
JEE Main 2026 isn’t just an exam, it’s the gateway to IIT dreams.
If your goal is JEE Advanced 2026, your first checkpoint is clear:
But here’s where many students get confused:
They search for “minimum marks required” when the actual eligibility is based on shortlisting + cutoff percentile, and the exact “marks” can change every year depending on the paper’s difficulty.
This guide gives you:

NTA typically conducts JEE Main in two sessions each year.
The expected exam windows are:
| Session | Exam Window (Tentative) | Status |
| Session 1 | January 2026 | Tentative |
| Session 2 | April 2026 | Tentative |
Key Note: You can appear in one or both sessions. Strategically, attempting both sessions often improves your chances. But JEE Advanced eligibility depends on your JEE Main performance in the B.E./B.Tech paper.
When students ask:
“How many marks are required in JEE Main 2026 to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026?”
What they really need to know is:
To be eligible for JEE Advanced, you must be among the top 2,50,000 successful candidates (all categories combined) in JEE Main (B.E./B.Tech Paper).
Because JEE Main uses percentile normalization, the same marks can mean different percentiles in different years/shifts.
So we use:
To write JEE Advanced 2026, you must satisfy all major criteria:
(These are official-type rules; always follow the latest notification once released for the final confirmation.)
Shortlisting is done category-wise under the top 2,50,000 pool.
The standard distribution format is:
| Sl No. | Category | Number of “Top” Candidates |
| 1 | OPEN | 101250 |
| 2 | OPEN-PwD | 5063 |
| 3 | GEN-EWS | 25000 |
| 4 | GEN-EWS-PwD | 1250 |
| 5 | OBC-NCL | 67500 |
| 6 | OBC-NCL-PwD | 3375 |
| 7 | SC | 37500 |
| 8 | SC-PwD | 1875 |
| 9 | ST | 18750 |
| 10 | ST-PwD | 938 |
Important: The shortlisted number can slightly exceed 2,50,000 due to ties.
Here’s the trend students use to understand the typical “qualifying percentile” level across recent years.
| Year | Category | Cutoff (Percentile) |
| 2025 | Unreserved (UR) | 93.1023262 |
| 2025 | Gen-EWS | 80.3830119 |
| 2025 | OBC-NCL | 79.4313582 |
| 2025 | SC | 61.1526933 |
| 2025 | ST | 47.9026465 |
| 2025 | UR-PwD | 0.0079349 |
| 2024 | Unreserved (UR) | 100.0000000 to 93.2362181 |
| 2024 | Gen-EWS | 93.2312696 to 81.3266412 |
| 2024 | OBC-NCL | 93.2312696 to 79.6757881 |
| 2024 | SC | 93.2312696 to 60.0923182 |
| 2024 | ST | 93.2312696 to 46.6975840 |
| 2024 | UR-PwD | 93.2041331 to 0.0018700 |
| 2023 | Common Rank List (UR equivalent) | 90.7788642 |
| 2023 | Gen-EWS | 75.6229025 |
| 2023 | OBC-NCL | 73.6114227 |
| 2023 | SC | 51.9776027 |
| 2023 | ST | 37.2348772 |
| 2023 | PwD | 0.0013527 |
What this means (simple):
For General category students, “Advanced-qualifying level” usually sits around the low-to-mid 90s percentile. For other categories, it is lower but varies year to year.
Now the practical part — marks targets for planning.
Because marks can shift year-to-year, treat this as a safe target range, not a fixed cutoff.
| Category | Estimated Marks Range |
| General (UR) | 105–115 |
| OBC-NCL / EWS | 85–100 |
| SC | 60–75 |
| ST | 50–65 |
Important: These ranges can move depending on difficulty + normalization + competition.
Cutoff is a survival line, not a selection line.
If your real goal is IIT + good branch:
VVT Rule: Build a stable base score first → then push rank with mocks and error correction.
At VVT Coaching, each aspirant gets mentor-driven support that tracks:
You don’t just “study harder.” You study smarter and strategically, with a weekly review process.
VVT’s AI-based system highlights:
So your improvement becomes measurable, not guesswork.
Remedy Classes fix exact weak points, followed by mini-tests to confirm improvement.
Our signature Error Exams are made from your wrong + skipped questions, creating a powerful loop:
Mock Test → Mistakes → Error Exam → Fix → Repeat
This is how accuracy improves fast — and accuracy is what protects percentile.

VVT has three spots across Chennai, each easy to reach and full of support. No matter where you live, one is close by. Our campuses mix bright classrooms, helpful teachers, and a warm feel to keep you going. Here’s a quick look at each, with a focus on how they help with NEET and staying options.
Right on busy L.B. Road next to Adyar Ananda Bhavan, this spot is super convenient. Step inside, and you’ll see big, airy rooms where learning feels fun. Staff greet you with smiles, and the energy pushes you to turn weak areas like tough Physics problems into strengths.We also offer hostel facilities here for boys, with clean rooms, meals, and support to make your stay comfortable and focused. No distractions, just a safe place to rest and review after classes.
Adyar Campus (VVT Coaching Centre): “Nibav Buildings”, 4th & 5th Floor, No.23, Old No.11, L.B. Road, Adyar, Chennai – 600020. (Next to Adyar Ananda Bhavan)
Get Directions: Open in google maps!
In Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, this campus feels like an extension of home. Good bus links make it simple for city kids. There is no on-site hostel, but nearby options are plentiful for those who need them.
Anna Nagar Campus (VVT Coaching Centre): No.1621, 9th Main Road, Shanthi Colony, Block AI, Anna Nagar, Chennai – 600040.
Get Directions: Open in google maps!
This is our special girls-only residential campus in a quiet area. It’s built as a true home away from home, with clean dorms, healthy meals in the canteen, and round-the-clock help.
We offer full hostel facilities here, clean rooms, study areas, and a community of girls supporting each other. It’s perfect if you’re from outside Chennai or just want a focused, safe space.
Pallikaranai (Saraswathi Girls Residential Campus): Plot No. 395 & 396, 1st Main Road, Kamakoti Nagar, Pallikaranai, Chennai – 600100
Get Directions: Open in google maps
To qualify for JEE Advanced 2026, the key rule is simple: perform in JEE Main strongly enough to fall in the top 2,50,000 candidates in the B.E./B.Tech paper.
But to win, don’t chase the cutoff. Chase:
If you want a structured path with mentors + AI analytics + error-based improvement, VVT Coaching is ready to guide you.
Visit: vvtcoaching.com
Call: +91 81221 22333
Scholarships up to 100% available through the VVTSAT Exam!
Q1. Is eligibility based on marks or percentile?
Eligibility is based on being within the top 2,50,000 candidates. Marks vary.
Q2. Is “minimum marks” fixed every year?
No. It changes with difficulty and normalization.
Q3. What percentile should a General student target to stay safe?
Historically, qualifying is around low-to-mid 90s percentile, but aim higher to be safe.
Q4. What marks should I target as a General student?
A planning-safe target is around 105–115 marks, but it can vary.
Q5. If I qualify for JEE Advanced, do I automatically get an IIT seat?
No. Qualification makes you eligible to write Advanced. Your Advanced rank decides admission.