mock Tests
Join NTA official mock tests and previous year papers.
✅ Analyze Every Test
Identify weak areas quickly and work on them.
✅ Focus on High-Weight Chapters
Prioritize high-scoring topics like:
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Physics — Mechanics, Electricity
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Chemistry — Organic & Physical
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Maths — Calculus & Algebra
✅ Stay Consistent and Stress-Free
Routine consistency beats last-minute preparation.
9. What Happens After JEE Main Results?
✔ Top 2.5 Lakh Candidates
Qualify for JEE Advanced (if they meet cutoff).
✔ JoSAA Counselling
All qualified candidates participate in centralized seat allotment.
✔ Reporting to Allotted Institute
After final round confirmation, reporting completes the admission process.
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Ignoring negative marking rules
❌ Skipping revision cycles
❌ Not analyzing mock test results
❌ Only studying theory without practice
❌ Comparing yourself with others constantly
Conclusion
JEE Main Cutoff 2026 will be shaped by factors like exam difficulty, competition, total seats and performance distribution. Based on recent trends, aspirants should aim for:
✔ 93+ percentile to safely qualify for JEE Advanced
✔ Target subject scores according to category expectations
✔ Use past years’ cutoffs as roadmap, not fixed goal
With consistent preparation, mock test discipline, and smart strategy, clearing the 2026 cutoff and securing a good rank is absolutely achievable.
Stay focused. Stay confident.
FAQs
1️⃣ What is the expected qualifying cutoff for JEE Main 2026?
The expected qualifying cutoff is approximately 93–95 percentile for General category, with lower thresholds for reserved categories based on trends.
2️⃣ Is cutoff the same as marks?
No. Cutoff is a percentile, not the raw marks. Due to normalization, the same marks can give different percentiles across sessions.
3️⃣ Does JEE Main cutoff predict rank?
Yes, percentile relates to rank: higher percentile ≈ better rank.
4️⃣ Will JoSAA cutoff be higher than qualifying cutoff?
Yes — JoSAA closing ranks/cutoffs vary per institute and branch, and are usually tougher than qualifying cutoffs.
5️⃣ Can a student with ~90 percentile get a good NIT?
Yes, some mid-tier NITs and IIITs have closing ranks that align with ~90 percentile performance.
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NEET UG 2026: Application Form Release Date, Exam Date, Complete Schedule & How to Apply