The JEE Main 2026 expected cutoff suggests that candidates in the General category may need a percentile of 93.5–95, with safe marks around 280–300. For reserved categories, SC candidates may require 61–63 percentile and ST candidates47.5–50 percentile. The official cutoff will be released by NTA after results are declared on jeemain.nta.nic.in. Understanding these predicted cutoffs helps candidates plan their preparation effectively.
JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff Overview
The 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 influenced by exam scores, seat availability, and category. Cutoffs vary each year based on number of candidates, exam difficulty, and seats. Scoring above predicted cutoffs improves chances of admission in top engineering institutes.
Previous Years JEE Main Exam Analysis
Exam analysis from past years helps students estimate safe marks and prepare strategically.
Scenario | Summary |
Overall Difficulty | Moderate (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: Official cutoffs are declared in percentile format by NTA.
Factors Affecting JEE Main 2026 Category-Wise Cutoff
Several factors influence cutoff marks:
- Difficulty of Exam: Harder exams may lower cutoffs.
- Seat Availability: More seats may lower cutoffs; fewer seats may increase them.
- Reservation Rules: Changes affect category-wise cutoffs.
- Previous Year Trends: Past results indicate expected ranges.
JEE Main 2025 Cutoff Scores
Reviewing JEE Main 2025 cutoffs provides insights into expected 2026 trends.
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 |
JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff Scores
Based on past trends, the expected cutoffs for 2026 are:
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 indicative ranges and may vary after official results.
JEE Main 2026 Percentile vs Marks Prediction
Understanding the percentile-to-marks relationship helps candidates estimate expected scores to meet cutoff.
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 |
JEE Main 2026 Expected Safe Marks
To increase chances of admission, candidates should aim for marks above expected cutoff ranges.
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 |
