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JEE Mains 2026 Session 2 Marks vs Percentile: NTA has officially declared the JEE Mains 2026 Session 2 result on April 20, 2026, at jeemain.nta.nic.in. A total of 26 students have scored 100 percentile in Session 2. The JEE Advanced 2026 qualifying cutoff for the General category has been set at 93.4123549 percentile.
JEE Mains Session 2 2026 was conducted from April 2 to 8, 2026, across multiple shifts by the National Testing Agency (NTA). With results now officially out, students are trying to figure out: "What does my score actually mean?" Understanding your marks vs percentile is the first step towards predicting your All India Rank (AIR) and knowing which colleges you can target through JoSAA 2026 counselling.
This blog covers the Session 2 marks vs percentile data, explains the NTA percentile formula, and gives you a clear picture of your college options across NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
JEE Mains 2026 Session 2 Marks vs Percentile
JEE Mains 2026 Session 2 was held from April 2 to 8, 2026 in dual shifts (morning and evening). A total of 1,034,330 (approx. 10.34 lakh) candidates appeared for Session 2 (paper 1), while the total unique candidate count across both sessions stood at 15,38,468, which is a record for JEE Mains.
The marks vs percentile relationship in Session 2 is not a fixed scale. It shifts based on the difficulty of each individual shift. NTA uses a normalization process to convert raw scores into percentile scores, ensuring that students from tougher shifts are not penalized. As a result, a student who scored 170 in a difficult shift may end up with the same or even a higher percentile than someone who scored 185 in an easier shift.
The detailed shift-wise score vs percentile table for JEE Mains 2026 Session 2 covering all 9 shifts from April 2 to April 8, 2026 is attached separately in PDF format for your reference.
JEE Mains 2026 Percentile vs Marks
Based on the shift-wise data from JEE Mains 2026 Session 2, here are some key insights on the percentile vs marks relationship:
The score needed for 99 percentile ranged between 165 and 195 depending on the shift, showing a 30-mark variation across sessions.
For 95 percentile, the required score ranged from approximately 114 to 138 marks across different sessions.
For 90 percentile (which is the minimum threshold to qualify for JEE Advanced for General category students), students needed roughly 85 to 109 marks.
The April 6 Evening shift appeared to be among the toughest, requiring the highest score of 195 for 99 percentile.
The April 8 Evening and April 2 Evening shifts were comparatively easier, with lower mark requirements for reaching top percentile bands.
In Session 2, a total of 26 students scored 100 percentile. Aarush Singhal from Chandigarh topped the overall merit list. This surpassed the 12 toppers from Session 1 (January 2026), indicating a highly competitive cohort in April.
JEE Mains Marks Required for 90, 95, 99 Percentile
The table below shows the approximate score range required to reach key percentile milestones in JEE Mains 2026 Session 2. The range reflects the variation across all 9 shifts conducted from April 2 to April 8, 2026:
Percentile | Approx. Min Score (Toughest Shift) | Approx. Max Score (Easiest Shift) | Observation |
|---|---|---|---|
99 | 165 | 195 | Very competitive |
98.5 | 154 | 182 | High difficulty |
98 | 145 | 171 | High difficulty |
97 | 133 | 158 | Above average |
96 | 124 | 147 | Above average |
95 | 114 | 138 | Moderate-high |
94 | 107 | 131 | Moderate |
93 | 101 | 125 | Moderate |
92 | 96 | 119 | Moderate |
90 | 85 | 109 | JEE Advanced threshold |
Note: The min score corresponds to the toughest shift where fewer marks were needed for that percentile, and the max score corresponds to the easiest shift. Your exact percentile depends on the specific shift you appeared in.
How NTA Calculates JEE Mains Percentile Score
NTA uses a percentile normalization method to make the scoring process fair across multiple shifts. Here is the official formula used by NTA:
Percentile Score = (Number of candidates in your shift who scored equal to or less than you / Total candidates in your shift) x 100
For example, if 1,50,000 students appeared in your shift and 1,47,000 scored equal to or less than you, your percentile would be 98.
Key points about the NTA percentile system:
Percentile scores are first calculated separately for each shift.
For candidates who appeared in both Session 1 and Session 2, the best of the two NTA scores is taken for final rank calculation.
NTA scores are calculated up to 7 decimal places to minimize ties in ranking.
If a tie still occurs, it is resolved using the tiebreaker policy: higher marks in Mathematics, then Physics, then fewer incorrect responses.
The top 2.5 lakh candidates across all categories combined qualify for JEE Advanced 2026, based on the final combined merit list.
To sharpen your problem-solving speed and accuracy for future exams, take the free Cracku JEE Daily Target, which offers daily curated questions based on the latest JEE Mains pattern, completely free of charge.
