“How many marks are enough?”
“How much percentile is required for JEE Advanced?”
“Is my score safe or risky?”
Let’s clear it all up for a better understanding.
JEE Main and JEE Advanced: How the Qualification Works
JEE Main acts as a screening test for JEE Advanced. Only candidates who:
- Score above the JEE Main cut-off, and
- Fall within the top 2.5 lakh candidates
are allowed to appear for JEE Advanced.
Important point: Qualification is based on NTA percentile, not raw marks. Marks vary by shift. Percentile normalises that variation.
JEE Main 2026 Cutoff to Qualify for JEE Advanced
The JEE Main 2026 cutoff required to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026 will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) along with the Session 2 results, expected in April 2026.
The cut-off will:
- Be released category-wise
- Be expressed in percentile scores
- Vary for Gen, Gen-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST and PwD
Till then, the previous year’s trends give us a strong reference.
Note: This percentile decides eligibility for JEE Advanced, not IIT admission.
NTA JEE Main 2025 Advanced Qualifying Percentile (Official)
Here’s the official JEE Main 2025 qualifying percentile released by NTA.
| Category | JEE Main Cutoff 2025 |
| Unreserved (UR) | 93.1023262 |
| Gen-EWS | 80.3830119 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.4313582 |
| SC | 61.1526933 |
| ST | 47.9026465 |
| UR-PwD | 0.0079349 |
If you scored equal to or above this, you were eligible for JEE Advanced.
JEE Main Cutoff 2024 (Percentile)
| Category | JEE Main 2024 Cutoff |
| UR | 100.0000000 – 93.2362181 |
| Gen-EWS | 93.2312696 – 81.3266412 |
| OBC-NCL | 93.2312696 – 79.6757881 |
| SC | 93.2312696 – 60.0923182 |
| ST | 93.2312696 – 46.6975840 |
| UR-PwD | 93.2041331 – 0.0018700 |
JEE Main 2023 Cutoff
| Category | JEE Main 2023 Cutoff |
| Common Rank List (CRL) | 90.7788642 |
| Gen-EWS | 75.6229025 |
| OBC-NCL | 73.6114227 |
| SC | 51.9776027 |
| ST | 37.2348772 |
| PwD | 0.0013527 |
JEE Main 2022 Cutoff for JEE Advanced
| Category | JEE Main 2022 Cutoff |
| CRL | 88.4121383 |
| Gen-EWS | 63.1114141 |
| OBC-NCL | 67.0090297 |
| SC | 43.0820954 |
| ST | 26.7771328 |
| PwD | 0.0031029 |
Minimum Marks in JEE Mains to Qualify for JEE Advanced
Now the tricky part–marks. NTA does not release a fixed “minimum marks” number.
Why? Because:
- The exam is held in multiple shifts
- Marks are normalised
- Percentile is the deciding factor
Still, based on trends:
- A General category candidate often needs to score around 90–105 marks
- Reserved category candidates can qualify with lower marks, depending on the shift and difficulty
Always remember: Percentile > Marks
How Much Percentile Is Required for JEE Advanced?
Straight answer, based on recent data:
- General (UR): ~90–93 percentile
- Gen-EWS: ~75–80 percentile
- OBC-NCL: ~73–79 percentile
- SC: ~50–62 percentile
- ST: ~37–47 percentile
These percentiles ensure you fall within the top 2.5 lakh candidates.
Why JEE Mains Cut Off for Advanced Changes Every Year
The cut-off is not random. It depends on:
- Number of candidates appearing
- Difficulty level of the paper
- Performance distribution
- Category-wise seat allocation
Hard paper? Cut-off dips.
Easier paper? Cut-off rises.
This is why chasing an “exact number” never works.
Conclusion
Qualifying for JEE Advanced starts with understanding percentile, not panic. JEE Main is a screening test. Only the top 2.5 lakh candidates qualify. Cut-offs are category-wise and percentile-based. The expected JEE Main 2026 cut-off will closely follow recent trends. So, aim to stay comfortably above the cut-off because qualifying is step one, cracking Advanced is the real game.
That’s where the right guidance matters. At Aakash, expert faculty and structured study plans come to your help. The right preparation helps students go beyond qualification and aim for top ranks with peace of mind. With consistent practice and an effective strategy, JEE Advanced becomes achievable, not intimidating.
FAQs
1. What is the minimum percentile in JEE Mains to qualify for JEE Advanced?
The percentile for general category candidates usually ranges between 90 and 93 percentile. This is based on recent years. Check the official announcement after the results are released.
2. How much percentile is required for JEE Advanced 2026?
The official percentile will be released by NTA after results, but it is expected to remain close to 2025 cut-off levels.
3. Are marks important for qualifying JEE Advanced?
Marks matter indirectly. But percentile is the deciding factor due to normalization across shifts.
4. How many students qualify for JEE Advanced?
Approximately 2.5 lakh candidates across all categories qualify for JEE Advanced every year.
5. Does qualifying JEE Advanced guarantee an IIT seat?
No. Qualification only allows you to appear for the exam. Admission depends on JEE Advanced rank.
