JEE Main 2026 Result Day Checklist: Rank, Cutoff, Counselling, Session 2

The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the NTA scores for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1 on February 16, 2026. This release marks a critical milestone for over 1.3 million engineering aspirants across India. With 12 candidates achieving a perfect 100 percentile, the competition has reached new heights, setting a rigorous tone for the upcoming Session 2 in April.

The results, released in the form of NTA scorecards, provide normalized percentile scores rather than raw marks to ensure fairness across multiple shifts. For many, this score is a gateway to prestigious National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), while for the top 250,000 qualifiers, it represents the first step toward the JEE Advanced and a potential seat at an IIT.

Whether you are celebrating a top score, planning for a better performance in the April session, or navigating the complexities of rank prediction and cutoffs, understanding the next steps is vital. This article provides a comprehensive guide to interpreting your Session 1 results, registering for the second attempt, and preparing for the JoSAA counselling process that lies ahead.

Understanding the JEE Main 2026 Result and Rank

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the NTA Scores for Paper 1 (B.E. / B. Tech).

• NTA Score vs. Percentile: Your score is a "percentile." It shows how many candidates scored equal to or below you in your specific exam shift.

• Rank Calculation: Your final All India Rank (AIR) is not decided yet. The NTA will calculate the final rank after the Session 2 exam in April.

• Best of Two: If you appear for both sessions, the NTA will use your best percentile to determine your final rank.

Also Read: JEE Main Toppers List 2026

Expected Cutoff for JEE Advanced

The cutoff is the minimum percentile needed to qualify for the JEE Advanced exam. The final cutoff will be released after Session 2. Based on current data, the expected cutoffs are:

• General (UR): 93.3 – 95.0 percentile

• Gen-EWS: 80.5 – 81.4 percentile

• OBC-NCL: 79.5 – 80.7 percentile

• SC: 61.0 – 61.4 percentile

• ST: 47.5 – 48.2 percentile

Also Read: JEE Main 2026 AIR 1

JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Registration Checklist

If you want to improve your JEE Mains 2026 Session 1 score, you can apply for JEE Mains 2026 Session 2.

• Registration Dates: You must apply between 1 February and 25 February 2026.

• Exam Dates: Session 2 will take place from 2 April to 9 April 2026.

• How to Apply: Existing candidates can log in with their Session 1 application number and password. You only need to pay the exam fee and choose your exam city.

JEE Main 2026 Counselling and Admissions

Admissions to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs will happen through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) and CSAB.

• Eligibility for NITs/IIITs: To get a seat, you usually need at least 75% marks in your Class 12 board exams (65% for SC/ST).

• Counselling Schedule: This usually starts in June after the JEE Advanced results are out.

• Choice Filling: You will need to list your preferred colleges and branches during the JoSAA rounds.

JEE Main 2026 Result Day Quick Checklist for Students

This checklist helps students take immediate action after the JEE Main 2026 results are declared. Following it ensures you stay on top of deadlines and next steps.

1. Download Scorecard: Save a copy of your Session 1 NTA Scorecard.

2. Check Percentile: Compare your percentile with the expected cutoffs to see if you qualify for JEE Advanced.

3. Decide for Session 2: If your score is low, register for the April session before 25 February.

4. Prepare for Boards: Most students will have board exams in February and March. Balance your boards with JEE prep.