
The declaration of JEE Main Result 2026 is expected by 20 April 2026 and brings clarity to a key question among engineering aspirants—how many marks are required to qualify for JEE Advanced. There is no fixed cutoff score; eligibility is determined by percentile and overall rank. Only the top 2.5 lakh candidates are shortlisted for the next stage. Therefore, understanding expected cutoffs and qualifying criteria is crucial for those aiming for IIT admissions.
To appear for JEE Advanced 2026, candidates must meet the qualifying cutoff of JEE Main. This cutoff is released in percentile form and varies each year depending on exam difficulty, number of candidates, and overall performance.
| Expected JEE Main 2026 Cutoff (Category-wise) | ||
| Category | Expected Percentile | Safe Score (Out of 300) |
| General (UR) | 93.5 – 95.0 | 105 – 115 |
| GEN-EWS | 80.5 – 82.5 | 80 – 85 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.5 – 81.5 | 75 – 82 |
| SC | 61.5 – 64.0 | 50 – 55 |
| ST | 48.0 – 50.5 | 40 – 45 |
| PwD | 0.001 – 1.0 | 1 – 5 |
In general, scoring around 105–115 marks is considered a safe range for General category candidates to qualify for JEE Advanced.
Qualifying for the exam is only the first step. To secure a rank, candidates must meet both subject-wise and aggregate minimum marks criteria, calculated from the combined scores of Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Common Rank List (CRL):
Subject-wise: 10% | Aggregate: 35%
OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS:
Subject-wise: 9% | Aggregate: 31.5%
SC / ST / PwD:
Subject-wise: 5% | Aggregate: 17.5%
Preparatory Course:
Subject-wise: 2.5% | Aggregate: 8.75%
Candidates must also meet the minimum cutoff required for inclusion in the rank list:
| Rank List | Subject-wise % | Aggregate % |
| CRL | 5.83% | 20.56% |
| OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | 5.25% | 18.50% |
| SC / ST | 2.92% | 10.28% |
| PwD (All Categories) | 2.92% | 10.28% |
| Preparatory Course | 1.46% | 5.14% |
The cutoff changes every year due to several factors:
Difficulty level of the exam
Number of candidates appearing
Overall performance trends
Availability of IIT seats
Previous year cutoff patterns
While there is no fixed score, expected benchmarks are:
General Category: Around 105+ marks (safe range)
Reserved Categories: Lower marks depending on cutoff trends
Target Percentile: 90+ (minimum), 95+ (safer range)
To qualify for JEE Advanced 2026, candidates should focus on achieving a high percentile in JEE Main rather than only aiming for a specific score. Scoring above 100 marks significantly improves chances for General category candidates, while reserved categories benefit from relatively lower cutoffs. A higher score, however, always ensures a better and safer position.