JEE Mains 2026 Result Date Update: How to Check & Expected Cut-off

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially updated the release date for the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 results. Originally expected earlier this week, the scorecard will now be available by February 16, 2026.

Millions of engineering aspirants across India have been eagerly waiting for their January session scores. The delay has caused some anxiety, but the NTA has now clarified the timeline. Once the link is active, students can download their scorecards directly from the official website using their application number and date of birth.

This article covers everything you need to know about the new result date, how to check your marks, expected cut-offs, and what to do next.

JEE Main 2026 Result: New Date and Time

According to the latest updates, the NTA has rescheduled the result declaration.

• Old Expected Date: February 12, 2026
• New Confirmed Date: By February 16, 2026
• Result Status: Coming Soon (Expected anytime on Feb 16)
• Official Website: jeemain.nta.nic.in

The Final Answer Key is also expected to be released shortly before the result or on the same day. Students should keep their login credentials ready.

How to Check NTA JEE Main Session 1 Result?

When the result is declared, the official website may experience heavy traffic. Follow these simple steps to access your scorecard smoothly:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to jeemain.nta.nic.in or nta.ac.in.
2. Find the Link: On the homepage, look for the link titled “JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 Result” or “View Score Card”.
3. Enter Details: You will need your Application Number and Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY).
4. Security Pin: Type the CAPTCHA code shown on the screen.
5. Submit: Click on the ‘Submit’ button. Your scorecard will appear on the screen.
6. Download: Save the PDF file and take a printout for future counseling and admission processes.

What Details Will Be on Your Scorecard?

The JEE Main scorecard is a crucial document. It will contain the following information:

• Your Name, Roll Number, and Application Number.
• Subject-wise NTA Scores (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics).
• Total NTA Score (Percentile): This is your normalized score, not your raw marks.
• All India Rank (AIR) and Category Rank (Note: AIR is usually declared after the Session 2 exams in April).

Expected Cut-off for JEE Advanced 2026

Only the top 2.5 lakh candidates from JEE Main will qualify to sit for the JEE Advanced 2026 exam (the gateway to IITs). Based on the difficulty level of the January session, experts have predicted the following probable cut-off percentiles:

• General (UR): 93 – 95 Percentile
• EWS: 80 – 82 Percentile
• OBC-NCL: 79 – 81 Percentile
• SC: 61 – 63 Percentile
• ST: 47 – 50 Percentile

Note: These are estimated numbers. The final qualifying cut-off will be released by NTA after the April session results.

Marks vs. Percentile: What to Expect?

Since the exam was held in multiple shifts, NTA uses a normalization process. This means your raw marks (out of 300) are converted into a percentile to ensure fairness.

Read More : RRB NTPC Latest News 2026

• 99+ Percentile: Likely requires 180-200+ marks (depending on shift difficulty).
• 95 Percentile: Likely requires 130-150 marks.
• 90 Percentile: Likely requires 100-110 marks.

What Happens Next?

After checking your Session 1 result, you have two main options:

1. Prepare for Session 2 (April): If you are not satisfied with your score, you can register for the Session 2 exam. The NTA will consider the best of the two scores for your final ranking.
2. Prepare for JEE Advanced: If you have scored above the 96th percentile, you are in a safe zone for JEE Advanced qualification and should focus on advanced-level preparation.
3. Board Exams: Many students also have their Class 12 board exams starting in February/March, so balancing both is key.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)