The NTA has announced the JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 results on May 5, 2026, on its official site – jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates can access their JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 results using their application number and password.
| Direct Link for JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 Result (Available) |
The JEE Main 2026 Shift-wise Percentile Analysis has also been made available. You can check it through the link below:
| Direct link to access the JEE Main 2026 Shift-wise Percentile Analysis PDF (Available) |
In the JEE Main session 2, approximately 11 lakh candidates participated in the exam, achieving about a 93% attendance rate for Paper 1 B.E./B.Tech. The attendance for Paper 2 was around 73%.
- In JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.), a total of 26 candidates achieved a 100 percentile.
- This year, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana jointly produced the most 100 percentilers, with 5 candidates each attaining a perfect score.
- Following the announcement of the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 results for Paper 2, JoSAA counselling will take place.
- The registration and choice filling for JoSAA Counselling 2026 is set to commence on June 2, 2026.
Related Articles:
- JEE Main Session 2 Result 2026 (Available)- Access Scorecard and AIR at jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Check JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Final Answer Key Released: List of Dropped Questions and Revised Questions
- JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff
- JEE Main Session 2 Marks Vs Percentile
Key Summary
- The JEE Main session 2 was conducted in CBT mode from April 2 to April 8.
- The examination took place across 567 centres in 306 cities in India and 14 international cities, with around 11.23 lakh candidates participating.
- The JEE Main Answer key was released on April 11, 2026, along with the response sheets for session 2.
- The window for challenging the answer key is currently open. Candidates can contest the answer key until April 13, 2026 (up to 11:50 PM) on the official site.
- The JEE Main session 2 result was announced on April 20, along with the official JEE Main cutoff for 2026.
JEE Main 2026 Session 2: Important Dates
The NTA is set to announce the dates for the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Paper 2 (B.Plan/B.Arch) results. Currently, the results are anticipated to be revealed in the first week of May 2026.
The JoSAA will commence its counselling process along with choice filling starting on June 2, 2026.
| Particular | Date |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Session 2 Result (Paper 1- B.E./B.Tech) | By April 20th (Out) |
| JEE Main Session 2 Result (Paper 2 - B.Arch/B.Plan) | May 5, 2026 (Out) |
| JEE Main 2026 JoSAA Counselling | June 2, 2026 (Tentative) |
| JEE Main Official Question Paper (Shift-wise) | April 9, 2026 (Out) |
| JEE Main Session 2 Response Sheet | April 11, 2026 (Out) |
| JEE Main Session 2 Answer Key | April 11, 2026 (Out) |
| JEE Main Session 2 Answer Key Challenge Window | April 11-13, 2026 (Over) |
Source: Official Twitter Handle of NTA
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Shift-wise Official Question Paper
Candidates can access the official shift-wise question papers for JEE Main in the table below:
| Date & Shift | Question Paper PDF |
|---|---|
| April 2 Shift 1 | Download Question Paper PDF |
| April 2 Shift 2 | Download Question Paper PDF |
| April 4 Shift 1 | Download Question Paper PDF |
| April 4 Shift 2 | Download Question Paper PDF |
| April 5 Shift 1 | Download Question Paper PDF |
| April 5 Shift 2 | Download Question Paper PDF |
| April 6 Shift 1 | Download Question Paper PDF |
| April 6 Shift 2 | Download Question Paper PDF |
| April 8 Shift 2 | Download Question Paper PDF |
Source: JEE Main Official Website
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Response Sheet
The response sheets for JEE Main session 2 have been made available by the NTA on its official platform, along with the session 2 Answer Key, on April 11.
| Direct Link to access JEE Main Session 2 Response Sheet |
Utilizing the JEE Main response sheet allows you to compare your answers, estimate your total scores, percentile, and evaluate your prospective colleges.
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Answer Key
The final answer key for JEE Main session 2 was released on April 20 by the NTA on its official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. Below are the JEE Main 2026 shift-wise final answer keys in PDF format.
| Date & Shift | Answer Key PDF |
|---|---|
| April 2 Shift 1 | Download Answer Key PDF |
| April 2 Shift 2 | Download Answer Key PDF |
| April 4 Shift 1 | Download Answer Key PDF |
| April 4 Shift 2 | Download Answer Key PDF |
| April 5 Shift 1 | Download Answer Key PDF |
| April 5 Shift 2 | Download Answer Key PDF |
| April 6 Shift 1 | Download Answer Key PDF |
| April 6 Shift 2 | Download Answer Key PDF |
| April 8 Shift 2 | Download Answer Key PDF |
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result
The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 took place from April 2 to April 8, 2026, across 9 shifts at 584 distinct centers. The results for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech.) were announced on April 20, 2026.
