It is important to note that the National Testing Agency (NTA) follows a percentile-based normalization method, rather than raw marks, to maintain fairness across multiple exam shifts. Therefore, aspirants are advised to target a percentile comfortably above the expected cutoff to enhance their chances of qualifying.

For engineering aspirants aiming for top institutions such as IITs, NITs, and IIITs, being aware of the General category cutoff for JEE Main 2026 is essential. This cutoff represents the minimum percentile required to appear for JEE Advanced and to be considered for centralized counselling. With more than 15 lakh candidates likely to appear, experts believe the cutoff for the unreserved category may see a marginal rise compared to previous years.

Expected General Category Cutoff for JEE Main 2026

Considering the upward trend in competition and the exam difficulty patterns observed in 2024 and 2025, subject experts estimate that the qualifying percentile for the General (UR) category will range from 93.5 to 95 percentile.

General Cutoff for JEE Mains 2026 (Expected)

Note: The above values are indicative and based on prevailing trends. The official cutoff will be announced by NTA after the declaration of Session 2 results.

Previous Year JEE Main General Cutoff: Trend Analysis

A review of the previous years’ General category cutoffs highlights a consistent increase in competition. While the qualifying percentile stood at around 87.89 in 2021, it moved beyond the 93 percentile mark by 2024, reflecting intensified competition.

Previous Year General Cutoff for JEE Mains (Trend Analysis)

Key Insight: The sharp rise between 2022 and 2024 indicates that candidates should aim for a safe percentile well above the minimum cutoff to confidently secure eligibility for JEE Advanced.

JEE Main 2026 Percentile Calculation Method

Since the examination is held in multiple shifts, NTA does not rely on raw scores for ranking. Instead, it uses a normalization-based percentile calculation system to equalize variations in paper difficulty.

Normalization Formula

The percentile score reflects the percentage of candidates who have scored equal to or less than a candidate in a particular session.

Percentile Score = 100 × (Number of candidates in the session with raw score ≤ your score) / Total number of candidates in that session

This approach ensures that candidates appearing in relatively tougher shifts are not disadvantaged. The final percentile is calculated up to seven decimal places to minimize the possibility of ties.

How to Estimate JEE Main 2026 Cutoff and Rank

Many aspirants wonder how to calculate the JEE Main 2026 cutoff or expected rank before official results are released. While only NTA issues the final All India Rank (AIR), candidates can make an approximate estimation using their percentile score.

Probable Rank Formula

If P is your percentile and N is the total number of unique candidates:

Estimated Rank = ((100 – P) / 100) × N + 1

Example:

• Your Percentile (P): 99.0

• Total Candidates (N): 15,50,000

Calculation: ((100 − 99) / 100) × 15,50,000 = 15,500 (approx.)

Factors Influencing the JEE Main 2026 Cutoff

The final qualifying cutoff is not fixed and depends on several important factors:

• Total Number of Candidates: A larger applicant pool generally pushes the cutoff percentile higher.

• Overall Difficulty Level: Easier papers often lead to higher cutoff marks (though percentile may vary).

• Seat Availability: Any change in seat intake across NITs, IIITs, and other institutions impacts admission cutoffs.

• Performance Trends: The aggregate performance of the top 2.5 lakh candidates determines the eligibility threshold for JEE Advanced.