How Many Marks Are Required To Clear JEE Mains 2026 Session 2, Category Wise Passing Marks
Pratibha Bohra17 Feb, 2026
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How Many Marks Are Required To Clear JEE Mains 2026?: Following the official declaration of the JEE Main Session 1 results on February 16, 2026, students now have a definitive benchmark to assess their performance. As focus shifts to Session 2 (April 2–9, 2026), it is important to note that clearing the exam involves meeting a qualifying cutoff—expected to be around 93.3+ percentile for General and 81+ for OBC/EWS—to determine eligibility for JEE Advanced and JoSAA counseling. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), these cutoff marks fluctuate based on the overall difficulty of the shifts and the total number of candidates, making the upcoming April session a vital opportunity for students to secure their spot in NITs, IIITs, and other premier engineering institutions.
JEE Main 2026 is being conducted in two sessions, with Session 2 scheduled from 2 April to 9 April 2026. The qualifying marks are expected to vary across categories including General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD. These cut-offs depend on multiple factors such as the overall difficulty level of the paper, the number of candidates appearing, and performance trends across shifts. For Session 2 candidates, understanding the expected cut-off marks is important for setting realistic score targets, evaluating readiness, and making informed decisions during counselling and further preparation.
Also read: Toughest Chapters In JEE Mains 2026 For Physics, Chemistry And Mathematics, Important TipsHow Many Marks Are Required To Clear JEE Mains 2026 Session 2?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) declares JEE Main results in the form of percentile scores, which reflect a candidate’s performance relative to other test-takers. For example, an NTA score of 90 percentile indicates that the candidate has performed better than 90% of the students who appeared for the exam.
This percentile-based system is used to determine eligibility for JEE Advanced and for admission to engineering institutes through the counselling process. By analysing previous years’ cut-off trends and understanding expected qualifying percentiles, aspirants can estimate their performance more accurately and plan their next steps effectively. This is particularly useful for candidates appearing in JEE Main 2026 Session 2, scheduled during the April examination window.
How Many Marks Are Needed To Pass JEE Mains 2026? (Expected)
Based on previous trends, the minimum marks required to pass JEE Main 2026 will vary by category. Last year, the general category cutoff was around 93 marks. This year, due to possible changes in the JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern or syllabus, it is expected that the passing marks might slightly differ.
For the general category, applicants are likely to need around 90 marks to pass. For GEN-EWS applicants, the expected cutoff is around 80 marks. For SC and ST categories, the passing marks may be around 57 and 46, respectively.
| JEE Main 2026 Passing Marks (Expected) | |
| Category | JEE Mains 2026 Passing Score |
| Common Rank List | 90 |
| OBC-NCL | 76 |
| GEN-EWS | 80 |
| PwD | 0.0018 |
| SC | 57 |
| ST | 46 |
How Many Marks Are Required To Clear JEE Main 2026 For Paper 2? (Expected)
The expected passing marks for JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 vary based on different categories and may change slightly each year. To appear for this exam, applicants must secure at least 50 to 55 percentile marks in their Class 12th examination, with mathematics as a compulsory subject.
- For the General category, the passing marks are expected to be between 85 and 90.
- Applicants from the EWS and OBC-NCL categories are likely to need around 70 to 75 marks.
- For SC applicants, the expected passing marks range from 50 to 55, while for ST applicants, it is between 35 and 40 marks.
Read More - Is it Possible to Sit for JEE Exam Without Maths in Class 12
These expected marks to clear the upcoming JEE Mains 2026 can help aspirants set realistic goals, but aiming for higher scores will increase their chances of securing admission to top colleges.
To optimize preparation for both JEE Mains/Advanced and Class 11th and 12th boards, PW offers specialized online courses like Fighter JEE for Class 11th students and Lakshya JEE Fastrack 2026 for Class 12th students. These courses are designed around the NCERT syllabus for both 11th and 12th standards, along with the latest JEE Main syllabus, ensuring a seamless integration of board exam preparation and JEE preparation. Explore these courses now to get started on the path to success!
Marks Required to Clear JEE Mains in the Last Three Years
The marks required to clear JEE Main have varied over the years based on different factors like exam difficulty and the number of applicants. Check out the year-wise marks required to clear the JEE Main examination as outlined below:
- In 2024, the marks required to clear JEE Main for the General category were around 93.23. For General-PwD category applicants, it was 0.00187. EWS category applicants needed a minimum of 81.32 marks, while OBC-NCL students required 79.67. The cutoff for SC category applicants was 60.09, and for ST candidates, it was 46.69.
- In 2023, the qualifying marks for the General category were 90.78. General-PwD applicants needed 0.001 marks, EWS candidates required 75.62, and OBC-NCL applicants needed 73.61. For SC category candidates, the cutoff was 51.98, while for ST candidates, it was 37.23.
- In 2022, the required marks to clear JEE Main for the General category were 88.41. For General-PwD candidates, it was 0.003. The cutoff for EWS applicants was 63.11, and for OBC-NCL, it was 67.01. SC category students needed 43.08, and ST candidates required 26.78.
Subject-Wise Marks Required to Clear JEE Main 2026
The JEE Main Results 2026 will have the NTA score for each subject—Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—along with the overall percentile score. However, there is no specific subject-wise cutoff that applicants need to clear to qualify for JEE Main. The overall performance across all subjects determines the final result.
Aspirants will be able to see their detailed subject-wise scores and overall percentile once they download their official JEE Main scorecard. This information helps students understand their strengths and areas that need improvement if preparing for JEE Main 2026 Session 2.
To enhance JEE Main 2026 preparation, enroll in the PW JEE Online Test Series . This series provides a structured and realistic approach to practicing for the exam. It includes a wide range of practice sets that replicate the actual JEE exam format, helping students gain confidence, improve their speed, and fine-tune their problem-solving abilities.
| PW Online Test Series for JEE 2026 | ||
| Name of the Test Series | Price | Link To Enroll |
| Lakshya JEE 2026 Test Series | INR 1,000 (50% OFF from INR 2,000) | Explore Here! |
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How Does NTA Calculate the JEE Main 2026 Score?
The NTA calculates the JEE Main score using a specific formula. The Total Percentile (TPI) is determined by multiplying 100 by the number of applicants in the session who scored equal to or less than a particular applicant, divided by the total number of applicants who appeared in that session.
Furthermore, applicants who score above the NTA qualifying marks can apply for JEE Advanced. To move forward, aspirants must not only pass JEE Main but also rank among the top 2.5 lakh applicants. This year, IIT Kanpur will conduct the JEE Advanced exam, which is the next step for admission to IITs across India.
How Many Marks Are Required to Clear JEE Mains 2026? Important Points to Remember
- Normalized Score (NTA Score): The National Testing Agency (NTA) does not release raw scores. Instead, applicants receive a normalized score, known as the NTA score, which is a percentile. For example, a 93 percentile means that 93% of test-takers scored less than or equal to that applicant.
- Best Score Consideration: If a student attempts JEE Main more than once, the highest NTA score from all attempts will be used to determine their final ranking.
- Score Calculation: The NTA uses a special formula to convert raw scores from Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry into the final percentile (NTA score).
- Comparative Result: JEE Main results are based on competition. An applicant's final ranking depends not only on their performance but also on how well others perform in the exam.
Study Material For JEE Main 2026 Preparation
Physics Wallah (PW) offers comprehensive study material for JEE 2026 , designed to help students excel in this competitive exam. The material includes detailed theory notes, practice questions, previous years’ papers, and mock tests for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Each topic is explained with clear concepts and illustrated examples, ensuring a strong foundation
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