Passing Marks Out of 300 in JEE Mains 2026
JEE Main passing marks out of 300 are not fixed; they depend on yearly cutoffs and category. For 2026, JEE Main predicted qualifying marks are 85-95 for General, 70-80 for EWS, 70-85 for OBC, 50-60 for SC, and 40-50 for ST. These determine eligibility for JEE Advanced or college entry.
One of the hardest entrance exams for engineering to get into in India is the JEE Main examination. Passing marks in JEE Main on a scale of 300 are the first question that most of the aspiring engineers ask. However, the answer is not that simple. To start with, JEE Main is not like board exams, which are known for having a standard "pass mark". The qualification, on the other hand, is determined by the change in cutoffs that occur every year. JEE Mains passing marks out of 300 varies for different categories of students. If we take the past trends into account, JEE Main qualifying marks for General category this year would be around 85-95 marks, for EWS would be 70-80, for OBC 70-85, for SC 50-60, and for ST 40-50. A proper grasp ofJEE Main passing marks 2026requires one to know the results and their evaluation.
Also Check -Predicted Marks for 97 Percentile in JEE Main 2026
What Does “Passing” Mean in JEE Main?
The meaning of passing inJEE Mainis relative to your objective.
Some students will see it as qualifying for JEE Advanced if they can pass.
Others will see it as gaining admission to engineering colleges through JoSAA or state counselling, which is, after all, the same thing.
For a lot of people, it just means getting enough points to get into a respectable private or government college.
These different goals require different score levels.
Minimum Eligibility to Appear for JEE Advanced Exam
NTA states that you need to score at least a minimum required score in JEE Mains to qualify for theJEE Advancedexam to be obtained by the candidates.
JEE Main Qualifying Marks Out of 300 Estimation
Based on recent trends of JEE scores, here is an estimated idea:
Category | Estimated JEE Main Passing Marks (Out of 300) |
General | 85–95 |
EWS | 70–80 |
OBC-NCL | 70–85 |
SC | 50–60 |
ST | 40–50 |
These are approximate marks. These marks may change every year depending on exam difficulty and the number of enrolled candidates.
Why Do JEE Passing Marks Change Every Year?
Passing marks for JEE Main are not predetermined. The examination implements a percentile system. The following factors affect the cutoff:
The level of difficulty in the paper
The number of students taking the exam
The candidates’ performance
The reservation criteria for different categories
Generally, in the case of a difficult exam, the cutoff goes down. In the case of an easy exam, the opposite is true.
Quick Links:
| JEE Mains 2026 Merit List | JEE Main 2026 Result |
| JEE Main 2026 College Predictor | JEE Main Rank Predictor 2026 |
JEE Main Passing Marks vs Good Score
Scoring the minimum qualifying marks might not give you an opportunity to top college.
JEE Main Marks Range | Admission Chances / Interpretation |
80–100 marks | Qualifying range for many categories |
120–150 marks | Good chance for mid-tier NITs and IIITs |
180+ marks | Strong chance for top NITs |
220+ marks | Very high rank and top college options |
So while passing marks help you move forward, higher scores give you better choices.
Category-Wise Importance of JEE Mains Passing Marks
The category of the student is a major factor in determining passing marks.
The cut-offs for the reserved categories are lower compared to the others.
The general category students are subjected to higher competition.
Small numbers can result in a drastic difference in the rank.
You must check the category-wiseJEE Main cutoffs 2026instead of just looking at the general numbers. Keep track of the JEE Main minimum score to give the JEE Advanced exam.
How to Safely Cross JEE Mains Passing Marks?
If your goal is just to clear the qualifying range, then these strategies will help you.
As physics and chemistry are strong subjects, they can be highly scoring.
Win over the negative marking by not answering the questions you are not sure about.
Study the NCERT books and get hold of the concepts.
Keep doing mock tests and judging yourself.
Based on rank and category,CollegeDekhoadvisers assist students in comprehending JEE Main passing results, realistically analysing their scores, and selecting the best engineering colleges and counselling alternatives.
Hence, by now, you know there is no particular number that you need to get in JEE Mains. The cutoff changes every year. The category-wise criteria along with the students overall score will determine the JEE Mains minimum marks to qualify. In other words, students are not officially given a "pass" or "fail" status. Rather, they are ranked according to the performance of all those who sat for the exam.
If you get around 85-100 score, you can get into Tier-2 colleges. But to get into top colleges, you need to get a comparatively higher score. Students must focus on building their concepts and planning wisely for college. JEE Main is a gateway, not the final destination.
JEE Main Rank Wise College Articles
If you have further queries regarding admission totop private engineering colleges in India, you can write to hello@collegedekho.com or call our toll free number 18005729877, or simply fill out ourCommon Application Formon the website.