The National Testing Agency (NTA) is anticipated to release the JEE Main 2026 results following the completion of both examination sessions, with the current session set to continue until January 29. As candidates await the official announcement, attention has increasingly turned toward the expected cutoff percentiles, which play a crucial role in determining eligibility for JEE Advanced 2026 and admissions to premier engineering institutions.
Understanding the JEE Main Cutoff
The JEE Main cutoff is defined as the minimum qualifying percentile that students must achieve to be eligible for the JEE Advanced examination and to participate in the counselling process through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA). Since the exam is conducted across multiple shifts, the cutoff is expressed in percentile form rather than raw marks. Candidates who meet or exceed this percentile are included in the merit list, where ranks are assigned and subsequently used for seat allocation in various institutions.
Factors Influencing the Cutoff
The final cutoff percentile is influenced by several key factors, including the total number of candidates appearing for the exam, the difficulty level of the question paper, the normalization of scores across different shifts, and the overall performance of students. Additionally, the availability of seats in participating institutes can impact the cutoff thresholds. Even minor changes in these elements can lead to fluctuations, particularly for the General and OBC-NCL categories.
Expected Cutoff Percentiles for JEE Main 2026
Based on expert analysis and historical trends, the anticipated qualifying cutoff percentiles for JEE Main 2026 are projected to remain relatively stable compared to recent years, with only slight variations across categories. Below is a detailed breakdown of the expected cutoffs:
- General (UR): Between 93 to 95 percentile
- OBC-NCL: Between 79 to 81 percentile
- EWS: Between 80 to 82 percentile
- SC: Between 60 to 63 percentile
- ST: Between 47 to 50 percentile
- PwD (All Categories): Between 0.001 to 1 percentile
It is important to note that these figures are indicative estimates and may be subject to change once the NTA releases the official cutoff along with the results.
Previous Years' Cutoff Trends
A review of qualifying cutoff percentiles from the past three years reveals a largely consistent pattern, especially for the General category. However, a significant increase was observed between 2023 and 2024, attributed to heightened competition and improved average scores among candidates. The data from previous years is summarized below:
- 2025: General (93.23), OBC-NCL (79.67), SC (60.09), ST (46.70)
- 2024: General (93.23), OBC-NCL (79.68), SC (60.10), ST (46.70)
- 2023: General (90.77), OBC-NCL (73.61), SC (51.97), ST (37.23)
This trend underscores the rising competitiveness in the examination, with cutoffs showing a sharp upward shift from 2023 onward.
Guidance for Candidates
While expected cutoffs provide a useful approximation for applicants, it is essential to rely solely on the official cutoff released by the NTA. Candidates are advised to monitor the NTA's official website regularly for updates and to begin preparations for JoSAA counselling based on their expected percentile, rather than focusing on raw marks. This proactive approach can help streamline the admission process and enhance chances of securing a seat in desired engineering institutes such as NITs, IIITs, and other Government Funded Technical Institutions (GFTIs).
