Securing admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced is a dream for many engineering aspirants. One of the most common questions candidates have is about the minimum marks in JEE Advanced to get IIT for general. Admission to IITs is primarily based on the rank secured in JEE Advanced, which in turn is determined by cutoff marks. The cutoff marks vary by category and institute. In this article, we will explore the minimum marks required for IIT admission in 2026, including category-wise cutoffs and subject-wise requirements.
Disclaimer: Please note that the marks below are indicative and vary mainly depending on various factors and competition.
JEE Advanced qualifying marks vs admission marks
Many aspirants assume that scoring the minimum marks in JEE Advanced guarantees admission to an IIT. However, this is not true.
- Qualifying marks are the minimum scores required to be included in the rank list.
- Admission marks are much higher and depend on the IIT, branch, and competition level.
👉 For example:
A general category candidate may qualify with around 70–80 marks, but actual admission to IITs usually requires a significantly higher score.
Understanding this difference is crucial to set realistic expectations and preparation goals.
What is the minimum score required to clear JEE Advanced for the general category?
The minimum qualifying marks in JEE Advanced for the general category are typically around 20–35% of the total marks, based on previous year trends. However, these marks only make candidates eligible for the rank list and do not guarantee admission to IITs.
Factors affecting the marks for JEE Advanced qualification
Several factors influence the minimum qualifying marks for JEE Advanced, including:
- Total number of applicants – A higher number of applicants generally leads to increased competition, which can raise the qualifying marks.
- Difficulty level of JEE Advanced – If the exam is tougher in a particular year, the cutoff may be lower to ensure a fair selection process.
- Previous year’s cutoff trends – Cutoff marks often follow trends from past years, with minor fluctuations based on overall exam difficulty and competition.
- Number of seats available in IITs – A limited number of seats means a higher cutoff, whereas an increase in seat availability may lower the qualifying marks.
- Candidates’ overall performance – If most students perform well, the cutoff increases; conversely, lower average performance may result in a reduced cutoff.
- Category-wise reservation – The cutoff varies for different categories such as General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD, as per government-mandated reservation policies.
- Normalization process – If required, score normalization techniques may be applied to ensure fairness across different shifts or paper sets.
- Performance in JEE Main – The minimum cutoff for JEE Advanced eligibility is influenced by the performance trends in JEE Main, which acts as a screening test.
- Changes in exam pattern – Any modifications in the JEE Advanced exam pattern, such as the number of questions, marking scheme, or weightage of topics, can impact the cutoff.
- Tie-Breaking criteria – In case of multiple candidates scoring the same marks near the cutoff, tie-breaking rules may affect the final qualifying threshold.
Subject-wise performance matters
Scoring high in JEE Advanced is not enough—you must also meet the minimum required marks in each subject (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics). Even if your total score exceeds the cutoff, failing to qualify in any one subject will lead to disqualification.
- Why is subject-wise performance important?
- JEE Advanced has individual cutoffs for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—you must clear all three.
- A strong score in one subject cannot compensate for a weak score in another.
- Many candidates miss out due to poor performance in a single subject despite a high total score.
- How to ensure balanced preparation?
- Identify weaker subjects early and allocate more time to improve them.
- Take subject-specific mock tests to track progress.
- Revise concepts regularly and focus on accuracy in all three subjects.
Minimum subject-wise marks requirement in JEE Advanced
To qualify for JEE Advanced, candidates must meet both:
- Minimum aggregate marks
- Minimum marks in each subject (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
Even if your total score is high, failing to clear the subject-wise cutoff will result in disqualification.
Typically, candidates need to score:
- Around 5–10% in each subject for General category
- Lower percentages for reserved categories
This ensures balanced performance across all subjects.
Minimum marks required for different categories (Based on Trends)
Please note that the marks below are indicative and vary mainly depending on various factors and competition.
Safe score in JEE Advanced for IIT admission
While qualifying marks help you enter the rank list, securing admission requires a much higher score.
Based on previous year trends, here is a realistic score range:
👉 A score above 150 is generally considered a safe score for the general category.
Marks vs Rank vs IIT: What you can get
Your JEE Advanced marks directly impact your rank, which determines your IIT admission. Here’s a simplified understanding:
👉 Rank plays the most important role, but marks give you a clear estimate of your chances.
