But with the right guidance and study plan, you can surely ace this exam with ease. Such preparation is exactly what we promise at Aakash. With our foundation JEE courses that come with a test series and exhaustive study materials, you can prepare effectively like never before.
However, when it comes to JEE exams, what most students tend to ignore is the minimum qualifying marks. Don’t make this mistake because these marks will determine whether you are eligible for admission and advancement. Want to know more about the OBC JEE Main cutoff? Keep reading!
Understanding JEE Main Qualifying Cutoff
As mentioned before, JEE Main 2026 determines whether you are qualified for admission to NITs and JEE Advanced. But these two criteria are not fulfilled by the same minimum qualifying marks.
For instance, if you want to appear for JEE Advanced, you have to score above the qualifying cutoff set by the NTA. On the other hand, if you are seeking admission to NITs, you have to score above the admission cutoff set by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA).
Expected OBC cutoff JEE Main 2026 for JEE Advanced
As per the NTA’s norms, different minimum qualifying marks will be set in accordance with the reserved categories. Hence, there will be a separate cutoff exclusively set for candidates who come under the OBC category.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the JEE Main cutoff 2026 percentile for OBC. Keep in mind that the cutoff mentioned here is the expected percentile that is subject to change at the discretion of the conducting authority.
Expected OBC-NCL Cutoff Percentile for JEE Main 2026
OBC-NCL is a reserved category that refers to the OBC members whose annual family income is below ₹8 lakhs per annum. For the JEE exam 2026, the candidates who come under this category are expected to have a cut-off percentile of 74.
Here’s a table that highlights the OBC cutoff JEE Main 2026 with expected marks
| Category | Expected Percentile | Expected Marks Range |
| OBC-NCL | 74 – 76 | 70 – 73 |
Minimum Marks Required for OBC Candidates to Qualify for JEE Advanced
If you come under the OBC category, but your family’s income is more than ₹8 lakh per annum, you will be deemed a candidate who comes under the General Category.
Here’s a table that highlights the general category JEE Main cutoff 2026 percentile for OBC with expected marks
| Category | Expected Percentile | Expected Marks Range |
| General | 88 – 90 | 90 – 95 |
Since you cannot have reservation privileges under the general category, your qualification solely depends on your marks. To get better marks and qualify on merit, study the JEE Exam 2026 syllabus very well.
JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff: Category-Wise Qualifying Marks, Trends & Expert Analysis
Previous Years’ OBC Cut-Off Trends Analysis
Observe the past cutoffs to better understand how the score patterns of the JEE exam 2026 are going to be. This pattern analysis shows the minimum JEE Main OBC cutoff percentile required to qualify for the JEE Advanced exam.
| Year | OBC JEE Main cutoff |
| 2025 | 79.4313582 |
| 2024 | 79.6757881 |
| 2023 | 73.6114227 |
| 2022 | 67.009027 |
| 2021 | 68.0234447 |
| 2020 | 72.8887969 |
| 2019 | 74.3166557 |
While looking at the previous year’s data, you can see that the JEE Main 2026 OBC cutoff percentiles have changed over the years.
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Factors Affecting JEE Main 2026 OBC Cutoff
If you take a closer look, there are multiple factors that influence the JEE Main cutoff every year. Here’s a list of factors that can influence the JEE Main 2026 OBC cutoff.
- The total number of applicants can raise the cutoff.
- If the exam is tougher, then it results in a lower cutoff.
- The cutoff is slightly lowered if there is a high vacancy rate of seats.
- The Cutoffs may differ for various reservation categories, including the JEE Main OBC cutoff.
- The normalisation process makes sure the results are evaluated fairly across all test sessions and shifts. This greatly influences the OBC JEE Main cutoff.
- The data from the previous year often guides current-year predictions.
Category-Wise Expected Cutoff Comparison
Here’s a table that showcases the cutoff differences between OBC and other reservation categories.
| Category | Expected Percentile | Expected Marks Range |
| General | 88 – 90 | 90 – 95 |
| EWS | 78 – 80 | 70 – 75 |
| OBC-NCL | 74 – 76 | 70 – 73 |
| SC | 54 – 56 | 40 – 45 |
| ST | 44 – 46 | 30 – 35 |
| PwD | 44 – 46 | 30 – 35 |
The above given percentile and marks are predicted ranges based on past years’ trends. The official cut-off will be released by NTA after the JEE Main 2026 results are declared.
Final Thoughts
Every student who wants to pursue a career in engineering is aware of JEE 2026, even if they aren’t planning on joining NITs and IITs. That’s how significant this exam is. And for acing such a competitive exam, exceptional preparation is very important. With JEE Main right around the corner, what you need is an effective revision plan with expert guidance.
That’s exactly what we offer at Aakash. With our integrated JEE courses, which offer result-oriented test series and live doubt sessions, you can ace your exam with ease. More importantly, keep an eye out for expected minimum qualifying marks so that you can tailor your preparation as per the standards and your needs.
FAQs
1. Is the expected OBC cutoff the same as the expected OBC-NCL cutoff?
No. Since the OBS-NCL is a reservation category, the expected OBC and OBC-NCL cutoffs differ.
2. Do I need to score above the qualifying percentile to appear for JEE Advanced?
Yes. The students who score equal to or above the cutoff percentile in their group would be able to appear in JEE Advanced.
3. Is it mandatory to appear for JEE Advanced if you score above the cutoff percentile?
No. It is not mandatory to appear for JEE Advanced if you score above the cutoff percentile. It is only mandatory if you want to qualify for the IIT admission.
4. Is the cut-off different for each branch in NITs?
Yes. Every branch in NITs has a cutoff according to demand and the number of seats available.
5. Does the number of students appearing in the exam impact the cutoff?
Yes. If the number of students attending the exam increases, the competition expands, and there could be an increase in cut-offs.
