The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is the gateway to India’s premier engineering institutes, including the IITs. However, many aspirants still remain confused on how the NTA JEE Mains result affects their chances of securing a seat in an IIT. This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of how JEE Main scores play a role in the IIT admission process.
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Understanding the Two-Stage Process: JEE Main and JEE Advanced
To get into an IIT, candidates must clear two stages of examination:
- JEE Main: Conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA), this is the first screening exam.
- JEE Advanced: Conducted by one of the IITs annually, only those who qualify the JEE Main can appear for JEE Advanced.
Thus, your NTA JEE Mains result directly impacts your eligibility to sit for the JEE Advanced exam, making it a crucial milestone.
JEE Main: Eligibility Filter for JEE Advanced
Only the top 2.5 lakh scores ( including all categories) in the NTA JEE Mains result is eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. These students are selected based on their percentile scores, not just raw marks.
- Percentile Score: Reflects your performance relative to other test-takers.
- Category- Based Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted based on reservation categories which include General, OBC, SC, ST and EWS.
Failing to be among the top 2.5 lakh, regardless of your score, disqualifies you from JEE Advanced and thus IIT admissions.
Qualifying Cutoff: A Critical Benchmark
The NTA JEE Mains result includes the official cutoff- a minimum score needed to be eligible for JEE Advanced. This varies each year and depends on factors like:
- Total number of applicants
- Exam difficulty level
- Overall performance trends
In 2024, the cutoff for the General category hovered around the 90 percentile, while reserved categories had lower benchmarks. Missing the cutoff means your IITdream is temporarily on hold.
Role of Class 12th Marks
| Criteria | General/OBC-NCL/EWS | SC/ST/PwD |
| Minimum % Required in Class 12 | 75% aggregate in Class 12 board exam | 65% aggregate in Class 12 board exam |
| Alternative Eligibility | Top 20 percentile of successful candidates in board | Top 20 percentile of successful candidates in board |
| Subjects Considered for Aggregate | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, one language, and one additional subject (as per board) | Same as General |
| Applicability | Mandatory for admission to IITs via JEE Advanced | Mandatory for admission to IITs via JEE Advanced |
| Impact on JoSAA Counselling | Candidate will be ineligible for IIT seat allocation if minimum marks are not met | Same ineligibility applies |
| When is it Checked? | After JEE Advanced result, during JoSAA counselling | Same process applies |
| Does It Affect JEE Main Admission? | ❌ No – JEE Main (for NITs, IIITs, GFTIs) has different rules | ❌ No |
| Common Misconception | High JEE rank ensures IIT seat regardless of board marks – False | Same misconception applies |
| Important Note | Board marks are not used for ranking or cutoff calculation, only for eligibility | Same |
What Happens After You Clear JEE Main?
Once your NTA JEE Mains result is out and you’ve met the cutoff:
| Stage | What Happens | Details |
| 1. Result Declaration | NTA releases JEE Main result | Includes percentile score, AIR (All India Rank), and category rank |
| 2. Eligibility for JEE Advanced | Top 2.5 lakh candidates eligible | Based on JEE Main rank and category cutoffs |
| 3. JEE Advanced Registration | Eligible candidates register for JEE Advanced | Separate application, usually opens a few days after JEE Main results |
| 4. JEE Advanced Exam | Attempted by those targeting IITs | Final selection for IITs based on JEE Advanced rank |
| 5. JoSAA Counselling Begins | For all IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs | Common counselling process based on JEE Main & Advanced ranks |
| 6. Choice Filling & Locking | Candidates choose preferred colleges and branches | Can be updated before locking deadline |
| 7. Seat Allotment Rounds | Multiple rounds conducted by JoSAA | Based on choices, rank, category, and seat availability |
| 8. Reporting & Document Verification | Must report online/at center | Upload or verify required documents, pay seat acceptance fee |
| 9. Admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs | Based on JEE Main rank only | No need for JEE Advanced rank |
| 10. Admission to IITs | Based on JEE Advanced rank + 12th marks | Must meet minimum board marks eligibility too |
| 11. Spot/CSAB Rounds (Optional) | Additional counselling if seats remain vacant | Only for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs (not IITs) |
No Direct Admission to IITs via JEE Main
There’s a common myth that a high NTA JEE Mains result can directly get you into an IIT. This is incorrect. Here’s the reality:
- JEE Main is used for admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs.
- It only serves as a screening test for JEE Advanced.
Only JEE Advanced ranks are valid for IIT admissions. Hence, JEE Main is essential but not sufficient.
Multiple Attempts and IIT Eligibility
- JEE Main is held twice a year, and you can attempt it six times over three consecutive years.
- JEE Advanced, on the other hand, can be attempted twice over two consecutive years.
The best of your two JEE Main scores in a given year is used for JEE Advanced eligibility. So , planning and timing your attempts can significantly influence your IIT prospects.
Reservations Categories and Impact on Cutoffs
| Category | Full Form | Reservation % | Impact on Cutoffs | Eligibility Criteria |
| GEN (Unreserved) | General (Open category) | No reservation | Highest cutoffs (ranks must be much better) | Open to all candidates |
| GEN-EWS | General – Economically Weaker Section | 10% | Slightly relaxed cutoffs compared to GEN | Annual family income ≤ ₹8 lakh; no other reservation benefit |
| OBC-NCL | Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer | 27% | Relaxed cutoffs; ranks required are lower than GEN/EWS | Annual income ≤ ₹8 lakh; must not be in Creamy Layer; caste must be on central list |
| SC | Scheduled Caste | 15% | Significantly lower cutoffs compared to GEN | Must belong to a SC caste listed by the Government |
| ST | Scheduled Tribe | 7.5% | Lowest cutoffs among major categories | Must belong to an ST tribe listed by the Government |
| PwD | Persons with Disabilities | 5% (horizontal) | Further relaxed cutoffs within each category | 40% or more disability with valid certificate |
| Female Quota | Female-only Supernumerary Seats (IITs only) | Varies by institute | Separate cutoff lists for females; generally lower cutoffs than gender-neutral seats | Only applicable to female candidates |
| Home State Quota | State Quota (For NITs, GFTIs) | 50% in NITs | Lower cutoffs for students from same state as the NIT | Must have domicile or studied in that state |
If Not IITs, Then What?
Even if you don’t qualify for JEE Advanced, your NTA JEE Mains result still opens doors:
- NITs and IITs: Excellent engineering colleges accepting JEE Main scores.
- State colleges: Many state-level institutes consider the JEE Main
- Private Universities: Top private engineering colleges also rely on JEE Main ranks.
Conclusion: JEE Main is the First and Most Important Step
Your NRA JEE Mains result plays a critical role in IIT admissions It determines whether you can sit for JEE Advanced, which is mandatory for entering any IIT.
To increase your chances:
- Focus on high percentiles in JEE Main
- Be aware of cutoffs and eligibility norms.
- Star preparing for JEE Advanced immediately after JEE Main.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Reservation lowers the cutoff rank required for admission in reserved categories, allowing students from SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwD categories to secure seats with comparatively lower ranks than general category students.
Yes, most IITs, NITs, and IIITs have female-only supernumerary seats with separate cutoffs, which are generally lower than gender-neutral seat cutoffs.
No, a candidate can claim reservation under only one category—either OBC-NCL or EWS—not both. Dual reservation is not allowed.