The IIT JAM 2026 cutoff refers to the minimum score or percentile required for admission into M.Sc., Joint M.Sc.–Ph.D., and other postgraduate science programmes at IITs, IISc Bengaluru, NITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). JAM cutoffs vary by institute, subject, and category.
Cutoffs are determined on the basis of overall performance, number of seats, difficulty level of the exam, and reservation rules. This page outlines the expected JAM 2026 cutoff trends and provides guidance on how to interpret them.
The **JAM 2026 cutoff** is usually published during the admission process by the respective institutes participating in JAM counselling. Cutoff marks provide a benchmark for deciding eligibility for counselling and offers. While IITs and IISc publish their own closing marks, NITs and CFTIs follow centralized admission criteria based on CCMT or similar processes.
IELTS cutoffs are influenced by the total number of applicants, exam difficulty, and seat availability. Though official cutoffs vary by institute, below are expected trends based on previous years’ data.
| Subject | General Category (Approx. Score) | OBC-NCL/EWS (Approx. Score) | SC/ST/PwD (Approx. Score) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics (MA) | ~29–34 | ~26–30 | ~20–24 |
| Physics (PH) | ~30–36 | ~27–32 | ~21–26 |
| Chemistry (CY) | ~31–37 | ~28–33 | ~22–28 |
| Biotechnology (BT) | ~28–33 | ~25–30 | ~19–24 |
| Economics (EN) | ~32–38 | ~29–34 | ~23–29 |
| Geology (GG) | ~27–32 | ~24–29 | ~18–23 |
| Mathematical Statistics (MS) | ~26–31 | ~23–28 | ~17–22 |
*Note:* These cutoff ranges are approximate trends based on previous years and answer key analysis. Official closing marks may vary slightly.
Institutes release official category-wise closing marks during the counselling or seat allotment phase.
| Marks Score | Estimated Rank (General) |
|---|---|
| 75–85% | Top 100 |
| 60–74% | 100–500 |
| 45–59% | 500–1500 |
| 30–44% | 1500–5000 |
| <30% | Above 5000 |
No, cutoffs vary by institute and programme. IITs and IISc may have different closing marks than NITs/CFTIs. Always refer to official admission brochures.
If the JAM paper is easier, more candidates score higher marks. This tends to increase cutoff marks. Conversely, a difficult paper may lower cutoffs.
Yes, reservation norms allow relaxed cutoff marks for SC/ST/PwD categories. OBC-NCL/EWS candidates also get slightly relaxed cutoffs. Exact cutoffs are published with official admission lists.
Official cutoffs are published during the counselling process. IITs and IISc release closing marks after seat allotment rounds. CCMT or equivalent portals publish cutoffs for NIT/CFTI admissions.
Yes, higher marks generally lead to a better rank. Rank depends on comparative performance of all candidates. Score vs rank trends help estimate cutoffs.
Yes, cutoffs may vary slightly after counselling rounds. Final closing marks depend on seat acceptance and withdrawals. Official lists reflect the final cutoff.
A score above ~75–80% of total marks is highly competitive. This range usually corresponds to top ranks. Targets vary by subject and competition.
Previous trends help set realistic score targets. They show how cutoffs shift with difficulty and competition. Use trends to plan preparation goals.
Understanding JAM 2026 cutoff trends helps candidates assess admission chances and set realistic preparation goals. Although official cutoffs vary by institute and subject, the trends above provide a useful benchmark.
Next Step: Match your estimated score with expected cutoffs to evaluate your admission prospects.