- Total Registered Candidates: 11,10,904.
- Total Appeared Candidates: 10,34,330.
- Overall Attendance Percentage: 93.11%.
- Unique Candidates (Both Sessions): 16,04,854 registered and 15,38,468 appeared
JEE Main 2026 Unique Candidates Registered
| Category | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 3,65,637 | 1,98,820 | 5,64,457 |
| Gen-EWS | 1,23,707 | 59,992 | 1,83,699 |
| OBC-NCL | 4,11,893 | 2,23,030 | 6,34,923 |
| SC | 1,09,708 | 56,204 | 1,65,912 |
| ST | 37,116 | 18,747 | 55,863 |
| Total | 10,48,061 | 5,56,793 | 16,04,854 |
JEE Main 2026 Unique Candidates Appeared
| Category | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 3,49,761 | 1,88,478 | 5,38,239 |
| Gen-EWS | 1,21,189 | 58,897 | 1,80,086 |
| OBC-NCL | 3,97,801 | 2,14,152 | 6,11,953 |
| SC | 1,03,337 | 52,701 | 1,56,038 |
| ST | 34,787 | 17,365 | 52,152 |
| Total | 10,06,875 | 5,31,593 | 15,38,468 |
JEE Main 2026 State-wise Toppers
In the results of JEE (Main) 2026, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have the highest number of 100 percentilers, with 5 candidates each achieving a perfect score.
100 Percentilers from Leading States
- Andhra Pradesh: Jonnala Roshan Manideep Reddy, Narendrababu Gari Mahith, Thunga Durga Suprabhath, Pasala Mohith, Bijjam Venkata Chandra Sekhar Reddy.
- Telangana: Mantha Shiva Kamesh, Doranala Bhavitesh Reddy, Sai Rithvik Reddy Venkat Reddy Valla, Vivaan Sharad Maheshwari, Rishi Premnath.
- Rajasthan: Kabeer Chhillar (AIR 1), Arnav Gautam, Yashvardhan, and Chiranjib Kar.
A total of 26 candidates achieved a 100 NTA Score across the nation. The breakdown of these perfect scorers by state is as follows:
| State | Number of 100 Percentilers |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 5 |
| Telangana | 5 |
| Rajasthan | 4 |
| Delhi (NCT) | 3 |
| Maharashtra | 2 |
| Haryana | 2 |
| Bihar | 1 |
| Gujarat | 1 |
| Odisha | 1 |
| Tamil Nadu | 1 |
| Chandigarh | 1 |
JEE Main 2026 Shift-Wise Marks vs Percentile Analysis
The Percentile for JEE Main will be determined through shift-wise normalization. This percentile reflects your performance relative to the overall session's results, influenced by the difficulty level of each shift.
Expected JEE Main Overall Shift-Wise Marks vs Percentile
- The Marks vs Percentile for JEE Main will vary based on the shift taken by the candidate, yet normalization will maintain fairness in ranking across shifts.
- Even with a score variation of 5-10 marks, your resulting percentile might remain unchanged.
- Mathematics tends to be the most time-consuming section and can significantly impact your JEE Main Rank.
- In shifts that are easier, scores will be higher for the same percentile due to an overall better performance average.
| Percentile Range | Easier Shifts (High Scoring) | Moderate Shifts | Tougher Shifts (Time-Consuming) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99+ | 195–205 | 188–198 | 180–190 |
| 98–99 | 178–194 | 170–187 | 162–175 |
| 95–97 | 158–177 | 150–169 | 142–155 |
| 90–94 | 138–157 | 130–149 | 122–135 |
| 85–89 | 122–137 | 115–129 | 108–120 |
Expected Marks Vs Percentile for JEE Main Session 2
For the second session of JEE Main, a score of approximately 180 is anticipated to achieve around the 99th percentile across most shifts.
- To reach the 98th percentile, a score of about 160 is projected to be adequate in JEE Main session 2.
