JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Percentile: Detailed Score vs Percentile Analysis Explained

The JEE Main 2026 results have once again drawn attention to the crucial relationship between raw marks and percentile scores, a factor that plays a decisive role in determining candidates’ eligibility for NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam follows a percentile-based normalization system to ensure fairness across multiple shifts.
Unlike raw marks, which are calculated out of 300, the percentile score reflects a candidate’s relative performance compared to all other aspirants appearing in the same session.
Understanding Percentile in JEE Main
The percentile score indicates the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or less than a particular candidate. It does not represent marks but shows comparative performance.
To neutralise variations in paper difficulty across shifts, NTA applies a normalisation formula, ensuring no candidate is disadvantaged due to shift allocation.
| Percentile | 21S1 | 21S2 | 22S1 | 22S2 | 23S1 | 23S2 | 24S1 | 24S2 | 28S1 | 28S2 |
| 99.9 | 227 | 234 | 224 | 223 | 221 | 228 | 219 | 231 | 228 | 226 |
| 99.8 | 210 | 220 | 207 | 203 | 204 | 209 | 204 | 213 | 209 | 209 |
| 99.7 | 201 | 209 | 196 | 191 | 194 | 199 | 194 | 200 | 198 | 196 |
| 99.6 | 192 | 200 | 187 | 182 | 186 | 191 | 187 | 190 | 188 | 189 |
| 99.5 | 188 | 193 | 180 | 176 | 180 | 184 | 180 | 183 | 181 | 182 |
| 99.4 | 181 | 187 | 174 | 170 | 174 | 179 | 175 | 177 | 177 | 177 |
| 99.3 | 177 | 182 | 169 | 166 | 169 | 175 | 171 | 172 | 172 | 173 |
| 99.2 | 174 | 178 | 165 | 162 | 165 | 171 | 168 | 168 | 168 | 169 |
| 99.1 | 171 | 174 | 161 | 158 | 161 | 167 | 165 | 164 | 165 | 165 |
| 99 | 167 | 171 | 158 | 155 | 158 | 163 | 162 | 160 | 161 | 162 |
Marks are approximate and may vary slightly depending on shift difficulty and candidate distribution.
Shift Wise JEE Main 2026 Marks vs Percentile January Session (90-99 Percentile)
| Percentile | 21S1 | 21S2 | 22S1 | 22S2 | 23S1 | 23S2 | 24S1 | 24S2 | 28S1 | 28S2 |
| 99 | 167 | 171 | 158 | 155 | 158 | 163 | 162 | 160 | 161 | 162 |
| 98.5 | 154 | 157 | 144 | 143 | 145 | 150 | 150 | 146 | 149 | 150 |
| 98 | 144 | 147 | 134 | 131 | 135 | 139 | 141 | 137 | 138 | 140 |
| 97.5 | 137 | 139 | 126 | 126 | 127 | 132 | 134 | 128 | 132 | 133 |
| 97 | 130 | 132 | 120 | 120 | 121 | 126 | 127 | 121 | 126 | 126 |
| 96.5 | 124 | 127 | 115 | 115 | 116 | 120 | 123 | 115 | 121 | 123 |
| 96 | 120 | 122 | 110 | 111 | 111 | 115 | 118 | 110 | 114 | 116 |
| 95.5 | 115 | 117 | 106 | 107 | 107 | 111 | 113 | 104 | 112 | 112 |
| 95 | 110 | 113 | 101 | 104 | 103 | 106 | 109 | 101 | 109 | 108 |
| 94 | 105 | 106 | 93 | 97 | 96 | 100 | 102 | 93 | 102 | 103 |
| 93 | 99 | 100 | 88 | 92 | 89 | 94 | 96 | 88 | 96 | 95 |
| 92 | 94 | 93 | 84 | 88 | 86 | 88 | 92 | 81 | 91 | 91 |
| 91 | 90 | 89 | 79 | 84 | 81 | 83 | 86 | 77 | 86 | 86 |
| 90 | 85 | 84 | 74 | 81 | 77 | 79 | 80 | 73 | 82 | 85 |
Subject Wise Chemistry Marks vs Percentile for JEE Main 2026
| Chemistry Percentile | 21S1 | 21S2 | 22S1 | 22S2 | 23S1 | 23S2 | 24S1 | 24S2 | 28S1 | 28S2 |
| 99 | 63 | 66 | 56 | 58 | 60 | 69 | 69 | 59 | 65 | 67 |
| 98.5 | 60 | 61 | 51 | 53 | 55 | 63 | 66 | 54 | 59 | 63 |
| 98 | 59 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 53 | 60 | 64 | 52 | 55 | 60 |
| 97.5 | 55 | 56 | 46 | 46 | 48 | 56 | 60 | 47 | 53 | 58 |
| 97 | 52 | 54 | 43 | 45 | 46 | 55 | 59 | 45 | 51 | 57 |
| 96.5 | 51 | 52 | 41 | 43 | 43 | 51 | 56 | 43 | 49 | 54 |
| 96 | 50 | 51 | 40 | 41 | 41 | 48 | 55 | 41 | 48 | 53 |
| 95.5 | 48 | 47 | 38 | 40 | 40 | 47 | 53 | 40 | 46 | 50 |
| 95 | 47 | 46 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 45 | 50 | 38 | 45 | 49 |
| 94 | 44 | 44 | 34 | 37 | 35 | 42 | 49 | 37 | 42 | 47 |
| 93 | 42 | 41 | 32 | 34 | 33 | 40 | 47 | 36 | 40 | 43 |
| 92 | 40 | 39 | 30 | 32 | 32 | 38 | 45 | 32 | 39 | 40 |
| 91 | 39 | 37 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 36 | 43 | 31 | 38 | 39 |
| 90 | 37 | 36 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 34 | 41 | 30 | 35 | 37 |
Subject Wise Maths Marks vs Percentile for JEE Main 2026
Key Takeaways from the Data
Achieving 99 percentile consistently requires 160–170 marks
99.5 percentile generally falls in the 180–195 marks range
For 99.9 percentile, candidates usually need 220–235 marks
Easier sessions push cut-offs higher, while tougher shifts lower the marks required
What This Means for JEE Main 2026 Aspirants
Based on historical trends:
A target of 200+ marks is advisable for safe 99+ percentile
Students aiming for top NITs and IIITs should focus on crossing 180 marks
Small improvements of 10–15 marks can result in a significant percentile jump
Experts stress that since ranks are prepared using percentile and not raw marks, candidates should focus on accuracy, speed, and balanced section-wise performance.
