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2026

JoSAA

College Predictor

IITs · NITs · IIITs · GFTIs

JEE Main 2026 Category-Wise Cutoff Trend

General, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST and PwD closing rank patterns across IITs, NITs and IIITs

Understanding Category-Wise Cutoffs

JoSAA allocates seats through separate rank lists for each reservation category — General/CRL, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PwD (a horizontal reservation within each category). Each candidate is ranked only among others in their own category for category-specific seats, which is why closing ranks look very different across categories for the identical institute-branch seat.

Based on JoSAA 2026 round-wise allotment data, the average closing rank across institute types (IIT, NIT, IIIT, GFTI) clearly shows the tightening effect at IITs: IIT seats close at an average CRL rank of roughly 7,400, compared to around 24,600 at NITs, 31,500 at IIITs, and 36,500 at GFTIs. This spread is driven mostly by far lower seat counts at IITs relative to demand.

Average Closing Rank by Institute Type (JoSAA 2026, Round 1)

Based on actual JoSAA 2026 Round 1 allotment data across all categories and branches combined.

Institute TypeSeats (Round 1)Best Closing RankAvg Closing RankWorst Closing Rank
IIT323657,44326,220
NIT33420524,60256,710
IIIT1274,14031,48257,305
GFTI3159436,50386,043

* CRL figures from JoSAA 2026 Round 1 data, aggregated across all categories and branches. Category-specific lists (EWS/OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD) extend further than the CRL figures shown, since each category is ranked independently.

Check Your Category-Specific Options

Use our JEE Main College Predictor and select your exact category to see closing rank trends relevant to you, rather than relying on General CRL figures alone.

To convert your expected marks into a rank first, try the marks vs rank calculator, then run that rank through the JoSAA 2026 college predictor.

Quick Links

Marks vs Rank CalculatorJEE Main College Predictor – JoSAAGirls vs Boys Cutoff Explained
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Frequently Asked Questions – Category-Wise Cutoff Trend

Common questions about category-wise JEE Main 2026 cutoffs

1
Why do closing ranks differ so much by category?
JoSAA reserves a fixed percentage of seats for each category as per government reservation policy: roughly 10% EWS, 27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, besides General/CRL seats, with a further 5% horizontal reservation for PwD within each category. Because each category competes only within its own reserved pool, closing ranks (measured on category-specific rank lists) are naturally higher — i.e., more relaxed — than the General CRL closing rank for the same seat.
2
Which category has the most relaxed closing ranks?
SC and ST category rank lists typically show the most relaxed (numerically highest) closing ranks relative to their own category rank list, since these pools are smaller. However this doesn't mean easier in an absolute sense — a candidate's category rank is calculated only among candidates of that category, so the comparison is apples-to-apples within category, not against General CRL.
3
Is the EWS cutoff closer to General or to OBC-NCL?
EWS (Economically Weaker Section, General category candidates with family income below the notified threshold) cutoffs are usually closer to General CRL cutoffs than OBC-NCL, because the EWS pool draws from the same General category candidates, just filtered by income criteria.
4
Do category cutoffs vary by institute type (IIT vs NIT vs IIIT)?
Yes significantly. IITs have the tightest cutoffs across every category given extremely high demand, followed by NITs, then IIITs and GFTIs, which generally have more relaxed cutoffs across all categories due to comparatively lower demand for most branches outside CSE.
5
How can I check category-wise cutoff for a specific college?
Use our JEE Main and JEE Advanced college predictor tools, select your specific category, and the tool will show you the applicable closing rank trends for that category at each institute-branch combination.
6
Will JEE Main 2026 category cutoffs match last year exactly?
No — cutoffs shift every year based on total applicants, difficulty level, and seat matrix changes. The patterns shown here are based on JoSAA 2026 round-wise allocation data and should be treated as a directional guide, not an exact prediction.

JEE College Predictor 2026

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Important Links

JEE Main College PredictorJEE Main Rank PredictorCSAB 2026 EWS CutoffCSAB 2026 OBC-NCL Cutoff

Disclaimer

Figures derived from JoSAA 2026 round-wise allotment data. Actual category cutoffs vary by institute and branch — verify at josaa.nic.in.