- In 2025, 167 marks were necessary to attain the 99th percentile in the first shift of day 1, with 154 marks for the 98.5th percentile.
| Percentile | Apr 2 M (S1) | Apr 2 E (S2) | Apr 4 M (S1) | Apr 4 E (S2) | Apr 5 M (S1) | Apr 5 E (S2) | Apr 6 M (S1) | Apr 6 E (S2) | Apr 8 E (S2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | 175 | 192 | 176 | 182 | 178 | 188 | 174 | 185 | 189 |
| 98.5 | 161 | 178 | 162 | 170 | 164 | 174 | 160 | 171 | 174 |
| 98 | 152 | 170 | 153 | 162 | 155 | 166 | 151 | 163 | 164 |
| 97.5 | 144 | 162 | 145 | 154 | 147 | 158 | 143 | 155 | 158 |
| 97 | 139 | 157 | 140 | 148 | 142 | 153 | 138 | 150 | 152 |
| 96.5 | 132 | 150 | 133 | 142 | 135 | 146 | 131 | 144 | 147 |
| 96 | 128 | 145 | 129 | 137 | 131 | 141 | 127 | 139 | 140 |
| 95.5 | 125 | 140 | 126 | 132 | 128 | 136 | 124 | 134 | 135 |
| 95 | 119 | 135 | 120 | 128 | 122 | 131 | 118 | 129 | 133 |
| 94 | 113 | 128 | 114 | 121 | 116 | 124 | 112 | 122 | 125 |
| 93 | 107 | 120 | 108 | 115 | 110 | 117 | 106 | 115 | 118 |
| 92 | 102 | 113 | 103 | 109 | 105 | 110 | 101 | 108 | 113 |
Safe Score for JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Based on Percentile
According to expert evaluations, the safe score for achieving a specific percentile in JEE Main session 2 is outlined below:
| Percentile | Safe Score |
|---|---|
| 99 | 180 |
| 98 | 165 |
| 97 | 150 |
| 96 | 140 |
| 95 | 130 |
| 94 | 122 |
Source: YouTube
Also Read:
- JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Percentile vs Rank (Expected)
- JEE Main 2025 Marks Vs Percentile April Shift
- JEE Main Marks Vs Percentile Vs Rank Predictor 2026
Ques. What is a safe score in JEE Main 2026 for NITs and IIITs admission?
Ans. The safe score in JEE Main varies based on category and preferred branch. For general candidates, a score ranging from 170 to over 220 is deemed competitive for leading NITs and IIITs.
| Score Range | Admission Chances |
|---|---|
| 220+ | Top NIT CSE |
| 180–220 | Good NIT/IIIT |
| 140–180 | Decent NIT |
| 120–140 | Lower NIT/GFTI |
Ques. What is the expected JEE Advanced 2026 cutoff percentile?
Ans. The expected qualifying cutoff for JEE Advanced is projected to be around the 93rd to 95th percentile for the General category, based on recent trends and participation levels.
| Category | Expected Percentile Cutoff |
|---|---|
| General | 93–95 |
| OBC/EWS | 90–93 |
| SC | 60–75 |
| ST | 50–65 |
JEE Main 2026 Category-wise Qualifying Cutoff
In order to qualify for the JEE Advanced, the NTA has published the JEE Main 2026 category-specific qualifying cutoff:
- Students in the General category encountered the toughest competition, with a cutoff exceeding 93 percentile and approximately 96,873 qualifiers.
- The OBC and EWS categories had slightly lower cutoffs ranging from 80 to 93 percentile.
- Conversely, the SC and ST categories had significantly lower cutoffs, around 63.9 to 52.0, facilitating easier qualification.
| Category | Percentile From | Percentile To | No. of Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| UR-ALL | 100.0000000 | 93.4123549 | 96,873 |
| UR-PwBD | 93.3244144 | 0.0023186 | 4,391 |
| EWS-ALL | 93.4105172 | 82.4164528 | 25,009 |
| OBC-ALL | 93.4105172 | 80.9232583 | 67,597 |
| SC-ALL | 93.4105172 | 63.9172792 | 37,522 |
| ST-ALL | 93.4041748 | 52.0174712 | 18,790 |
Source - Official Notification for JEE Main 2026 Results
JEE Main 2026 Expected Cutoff: Category-Wise
The expected cutoff for JEE Main 2026 will be announced by the National Testing Agency (NTA), likely by April 20, 2026, alongside the results for session 2. - jeemain.nta.nic.in
| Category | Expected Qualifying Percentile (2026) | Safe Target Percentile (Recommended) | Estimated Safe Marks (Out of 300) – Session 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 93 – 95 | 95+ | 100 – 120 |
| Gen-EWS | 80.5 – 82.5 | 83+ | 80 – 90 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.5 – 82 | 82+ | 75 – 90 |
| SC | 61 – 64 | 64+ | 50 – 65 |
| ST | 47.5 – 50.5 | 51+ | 40 – 55 |
| PwD (UR) | 0.001 – 0.02 | 0.01+ | 1 – 10 |
Related Links:
- JEE Main 2026 vs 2025 cutoff comparison
- JEE Main General Cutoff 2026
- JEE Main SC Cutoff 2026
- JEE Main OBC Cutoff 2026
- JEE Main ST Cutoff 2026
JEE Main 2026 Safe Score for NITs/IIITs
The safe score for NIT+ system in JEE Main 2026 is expected to be higher than in previous years due to an increase in the number of candidates participating.
