100 marks in JEE Main 2026 is expected to give around 94–96 percentile. Percentile is same for all categories and depends on exam shift difficulty.
For General category candidates, scoring 100 marks in JEE Main 2026 does not guarantee admission to a college. Although 100 marks may result in a percentile of around 94 to 96, admission to premium institutes such as National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) generally requires a minimum percentile of around 98. Therefore, at this score level, getting admission to top institutes and top branches is very difficult for General category candidates.
However, for reserved category candidates, 100 marks in JEE Main 2026 can be a game-changer, especially for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. At this score, these candidates have a high chance of securing admission in NITs or other state government engineering colleges. While it may not be possible to secure top branches, admission to average or lower-tier engineering branches is a realistic goal.
100 Marks in JEE Main 2026: Percentile and Rank for All Categories
In JEE Main 2026, scoring 100 marks is expected to result in a percentile range of 94 to 96. At this percentile level, the estimated Common Rank List (CRL) rank may fall in the range of approximately 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh candidates.
The cutoff percentile and rank depend on:
- The total number of candidates appearing in JEE Main 2026
- The difficulty level of the question paper
They do not depend on the candidate’s category at the time of result or percentile calculation. The category is considered only during counselling and admission, not during result declaration.
Is 100 Marks in JEE Main 2026 a Good Score?
Yes, 100 marks in JEE Main 2026 can be considered a good score when viewed from the perspective of eligibility for JEE Advanced 2026.
The expected cutoff percentile for JEE Advanced 2026 is likely to be in the range of 93 to 94 percentiles in JEE Main 2026. Since 100 marks can result in around 94 to 96 percentile, this score is good enough for eligibility for all categories, including General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD candidates.
However, when it comes to admission into national-level institutes such as NITs, IIITs, and other premium institutes, securing a seat at this score is very difficult, especially for General and OBC candidates.
In such cases, candidates who do not wish to take a drop year or attempt JEE Main again can explore other options, such as:
- State government engineering colleges
- Top private engineering colleges
Many state engineering colleges accept JEE Main 2026 scores, especially through the home state quota, where category and rank play an important role during counselling.
Also, Read: JEE Main 2026 Mock Test Score Low: What It Means and What You Should Do Next?
100 Marks in JEE Main 2026 – Expected college
Here are some of the best engineering colleges that may be possible at 100 marks and around 95 to 96 percentile in JEE Main 2026. If you are planning to take admission at this percentile this year, you should definitely read the list below to understand your options. The colleges listed here include some well-known government and private engineering institutes.
Engineering Colleges Possible at 95–96 Percentile (≈ 1.5 Lakh Rank) – JEE Main 2026
In newer or lower-ranked NITs, reserved category candidates such as SC, ST, and PwD may get admission through the Home State quota. These candidates also have chances of securing seats in IIITs. Below is the complete list.
| Expected CRL Rank Range | College Name |
|---|---|
| 1,20,000 – 1,50,000 | NIT Agartala |
| 1,30,000 – 1,60,000 | NIT Mizoram |
| 1,30,000 – 1,70,000 | NIT Sikkim |
| 1,40,000 – 1,80,000 | IIIT Bhagalpur |
| 1,50,000 – 1,90,000 | IIIT Kalyani |
| 1,40,000 – 1,80,000 | SLIET Longowal |
| 1,30,000 – 1,70,000 | BIT Sindri |
| 1,00,000 – 1,50,000 | LNMIIT Jaipur |
| 1,20,000 – 2,00,000 | KIIT Bhubaneswar |
| 1,30,000 – 2,50,000 | Jaypee University of Information Technology |
FAQs
Q1. Can I get an NIT with a 95–96 percentile in JEE Main 2026?
Ans: At the 95th to 96th percentile, admission to NITs is limited. General category candidates have very low chances, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates may get seats in newer NITs through Home State quota, usually in lower branches.
Q 2: Does category affect JEE Main percentile?
Ans: No. JEE Main percentile and rank are the same for all categories. The category is considered only during counselling, not in the percentile calculation.
Q 3: What are the best options at around the 1.5 lakh rank in JEE Main 2026?
Ans: At around 1.5 lakh rank, students should focus on state government colleges, newer NITs (for reserved categories), IIITs, and reputed private colleges, while keeping branch flexibility.
