Understanding the expected cutoff is important for students. It helps you know your eligibility for JEE Advanced. It also estimates admission chances in NITs, IIITs and other engineering colleges.
Here you can see an overview of the expected JEE Main Cutoff 2026, category-wise qualifying marks and previous year trends.
Why JEE Main Cutoff Is Important
The JEE Main Cutoff 2026 is the minimum percentile needed to qualify for JEE Advanced. Knowing the cutoff is important:
- It helps in planning your study
- Tells you what score you need to study for
- Helps you check your progress in mock tests
The cutoff is different for different categories based on reservation.
Expected JEE Main Cutoff 2026: Category-wise Percentile
Based on the previous year trends and NTA’s updates, here are the expected JEE Main Cutoff 2026:
| Category | Expected Cutoff |
| General (UR) | 93 to 95 |
| OBC-NCL | 80 to 82 |
| EWS | 80 to 82 |
| SC | 60 to 62 |
| ST | 47 to 49 |
These percentiles show the minimum score needed to qualify for JEE Advanced. You must aim to meet these numbers.
Minimum Marks Required for JEE Advanced
The category-specific reservation percentage is also considered in eligibility. The last year’s data shows:
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
| OPEN | 40.5% |
| GEN-EWS | 10% |
| OBC-NCL | 27% |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| PwD | 5% Horizontal Reservation |
These percentages decide how many students from each category are allowed to qualify for JEE Advanced. Consider this when checking your scores.
Previous Year Trends
Looking at past JEE Main cutoffs helps you to predict future trends. They are:
- For general category students, the JEE Main cutoff is usually above 90 percentile every year
- For reserved category students, the cutoff is lower than that of the general category
Checking these trends helps you to understand what score you should study for.
Important things to know:
The JEE Main qualifying cutoff is different from college admission cutoffs. To get into NITs, IIITs or GFTIs, admission depends on:
- Rank
- Number of seats
- The branch you choose
Where to Check Official JEE Main 2026 Updates
For accurate and updated information, always check their official sources:
- nta.ac.in
- jeemain.nta.nic.in
You can find all important information, cutoffs and instructions here. Do not use unofficial sites so that you do not have any confusion.
Conclusion
The JEE Main exam may still be some time away. But your planning should not wait. The JEE Main Cutoff 2026 is very important for all engineering students. Check expected cutoffs. Understand category-wise marks. Review previous year trends. All these can make your preparation more focused.
Your preparation today can reduce stress later. So when the results are out, you will be ready for the next step.
FAQs on JEE Main Cutoff 2026
Q1. What happens if I do not clear the JEE Main cutoff?
If this happens, you cannot appear for JEE Advanced. But you can still apply to many other private colleges.
Q2. Is the JEE Main cutoff the same as the marks scored in the exam?
No. The cutoff is based on a percentile. It is not the exact marks. The percentile shows how well you did compared to other students.
Q3. Can the JEE Main cutoff change every year?
Yes. It can change every year. It depends on the exam difficulty, the number of students and overall performance.
Q4. How many times can I attend the JEE Main exam in one year?
The JEE Main is usually conducted in two sessions. You can attend both of them if you want.
Q5. Does the JEE Main cutoff affect private college admissions?
Most colleges do not follow the JEE Main cutoff. They may have their own admission rules.
