JEE Advanced 2026 – Cut Offs

JEE Advanced 2026 cut offs represent the minimum marks or ranks candidates must achieve to qualify for admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other participating institutes. The JEE Advanced cut-offs are critical benchmarks used to screen candidates based on their performance, category, and available seats. They serve two primary purposes: qualifying cut-offs to list candidates in the final merit and admission cut-offs for specific IITs and branches.

Understanding JEE Advanced 2026 Cut Offs

• Qualifying Cut Off:The minimum marks required for a candidate to be declared qualified and to be included in the rank list. Candidates scoring below this are not eligible for admission.
• Admission Cut Off:The closing ranks or marks needed to secure admission into particular IITs or specific branches. This depends on factors like seat availability, category, and candidate preferences.

The cut-offs vary each year based on the exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seat intake. For 2026, the expected qualifying and admission cut-offs align closely with recent trends.

Expected Qualifying Cut Offs for JEE Advanced 2026

The following table is based on previous years and expert analyses. These marks are indicative qualifying cut-offs after the exam and before seat allocation.

*Preparatory Course is a special category with relaxed eligibility.

Admission Cut Offs – IIT and Branch-Wise

Admission cut-offs are rank-based and vary widely by IIT and engineering branch. The following table is an illustration for candidates to have a better understanding on JEE Advanced 2026 cut-offs.

The Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) branch consistently has the lowest cut-off ranks due to its popularity. Other branches have higher cut-off ranks, offering more chances.

Factors Influencing Cut Offs

• Exam Difficulty:Harder papers generally lower cut-off
• Number of Candidates:More candidates can raise competition, affecting ranks.
• Seat Availability:Increase or decrease in seat intake impacts closing ranks.
• Reservation Categories:Different cut-offs for categories (OBC, SC, ST, PwD).
• Performance Trends:Year-to-year variations influence cut-offs.

How to Use Cut Off Information?

• Preparation Benchmark:Candidates gauge target scores/ranks.
• Choice Filling Guidance:Helps candidates prioritize institutes and branches realistically.
• Counselling Strategy:Awareness of expected cut-offs aids informed decisions during JoSAA counselling.

Click Here For JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Criteria 

FAQs

Q1. What is the qualifying cut-off for JEE Advanced 2026?

Ans. The qualifying cut-off is approximately 20.56% of total marks for the General category, which translates to around 90-95 marks. Cut-off percentages vary by category, with lower thresholds for reserved categories.

Q2. How are admission cut-offs different from qualifying cut-offs in JEE Advanced?

Ans. Qualifying cut-offs determine eligibility to appear in the rank list, while admission cut-offs are closing ranks or marks needed to secure seats in specific IITs and branches during counselling.

Q3. Which IIT branch usually has the highest cut-off ranks?

Ans. Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) generally has the lowest closing ranks (highest competition), followed by Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Other branches have higher cut-off ranks.

Q4. Do cut-off marks for JEE Advanced change every year?

Ans. Yes, cut-offs fluctuate annually based on exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability. Candidates should check the latest official cut-offs to plan their preparation accordingly.

Q5. Where can candidates find the official JEE Advanced 2026 cut-offs?

Ans. Official cut-offs and rank lists are released on the JEE Advanced website – jeeadv.ac.in, along with the result declaration and during the JoSAA counselling process.