Expected JEE Advanced 2026 cutoff (Qualifying marks)
Candidates must achieve scores above the minimum marks in JEE Advanced to get IIT for general to be eligible for JoSAA counseling. However, surpassing the cutoff does not guarantee a BTech seat at an IIT. Typically, the number of candidates selected for IIT admission is nearly double the total available seats. In 2024, 43,773 candidates qualified for JoSAA counselling, while only 17,385 BTech seats were available in IITs. To enhance their chances of securing admission, candidates should aim for an All India Rank (AIR) of 15,000 or lower in JEE Advanced.
The minimum percentage prescribed for inclusion in the rank list
| Category | Minimum % in each subject | Minimum % of aggregate marks |
|---|---|---|
| Common Rank List (General) | 10.0% | 35.0% |
| OBC-NCL | 9.0% | 31.5% |
| GEN-EWS | 9.0% | 31.5% |
| SC | 5.0% | 17.5% |
| ST | 5.0% | 17.5% |
| PwD (All Categories) | 5.0% | 17.5% |
| Preparatory Course | 2.5% | 8.75% |
Source: JEE Advanced 2026
JEE Advanced 2026 expected minimum marks – subject wise
The breakdown of subject-wise aggregate and qualifying marks is as follows:
| Subject | Minimum aggregate marks | Qualifying marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 124 | 62 |
| Chemistry | 124 | 62 |
| Mathematics | 124 | 62 |
| Aggregate | 372 | 186 |
The minimum qualifying marks in JEE Main 2026 for eligibility in JEE Advanced will be announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA) alongside the Session 2 results. The NTA is expected to release the second session results in April. Only those candidates who meet or exceed the cutoff will be eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. JEE Main serves as a screening test for JEE Advanced, which is the gateway for admission to undergraduate engineering programs at IITs.
The role of counseling & choice filling
Qualifying for JEE Advanced does not guarantee admission to an IIT—your success also depends on JoSAA counseling and choice filling.
- Why is JoSAA counseling important?
- Many students fail to secure a seat due to poor choice selection, even with a good rank.
- Choosing the right IITs and branches strategically increases your chances of admission.
- Past cutoffs, rank trends, and seat availability should guide your choices.
- How to optimize your choice filling?
- Research past cutoffs for your category and preferred branches.
- List IITs and branches in order of preference, considering both ambition and backup options.
- Balance your choices—include safe options alongside dream IITs.
- Stay updated on JoSAA counseling rounds and seat allotment trends.
Previous year’s JEE Advanced cutoff trend for IITs
The authority will release the minimum marks in JEE Advanced 2026 cutoffs. Meanwhile, candidates can check the previous year’s IIT cutoff of JEE Advanced from the tables below. The list of JEE Advanced IIT cutoffs mentioned here are closing ranks for open categories in CSE, Mechanical Engineering, ECE, and Civil Engineering programs.
JEE Advanced 2024 cutoff (Qualifying marks)
| Rank list | Minimum marks in each subject | Minimum aggregate marks |
|---|---|---|
| Common rank list (CRL) | 10 | 109 |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 9 | 98 |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 9 | 98 |
| SC rank list | 5 | 54 |
| ST rank list | 5 | 54 |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL-PwD) | 5 | 54 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 5 | 54 |
| GEN-EWS-PwD rank list | 5 | 54 |
| SC-PwD rank list | 5 | 54 |
| ST-PwD rank list | 5 | 54 |
| Preparatory course (PC) rank list | 2 | 27 |
Source: JEE Advanced 2024 report
The minimum percentage prescribed for inclusion in the rank list
| Rank list | Minimum percentage of marks in each subject | Minimum percentage of aggregate marks |
|---|---|---|
| Common rank list (CRL) | 8.68% | 30.34% |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 7.8% | 27.30% |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 7.8% | 27.30% |
| SC rank list | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| ST rank list | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| Common-PwD rank list | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| GEN-EWS-PwD rank list | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| SC-PwD rank list | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| ST-PwD rank list | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| PC rank list | 2.17% | 7.58% |
Source: JEE Advanced 2024 report
What is a Good Score in JEE Advanced?
A “good score” depends on your target IIT and branch.
If your goal is a top IIT, aim for 200+ marks to stay competitive.
Key takeaways
Admission to IITs through JEE Advanced is not just about clearing the cutoff—it’s about securing a competitive rank. While minimum qualifying marks determine eligibility, actual admission depends on your score, rank, preferred branch, and JoSAA counselling strategy.
To maximize your chances:
- Aim well above the qualifying cutoff
- Maintain strong performance in all subjects
- Stay updated with cutoff trends and counselling rounds
Consistent preparation, smart strategy, and clarity about your target score can significantly improve your chances of getting into a top IIT.
