JEE Main 2026: Minimum Marks Needed to Qualify for JEE Advanced
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• Updated on 17 Feb, 2026, 2:43 AM, by Disha Yadav
The minimum marks in JEE Main 2026 required to qualify for JEE Advanced will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) after Session 2 results. Based on past trends, general category aspirants typically need above 93 percentile, while reserved categories have lower thresholds. Final cut-offs will vary by category.
Students who appeared in the JEE Main 2026 examination are awaiting the announcement of the minimum marks and percentile criteria required to become eligible for the JEE Advanced 2026 examination. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release official cutoff marks along with the Session 2 results, expected in April 2026.
JEE Main Cutoff Marks: What You Should Know?
Unlike regular school exams, JEE Main does not have a fixed pass mark. Eligibility for JEE Advanced is determined by category-wise cutoff percentiles, which are based on competition levels, number of candidates, and overall exam difficulty. The top 2.5 lakh candidates across all categories in JEE Main will be shortlisted for JEE Advanced eligibility.
Expected Category-Wise Marks & Percentiles
Though final figures for 2026 will be announced later, past trends give students an idea of what to expect:
- Unreserved (UR/General): Typically above 93 percentile to qualify for Advanced, which may correspond to approximately 105–115 marks in total.
- OBC-NCL / EWS: Expected cutoff range around 91–93 percentile with marks likely in the 80–100 range.
- SC Category: Cutoff percentiles approximately 82–86, with corresponding marks around 60–75.
- ST Category: Expected cutoff around 73–80 percentile, often translating to scores near 50+ marks.
These figures are based on previous year performance patterns and are indicative, not official. The actual NTA JEE Main 2026 cutoff to qualify for JEE Advanced will be published with the final results.
How JEE Main 2026 Cutoff Determines Eligibility?
To become eligible for JEE Advanced 2026, candidates must meet or exceed the relevant percentile cutoff in JEE Main. Simply passing the exam is not enough; students must place among the top 2.5 lakh qualifiers across categories. The cutoff percentiles are based on relative performance and change each year. This ensures fairness and reflects varying difficulty levels of the exam sessions.
Preparing for Advanced After JEE Main 2026
Students aspiring to take JEE Advanced 2026 should monitor the official NTA website for cutoff announcements and continue focused preparation for Advanced-level topics. A strong foundation in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics alongside mock test practice can enhance readiness for the Advanced stage. Once the minimum marks and percentiles are officially released, candidates can confirm their eligibility and plan for the next phase of IIT entrance preparations.
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