Scoring 150 marks in JEE Main 2026 is considered a strong and competitive performance, especially in a highly competitive exam attempted by lakhs of students across India. While marks alone do not determine admissions, they play a crucial role in deciding a candidate’s percentile, All India Rank (AIR), and chances of securing admission to NITs and other centrally funded technical institutes.
In this article, we break down what 150 marks in JEE Main 2026 may translate to in terms of expected percentile, rank range, and possible NITs, based on historical trends and standard normalization patterns.
Understanding JEE Main Marks vs Percentile vs Rank
Before analyzing 150 marks specifically, it is important to understand how JEE Main results are evaluated.
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Marks: Raw score obtained out of 300
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Percentile: Relative performance compared to other candidates
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Rank (AIR): Final position based on percentile after normalization
JEE Main uses a percentile-based normalization system, meaning the same marks can result in slightly different percentiles across sessions depending on paper difficulty and competition level.
What Does 150 Marks Mean in JEE Main 2026?
A score of 150 marks typically places a candidate well above the national average. This score generally reflects:
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Strong conceptual clarity
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Balanced accuracy and speed
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Consistent performance across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
For most sessions, 150 marks falls in the upper percentile bracket, making candidates eligible for JoSAA counselling and competitive NIT branches (depending on category and home-state quota).
Expected Percentile Range for 150 Marks
Based on previous JEE Main data trends, the expected percentile for 150 marks usually lies in the mid-to-high 90s.
| JEE Main Marks | Expected Percentile (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 145 – 150 | 96.5 – 97.5 |
| 150 – 155 | 97.5 – 98.0 |
Note: These values are indicative and may vary slightly depending on session difficulty and normalization.
Expected Rank for 150 Marks in JEE Main 2026
The All India Rank (AIR) corresponding to 150 marks depends directly on the percentile achieved and the total number of candidates.
Assuming a typical participation of 10–12 lakh candidates, the expected rank range is as follows:
| Percentile | Expected AIR Range |
|---|---|
| 96.5 | 40,000 – 45,000 |
| 97.0 | 30,000 – 35,000 |
| 97.5 | 22,000 – 28,000 |
This rank range makes candidates eligible for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, especially through home-state quota or reserved categories.
Can You Get an NIT with 150 Marks in JEE Main 2026?
Yes, 150 marks in JEE Main 2026 can fetch admission to several NITs, depending on:
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Category (General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST)
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Home-state vs Other-state quota
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Branch preference
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Seat availability in the counselling year
While top NITs and core branches may be highly competitive, mid-tier NITs and non-core branches are realistically achievable.
Closing Ranks of NITs Based on NEET Score
| Institute | Academic Program Name | Closing Rank |
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Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur
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Electronics and Communication Engineering (4 Years, B.Tech) | 9,667 |
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National Institute of Technology, Delhi
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Electronics and Communication Engineering (4 Years, B.Tech) | 10,909 |
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Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal
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Computer Science and Engineering (4 Years, B.Tech) | 9,249 |
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National Institute of Technology, Durgapur
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Computer Science and Engineering (4 Years, B.Tech) | 9,836 |
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National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra
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Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (4 Years, B.Tech) | 9,204 |
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National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra
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Mathematics and Computing (4 Years, B.Tech) | 10,265 |
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National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
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Electrical Engineering (4 Years, B.Tech) | 10,623 |
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National Institute of Technology, Rourkela
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Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering (4 Years, B.Tech) | 9,555 |
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Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat
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Artificial Intelligence (4 Years, B.Tech) | 10,721 |
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Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, Surat
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Mathematics and Computing (4 Years, B.Tech) | 10,306 |
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Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur
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Electronics and Communication Engineering (4 Years, B.Tech) | 10,545 |
List of NITs Possible at 150 Marks
Based on historical JoSAA cutoffs, candidates scoring around 150 marks may have chances in the following institutes:
Possible NITs for 150 Marks (General Category)
| NIT Name | Likely Branches |
|---|---|
| NIT Agartala | Civil, Mechanical, Production |
| NIT Srinagar | Electrical, Mechanical |
| NIT Silchar | Civil, EEE |
| NIT Meghalaya | Mechanical, Civil |
| NIT Mizoram | ECE, Electrical |
| NIT Nagaland | Mechanical, Civil |
| NIT Manipur | EEE, Mechanical |
| NIT Arunachal Pradesh | Electrical, Mechanical |
Admission chances improve significantly with home-state quota or reserved category benefits.