- In the first session of JEE Main 2026, a total of 13,04,653 candidates appeared for the examination, compared to 12,58,136 in the first session of JEE Main 2025.
A “Safe Score” is influenced by branch preference, category, and college tier, but data trends from recent years indicate that achieving a score of 170–220+ greatly enhances the chances for admission into top branches and institutions.
JEE Main Category-Wise Safe Score Estimate
| Category | Safe Score for Top NITs/IIITs | Safe Score for Decent NIT/IIIT | Expected Percentile Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 200 – 230+ | 140 – 180 | 96 – 99.5 |
| EWS | 190 – 220 | 130 – 170 | 95 – 99 |
| OBC-NCL | 180 – 210 | 120 – 160 | 94 – 98.5 |
| SC | 120 – 150 | 90 – 120 | 80 – 94 |
| ST | 90 – 120 | 70 – 100 | 70 – 90 |
| PwD | 70 – 100 | 50 – 80 | 60 – 85 |
Also Check:
- Safe Score for JEE Main 2026 for the General Category
- Safe Score for JEE Main 2026 for the ST Category
- Safe Score for JEE Main 2026 for the PwD Category
- Safe Score for JEE Main 2026 for the OBC Category
What Comes Next After the JEE Main 2026 Result?
With the announcement of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result, candidates can access their scorecard from the official website.
The results for session 2 were made available on April 20th. Candidates should verify their eligibility for JEE Advanced and prepare for JoSAA Counselling for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
Subsequent Steps Following the JEE Main Result
- After both sessions are completed, the highest percentile will be utilized for the Final AIR and Counselling process.
- Candidates meeting the required cutoff can register for JEE Advanced 2026.
- If you aim for NIT/IIIT branches, consider retaking the session 2 exam for better results.
- Begin to shortlist colleges based on anticipated rank and historical cutoffs.
| Step | Timeline | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Check Scorecard & Percentile of Session 1 | Result released on Feb 16, 2026 | Download and confirm details |
| Session 2 Result Date | By April 20, 2026 | Download scorecard |
| JEE Advanced Eligibility Verification | Post Session 2 | Top 2.5 lakh candidates qualify |
| Final AIR Release | After Session 2 results | Based on the highest percentile |
| JoSAA Counselling Registration | June 2026 (anticipated) | Choice filling for colleges |
| Seat Allotment Rounds | June–July 2026 | Accept/upgrade/freeze seat |
Ques. When will JoSAA counselling for JEE Main 2026 commence?
Ans. The JoSAA Counselling is anticipated to begin in June 2026, following the session 2 results and the final rank announcement. This will encompass registration, choice filling, and seat allotment rounds.
| Stage | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|
| Registration | June 2026 |
| Choice Filling | June 2026 |
| Seat Allotment | June–July 2026 |
Ques. If a candidate participates in both sessions of JEE Main, which percentile is taken into account for the final result?
Ans. The NTA will utilize the best percentile from both sessions for the final ranking, ensuring no penalty for multiple attempts.
JEE Main College Predictor
The JEE Main College Predictor assists candidates in determining which college and branch they may secure based on their anticipated percentiles and ranks.
Leading Colleges Accepting JEE Main Scores
| Institute Category | College Name | Admission Mode |
|---|---|---|
| NIT | NIT Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy) | JoSAA Counselling |
| NIT Surathkal | ||
| NIT Warangal | ||
| NIT Calicut | ||
| IIIT | IIIT Hyderabad | Institute Counselling |
| IIIT Allahabad | JoSAA Counselling | |
| IIIT Bangalore | Institute Counselling | |
| GFTI | IIEST Shibpur | JoSAA / CSAB |
| BIT Mesra | ||
| PEC Chandigarh | ||
| Delhi Govt College | DTU Delhi | JAC Delhi |
| NSUT Delhi | JAC Delhi | |
| State University | Jadavpur University | State Counselling |
| Private (JEE Main Based) | LNMIIT Jaipur | Institute Counselling |
JEE Main Seat Matrix 2026 (Projected)
The JEE Main seat matrix for 2026 is projected to offer approximately 42,000-43,000 seats across NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, which could rise to 60,000 when including IITs.
- NITs are expected to provide 24,500–25,000 seats, with IIITs offering 9,800–10,000 and GFTIs providing around 11,000, reflecting a consistent 3–4% annual increase due to new courses and female supernumerary seats.
