JEE Main Result 2026: The JEE Main 2026 January session was conducted between January 21 and January 28, and students are now eagerly waiting for the results and cut-off details. Based on expert opinions and exam analysis, the JEE Main 2026 cut-off for JEE Advanced eligibility is expected to see a slight increase compared to last year.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will officially announce the cut-off along with the final JEE Main 2026 results after Session 2, which concludes in April. However, early estimates give students a fair idea of where they stand.
JEE Main Result 2026: Expected Cut-Off for JEE Advanced, Category-Wise Analysis
JEE Main 2026 Exam Difficulty Analysis
According to education experts, the overall difficulty level of JEE Main 2026 (Paper 1 – BE/BTech) was moderate.
- Physics & Chemistry: Concept-based and NCERT-oriented
- Mathematics: Time-consuming and decisive for top percentiles
Focus was more on concept clarity, consistency, and time management rather than tough questions
Students who prepared evenly across all three subjects and had a strong NCERT foundation were more likely to score well.
Expected JEE Main 2026 Cut-Off for JEE Advanced (Expert Opinion)
Dr. Saurabh Kumar, Founder & CEO of Shiksha Nation, stated that due to the moderate nature of the paper, the cut-offs may rise slightly, but a sharp jump is unlikely. Performance in Mathematics will play a key role in determining higher percentiles.
Sandeep Mehta, IIT alumnus and Co-founder of Vidyamandir Classes, also shared similar views, adding that factors like the number of candidates and overall performance will influence the final cut-off.
Category-Wise Expected JEE Main 2026 Cut-Off (Marks & Percentile)
| Category | Expected Percentile (2026) | Safe Score (Out of 300) |
| General | 93.5 – 95.0 | 140+ |
| OBC-NCL | 79.5 – 81.5 | 90+ |
| EWS | 81.0 – 83.0 | 100+ |
| SC | 61.0 – 63.0 | 60+ |
| ST | 48.0 – 51.0 | 45+ |
PhysicsWallah’s Expected JEE Main 2026 Cut-Off
As per PhysicsWallah, the qualifying percentiles required to appear for JEE Advanced 2026 are expected to be:
| Category | Expected Qualifying Percentile |
| General | 93.2 – 94.1 |
| Gen-EWS | 81 – 82 |
| OBC-NCL | 79 – 80 |
| SC | 60 – 62 |
| ST | 47 – 49 |
| PwD | 0.001 – 1 |
Class 12 Eligibility for JEE Advanced 2026
Apart from clearing the JEE Main cut-off, candidates must also meet Class 12 board exam criteria:
- General / OBC / EWS: Minimum 75% aggregate
- SC / ST / PwD: Minimum 65% aggregate
Failing to meet board eligibility will make candidates ineligible for JEE Advanced, even if they clear the JEE Main cut-off.
JEE Main Cut-Off Trends: Last 5 Years Comparison
| Category | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| General | 93.10 | 93.23 | 90.77 | 88.41 | 87.89 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.43 | 79.67 | 73.61 | 67.00 | 68.02 |
| SC | 61.15 | 60.09 | 51.97 | 43.08 | 46.88 |
| ST | 47.90 | 46.69 | 37.23 | 26.77 | 34.67 |
| Gen-EWS | 80.38 | 81.32 | 75.62 | 63.11 | 66.22 |
| PwD | 0.0079 | 0.0018 | 0.0013 | 0.0031 | 0.0096 |
JEE Main 2026 Candidate Statistics (Previous Year Reference)
In JEE Main 2025 (Paper 1 – BE/BTech):
- 39 lakh unique candidates registered
- 75 lakh candidates appeared across sessions
- 33 lakh registered for both January & April attempts
- 75 lakh appeared in both sessions
A similar or slightly higher turnout is expected in JEE Main 2026, which could impact cut-off levels.
JEE Main 2026 Result Date (Expected)
The NTA is likely to announce the JEE Main 2026 January session result on February 12, 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website for updates.
The JEE Main 2026 cut-off is expected to rise marginally due to the exam’s moderate difficulty level. Candidates aiming for JEE Advanced 2026 should focus not just on clearing the cut-off but also on securing a comfortable percentile to improve their chances. Staying informed and preparing strategically for Session 2 can make a significant difference.
