Aspirants of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 belonging to the OBC-NCL (Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer) category are projected to have a cutoff percentile around 79.5–81.5 based on historical trends and early analyst insights. This estimate helps candidates understand the likely qualifying threshold for participation in further admission processes, including eligibility for JEE Advanced 2026 and competitive counselling ahead of engineering admissions.
What OBC Cutoff Percentile Means
The cutoff percentile represents the minimum performance level candidates must attain relative to others to be considered as qualifying in JEE Main. For the OBC-NCL category in 2026, experts predict a cutoff percentile band between 79.5 and 81.5 — a range in line with recent years’ qualifying marks and seat demand. Once the NTA officially declares results and cutoff percentiles, final figures may vary slightly depending on exam difficulty and performance distribution.
Expected Marks Equivalent for OBC Cutoff
Translating the percentile cutoff into raw marks helps aspirants estimate target scores. Although NTA reports results as percentiles rather than marks, the following rough conversion is expected, based on trends and earlier patterns:
- OBC-NCL cutoff percentile: ~79.5 – 81.5
- Approximate marks needed: 90+ out of 300
These marks are indicative and will be confirmed with the official scorecards once the result is declared. Cutoff marks may vary slightly with the exam’s difficulty level, the number of candidates, and normalisation adjustments across shifts.
Factors Influencing the OBC Cutoff
Several elements shape the JEE Main cutoff, and OBC-NCL qualifiers should be aware of them:
- Total number of candidates appearing across both sessions
- Exam difficulty and shift variations
- Performance spread of candidates in each session
- Seat availability and reservation norms
These factors together determine the final qualifying percentile once the official results are published on jeemain.nta.nic.in.
What Candidates Should Do?
Aspiring OBC-NCL candidates are advised to:
- Check the official results on jeemain.nta.nic.in when released.
- Use percentile projections to estimate likely results before official declaration.
- Prepare for JEE Advanced 2026, if eligible, based on cutoff outcomes.
- Monitor counselling schedules and registration deadlines for engineering admissions.
Understanding the expected cutoff helps candidates set preparation goals and manage exam strategy, particularly in the final weeks of revision leading up to result announcements.