JEE Advanced 2026 Cut Off: Check Category-Wise Qualifying Marks

Understanding the advanced JEE cut off is the first step in setting a realistic preparation goal. Whether you are aiming for a top-tier IIT or a specific branch, knowing the previous year JEE Advanced cut-off helps you understand the difficulty curve and the "safety zone" for your category. In this guide, we break down the expected qualifying marks for 2026 and look back at the last year cut off of JEE Advanced to give you a clear roadmap for success.

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What Are the Two Types of Advanced JEE Cut offs?

There is often confusion regarding how IITs select students. There are actually two distinct hurdles you must clear:

1. Qualifying Cut-off (Minimum Marks to be in the Rank List): This is the minimum percentage required in each subject and in aggregate to simply have your name appear on the CRL (Common Rank List).

2. Admission Cut-off (Opening and Closing Ranks): This is the rank required to get a seat in a specific IIT, such as IIT Bombay or IIT Delhi.

Key Points about JEE Advanced 2026 Cut-off for Advanced JEE cut-off

Candidates preparing for JEE Advanced must be clear on these basics:

• JEE Advanced Cut-off is the minimum score needed for inclusion in the overall rank list and admission to undergraduate programmes.

• The cut-off can change every year due to multiple factors.

• The cut-off is released after the results are declared.

• Each IIT finalises cutoffs during JoSAA counselling.

• Cut-offs differ by course and IIT.

• The admission cut-off is displayed in terms of the opening and closing ranks.

• The cut-off includes minimum subject-wise (Physics, chemistry, and Mathematics) and aggregate percentage requirements

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Importance of Subject Wise Cut off in JEE Advanced

The JEE Advanced subject-wise cutoff exists to ensure that students admitted to IITs have a balanced understanding of all core sciences. Many students neglect their weakest subject, but failing to clear the JEE Advanced Maths cut-off (or the cutoff for Physics/Chemistry) means your high scores in other subjects won't count.

The sectional cutoff or subject wise cutoff in JEE Advanced is usually set around 5% to 10% per subject for general category students. For example, if the JEE Advanced Maths cut-off is 10 marks, and you score 300 total but only 9 in maths; you will not be eligible for a rank.

How to Tackle the Sectional Cutoff:

• Identify the Minimum: Aim to solve at least 5-6 questions with 100% accuracy in your weakest subject first.

• Balanced Practice: Use trusted modules to practice subject-specific mocks that focus on clearing these bars.

• Track Trends: Monitor the JEE Advanced subject wise cutoff from the last five years to see the maximum "low" the paper can go.

Expected Advanced JEE Cut Off 2026: Qualifying Marks

Based on the previous year's JEE Advanced cut-off trends, the following are the projected qualifying criteria for 2026. Note that these are percentages of the total marks (which vary each year).

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Historical Trends: Last Year Cut Off of JEE Advanced

Reviewing the last year cut off of JEE Advanced gives a solid benchmark for preparation. In 2025, the official qualifying cut-off for inclusion in the rank list was:

• Common Rank List (CRL): 7 marks in each subject + 74 aggregate

• OBC-NCL: 6 marks in each subject + 66 aggregate

• GEN-EWS: 6 marks in each subject + 66 aggregate

• SC: 3 marks in each subject + 37 aggregate

• ST: 3 marks in each subject + 37 aggregate

• Common-PwD (CRL-PwD): 3 marks in each subject + 37 aggregate

• Preparatory course (PC): 1 mark in each subject + 18 aggregate

Also, the percentage-based criteria (another way cut-offs are shown) listed for 2025 included CRL 5.83% per subject and 20.56% aggregate, OBC-NCL/GEN-EWS 5.25% per subject and 18.50% aggregate, and SC/ST/PwD 2.92% per subject and 10.28% aggregate.

In 2025, the papers saw a slight shift in difficulty, which directly influenced the JEE Advanced subject-wise cutoff.

• Mathematics: Generally has the lowest JEE Advanced maths cut off because it is considered the toughest section.

• Physics/Chemistry: Often requires a slightly higher score to clear the sectional bar.

• Aggregate Shift: If the paper is exceptionally difficult, the aggregate advanced JEE cut off can drop as low as 25% for the General category.

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What Are The Determining Factors for Advanced JEE Cut Off?

The advanced JEE cut off is not fixed. It changes each year depending on:

• The total number of test-takers

• The number of seats available in IITs

• The difficulty level of the paper that year

• Previous year cut-off patterns

• Overall student performance in the exam

Read More: How Much Score Is Good in JEE Advanced?

FAQs

1. What happens if I clear the aggregate mark but fail the JEE Advanced maths cut off?

Unfortunately, you will not be included in the rank list. You must pass the sectional cutoff in JEE Advanced for all three subjects (physics, chemistry, and maths) individually to be eligible for IIT admission.

2. Is the advanced JEE cut off the same as the JEE Main cut off?

No. The JEE Main cut off is only to qualify you to appear for JEE Advanced. The advanced JEE cutoff is what determines if you get a rank and a seat in an IIT.

3. Does the JEE Advanced subject wise cutoff change every year?

Yes. The IIT conducting the exam (e.g., IIT Kanpur or IIT Madras) decides the JEE Advanced subject wise cutoff based on the overall performance of the candidates and the difficulty of the paper.

4. Where can I find previous year JEE Advanced cut off data for all categories?

You can find detailed, year-wise analysis and official closing ranks online