JEE Main 2026 Cutoff Out: Record Highs as 2.5 Lakh Qualify for JEE Advanced

The JEE Main 2026 General cutoff has reached a record 93.41 percentile due to 15.38 lakh candidates appearing, with 2.5 lakh students qualifying for JEE Advanced. While the qualifying bar is higher, students with 98+ percentiles remain in a strong position for top NITs and IIITs

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 results, and the numbers tell a story of unprecedented competition.

This year, the qualifying percentile for the General category has hit a record high of 93.4123549, a significant jump that reflects the growing number of engineering aspirants across the country.

With over 15.38 lakh unique candidates appearing across the January and April sessions, the “cut-off” for JEE Advanced eligibility has risen across almost all categories.

Category-Wise Qualifying Marks (Percentile)

The NTA has identified exactly 2,50,182 candidates who are now eligible to sit for the JEE Advanced 2026, scheduled for May 17. If you are checking your scorecard, these are the official NTA score cut-offs you need to have cleared to move to the next stage:

Why Did the JEE Main Cutoff Spike?

Several factors have contributed to this year’s steep climb in qualifying marks. Firstly, the total number of registrations saw a massive surge, crossing the 15-lakh mark for the first time. Education experts also point toward a “normalization” effect where students in the middle-percentile brackets performed much better than in previous years, pushing the baseline higher.

Additionally, 26 students achieved a perfect 100 percentile this year, with a majority of the toppers hailing from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Top Engineering Colleges JEE Main Admission Cutoff

While the qualifying cutoff only determines if you can sit for JEE Advanced (the gateway to IITs), the admission cutoff for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs is a different ballgame.

• Top-Tier NITs: For popular branches like Computer Science (CSE) at NIT Trichy, Warangal, or Surathkal, candidates generally need a percentile above 99.5.

• Mid-Tier NITs: Electronic and Communication Engineering (ECE) or Electrical branches usually close between the 97.5 and 98.8 percentile.

• GFTIs and New NITs: Students with percentiles between 94 and 96 can still expect seats in newer NITs or Government Funded Technical Institutes, though they might have to opt for core branches like Mechanical or Civil.

Next Steps for Aspirants

If you have cleared the cutoff, the registration for JEE Advanced 2026 opens within the next few days. Candidates are advised to keep their category certificates and JEE Main scorecards ready for the JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) counseling process, which will begin shortly after the Advanced results.

For those who didn’t make the cut, many reputed private universities and state-level engineering colleges accept JEE Main scores. Percentiles in the 80–90 range can still secure seats in established private institutions.

Written by Simran

Simran is currently working as a Senior Content Writer at Findmycollege , where she creates engaging and research-driven learning resources for students. She has completed her Graduation in Journalism from Delhi University. With 4 years of experience in the EdTech industry, she has previously contributed to leading platforms like Leverage Edu and Aakash. Her expertise lies in simplifying Engineering and Medical entrance exam content to guide aspirants in their preparation journey. Beyond writing, Simran enjoys sketching, watching movies, and finding creative inspiration in everyday life.

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