The National Testing Agency (NTA) has postponed the declaration of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 results and will now announce the scorecards on February 16, according to officials. The final answer key is expected to be published before the results are released on the official portal jeemain.nta.nic.in.
The development comes amid heightened anticipation among lakhs of engineering aspirants awaiting clarity on qualifying scores and eligibility for JEE Advanced 2026.
JEE Main 2026 Result Date & Time (Latest Update)
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Final Answer Key Release | Tomorrow Morning | Expected |
| JEE Main Session 1 Result | 16 February 2026 | Confirmed |
| JEE Advanced Eligibility | Top 2.5 Lakh Candidates | As per rules |
โ ๏ธ Only the top 2.5 lakh candidates will qualify for JEE Advanced 2026.
Final Answer Key Expected Before Result Declaration
Before publishing individual scorecards, the NTA will release the final answer key, incorporating any revisions, after reviewing objections raised by candidates.
As per established procedure, the result will reflect:
- Candidate details
- Normalised percentile score
- All India Rank (AIR)
- Category rank
- Qualification status for JEE Advanced
The agency has not cited a specific reason for the brief postponement.
After days of suspense, lakhs of engineering aspirants are eagerly waiting as NTA prepares to release the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 results.
Who Qualifies for JEE Advanced?
Under prevailing admission norms, only the top 2.5 lakh candidates across categories in JEE Main will be eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026, the gateway to admission in IITs.
The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) serves as both:
- A qualifying exam for JEE Advanced
- An entrance test for NITs, IIITs and other centrally funded technical institutions
How to Access the JEE Main 2026 Scorecard
Once declared, candidates can download their results by:
- Visiting jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Logging in using the application number, date of birth or password
- Downloading the scorecard for future reference
Candidates are advised to retain a printed copy for use during counselling and seat allocation.
Expected Cut-Off: What Trends Suggest
While official cut-offs will be announced alongside results, past data indicate that General category candidates may require approximately 90โ100 marks out of 300 to secure eligibility for JEE Advanced. This typically corresponds to a percentile range of 93โ95, subject to normalisation and session difficulty.
However, experts caution that cut-offs vary annually depending on:
- Overall performance distribution
- Difficulty level across shifts
- Number of candidates appearing
Understanding Raw Score Calculation
Candidates can estimate their tentative raw score using the marking scheme:
- +4 marks for each correct answer
- -1 mark for each incorrect MCQ
- No deduction for unattempted questions
Final percentile scores are determined after applying normalisation across multiple sessions.
What Happens After the Result?
Admissions to participating institutes will be conducted through a centralised seat allocation process administered by JoSAA/CSAB. Candidates must produce valid documentation, including proof of identity, category certificates (if applicable), and qualifying examination records during verification.
Failure to present authentic documents may result in disqualification from admission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result be declared?
The National Testing Agency has scheduled the declaration of the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result for February 16. The final answer key is expected to be released shortly before the publication of individual scorecards.
Where can candidates check their JEE Main 2026 results?
Candidates can access their scorecards through the official website โ jeemain.nta.nic.in. It is advisable to rely only on the official portal for authentic updates.
What login credentials are required to download the scorecard?
To download the result, candidates will need:
Application number
Date of birth or password
Without these credentials, the result cannot be accessed.
What details will be mentioned on the JEE Main 2026 scorecard?
The scorecard will include:
Candidateโs name and roll number
Percentile scores (subject-wise and overall)
All India Rank (AIR)
Category rank
Qualification status for JEE Advanced
Candidates are advised to verify all personal details carefully.
How many candidates qualify for JEE Advanced 2026?
As per existing eligibility norms, only the top 2.5 lakh candidates in JEE Main across categories will be eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026.
What is the expected cut-off for the General category?
Based on previous yearsโ trends, the qualifying cut-off for the General category may fall in the range of 90โ100 marks out of 300, typically corresponding to a percentile of around 93โ95. However, official cut-offs will be confirmed only upon the result declaration.
How is the percentile score calculated?
The percentile score is calculated using a normalisation process across multiple exam sessions to ensure fairness. It reflects the relative performance of candidates rather than raw marks alone.
What is the next step after the JEE Main result?
Qualified candidates will be eligible to register for JEE Advanced 2026. Admissions to NITs, IIITs and other participating institutions will be conducted through the centralised counselling process administered by JoSAA/CSAB.
