JEE Main Cutoff 2026: Session 2 expected percentiles and marks
JEE Main Cutoff 2026 for Session 2 is expected around 93.5–95.0 percentile for the General category, based on post-exam analysis and shift-wise trends. The National testing shifts and normalization mean marks needed will vary by paper difficulty.
Key category-wise expected cutoffs (percentile)
| Category | Expected Percentile Range |
|---|---|
| General | 93.5 – 95.0 |
| EWS | 80.5 – 82.5 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.5 – 81.5 |
| SC | 61.5 – 64.0 |
| ST | 48.0 – 50.5 |
Marks vs percentile: what to aim for
Marks needed for a given percentile changed a lot across shifts. Use these ranges as guidance.
| Percentile | Expected marks range (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 99 | 151 – 195 (shift-dependent; often 190+ in tougher shifts, 200+ in easier shifts) |
| 98 | 131 – 175 |
| 95 | 96 – 140 (wide variation by shift) |
Candidates scoring 99.90+ percentile can expect AIR inside 1–1,200 , while 99–99.5 percentile typically maps to ranks up to about 12,000 . Remember: percentile, not raw marks, determines rank and admission eligibility.
Subject difficulty and its effect
Mathematics in Session 2 was reported as moderate to tough , which raised overall difficulty. Physics and Chemistry were mostly balanced. Tougher Maths papers helped some students in lower-mark shifts because normalization adjusts for difficulty.
Important dates to note
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Article updated | Apr 17, 2026 |
| JEE Main Session 2 exam days (examples) | Apr 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 2026 |
| Provisional answer key release (NTA) | Apr 11, 2026 |
| Admit card mention | Mar 26, 2026 |
| Exam city slip mention | Mar 18, 2026 |
What this means for you
If you aim for top NITs or IIITs, especially CSE, you generally need 99+ percentile . For JEE Advanced eligibility, target around 93–95 percentile (General). Reserved categories have lower cutoffs but top branches remain competitive.
FAQs
What is the expected cutoff for JEE Main 2026 Session 2?
General cutoff is expected around 93.5–95 percentile ; EWS and OBC-NCL roughly 80–82 percentile .
How many marks are required for 99 percentile in JEE Main 2026?
Around 190+ marks in tougher shifts and 200+ marks in easier shifts. Overall range across shifts is 151–195 marks .
Which subject was the toughest in JEE Main Session 2?
Mathematics was reported as moderate to tough and was the most challenging section.
Is percentile more important than marks in JEE Main?
Yes. Admissions and rank use percentile , not raw marks. Normalization adjusts for different shift difficulties.
Can I get a good NIT with 95 percentile?
A 95 percentile may open mid or lower-tier NITs. Top NITs and CSE generally need 99+ percentile .
How does shift difficulty affect results?
Easier shifts require higher raw marks for the same percentile. Normalization balances this, so percentiles reflect relative performance.
What percentile is required for JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility?
Approximately 93–95 percentile for the General category.
What should candidates focus on to score a high percentile?
Accuracy, strong performance in Mathematics, and time management during the exam are key.