The JEE Main Cutoff Category wise 2026 is one of the most important factors for aspirants aiming for admissions into prestigious engineering institutions such as NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs (via JEE Advanced). Every year, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) in two sessions, and the cutoff percentile is released after the results.
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The cutoff marks/percentile vary according to category – General, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PwD. Knowing the JEE Main cutoff category wise 2026 helps students understand their eligibility for JEE Advanced 2026 and plan for JoSAA counselling.
This article will cover:
- JEE Main 2026 expected cutoff (category wise)
- Previous years’ cutoff trends
- Factors affecting cutoff
- Institute-wise admission chances
- Counselling process after cutoff release
- FAQs for better clarity
📌 Overview of JEE Main 2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Sessions | January 2026 & April 2026 |
| Result Mode | Online |
| Cutoff Type | Qualifying Cutoff & Admission Cutoff |
| Website | jeemain.nta. |
🎯 What is JEE Main Cutoff?
The JEE Main cutoff refers to the minimum percentile/marks required for candidates to qualify for JEE Advanced or to secure admission in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
There are two types of cutoffs:
- Qualifying Cutoff – Released by NTA, required to appear for JEE Advanced 2026.
- Admission Cutoff – Released by JoSAA/colleges, required for seat allotment in institutes.
📊 JEE Main Cutoff Category Wise 2026 (Expected)
Based on past years’ trends and exam difficulty, here’s the expected JEE Main cutoff 2026 category wise:
| Category | Expected Cutoff Percentile 2026 |
|---|---|
| General | 88 – 90 |
| EWS | 78 – 82 |
| OBC-NCL | 73 – 78 |
| SC | 55 – 60 |
| ST | 45 – 50 |
| PwD | 1 – 2 |
👉 These are qualifying cutoffs to appear in JEE Advanced 2026. Admission cutoffs for top NITs/IIITs may be much higher depending on branch and seat availability.
📈 Previous Year JEE Main Cutoff Trends
To better understand JEE Main Cutoff Category wise 2026, let’s analyze the last 3 years:
| Category | JEE Main 2024 Cutoff | JEE Main 2025 Cutoff (Expected) | JEE Main 2026 Cutoff (Predicted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 90.7 | 89 – 91 | 88 – 90 |
| EWS | 75.6 | 77 – 80 | 78 – 82 |
| OBC-NCL | 73.6 | 74 – 77 | 73 – 78 |
| SC | 51.9 | 55 – 58 | 55 – 60 |
| ST | 37.0 | 45 – 48 | 45 – 50 |
| PwD | 0.001 | 0.5 – 1 | 1 – 2 |
Observation:
- Cutoff for General category is gradually stabilizing around 88–90.
- EWS & OBC-NCL show a steady rise.
- SC & ST cutoffs are increasing due to higher competition.
- PwD cutoff remains the lowest.
⚖️ Factors Affecting JEE Main 2026 Cutoff
Several elements influence the category wise cutoff:
- Number of Candidates Appearing – More candidates → higher cutoff.
- Exam Difficulty Level – Tougher exam → lower cutoff.
- Normalization Process – Percentile calculation across multiple shifts.
- Seat Availability – Seats in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs directly impact admission cutoffs.
- Performance of Candidates – Higher overall performance pushes cutoff higher.
🎓 JEE Main Admission Cutoff (Institute-Wise)
While NTA releases the qualifying cutoff, JoSAA releases admission cutoffs for each institute. Here’s an approximate range of closing ranks for top institutes (General category, CSE branch):
| Institute | Expected Closing Rank 2026 (CSE) |
|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | 1000 – 1500 |
| NIT Surathkal | 1200 – 1700 |
| NIT Warangal | 1500 – 2000 |
| IIIT Hyderabad (via JEE Main) | 400 – 600 |
| NIT Allahabad | 2500 – 3000 |
| NIT Rourkela | 3000 – 3500 |
👉 Category-wise closing ranks differ significantly. For example, SC/ST candidates may get the same seat at a rank of 10,000–20,000.
🔢 Normalization & Percentile Score
JEE Main uses a normalization formula to calculate percentile across shifts. The highest score in each shift = 100 percentile, and other scores are adjusted accordingly. This ensures fairness in cutoff determination.