JEE Mains 2026 Marks vs Percentile vs Rank
Your All India Rank (AIR) is the most important factor that decides your college options during JoSAA 2026 counselling. In the context of JEE Mains Marks vs Percentile vs Rank, the table below gives a tentative mapping of marks, percentile, and expected AIR based on a total of 15,38,468 unique candidates who appeared across both sessions.
Percentile | Approx. Marks | Expected Rank (Tentative) | College Possibility |
|---|---|---|---|
99.5+ | 200+ | Below 5,000 | Top NITs / IIITs (CS/ECE) |
99 | 165-195 | ~15,385 | NITs (CS/ECE/EE) |
97-98 | 133-171 | ~30,770 - 46,155 | NITs (Core branches) |
95-96 | 114-147 | ~61,540 - 76,925 | IIITs / GFTIs |
93-94 | 100-131 | ~92,300 - 1,07,690 | New NITs / GFTIs |
90-92 | 85-110 | ~1,00,000-1,50,000 | GFTIs / State Colleges |
Note: Rank estimates above are tentative and based on the total unique candidates registered across both sessions in 2026. A total of 96,873 candidates have qualified for JEE Advanced 2026 based on official NTA data. Official ranks are now available on the JEE Mains scorecard.
Also Read: JEE Mains Tie-Breaking Rule 2026, Paper 1 & 2 Priority Order
Is Your JEE Mains 2026 Score Good?
Whether your JEE Mains 2026 score is good depends heavily on your target college, preferred branch, and your category. The JEE Advanced 2026 qualifying cutoffs have been officially declared by NTA along with the Session 2 result. The table below shows the official qualifying cutoff for JEE Advanced 2026:
Category | Official JEE Advanced 2026 Qualifying Cutoff (Percentile) | No. of Candidates Qualified* |
|---|---|---|
General (UR) | 93.4123549 | ~1,01,000 |
OBC-NCL | 80.9232583 | ~67,500 |
EWS | 81.3264781 | ~25,000 |
SC | 63.9172792 | ~37,500 |
ST | 52.0174712 | ~18,750 |
PwD | 0.0018342 | ~12,500 |
Category-wise seat distribution is approximate based on 2.5 lakh total qualifying seats. EWS and PwD official cutoffs to be confirmed from NTA scorecard directly.
The table below gives a broader view of what score range opens what kind of admission possibilities in JEE Mains counselling:
Score Range | Percentile Range | Admission Prospect (General Category) |
|---|---|---|
200-300 | 99.5+ | Top NITs (NIT Trichy, Surathkal, Warangal) - CSE/ECE Open |
165-200 | 99-99.5 | Good NITs (CS/ECE/Civil), top IIITs |
130-165 | 97-99 | Mid-tier NITs, IIITs - core branches |
110-130 | 94-97 | IIITs, GFTIs, state quota seats at NITs |
85-110 | 90-94 | New NITs, GFTIs, reserved category seats |
Below 85 | Below 90 | State universities, private engineering colleges |
Additional things to keep in mind:
The qualifying cutoff (93.4 percentile for General) only makes you eligible for JEE Advanced. The NIT/IIIT admission cutoff is much higher and is set by JoSAA each round.
Top NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Surathkal, and NIT Warangal require 99.5+ percentile for CSE (General category, Other State quota).
OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and EWS candidates benefit from lower qualifying cutoffs and category-based rank advantages during JoSAA allotment.
Students scoring between 85 and 93 percentile should also actively explore state-level counsellings like KCET, AP EAPCET, TS EAMCET, and MHT CET for additional options.
The JEE Mains 2026 scorecard will be available for download on the official website until July 31, 2026.
JoSAA 2026 registration and choice filling for Paper 1 is scheduled to begin on June 2, 2026 and will handle admissions to IITs (through JEE Advanced), NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Register on time and fill your preferences carefully across all JoSAA rounds.
For students who are also preparing for JEE Advanced 2026 or planning to attempt JEE Mains again, consistent practice is key. Take the Cracku JEE Daily Target every day to sharpen your problem-solving skills with curated questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, all aligned to the latest JEE exam pattern. It is completely free and helps you track your daily progress.
Also Read: NIT Selection Process 2026, Complete Admission Guide
JEE Mains 2026 Session 2 Marks vs Percentile: Conclusion
JEE Mains 2026 Session 2 marks vs percentile analysis clearly shows that your raw score alone does not define your performance. Since NTA follows a normalization process, your percentile depends heavily on the difficulty level of your shift and the relative performance of other candidates. This is why the same marks can lead to different percentiles across shifts. Understanding this relationship is crucial for accurately estimating your All India Rank (AIR) and planning your next steps.
In the context of JEE Mains 2026 marks vs percentile vs rank, students should focus on realistic college prediction and smart counselling decisions. Whether you are targeting top NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs, your percentile plays a key role in shaping your options. Use this data as a benchmark, explore all counselling opportunities including JoSAA and state-level exams, and make informed choices to secure the best possible college based on your score.
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