JEE Main Result 2026: This is important news for students who appeared for the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) 2026 Session-1 exams between January 21st and 28th. According to experts, a slight increase in the JEE Main cut-off is expected this year. However, experts say that a significant jump in the cut-off is unlikely. The official JEE Main 2026 cut-off will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the completion of the Session-2 exams in April.
How was the paper level?
According to experts, this year's JEE Main paper was of a moderate level compared to last year's. The Physics and Chemistry sections, in particular, were relatively balanced, giving students a better chance to score well. This is why a slight increase in the cut-off is anticipated.
Mathematics played a crucial role.
According to experts in the education field, this year's exam emphasized conceptual understanding, consistent practice, and effective time management rather than just difficult questions. They stated that students with balanced preparation across all three subjects and a strong grasp of the NCERT material were more likely to perform well. They also added that Mathematics played the most crucial role in determining the top percentiles.
What factors will the JEE Advanced cut-off depend on?
According to experts, the cut-off for qualifying for JEE Advanced 2026 will depend on several factors. These include the difficulty level of the paper, the number of students appearing for the exam, and the overall performance of all students.
Expected Cut-off for General Category
According to expert estimates, the JEE Main 2026 cut-off for the General category is likely to be between the 93.5th and 95th percentile. This score is considered equivalent to approximately 140 or more marks. If this trend continues, students scoring these marks may qualify for JEE Advanced 2026. Estimates for OBC, EWS, SC, and ST Categories
For other categories, the cut-off for OBC-NCL and EWS candidates is likely to be between the 79.5th and 81.5th percentile, which could be around 90 marks. The cut-off for SC candidates is estimated to be between the 61st and 63rd percentile, and for ST candidates between the 48th and 51st percentile. This means that students in these categories may need to score approximately 45 to 60 marks.
Category | Expected 2026 Percentile for Cut-off | Safe Score (out of 300)
General | 93.5 to 95 | 140+
OBC-NCL | 79.5 to 81.5 | 90+
EWS | 81.0 to 83.0 | 100+
SC | 61.0 to 63.0 | 60+
ST | 48.0 to 51.0 | 45+
PhysicsWallah's Cut-off Estimate
According to the coaching institute PhysicsWallah, for JEE Advanced 2026, the General category may require a 93.2 to 94.1 percentile, EWS 81 to 82 percentile, OBC-NCL 79 to 80 percentile, SC 60 to 62 percentile, and ST 47 to 49 percentile. The cut-off for the PwD category is likely to be very low.
Board Exam Eligibility is also required
Clearing the JEE Main cut-off is not enough to appear for JEE Advanced. Candidates must also secure minimum mark in their 12th board exams. This limit is set at 75 percent for General and OBC categories, while it is 65 percent for SC, ST, and PwD categories.
What causes the cut-off to change?
The JEE Main cut-off changes every year due to several reasons. The total number of students appearing for the exam, the difficulty level of the paper, and the combined performance of both sessions play a crucial role in determining the cut-off. The cut-off is decided every year based on these factors.
How many students appeared for the exam last year?
A total of 15.39 lakh unique students registered for the JEE Main 2025 exam. Of these, 14.75 lakh students appeared for the exam. Approximately 8.33 lakh students applied for both sessions, while 7.75 lakh students appeared for the exam in both sessions.
When will the results be released?
According to the National Testing Agency, the results for the JEE Main 2026 January session are likely to be released on February 12th. After this, students will get a clear idea of their percentile and All India Rank.
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