JEE Main 2026 Result Date & Expected Cutoff: Scorecard Out by Feb 12

The JEE Main exam for 2026 was conducted in Session 1 from January 21 to January 30, 2026, in a computer-based format. This session’s provisional answer keys and response sheets were released on February 4, 2026, allowing review and objections before finalization. Following this, the national exam authority has officially confirmed that the Session 1 results and scorecards will be declared by February 12, 2026. 

This announcement brings a critical milestone into view for millions of candidates who participated in the January session. The result comprises percentile scores and qualifying status, which form the basis for performance interpretation and next-stage eligibility.

Official Result Release: Dates and Details

Key Dates of JEE Main 2026: Session 1 & Session 2

Session 1: Scorecard & Final Result

Event	Date
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam	Jan 21–30, 2026
Provisional Answer Key & Response Sheet	Feb 4, 2026
Result & Scorecard (Session 1)	By February 12, 2026
Result Time	Typically evening (Exact time announced on NTA portal)

The scorecard release for Session 1 is confirmed to be available by February 12, 2026 on the official NTA portal jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates must log in using their application number and password/date of birth to view and download their scorecards. 

Session 2 (Looking Ahead)

Event	Tentative Date
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam	April 2–9, 2026
Session 2 Result	Around April 20, 2026
Final Combined Rank List / AIR	Late April – Early May 2026 (tentative)

Results for the second session will follow a similar timeline, and after both sessions are complete, NTA will issue a combined All India Rank (AIR) for counselling and admissions. 

Understanding the JEE Main Scorecard

The JEE Main scorecard is a critical document containing the following information:

• Candidate’s Name and Roll Number
  
• Application Number
  
• Subject-wise Scores (Math, Physics, Chemistry)
  
• Total NTA Score (Percentile)
  
• Percentile Score
  
• All India Rank (if applicable)
  
• Qualifying Status for JEE Advanced
  

Scorecards reflect percentile scores, not raw marks. The percentile indicates the percentage of candidates who scored the same or lower than the candidate. NTA uses a normalisation process to adjust scores across different sessions and shifts for fairness. 

How to Check & Download the Scorecard

To access the result and scorecard on Release Day:

1. Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in.
2. Click the ‘JEE Main 2026 Result / Scorecard’ link.
3. Enter Application Number + Password/Date of Birth.
4. Submit details to display the scorecard.
5. Download and save a PDF copy for future reference.

No offline or physical scorecards will be sent by NTA; all access is online only.

What Is the Cutoff? Definitions and Distinctions

In the JEE Main context, "cutoff" is used in two key ways:

1. Qualifying Cutoff for JEE Advanced: Minimum percentile required to be eligible for the JEE Advanced exam.
2. Admissions Cutoff: Closing percentiles or ranks for admission into institutes such as NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs through the JoSAA counselling process.

The official cutoffs are announced by NTA only after final results for both sessions, but expected ranges can be estimated based on past trends, difficulty patterns, and performance data from coaching platforms.  

Expected Qualifying Cutoffs for JEE Advanced Eligibility

Based on trend analysis and expert estimates for JEE Main 2026, the expected qualifying cutoffs by category are:

Category	Expected Cutoff (Percentile)
Unreserved (General)	93–95
Gen-EWS	80–82
OBC-NCL	79–81
SC	60–63
ST	47–50
UR-PwD	~0–1

These percentiles approximate the minimum performance required to appear for the JEE Advanced 2026 exam, which will be held later in May after Session 2. Final cutoffs may vary slightly based on exam difficulty and overall performance distribution. 

Connecting Marks to Percentile and Rank Trends

To better understand performance thresholds, recent analytics provide approximate correspondences between raw marks and percentiles:

Marks Range (Out of 300)	Approx. Percentile	Estimated Rank Range
240–280+	99.9+	1–1,200
210–239	99.5–99.9	1,200–6,000
180–209	99.0–99.5	6,000–12,000
160–179	98.0–99.0	12,000–25,000
140–159	97.0–98.0	25,000–35,000
120–139	95.0–97.0	35,000–60,000
100–119	90.0–95.0	60,000–1.1 Lakh
70–99	80.0–90.0	1.1–2.5 Lakh

Note: These figures are estimates based on January shift trend data and expert predictions. Individual session difficulty and normalisation can affect final outcomes.

Expected Admissions Cutoff Trends

While qualifying percentiles determine JEE Advanced eligibility, the admission cutoffs for institutions like NITs and IIITs are driven by the counselling process and are tied to All India Ranks (AIR). Generally:

• CSE programs in top NITs often close within top 25,000–35,000 AIR.
• ECE branches may close around 30,000–45,000 AIR.
• Mechanical, Civil, and other branches extend wider based on seat availability and category.

These figures depend on annual seat matrices, candidate preferences, and year-to-year performance fluctuations.

Also See:

• JEE Main 2026 Result Date & Expected Cutoff: Scorecard Out by Feb 12
• OUT NOW: JEE Main 2026 (Session 1) Official Answer Key & Response Sheet Released
• Which Was the Toughest Shift in JEE Main Jan 2026? (Normalization Explained)
• JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Registration Started – Apply Online @ jeemain.nta.nic.in
• JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Percentile: Check Your Expected Rank

Conclusion: What This Means for the 2026 Cycle

The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 results and scorecards are scheduled to be released by February 12, 2026, on the official NTA portal, which is a crucial checkpoint for engineering aspirants. The result will include percentile scores that determine eligibility for JEE Advanced and form the basis of the combined rank list after Session 2. Cutoff estimates suggest General category qualifiers may need close to 93–95 percentile, with adjustments for other categories.

Final admission cutoffs will be available after both sessions are complete and JoSAA counselling begins. Staying informed about official NTA notifications ensures clarity on timelines and next steps.