A complete data-driven guide to the JEE Advanced 2026 cut off — exam status post 17 May, expert paper analysis, expected qualifying marks for CRL, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST and PwD, the official 2025 benchmark, 7-year historical trends (2019–2025), JoSAA IIT closing ranks and what to do till the official cut off drops on 1 June 2026.
The CBT paper concluded successfully in two compulsory shifts. Approximately 1.9 lakh candidates appeared in JEE Advanced 2026 (out of the ~2.5 lakh JEE Main qualifiers eligible). Provisional answer key was released on 25 May 2026; objection window closed on 26 May. The official rank list, qualifying cut off and final answer key release together on 1 June 2026. Of the ~1.9 lakh appearees, only 17,000–18,000 will finally secure IIT seats through JoSAA counselling.
The JEE Advanced 2026 cut off is the minimum aggregate plus per-subject score needed to enter the rank list for IIT admission. The 2026 paper (17 May, IIT Roorkee) was rated moderate to difficult, with Paper 2 tougher than Paper 1 and Physics emerging as the most challenging subject. Based on memory-based paper analysis and historical calibration, the expected CRL qualifying cut off is 88–96 marks (24–27% aggregate), slightly above the 2025 benchmark of 20.56%. Reserved-category candidates should target 40–48 marks (11–13%) for SC/ST/PwD lists. Official figures will be confirmed by IIT Roorkee on 1 June 2026.
Here is the official JEE Advanced 2026 timeline as confirmed by IIT Roorkee on the official portal jeeadv.ac.in:
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| JEE Advanced 2026 Registration | 23 April – 2 May 2026 | Closed |
| Admit Card Release | 10 May 2026 | Issued |
| JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Date | 17 May 2026 (Sunday) | Conducted |
| Candidate Response Sheet | 22 May 2026 | Released |
| Provisional Answer Key | 25 May 2026 | Released |
| Objection Window Closes | 26 May 2026, 5 PM | Closed |
| Final Answer Key + Result + Official Cut Off | 1 June 2026, 10 AM IST | Upcoming |
| JoSAA 2026 Registration begins | 3 June 2026 (tentative) | Upcoming |
| JoSAA Round 1 Seat Allotment | 14 June 2026 (tentative) | Upcoming |
Coaching institutes and student feedback from the 17 May 2026 paper converge on a moderate-to-difficult overall rating, with Paper 2 noticeably tougher than Paper 1. This directly drives the expected qualifying cut off range for the JEE Advanced 2026 rank list.
The toughest subject in both papers. Multi-concept integration was demanded — questions blended Mechanics, Electrodynamics and Modern Physics with heavy calculation loads.
Lengthy and calculation-intensive but conceptually fair. Paper 1 Math was manageable; Paper 2 had trickier integer-type questions on Probability and Complex Numbers.
The most scoring section across both papers. Several direct NCERT-based questions. Organic Chemistry reaction mechanisms and P-Block were well represented; Match-the-column returned with complex pairings.
| Aspect | Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate–Difficult |
| Toughest Subject | Physics | Physics / Mathematics |
| Easiest Subject | Chemistry | Chemistry |
| Total Questions | 48 | 54 |
| Length | Manageable in time | Lengthy |
| Good Attempt (out of total) | 28–34 | 28–34 |
The official JEE Advanced 2026 qualifying marks will be released by IIT Roorkee with the result on 1 June 2026. Based on the moderate-to-difficult difficulty of the 17 May paper, expert calibration and the 2023–2025 trend window, the following category-wise qualifying marks are expected for the JEE Advanced 2026 rank list:
| Rank List / Category | Expected Subject Min Marks | Expected Aggregate Marks | % Aggregate (of 360) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Rank List (CRL) | 8–9 | 88–96 | 24.4% – 26.7% |
| OBC-NCL Rank List | 7–8 | 78–86 | 21.7% – 23.9% |
| GEN-EWS Rank List | 7–8 | 78–86 | 21.7% – 23.9% |
| SC Rank List | 4 | 40–48 | 11.1% – 13.3% |
| ST Rank List | 4 | 40–48 | 11.1% – 13.3% |
| PwD (across categories) | 4 | 40–48 | 11.1% – 13.3% |
| Preparatory Course (PC) | 2 | 20–24 | 5.5% – 6.7% |
JEE Advanced 2025 was conducted by IIT Kanpur on 18 May 2025 with results declared on 2 June 2025. The official qualifying cut off for inclusion in the 2025 rank list is the most recent reliable benchmark for 2026 aspirants. Here is the complete category-wise data:
| Rank List | Min Marks in Each Subject | Min Aggregate Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Common Rank List (CRL) | 7 | 74 |
| OBC-NCL Rank List | 6 | 66 |
| GEN-EWS Rank List | 6 | 66 |
| SC Rank List | 3 | 37 |
| ST Rank List | 3 | 37 |
| Common-PwD (CRL-PwD) | 3 | 37 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD | 3 | 37 |
| GEN-EWS-PwD | 3 | 37 |
| SC-PwD / ST-PwD | 3 | 37 |
| Preparatory Course (PC) | 1 | 18 |
| Rank List | Min Subject % | Min Aggregate % |
|---|---|---|
| Common Rank List (CRL) | 5.83% | 20.56% |
| OBC-NCL Rank List | 5.25% | 18.50% |
| GEN-EWS Rank List | 5.25% | 18.50% |
| SC Rank List | 2.92% | 10.28% |
| ST Rank List | 2.92% | 10.28% |
| All PwD Categories | 2.92% | 10.28% |
| Preparatory Course (PC) | 1.46% | 5.14% |
Understanding the candidate pool size is crucial for interpreting the cut off. Here are the official JEE Advanced 2025 statistics that directly shaped the qualifying bar:
Before the Advanced exam, here's how the top 2.5 lakh JEE Main 2025 qualifiers were distributed across categories — the same pool size (~2.5 lakh) applied for JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility:
| Category | Qualifiers | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| General (CRL) | 97,321 | 38.9% |
| OBC-NCL | 67,614 | 27.0% |
| SC | 37,519 | 15.0% |
| GEN-EWS | 25,009 | 10.0% |
| ST | 18,823 | 7.5% |
| Total | 2,50,236 | 100% |
While the qualifying cut off represents the minimum bar, the top-ranking candidates show what's possible at the other extreme. Here are the category-wise All India Rank 1 holders of JEE Advanced 2025. The JEE Advanced 2026 topper list will be released by IIT Roorkee with the result on 1 June.
