For aspirants aiming to secure admission in the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), it is crucial to understand the cutoff criteria involved in the admission process. Primarily, two key cutoff marks demand your attention: the minimum percentile required in JEE Mains to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026, and the minimum marks in JEE Advanced needed to gain entry into an IIT.
What Percentile is Required for JEE Advanced 2026 Qualification?
Candidates must achieve a certain percentile in JEE Mains 2026 to become eligible for JEE Advanced. This minimum cutoff percentile fluctuates each year depending on factors such as the number of candidates and exam difficulty. Nevertheless, top-ranking candidates aim to cross this cutoff comfortably to secure their spot in JEE Advanced.
Minimum Marks in JEE Mains to Qualify for JEE Advanced 2026
The qualifying percentile in JEE Mains acts as a gateway to JEE Advanced. Here is a tabular representation of the expected cutoff percentiles for various categories:
| Category | Expected Minimum Percentile |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | Top 2.5 Lakh Rankers (Approximate) |
| OBC-NCL | Lower than General Category cutoff by a margin |
| SC/ST/PwD | Significantly Relaxed compared to General Category |
Note that the exact cutoff percentile varies each year. Hence, aspiring candidates should aim for a high percentile in JEE Mains to safely qualify for JEE Advanced 2026.
Minimum Marks in JEE Advanced to Get Admission in IITs
Clearing JEE Advanced is just the first hurdle; securing a seat in IITs requires clearing further cutoff marks set for each institute and program. The minimum qualifying marks in JEE Advanced differ by category and change annually.
Expected Minimum Cutoff Marks in JEE Advanced 2026 by Category
| Category | Expected Minimum Marks |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | Approximately 35% of Aggregate Marks |
| OBC-NCL | Around 31.5% of Aggregate Marks |
| SC/ST/PwD | Around 17.5% of Aggregate Marks |
Remember, these cutoffs only permit candidates to be considered for admission; actual admission depends on rank, category, and preferred program choices.
Factors Influencing JEE Advanced and Mains Cutoff Percentiles
- Number of candidates appearing for exams
- Difficulty level of the question papers
- Number of available seats in IITs
- Performance trends of candidates in that year
Due to these variables, cutoff percentiles and minimum marks keep shifting every year. Hence, candidates should consistently perform well to stay above the qualifying thresholds.