JEE Main 2026 Result and Cut-Off Predictions: What to Expect for JEE Advanced Eligibility
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to declare the JEE Main 2026 January session results by February 12, 2026, as per recent announcements. This highly anticipated outcome will determine the official cut-off for admission to prestigious institutions like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, as well as eligibility for the JEE Advanced 2026 application. The final cut-off will be announced after the conclusion of the JEE Main 2026 session 2 in April, but experts are already analyzing trends to provide early insights.
Expected Cut-Off Trends and Percentile Predictions for JEE Main 2026
Candidates who appeared for the JEE Main 2026 between January 21 and 28 can anticipate a minor increase in the cut-off this year, according to education specialists. The papers were moderately difficult compared to previous years, which is likely to influence the percentile thresholds. Dr. Saurabh Kumar, founder and CEO of Shiksha Nation, notes that the physics and chemistry sections were of moderate difficulty, leading to a slight rise in cut-offs. However, he emphasizes that significant jumps are unlikely, and mathematics performance will be crucial in determining top percentiles among peers.
Sandeep Mehta, IIT alumnus and co-founder of Vidyamandir Classes, explains that the JEE Main 2026 cut-off for JEE Advanced eligibility depends on factors such as exam difficulty, number of aspirants, and overall performance. Based on recent trends, the expected percentiles for different categories are as follows:
- General Category: 93.5 to 95.0 percentile, equivalent to over 140 marks out of 300.
- OBC-NCL Category: 79.5 to 81.5 percentile, with scores over 90 marks.
- EWS Category: 81.0 to 83.0 percentile, requiring scores over 100 marks.
- SC Category: 61.0 to 63.0 percentile, needing over 60 marks.
- ST Category: 48.0 to 51.0 percentile, with marks over 45.
Additional Eligibility Criteria and Historical Context
Beyond clearing the JEE Main cut-off, aspirants for JEE Advanced must also meet Class 12 board examination criteria. Typically, this requires 75% aggregate for General and OBC candidates, and 65% for SC, ST, and PwD categories. PhysicsWallah provides similar predictions, suggesting percentiles like 93.2-94.1 for General, 81-82 for Gen-EWS, and 0.001-1 for PwD candidates.
The cut-off is influenced by multiple variables, including total candidate numbers and session difficulty. Historical data from the past five years shows fluctuations, with General category cut-offs ranging from around 87.9 to 93.2 percentiles. In JEE Main 2025, over 1.5 million candidates registered, with high participation rates indicating competitive trends.
Exam Analysis and Preparation Insights
The January 2026 session emphasized consistency, conceptual clarity, and efficient time management over sheer difficulty. Students with a strong NCERT foundation and balanced preparation across physics, chemistry, and mathematics were best positioned for success. Detailed analyses for specific dates, such as January 21 to 28, highlight the importance of thorough practice and subject mastery.
As the NTA prepares to release the results, candidates are advised to stay updated on official announcements and use these predictions as a guideline for their JEE Advanced preparations. The final cut-off will provide a clearer picture, but early indicators suggest a competitive yet manageable threshold for most categories.