Charts speak louder than tables. Below are three interactive visualisations that reveal how JEE Advanced cut offs have evolved — essential context for setting your 2026 target. The 2026 datapoint shows the expected cut off and will be updated to the official figure on 1 June 2026.
General category students face the steepest bar. In 2025 a CRL aspirant needed 20.56% aggregate (74/360) and at least 5.83% in every subject. For 2026, expect 88–96 marks aggregate. No single subject can be neglected — failing the subject-wise minimum disqualifies despite high aggregate.
Both categories share identical cut offs — 18.50% aggregate in 2025, with an expected 78–86 marks in 2026. A ~10% relaxation over CRL in aggregate, but the subject-wise floor still demands balanced preparation across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Reserved and differently-abled candidates need approximately half the CRL aggregate — 10.28% in 2025, expected 11–13% in 2026 (40–48 marks). The subject-wise floor is also halved at about 2.9–4%.
The PC list has the lowest bar — just 5.14% aggregate in 2025 (expected 5.5–6.7% in 2026). Students who qualify via PC attend a one-year bridge course at an IIT before joining the regular B.Tech programme.
Below is year-by-year official cut off data with the 2026 expected estimate. Click any year to expand details.
Conducted by IIT Roorkee on 17 May 2026. Expected qualifying marks based on memory-based paper analysis:
| Category | Subject Min % | Aggregate Min % | Aggregate Marks (of 360) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRL | 6.5% – 7.5% | 24% – 27% | 88 – 96 |
| OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | 5.8% – 6.8% | 21% – 24% | 78 – 86 |
| SC / ST / All PwD | 3.3% – 3.9% | 11% – 13% | 40 – 48 |
| Preparatory Course | 1.6% – 1.9% | 5.5% – 6.7% | 20 – 24 |
| Category | Subject Min % | Aggregate Min % |
|---|---|---|
| CRL | 5.83% | 20.56% |
| OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | 5.25% | 18.50% |
| SC / ST / All PwD | 2.92% | 10.28% |
| Preparatory Course | 1.46% | 5.14% |
| Category | Subject Min % | Aggregate Min % |
|---|---|---|
| CRL | 8.68% | 30.34% |
| OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | 7.80% | 27.30% |
| SC / ST / All PwD | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| Preparatory Course | 2.17% | 7.58% |
| Category | Subject Min % | Aggregate Min % |
|---|---|---|
| CRL | 6.83% | 23.89% |
| OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | 6.15% | 21.50% |
| SC / ST / All PwD | 3.42% | 11.95% |
| Preparatory Course | 1.71% | 5.98% |
| Category | Subject Min % | Aggregate Min % |
|---|---|---|
| CRL | 4.40% | 15.28% |
| OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | 4.00% | 13.89% |
| SC / ST / All PwD | 2.20% | 7.78% |
| Preparatory Course | 0.83% | 3.89% |
| Category | Subject Min % | Aggregate Min % |
|---|---|---|
| CRL | 5.00% | 17.50% |
| OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | 4.50% | 15.75% |
| SC / ST / All PwD | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| Preparatory Course | 0.75% | 2.62% |
| Category | Subject Min % | Aggregate Min % |
|---|---|---|
| CRL | 5.00% | 17.50% |
| OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | 4.50% | 15.75% |
| SC / ST / All PwD | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| Preparatory Course | 0.75% | 2.62% |
| Category | Subject Min % | Aggregate Min % |
|---|---|---|
| CRL | 10.00% | 35.00% |
| OBC-NCL / GEN-EWS | 9.00% | 31.50% |
| SC / ST / All PwD | 5.00% | 17.50% |
| Preparatory Course | 2.50% | 8.75% |
The qualifying cut off is just the entry ticket — actual IIT branch admission happens through JoSAA counselling. Below are the JoSAA 2025 Round 1 closing ranks for Computer Science & Engineering (4-year B.Tech) at top IITs. These numbers preview the closing pattern for JoSAA 2026 counselling, which begins in early June 2026.
