JEE Main Passing Marks 2026

For JEE Main 2026, passing means qualifying, usually for:

• JEE Advanced, or
• Engineering college admissions through counselling

Let’s decode it properly.

What Does “Passing” Mean in JEE Main?

In JEE Main, passing depends on your goal. For some students, passing means: Qualifying for JEE Advanced. For others, it means:

• Getting admission into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, or
• Securing a decent state or private engineering college

So there is not one universal passing score. There are different score levels for different outcomes.

JEE Main Passing Marks 2026: The Big Picture

For JEE Main 2026, passing is officially linked to qualifying cutoffs, not marks.

• Cutoffs are released by NTA
• They are declared in percentile, not raw marks
• Marks are only estimated references

Based on trends, “passing” for most aspirants means qualifying for JEE Advanced.

Expected JEE Main 2026 Cutoff Percentiles (General Trends)

Here’s the expected qualifying percentile for JEE Main 2026, based on recent trends:

These percentiles decide eligibility, not college allotment.

Estimated JEE Main Passing Marks 2026 (Out of 300)

Since students think in marks, here’s an estimated conversion. These are not official marks. Actual scores vary by paper difficulty and shift.

So yes, the JEE Main passing marks out of 300 are not fixed.

Percentile vs Marks: Why the Confusion Exists

This is where most students slip.

• Marks = Your raw score
• Percentile = Your performance compared to others

JEE Main uses percentile-based normalisation because:

• Exams happen across multiple shifts
• Difficulty levels vary
• Percentile ensures fairness

That’s why:

• Same marks ≠ same percentile every year
• Same percentile ≠ same marks every shift

NTA only recognises percentile as the official cutoff.

Minimum Eligibility to Appear for JEE Advanced

To qualify for JEE Advanced, you must:

• Score above the minimum cutoff percentile
• Fall within the top eligible candidates as per category

For 2026, qualifying roughly aligns with:

• 93-95 percentile for General
• Lower thresholds for reserved categories

This is why JEE Main is called a screening exam.

Why Do JEE Main Passing Marks Change Every Year?

There is no pre-decided passing score. The cutoff depends on:

• Difficulty level of the paper
• Number of students appearing
• Overall performance trends
• Category-wise reservation rules

General rule:

• Tough paper → Lower cutoff
• Easy paper → Higher cutoff

That is why guessing a fixed number never works.

JEE Main Passing Marks vs Good Score

Passing and scoring well are not the same thing. Here’s how different score ranges usually play out:

Passing keeps you in the race. A good score gives you choices.

Category-Wise Importance of JEE Main Passing Marks

Category plays a major role in cutoffs.

• Reserved categories have lower qualifying thresholds
• The general category faces maximum competition
• Even a 5-mark difference can shift ranks sharply

That’s why students should:

• Track category-wise cutoffs
• Do not compare blindly with others
• Focus on percentile trends, not rumours

How to Safely Cross JEE Main Passing Marks?

If your immediate goal is qualification, these basics matter:

• Make Physics and Chemistry scoring
• Avoid blind guesses to reduce negative marking
• Stick to NCERT for concept clarity
• Attempt regular mock tests
• Analyse mistakes honestly

Crossing the cutoff is about accuracy.

Key Things to Remember

• JEE Main has no fixed passing marks
• Qualification is based on the percentile
• Marks vary with difficulty and normalisation
• NTA releases the official cutoff after the results
• JEE Main is a gateway, not the destination

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced Passing Marks 2026: Know the Difference

This is where many students get stuck. They assume that clearing JEE Main and clearing JEE Advanced mean the same thing. They don’t. Let’s separate the two.

JEE Main Passing Marks 2026

JEE Main does not have a fixed pass or fail score.

• “Passing” usually means qualifying for JEE Advanced
• Qualification is based on percentile, not marks
• Cutoffs are category-wise
• Marks are only approximate estimates

For JEE Main 2026, the expected qualifying ranges are:

• General: ~93-95 percentile (around 85-95+ marks, depending on difficulty)
• OBC-NCL/EWS: ~80-82 percentile
• SC: ~60-62 percentile
• ST: ~47-50 percentile

Clearing this cutoff only makes you eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. Nothing more.

JEE Advanced Passing Marks 2026

JEE Advanced is a different exam with a different goal.

• It decides IIT admissions
• It has subject-wise and aggregate cutoffs
• Cutoffs are decided after the exam
• “Passing” means securing a rank, not just clearing a minimum score

Even if you qualify for JEE Advanced:

• An IIT seat is not guaranteed
• Admission depends on rank, category, and seat availability

In short:

• JEE Main filters candidates.
• JEE Advanced ranks them.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Quick Comparison

Conclusion

So, what are the JEE Main passing marks 2026? There is not a single number. For most students:

• 85-95 marks may qualify you
• Higher scores open better colleges
• Percentile is the real decider

Instead of chasing a “safe score”, aim for concept clarity and consistency. Because in JEE Main, ranks are relative, and preparation always shows.

FAQs

What are the JEE Main passing marks for 2026?

There are no fixed passing marks. Qualification depends on percentile cutoffs, expected around the 93-95 percentile for the General category.

Are JEE Main passing marks the same for all categories?

No. Passing marks vary by category, with reserved categories having lower cutoffs.

Is percentile more important than marks in JEE Main?

Yes. Percentile is the official metric used by NTA to decide qualification.

Can I get a college with just passing marks?

Yes, but usually not top-tier colleges. Higher marks give better admission options.

Does NTA release official passing marks?

NTA releases cutoff percentiles, not fixed marks. Marks are only estimated for reference.