Branch-wise Expectations at 150 Marks
It is important to be realistic about branch selection at this score range.
| Branch | Admission Chances |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | Very Low (General) |
| Electronics & Communication | Low to Moderate |
| Electrical Engineering | Moderate |
| Mechanical Engineering | Good |
| Civil Engineering | Very Good |
| Production / Metallurgy | High |
Students open to non-core or interdisciplinary branches often secure better institutes.
Category-wise Advantage at 150 Marks
Candidates belonging to reserved categories generally benefit from lower cutoff ranks.
Category Impact Overview
| Category | NIT Admission Chances |
|---|---|
| General | Moderate |
| OBC-NCL | Good |
| SC | Very Good |
| ST | Excellent |
For OBC-NCL, SC, and ST candidates, 150 marks can open doors to better NITs and branches, including some higher-ranked institutes.
Home State Quota: A Key Factor
Every NIT reserves 50% seats for home-state candidates. This significantly impacts admission chances.
Why Home State Matters
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Lower cutoff ranks
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Higher branch flexibility
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Better institute options
For example, a candidate with 150 marks and home-state quota may secure a better branch at their state NIT compared to an other-state candidate.
Is 150 Marks Enough for Top NITs?
For top NITs like Trichy, Surathkal, Warangal, a score of 150 marks is generally not sufficient for core branches in the General category. However:
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Reserved category candidates may still have chances
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Non-core branches may be possible in later rounds
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CSAB counselling can offer additional opportunities
What Should Students Do with 150 Marks?
Students scoring around 150 marks should adopt a smart counselling strategy.
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Keep a wide range of branch preferences
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Include mid and newer NITs
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Do not ignore IIITs and GFTIs
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Participate actively in JoSAA and CSAB rounds
Strategic choices often matter more than marks at this level.
Comparison: 150 Marks vs Higher Scores
| Marks | Expected Percentile | Rank Range |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | 93 – 95 | 60,000+ |
| 150 | 96.5 – 97.5 | 22,000 – 45,000 |
| 180 | 98.5+ | 10,000 – 15,000 |
This shows that 150 marks place a student firmly in the competitive zone.
Is 150 Marks a Good Score in JEE Main 2026?
Yes, 150 marks in JEE Main 2026 is a strong score, especially when paired with:
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Smart counselling
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Flexible branch selection
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Home-state or category advantage
While it may not guarantee top NITs or CSE branches, it definitely opens multiple quality engineering pathways through NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
Scoring 150 marks in JEE Main 2026 places students in a competitive percentile and rank bracket, offering real chances of admission to several NITs. Understanding expected percentile, rank, and institute-wise possibilities helps students make informed decisions during counselling.
With the right strategy, students at this score level can secure good institutes and promising engineering branches, setting a strong foundation for their future careers.
150 Marks in JEE Main 2026 FAQs
Q1. What percentile can I expect with 150 marks in JEE Main 2026?
With 150 marks in JEE Main 2026, candidates can expect a percentile in the range of 96.5 to 97.5, depending on the difficulty level of the paper and normalization.
Q2. What is the expected rank for 150 marks in JEE Main 2026?
A score of 150 marks generally corresponds to an All India Rank between 22,000 and 45,000, based on previous year trends and the number of candidates appearing for the exam.
Q3. Can I get admission to an NIT with 150 marks in JEE Main 2026?
Yes. With 150 marks, candidates have a realistic chance of getting admission to several mid and newer NITs, especially in branches like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and allied disciplines.
Q4. Is 150 marks enough for Computer Science in NITs?
For the General category, 150 marks are usually not sufficient for CSE in top NITs. However, candidates from reserved categories or with home-state quota may have better chances in select institutes.
Q5. How can I improve my chances during counselling with 150 marks?
To maximize admission chances, candidates should keep flexible branch preferences, include multiple NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, and actively participate in JoSAA and CSAB counselling rounds.