| IIT (CSE Branch) | OPEN | OBC-NCL | EWS | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | 66 | 54 | 20 | 31 | 19 |
| IIT Delhi | ~110 | ~80 | ~28 | ~50 | ~30 |
| IIT Madras | ~160 | ~105 | ~40 | ~70 | ~42 |
| IIT Kanpur | ~230 | ~150 | ~55 | ~105 | ~60 |
| IIT Kharagpur | ~280 | ~180 | ~65 | ~130 | ~75 |
| IIT Roorkee | ~420 | 244 | ~95 | ~190 | ~110 |
Unlike JEE Main (which follows a percentile-based system), JEE Advanced cut off is dynamically adjusted each year. These are the primary determinants for the 2026 cut off:
Merely meeting the qualifying bar won't land you an IIT seat. The real goal is a competitive rank. Here's the 5-point strategy framework our top rankers have followed:
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Explore JEE CoursesJEE Advanced 2026 result, final answer key, AIR rank list, topper list and official qualifying cut off will all be released by IIT Roorkee on 1 June 2026 at 10 AM IST on jeeadv.ac.in. Candidates log in with their registration number, date of birth and mobile number.
Based on the moderate-to-difficult difficulty of the 17 May 2026 paper and 2023–2025 trends, the expected JEE Advanced 2026 qualifying cut off for the CRL (General) rank list is 88–96 marks out of 360, or roughly 24–27% aggregate. The subject-wise minimum is expected to be around 6–8 marks (1.6–2.2%) in each of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
JEE Advanced 2026 was rated moderate to difficult overall. Paper 2 was tougher than Paper 1. Subject-wise: Physics was the toughest (multi-concept, calculation-heavy); Mathematics was moderate but lengthy; Chemistry was the most scoring with several direct NCERT-based questions. Overall difficulty was similar to JEE Advanced 2025.
Yes. IIT Roorkee released the provisional JEE Advanced 2026 answer key on 25 May 2026 on jeeadv.ac.in. The objection window closed on 26 May 2026 at 5 PM. The final answer key will be released along with the result on 1 June 2026.
JEE Advanced 2025 CRL cut off was 20.56% aggregate (74 marks out of 360) with a minimum of 5.83% (7 marks) required in each of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. OBC-NCL/EWS was 18.50% (66 marks) and SC/ST/PwD was 10.28% (37 marks).
A total of 54,378 candidates qualified JEE Advanced 2025 out of 1,80,422 who appeared in both papers (1,87,223 registered). Among qualified candidates, 9,404 were female. The overall pass rate was approximately 30.1%. The 2026 qualifying count will be released with the result on 1 June.
The cut off varies due to multiple dynamic factors: paper difficulty level, total candidates appearing, IIT seat availability, overall score distribution, and the year's evaluation pattern. Unlike JEE Main (which is percentile-locked), JEE Advanced adjusts the bar each year to maintain a viable rank list of around 50,000–55,000 candidates.
No. The qualifying cut off only admits a candidate to the rank list. Actual IIT admission happens through JoSAA 2026 counselling, where each IIT releases course-specific opening and closing ranks — which are far more competitive than the qualifying bar. For example, CSE at IIT Bombay closed at AIR 66 in General category in 2025.
Yes. Each candidate must clear a minimum score in every subject individually — Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The 2026 expected subject-wise floor for CRL is around 8–9 marks (out of 120 per subject). Failing any one subject disqualifies the candidate regardless of overall aggregate.
The PC rank list is for SC, ST and PwD candidates who don't meet the main category cut off but qualify the much lower PC threshold (5.14% aggregate in 2025, expected 5.5–6.7% in 2026). They attend a one-year preparatory programme at an IIT before joining the regular undergraduate course.
The qualifying cut off is uniform across all IITs — it's a single national list. However, the admission cut off (opening and closing ranks during JoSAA counselling) varies significantly between IITs and between branches within the same IIT.
The JEE Advanced 2026 cut off will be announced with the result on 1 June 2026, but 7 years of data plus the 2026 paper analysis give aspirants a reliable window to plan against. Historical CRL qualifying percentages have oscillated between 15.28% (2022) and 35% (2019), with 2025 at 20.56%. For 2026, with a paper of similar build to 2025 but slightly more scoring Chemistry, the expected qualifying bar is 24–27% aggregate for General category. A prudent target is 35%+ aggregate — comfortably clearing the qualifying bar while leaving room for a competitive rank. For reserved categories, 18–22% aggregate offers the same cushion.
Cut off benchmarks are just a rear-view mirror. Your forward motion comes from concept clarity, consistent problem-solving, and full-syllabus mock tests. Use the data here to calibrate your target — then focus entirely on the preparation that puts you well past it.
