JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 12th For SC: Know the JEE Main 2026 eligibility marks in 12th for the SC category, required percentile, and cutoff to qualify for IITs, IIITs, NITs, and other Gov. and private universities.
Preparing well for JEE Main 2026 is not enough to secure admission in IITs, NITs, or IIITs, even for SC category candidates. The truth is a bit tougher. You’ll need a decent percentile in JEE Main 2026 to get admission to these top colleges, but before that, you must also score the minimum required marks in your Class 12th. If you meet the eligibility criteria of JEE Main, then you’ll be considered a valid candidate for admission.
Here’s a complete and detailed guide on JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 12th for SC Category — read this post carefully to understand every important detail before applying.
JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 12th for SC Category 2026
For SC students, the NTA (National Testing Agency) has made the JEE Main eligibility flexible. There is no minimum percentage required to appear for JEE Main. However, if you are aiming for admission in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, or IITs, your Class 12th marks will be considered during counselling.
Eligibility Rule for SC Category
A SC candidate must have at least 65% marks in Class 12th (or equivalent) or be in the top 20th percentile of their respective board to be eligible for admission via JEE Main or JEE Advanced.
Example to Understand the Rule
Suppose an SC student named Ravi from CBSE scored 63% in Class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Maths, and also cleared JEE Main 2026.
- He can appear in JEE Main and qualify for JEE Advanced if he meets the cutoff.
- But to get IIT or NIT admission, he must have at least 65% marks or be in the top 20th percentile of his board.
This rule ensures fair opportunities for SC candidates even if board marking patterns vary.
Also, Read: JEE Main 2026: IIT, NIT, और IIIT में कैसे होता हैं Admission | JosAA Counselling 2026.
IIT Admission Eligibility Marks in 12th for SC Category
For admission into IITs through JEE Advanced 2026, the following rule applies:
| Category | Minimum Marks in Class 12th | Alternative Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC | 75% | Top 20 percentile |
| SC/ST/PwD | 65% | Top 20th percentile in the respective board |
So, if you are from the SC category, you need 65% marks in Class 12th to take admission in IIT after qualifying JEE Advanced 2026.
JEE Main 2026 Expected Cut Off for SC Category (To Qualify for JEE Advanced)
Every year, NTA releases qualifying percentiles for each category to determine eligibility for JEE Advanced. Here’s the trend and expected cutoff for 2026 based on the last three years:
| Year | JEE Main SC Cutoff Percentile | Approx. Marks (out of 300) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 51.9 percentile | 60–65 marks |
| 2024 | 55.8 percentile | 65–70 marks |
| 2026 (Expected) | 56–58 percentile | 70–80 marks |
So, SC category students should aim for at least 75 marks in JEE Main 2026 to qualify for JEE Advanced with confidence.
Also, Read:JEE Main 2026 Registration: कब से शुरू होगा ऑनलाइन फॉर्म, आवेदन प्रक्रिया और जरूरी डॉक्यूमेंट्स
Required Percentile in JEE Main 2026 to Get Top NIT (CSE Branch) for SC Category.
Getting a CSE branch in a top NIT is highly competitive, even for reserved categories. Based on previous years’ JoSAA counselling data, here’s the estimated percentile requirement for JEE Main 2026.
| NIT | Expected Percentile (SC Category) | Approx. Rank Range | Likely Marks (out of 300) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Trichy (CSE) | 96.5 – 97.5 percentile | 8,000 – 10,000 | 160–170 marks |
| NIT Surathkal (CSE) | 96 – 97 percentile | 9,000 – 11,000 | 155–165 marks |
| NIT Warangal (CSE) | 95.5 – 96.5 percentile | 10,500 – 12,000 | 150–160 marks |
| NIT Allahabad (CSE) | 94 – 95 percentile | 12,000 – 14,000 | 140–150 marks |
If you are an SC student targeting CSE in top NITs, aim for a 95+ percentile in JEE Main 2026.
Important Tips for SC Students
- Aim for 65% or above in your 12th board exams.
- Target at least 75 marks in JEE Main 2026 to qualify for JEE Advanced.
- For top NITs (like Trichy or Warangal), focus on achieving 95+ percentile.
- Even if your 12th marks are slightly below 65%, you can still qualify through the top 20 percentile rule.
FAQs
Q1. Can I give JEE Mains with 60% in 12th?
Yes, you can appear for JEE Main with 60% marks. But for IIT or NIT admission, you need 65% marks in Class 12th (for SC/ST) or must be in the top 20th percentile of your board.
Q2. How many marks are required to qualify for JEE Mains 2026 for the SC category?
SC candidates need around 70–80 marks (around 56–58 percentile) to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026.
Q3. How many percentage is required for JEE in 12th for SC?
You need 65% marks in Class 12th or be in the top 20th percentile of your board to get admission into IITs, NITs, or IIITs through JEE.
