Predicted Percentile for 165 Marks in JEE Main 2026 Session 1

Predicted Percentile for 165 Marks in JEE Main 2026 Session 1: If you score 165 marks in JEE Main 2026 Session 1, you are in a good and highly competitive position. At this score, the candidate remains well ahead of the vast majority who take the test, and can be confident of solid chances during counselling. Based on subject experts’ analysis and previous years, it is expected that a candidate scoring 165 or more marks in a moderately difficult paper may fetch a percentile of approximately 98.56+ with a rank of approximately 21,600 or better. Though these figures are indicative and may slightly vary due to normalisation across shifts and overall performance at the all-India level, this score provides a good benchmark and is confidently taken into account in the planning of admission.

Expected Percentile Prediction for 165 Marks in JEE Main 2026 Session 1

Whether you found your shift easy, moderate, or difficult, a score of 165 in the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is definitely a great start for you. Variations in percentile ranks might occur based on the level of difficulty experienced in the different shifts, which is predicted to be minimal by CollegeDekho analysis based on patterns observed over the years and experts' insights. A score of 165 definitely remains a precious score that puts you significantly ahead in the competition.

Note: Minor fluctuations may emerge based on the difficulty levels of the shift and the NTA normalisation process, but the scale is likely to remain constant.

Admission Opportunities

With a percentile range close to 98 and 99, candidates with a total score of 165 can seek a bright future in many top institutions. The best and average-ranked NITs for such candidates may include MANIT Bhopal, NIT Kurukshetra, VNIT Nagpur, MNNIT Allahabad, MNIT Jaipur, NIT Delhi, NIT Calicut, NIT Tiruchirappalli, NIT Warangal, NIT Andhra Pradesh, NIT Patna, and NIT Meghalaya.

Apart from that, candidates can also join IIITs such as IIIT Gwalior, IIIT Nagpur, IIIT Lucknow, IIIT Allahabad, IIIT Pune, IIIT Ranchi, IIIT Chittor, IIIT Rajasthan, and IIIT Bhopal, depending on their choice of branches and categories in various counselling rounds.

Percentile and Rank Prediction for 165 Marks in JEE Main 2026 Session 1 by Subject Expert

According to Sakunth Kumar , a subject expert who has helped numerous candidates prepare for the JEE Main exams over the years, a total of 165 marks in JEE Main Session 1, 2026, is a sign of steady preparation as well as a well-balanced attempt at the exams. This might not be a mark in the top percentile category, but it definitely puts students well ahead of the majority group.

Expected Percentile Range

Sakunth Kumar also clarifies that the percentile value for 165 marks will greatly depend on the toughness of the shift. If the paper is easy, meaning that more candidates have scored good marks, then the candidates can easily attain a percentile of 98.03 or above. For a medium paper, the candidates can attain an expected percentile value of 98.61+ as there will be a moderate level of competition. For a tough paper, the candidates will attain a high percentile value of 99.37+ after the normalisation process.

Expected Rank Outlook

On the basis of these percentile estimates, it has been found that those with 165 marks can expect to have a rank ranging from 10,300 to 30,350 based on shift difficulty. According to Sakunth Kumar, it is a good rank range and quite manageable during JoSAA as well as CSAB counselling.

Admission Opportunities

With such a rank, one may look for opportunities in chosen NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, particularly in branches such as Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, Biotechnology, or other related fields in a relatively new/middle-ranked institute. Of course, state-level counselling sessions and private universities accepting JEE Main ranks will also open up avenues.

Final View

After considering all the trends in CollegeDekho’s percentiles, as well as analysis provided by subject matter experts, it may be said that a score of 165 in JEE Main 2026 Session 1 is a great achievement and a consistently good result. Since it puts them significantly ahead of the pack, it surely falls in a range that is quite desirable. Also, assuming variations in the level of difficulties according to the time slots, a score of 165 would put them in a quite safe zone in both JoSAA counselling and CSAB counselling. This also gives a good scope in a number of NITs and IIITs, with some leeway in the branch option.