🎯 JEE Mains Qualifying Criteria: Percentile vs Marks

Kokila Chokkanathan
The qualifying percentile is the main determinant for passing JEE Main. It indicates the percentage of candidates who scored below your marks in the exam. For example, a 99 percentile means you scored better than 99% of candidates. To pass JEE Main, you need to meet the minimum qualifying percentile, which varies based on your category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.).

📊 JEE Main 2026: Expected Qualifying Percentiles

While the official cutoff will be released by NTA after the exam, here is a general idea based on past years:

Category

Expected Minimum Percentile

General (Unreserved)

87–90 percentile

OBC-NCL

70–75 percentile

SC

50–55 percentile

ST

45–50 percentile

EWS

75–80 percentile

Note: The percentile is different from the marks you get, and it reflects your rank relative to other candidates.

📈 Marks Equivalent to Qualifying Percentile

While the qualifying percentile sets a relative standard, we can approximate the number of marks needed to meet those percentiles based on previous trends. Here's an estimate:

  • 90 Percentile (General Category): Around 250–270 marks
  • 80 Percentile (OBC Category): Around 210–230 marks
  • 70 Percentile (SC/ST Category): Around 150–180 marks
Note: These are just rough estimates and can vary from year to year. Top scorers may end up with higher marks, while the cut-off marks will depend on overall performance.

📝 JEE Mains Cutoff: Factors That Influence It

Difficulty Level: If the exam is harder than usual, the cutoff marks might be lower, and vice versa.

Number of Candidates: More candidates in a year may lead to a slightly higher cutoff to account for the competition.

Marking Scheme: Any changes in the marking scheme (e.g., negative marking for incorrect answers) could impact how many marks are required.

Seat Availability: For admission to IITs and NITs, the cutoffs might also depend on how many seats are available in a particular year.

🌍 What Happens After Qualifying JEE Mains?

Once you qualify JEE Mains with the required percentile, you become eligible to appear for JEE Advanced (if you aim for IITs), or you can use the score for admission to other top institutions, including NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

✅ Tips to Improve Your Chances

  • Consistent Preparation: Focus on understanding concepts deeply rather than memorizing formulas.
  • Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and time management.
  • Analyze Results: After each mock test, analyze mistakes and work on weak areas to improve scores.
 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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