JEE Main 2026 is currently being conducted by the National Testing Agency across India. The qualifying cutoff for JEE Advanced is the minimum percentile required to move to the next stage of the admission process. This cutoff is different from institute-wise admission cutoffs and only determines eligibility for IIT admissions.
The official JEE Main 2026 cutoff will be released after the declaration of results, expected in April 2026. However, based on exam difficulty, student reactions, and past trends, experts have shared an early estimate of the expected cutoff percentiles.
How was the JEE Main 2026 Day 1 Paper?
The first day of JEE Main 2026 was conducted on 21 January 2026 in two shifts. Overall, candidates described the paper as moderate, with subject-wise variations.
In Shift 1, Physics ranged from moderate to tough. Chemistry was lengthy but manageable, while Mathematics was considered difficult. High-weightage Mathematics topics included Sets and Relations, Vectors and 3D Geometry, Matrices, Limits, Differentiability, and Probability.
In Shift 2, Physics was largely formula-based and moderate, covering topics such as Capacitors, Modern Physics, and Ray Optics. Chemistry was doable, with a higher number of Organic Chemistry questions. Mathematics remained lengthy and challenging, with a strong focus on Calculus and Vectors.
Factors Affecting JEE Main 2026 Cutoff
The qualifying cutoff percentile is influenced by multiple factors each year. These factors determine whether the cutoff rises or falls across categories. Before reviewing the expected cutoffs, candidates should note the following key influences.
- Total number of applicants
- Difficulty level of the exam across shifts
- Availability of seats for JEE Advanced
Expected JEE Main 2026 Qualifying Cutoff Percentile
Based on previous years’ data and the moderate difficulty observed on Day 1, the JEE Main 2026 cutoff is expected to be slightly higher for most categories. The table below shows the expected qualifying percentile for JEE Advanced.
Category | Expected Percentile |
General (UR) | 92–95 |
OBC-NCL | 79–82 |
EWS | 80–82 |
SC | 64–66 |
ST | 45–48 |
These figures are indicative and may change once all sessions are completed and official normalization is applied.
Why the JEE Main 2026 Cutoff May Rise?
Experts believe the cutoff could increase this year due to higher competition. JEE Main 2026 has witnessed a rise in the number of applicants compared to previous years. Historically, an increase in candidate count leads to a higher qualifying percentile.
Additionally, categories such as EWS and ST have seen steady growth in applicant numbers over recent years. This trend directly impacts category-wise cutoffs, even if the paper difficulty remains moderate.
What Candidates Should Keep in Mind?
The expected cutoff is only for qualifying JEE Advanced. Admission cutoffs for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs will be different and depend on rank, category, and branch preference. Candidates are advised to wait for the official result and cutoff notification by the National Testing Agency for final confirmation.