JEE Main 2026 expected cutoff – With JEE Main 2026 on the horizon, one question is buzzing everywhere: “What will the cutoff look like this year?”
Based on the last four years of official data and an estimated 15.5 lakh+ unique candidates, here’s a grounded, no-hype breakdown of expected cutoffs and category-wise trends—the kind of clarity students actually need.
(Quick note: these are statistical projections, not official numbers. Final cutoffs will depend on paper difficulty and actual turnout.)
JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff (Predicted)
Qualifying percentiles for JEE Advanced eligibility
| Category | Expected Cutoff (2026) | Trend Insight |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 93.5 – 95.0 %ile | High saturation, intense competition |
| Gen-EWS | 81.5 – 83.5 %ile | Rapid upward movement |
| OBC-NCL | 80.0 – 82.0 %ile | Steady growth |
| SC | 62.0 – 65.0 %ile | Moderate but consistent rise |
| ST | 48.0 – 51.0 %ile | Stable trend |
The biggest pressure point remains General (UR), where even a small percentile jump can mean thousands of ranks.
Why the Cutoff Is Likely to Rise in 2026
A few clear factors are pushing numbers upward:
- Rising applicant count (projected 15.5L+ candidates)
- Better access to online coaching & mock platforms
- Higher competition density in the 90–95 percentile band
- Consistent normalization keeping percentiles tight at the top
In short: more prepared students, same number of seats.
Historical Cutoff Trends (2022–2025)
Here’s how the official qualifying percentiles (released by National Testing Agency) have moved over the last four sessions:
| Year | General | Gen-EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Official) | 93.10 | 80.38 | 79.43 | 61.15 | 47.90 |
| 2024 | 93.23 | 81.32 | 79.67 | 60.09 | 46.69 |
| 2023 | 90.78 | 75.62 | 73.61 | 51.98 | 37.23 |
| 2022 | 88.41 | 63.11 | 67.01 | 43.08 | 26.78 |
The pattern is clear: every category has climbed, with the sharpest jumps seen post-2022.
Category-Wise Reality Check
- General (UR): Even a 0.5 percentile change can massively impact rank. Margin for error is razor-thin.
- Gen-EWS: One of the fastest-growing categories—competition is tightening quickly.
- OBC-NCL: Growth is steady and predictable, but no longer “safe.”
- SC / ST: Gradual rise shows increasing participation and preparation levels year-on-year.
What This Means for JEE Aspirants
If you’re targeting JEE Advanced 2026, aim above the predicted cutoff—not just at it.
- UR students: Target 95%ile+ to stay comfortable
- EWS/OBC: Don’t assume past cutoffs will hold
- SC/ST: Early preparation still gives a strong edge
Cutoffs don’t just rise because exams get harder—they rise because students get better.
Final Take
The JEE Main 2026 cutoff is expected to continue its upward trend, driven by sheer numbers and smarter preparation strategies. Treat these estimates as minimum benchmarks, not finish lines.
Stay focused on accuracy, consistency, and mock analysis—percentiles follow preparation, not predictions.