
JEE Main 2026 result was released on 16 Feb 2026. Now, candidates should focus on counselling and smart college selection. Understanding the relationship between percentile, rank, and colleges is crucial at this stage. By analysing previous years’ cutoff trends for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, students can shortlist realistic options before JoSAA counselling begins.
This competitive exam note clarifies how JEE Main percentile reflects relative performance and how it impacts admission chances. Reviewing expected cutoff percentiles, opening ranks, and closing ranks helps candidates fill choices strategically and maximise their chances of securing a suitable engineering college in 2026.
Understanding JEE Main 2026 Colleges vs Percentile helps students choose colleges. It shows which institutes and branches are accessible based on exam performance. This analysis considers past years' trends. It assists candidates in making informed decisions about their academic future. This ensures they target colleges aligning with their percentile.
The JEE Main Percentile indicates a candidate's relative performance. It shows how many candidates scored lower than them in the exam. This score is not a percentage of marks. It is a value between 0 and 100. It helps compare performance across different shifts and sessions.
Candidates often target NITs based on their percentile. A higher percentile increases chances for top NITs and preferred branches. Knowing the expected JEE Main 2026 percentile for NIT admission helps students set realistic goals. The following JEE Main 2026 percentile vs college list shows general percentile ranges for various NITs.
|
Institute Name |
Percentile Range |
|---|---|
|
NIT Goa |
93 -94 |
|
NIT Kurushetra |
98-99 |
|
NIT Agartala |
86 - 89 |
|
NIT Warangal |
97-99 |
|
NIT Srinagar |
92-94 |
|
NIT Mizoram |
112390 |
|
NIT Surthkal |
97-99 |
|
NIT Meghalaya |
86-87 |
|
NIT Raipur |
94-95 |
|
NIT Trichy |
97-98 |
|
NIT Jalandar |
96.0-96.8 |
|
NIT Delhi |
97-99 |
|
NIT Hamipur |
92-93 |
|
NIT Patna |
96-97 |
|
NIT Arunachal Pradesh |
87-89 |
|
NIT Durgapur |
96-99 |
|
NIT Manipur |
70-90 |
|
NIT Puducheery |
88-90 |
|
NIT Calicut |
97-99 |
|
NIT Rourkela |
95-99 |
|
NIT Uttarakhand |
96.0-96.5 |
|
NIT Andhra Pradesh |
96.6.99.9 |
|
NIT Nagaland |
96.5-97.0 |
|
NIT Silchar |
95-99 |
|
NIT Sikkim |
54-60 |
|
NIT Jamshedpur |
96.5 -96.9 |
|
NIT Bhopal |
96-97 |
|
NIT Jaipur |
97-99 |
|
VNIT Nagpur |
96-99 |
|
MNNIT Allahabad |
97-98 |
|
SVNIT |
95-96 |
|
IIEST Shibpur |
96.0-96.5 |
The expected percentile required for admission to IIITs through JEE Main 2026 varies by institute reputation and branch demand.
|
IIIT Category |
Expected Percentile Range (General) |
|
Top IIITs (CSE/IT focus) |
99.5 – 99.9+ |
|
Upper-Mid IIITs |
98.5 – 99.4 |
|
Mid-Tier IIITs |
96.5 – 98.0 |
|
Newer/Other IIITs |
94.0 – 97.5 |
Note: Cutoffs vary by category, branch preference, seat matrix, and JoSAA counselling trends.
The expected percentile for admission to Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) through JEE Main 2026 depends on institute reputation, branch demand, and category.
|
GFTI Category |
Expected Percentile Range (General) |
|
Top GFTIs (CSE/ECE) |
97.0 – 99.0 |
|
Upper-Mid GFTIs |
94.0 – 97.0 |
|
Mid-Tier GFTIs |
90.0 – 94.0 |
|
Other/Low-Demand GFTIs |
85.0 – 90.0 |
Meeting the minimum percentile is crucial for admission to colleges accepting JEE Main 2026 percentile. These are cutoff scores required to qualify for further counselling processes. The expected JEE Main 2026 expected cutoff percentile college-wise varies by category.
|
Category |
JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff |
|---|---|
|
General |
93-95 |
|
OBC-NCL |
80-82 |
|
EWS |
80-82 |
|
SC |
60-62 |
|
ST |
47-49 |
The JEE Main 2026 rank vs percentile vs college analysis is vital for prospective students. Cutoff ranks determine admission to specific institutes and branches. These cutoffs are usually released during JoSAA counselling. The table below shows Round 1 opening ranks for some NITs. This gives an idea of required performance.
|
Institute Name |
R1-Opening Rank |
|---|---|
|
NIT Goa |
24829 |
|
NIT Kurushetra |
4835 |
|
NIT Agartala |
17769 |
|
NIT Warangal |
1166 |
|
NIT Srinagar |
9003 |
|
NIT Mizoram |
53-59 |
|
NIT Surthkal |
1050 |
|
NIT Meghalaya |
59949 |
|
NIT Raipur |
12916 |
|
NIT Trichy |
559 |
|
NIT Jalandar |
6821 |
A JEE Main 2026 college predictor by percentile tool helps estimate admission chances. It uses past data to show potential colleges. This helps candidates plan for counselling.
Candidates scoring between 90 and 99 percentile in JEE Main 2026 can expect opportunities in several reputed National Institutes of Technology (NITs). Based on previous closing ranks, the indicative cutoff trends are listed below:
|
Institute |
Expected Closing Rank (Approx.) |
|
NIT Goa |
27,338 |
|
NIT Kurukshetra |
7,993 |
|
NIT Warangal |
3,386 |
|
NIT Srinagar |
35,088 |
|
NIT Surathkal |
2,726 |
|
NIT Raipur |
21,540 |
|
NIT Jalandhar |
14,502 |
|
NIT Delhi |
8,971 |
|
NIT Hamirpur |
22,394 |
|
NIT Patna |
16,345 |
Note: Closing ranks vary each year depending on category, branch preference, and JoSAA counselling trends.
A safe percentile ensures a realistic chance of securing admission during JoSAA counselling, considering competition and branch demand.
|
Institute Type |
Safe Percentile (General Category) |
Remarks |
|
Top NITs (CSE/ECE) |
98.5 – 99.5+ |
Required for high-demand branches |
|
Mid NITs |
95.0 – 98.0 |
Good chances in core branches |
|
Lower NITs |
90.0 – 95.0 |
Suitable for varied branch options |
|
Top IIITs (CSE/IT) |
99.0 – 99.9+ |
Highly competitive seats |
|
Mid IIITs |
97.0 – 99.0 |
Strong chances for IT/ECE |
|
Newer IIITs |
94.0 – 97.0 |
Safer range for admission |
Note: Safe percentile varies by category, home state quota (for NITs), branch preference, and yearly cutoff trends. Reserved categories typically have lower safe percentile ranges.