📌 Importance of Category Wise Cutoff
- Determines eligibility for JEE Advanced 2026.
- Helps estimate college admission chances via JoSAA.
- Provides clarity for state-level counselling (like MHT CET, UPSEE).
- Guides students in setting realistic expectations.
✅ What After JEE Main Cutoff 2026?
- Check eligibility for JEE Advanced 2026.
- Participate in JoSAA counselling.
- Explore state-level counselling options.
- Shortlist colleges based on previous year cutoffs.
- Prepare documents (category certificate, rank card, etc.).
Titles:
- JEE Main Cutoff Category wise 2026: General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwD
- Expected JEE Main 2026 Category Wise Cutoff Percentile
- NTA JEE Main Cutoff 2026 Category Wise for JEE Advanced Eligibility
- JEE Main 2026 Cutoff Category Wise: Previous Year Trends & Predictions
- JEE Main 2026 Qualifying & Admission Cutoff Category Wise
Get complete details on JEE Main Cutoff Category wise 2026 including expected percentile, previous year trends, institute-wise admission cutoff, and JoSAA counselling updates. Stay informed for General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD categories.
❓ FAQs on JEE Main Cutoff Category Wise 2026
Q1. What is the expected JEE Main 2026 cutoff for General category?
Ans: The expected cutoff for General category is 88–90 percentile.
Q2. What is the JEE Main 2026 cutoff category wise for OBC-NCL?
Ans: The OBC-NCL cutoff is expected to be 73–78 percentile.
Q3. Is the JEE Main cutoff same for qualifying and admission?
Ans: No. Qualifying cutoff is for JEE Advanced eligibility, while admission cutoff varies for NITs/IIITs/GFTIs.
Q4. Will the JEE Main 2026 cutoff increase from last year?
Ans: Slightly, especially for EWS, OBC, and SC categories, due to rising competition.
Q5. What is the JEE Main 2026 cutoff category wise for SC/ST?
Ans: SC: 55–60 percentile, ST: 45–50 percentile (expected).
Q6. Does PwD category have separate cutoff?
Ans: Yes, PwD cutoff is usually very low (1–2 percentile).
Q7. Who releases the JEE Main 2026 cutoff?
Ans: NTA releases qualifying cutoff, while JoSAA releases admission cutoff.
Q8. How is JEE Main cutoff calculated?
Ans: Through percentile normalization based on candidate performance in each session.
Q9. Can state-level colleges accept JEE Main scores?
Ans: Yes, many state universities use JEE Main rank for counselling (e.g., Maharashtra, UP, MP).
Q10. When will JoSAA release the JEE Main 2026 admission cutoff?
Ans: After completion of JoSAA counselling rounds in June–July 2026.
Q11. What rank is needed for NIT Trichy (General, CSE)?
Ans: Around 1000–1500 rank.
Q12. Do SC/ST students get relaxation in cutoff?
Ans: Yes, category wise cutoff is significantly lower for SC/ST.
Q13. Will JEE Main 2026 cutoff be the same for both sessions?
Ans: No, but the final cutoff is calculated after both sessions.
Q14. Is category certificate mandatory for counselling?
Ans: Yes, valid certificates are required to claim reserved category seats.
Q15. Does cutoff decide JEE Advanced eligibility?
Ans: Yes, candidates must meet the qualifying cutoff category wise to appear for JEE Advanced 2026.
🏁 Conclusion
The JEE Main Cutoff Category wise 2026 is a critical factor for students aspiring to study in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs. With cutoffs varying for General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD, candidates must understand their category-specific benchmarks.
Based on analysis, the General cutoff is expected to be 88–90 percentile, while reserved categories like SC (55–60) and ST (45–50) will have lower cutoffs. Candidates should also note that admission cutoffs for top branches like CSE in NITs/IIITs are much higher than qualifying cutoffs.
To maximize chances, students should:
✅ Stay updated with official NTA notifications.
✅ Prepare for JoSAA and state-level counselling.
✅ Keep documents ready for verification.
In conclusion, knowing the JEE Main Cutoff Category wise 2026 helps students set realistic goals, prepare better for counselling, and secure admission in top engineering colleges across India. 🚀