- The General category will have the majority of seats, while EWS is anticipated to receive about 7-8%, and the PwD category will have horizontal reservations.
Check: JEE Main vs JEE Advanced
JEE Main Institute-Wise Seat Matrix (Projected)
| Institute Type | Number of Institutes | Approx B.Tech Seats |
|---|---|---|
| NITs | 31 | 24,000 |
| IIITs | 26 | 10,000 |
| GFTIs | 40+ | 11,000 |
| Total Seats | — | 43,000- 45,000 |
IIT seats (~17,000), which are filled through JEE Advanced, are not included here.
Also Check:
JEE Main 2026 Reservation Guidelines
In JEE Main, the seat allocation by JoSAA will adhere to the policies set by the Government of India. These reservations will be applicable across NITs, IIITs, and most GFTIs, with additional home-state quotas for NITs.
JEE Main Category-Wise Reservation
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
|---|---|
| EWS | 10% |
| OBC-NCL | 27% |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| PwD (within each category) | 5% |
| Female Supernumerary Seats | 20% (in select institutes) |
| Home State Quota (NITs) | 50% seats |
JEE Main Counselling 2026
JoSAA will oversee the JEE Main Counselling for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs following the final AIR release after Session 2.
The JEE Main Counselling process is entirely online, comprising registration, choice filling, multiple seat allotment rounds, and final admission confirmation.
| Stage | Expected Timeline | Detailed Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| JoSAA Registration | June 2026 | Candidates log in using their JEE Main credentials to complete counselling registration. Only those registered can participate in seat allotment. |
| Choice Filling | June 2026 | Fill and prioritize NIT/IIIT/GFTI branches according to preference. More choices enhance the chances of allotment. Lock choices before the deadline. |
| Mock Allotment Rounds | June 2026 | JoSAA will issue 1–2 mock allotments. Candidates should analyze potential seat outcomes and adjust choices accordingly. |
| Round 1 Seat Allocation | June 2026 | The first official allotment based on AIR, category, and preferences. Candidates must select Freeze/Float/Slide and pay the acceptance fee. |
| Document Upload & Verification | Post allotment | Upload necessary documents online for verification. Failure to verify may result in seat cancellation. |
| Subsequent Rounds (2–6) | June–July 2026 | Candidates can upgrade their seats using Float/Slide options. Cutoffs may slightly decrease in later rounds. |
| Final Seat Allotment | July 2026 | The concluding round confirms the final institute and branch. No further upgrades are permitted after this stage. |
| Reporting to the Institute | July–Aug 2026 | Candidates must report to the assigned institute (online/offline) to complete admission procedures. |
Also Check: JEE Main Counselling 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 FAQs
Ques. When will the JEE Main session 2 result be announced?
Ans. According to the NTA guidelines, the result for JEE Main session 2 is expected to be announced by April 20 on its official site, jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates will have the ability to access their scorecard using their application number and password.
Ques. Have the official question papers for JEE 2026 session 2 been released?
Ans. Yes, the official question papers for JEE Main 2026 session 2, organized shift-wise, were released by the NTA on April 9 on its official website. Candidates can obtain the question papers in PDF format from this article.
Ques. Is scoring 97% in JEE Mains considered good?
Ans. Yes, achieving a 97th percentile in JEE Main is regarded as an excellent score, positioning you within the top 3% of all candidates.
Obtaining a score of 97% indicates that you have outperformed 97% of the total candidates, which typically places you in the rank range of 25,000 to 35,000.
Ques. What rank corresponds to a 99.5 percentile in JEE Mains?
Ans. A 99.5 percentile in JEE Main can result in a rank between 6,000 and 8,000, contingent upon the overall number of candidates and the normalization process.
- This percentile and rank range may allow you admission into leading NITs for lower branches such as Civil or Mechanical, and into top branches like Computer Science in newer IIITs.
- A 99.5th percentile ranks you among the top 0.5% of candidates, indicating a remarkable score.
| Percentile | Expected Rank Range |
|---|---|
| 99.9 | 1,000 – 2,000 |
| 99.7 | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| 99.5 | 6,000 – 8,000 |
| 99.0 | 10,000 – 12,000 |
Ques. Was the first shift of day 1 for JEE Mains 2026 session 2 challenging?
Ans. According to student feedback, the first shift of JEE Main session 2 was of moderate difficulty, with Mathematics being the section that required the most time.
Students who attempted between 45 and 55 questions with a high level of accuracy are anticipated to achieve good scores.
| Section | Good Attempts (Expected) |
|---|---|
| Physics | 20–22 |
| Chemistry | 22–25 |
| Mathematics | 12–16 |
| Total | 50–60 |