As of January 2026, the first session of JEE Main has just concluded, and initial analysis from shifts (like January 24th) suggests a challenging exam, particularly in the Mathematics section. With a record 14.5 lakh aspirants registered this year, competition is at an all-time high, which is expected to push qualifying percentiles slightly upward compared to previous years.
Here is the comprehensive breakdown of the expected cutoffs for JEE Main 2026.
📊 Expected Qualifying Cutoff for JEE Advanced 2026
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum percentile required to be among the top 2,50,000 candidates eligible for JEE Advanced. Based on the difficulty level of the January shifts and historical trends, here are the projected percentiles:
| Category | Expected Percentile (2026) | Previous Year (2025) |
| General (UR) | 93.5 – 95.0 | 93.10 |
| Gen-EWS | 80.0 – 82.0 | 80.38 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.0 – 81.0 | 79.43 |
| SC | 61.0 – 63.0 | 61.15 |
| ST | 47.5 – 50.0 | 47.90 |
| PwD | 0.001 – 1.0 | 0.007 |
📈 Marks vs. Percentile (Session 1 Prediction)
Because the NTA uses a normalization process across different shifts, the “raw marks” required to hit a specific percentile can vary. A tough shift (like those with heavy Calculus in Maths) will require lower marks for a high percentile.
- 99.9 Percentile: 245 – 270 Marks
- 99 Percentile: 180 – 210 Marks
- 95 Percentile: 115 – 140 Marks
- 90 Percentile: 90 – 110 Marks
Quick Tip: If you found your shift’s Mathematics section exceptionally lengthy (a common complaint this year), your percentile might be higher than your raw score suggests due to the normalization curve.
🏫 Admission Cutoff for Top NITs (Closing Ranks)
While the qualifying cutoff gets you to JEE Advanced, the Admission Cutoff (Closing Rank) determines your seat in NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs. For popular branches like Computer Science (CSE), the competition is fierce.
| Institute | Branch | General (Expected Closing Rank) |
| NIT Trichy | CSE | 1,000 – 1,500 |
| NIT Surathkal | CSE | 1,500 – 2,200 |
| NIT Rourkela | CSE | 3,500 – 4,500 |
| NIT Warangal | CSE | 2,000 – 2,800 |
🔍 Factors Influencing the 2026 Cutoff
- Increased Registrations: With 14.5 lakh students, the “denominator” in the percentile formula has grown, making every single mark vital.
- Difficulty Level: The 2026 January session saw “concept-heavy” Physics and “lengthy” Mathematics. Tougher papers generally lead to lower mark requirements for the same percentile.
- The “Second Attempt” Factor: Historically, the cutoff percentile for the April session tends to be slightly higher as students have more time to prepare and refine their strategies.
What Should You Do Now?
If your score is hovering around the expected cutoff, don’t wait for the official result in April.
- Above 95 Percentile: Start intensive preparation for JEE Advanced immediately.
- Below 90 Percentile: Focus on the April Session (Session 2). Identify the weak areas in your Session 1 performance—specifically the high-weightage chapters in Physics and Chemistry which are often “score boosters.”