JEE Main 2026 cutoff prediction is useful for candidates planning to get admission into top engineering colleges in India. Learning these expected cutoffs helps students focus on their preparation efficiently. The official cutoffs will be released after the exam, but looking at past trends gives a good idea of what scores might be needed.
Here, candidates can learn about expected JEE Main 2026 cutoffs, category-wise scores, percentile vs marks prediction, and factors that affect the cutoff. Students can use this information to plan their preparation and aim for higher chances of admission into reputed universities in India.
JEE Main cutoff refers to the qualifying percentile set by NTA. Admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs depends on JoSAA opening and closing ranks, which are based on exam scores, seat availability, and category. These cutoffs depend on the number of candidates, the difficulty of the exam, and available seats in different colleges.
Scoring above these predicted cutoffs increases the chances of securing a seat in top engineering institutes. Further, focusing on strong performance across subjects and aiming for safe marks can support better outcomes in admissions.
Here is the JEE Main Exam analysis of the past few years:
Previous Years JEE Main Exam Analysis |
|
---|---|
Scenario |
Summary |
Overall Difficulty |
Moderate level of difficulty (Maths lengthy, Physics conceptual, Chemistry scoring) |
Qualifying cutoffs (2025) |
General 93 EWS 80 OBC-NCL 79 SC 61 ST 48 PwD <1 |
Shift Variance |
Some shifts have tougher Maths or numerical Physics. |
Note: Candidates are advised to refer to the official NTA website to learn about the latest trends in JEE Main cutoff percentile.
Also Check: JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
Looking at the JEE Main 2025 cutoffs helps students estimate trends for 2026. Comparing previous years’ scores gives candidates an idea of safe marks and percentile ranges needed for various categories. These cutoffs vary by category, based on competition and available seats.
JEE Main 2025 cutoff Scores (Indicative) |
||
---|---|---|
Category |
cutoff (Percentile) |
Marks Range |
General (UR) |
92.0 – 94.0 |
270 – 295 |
EWS |
79.0 – 81.0 |
240 – 260 |
OBC-NCL |
78.0 – 80.0 |
230 – 255 |
SC |
60.0 – 62.0 |
180 – 200 |
ST |
45.0 – 48.0 |
140 – 165 |
UR-PwD |
0.001 – 0.02 |
0 – 10 |
Note: These estimated cutoffs are based on official JEE Main 2025 results. Candidates should note that the JEE Main results are officially declared in percentile format.
Understanding the expected JEE Main 2026 cutoffs and comparing them with JEE Main 2025 results helps students plan their preparation for the upcoming examination. Based on trends from previous years, the expected cutoffs for JEE Main 2026 are as follows:
Expected JEE Main 2026 cutoff Scores (Indicative) based on trends analysis |
|
---|---|
Expected JEE Main 2026 cutoff Scores |
|
Category |
Expected cutoff (Percentile) |
General (UR) |
93.5 – 95.0 |
EWS |
80.0 – 82.0 |
OBC-NCL |
79.0 – 81.0 |
SC |
61.0 – 63.0 |
ST |
47.5 – 50.0 |
UR-PwD |
0.001 – 0.02 |
Note: These are expected ranges based on previous years’ trends and may change after the official results.
Also Check: JEE Main Previous Year Question Papers
Admission to NITs depends on the opening and closing ranks declared through the JoSAA counselling process. The ranks change each year depending on the number of seats, applicants, and exam difficulty.
For detailed and updated information about the opening and closing ranks of 2025 for NIT admission, candidates can check here:
JoSAA Opening and Closing Ranks.
Understanding the category-wise cutoffs helps students know the minimum scores required for each category. Learning cutoff scores for the upcoming 2026 JEE Main exam can help candidates set their goals. Further, here are the expected cutoff scores for JEE Main 2026:
JEE Main 2026 Category-Wise Cutoff Scores (expected) |
|
---|---|
Category |
Expected cutoff (Percentile) |
General (UR) |
93.5 – 95.0 |
EWS |
80.0 – 82.0 |
OBC-NCL |
79.0 – 81.0 |
SC |
61.0 – 63.0 |
ST |
47.5 – 50.0 |
UR-PwD |
0.001 – 0.02 |
Note: These are projected percentile ranges for reference purposes only. Further, these are different categories based on previous years’ patterns.
The percentile shows how a candidate performed compared to others. Marks may differ depending on how hard the exam is and the overall performance of all candidates. Understanding this relationship helps students know which scores will meet the cutoff.
JEE 2026 Percentile vs Marks Prediction (Indicative) |
|
---|---|
Percentile Range |
Expected Marks Range |
95 – 100 |
270 – 300 |
90 – 94 |
240 – 269 |
85 – 89 |
210 – 239 |
80 – 84 |
180 – 209 |
75 – 79 |
150 – 179 |
Note: These marks are indicative based on past years and may differ slightly in 2026.
To increase the chances of getting a seat in top colleges, students should aim for marks above the expected cutoff ranges. Higher scores provide a better chance of admission even if cutoffs rise slightly.
Expected Safe Marks for JEE Main 2026 Cutoff (Reference) |
|
---|---|
Category |
Safe Marks Range |
General (UR) |
280 – 300 |
EWS |
240 – 260 |
OBC-NCL |
230 – 250 |
SC |
190 – 210 |
ST |
160 – 180 |
UR-PwD |
10 – 30 |
Note: These are suggested safe marks to increase the likelihood of admission.
Candidates should be aware that there are various factors that can affect JEE Main cutoff scores. Sometimes, variation in the number of applicants can change cutoff marks. Here are the other factors that can influence cutoff scores of JEE examination:
Difficulty of Exam: Harder exams usually result in lower cutoffs.
Seat Availability: More seats may lower the cutoff; fewer seats may increase it.
Reservation Rules: Any changes in reservation policies affect category-wise cutoffs.
Previous Year Trends: Past years’ results give an indication of expected cutoffs.