Qualifying Marks for JEE Mains 2025: JEE Mains is one of India’s most competitive entrance exams, determining admission to top engineering colleges such as NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Every year, the National Testing Agency (NTA) releases the qualifying marks required for candidates to proceed to JEE Advanced or secure admission in various institutes. If you belong to the General, OBC, SC, or ST categories, knowing the qualifying marks for JEE Mains 2025 is crucial for your preparation and planning.
What Are the Qualifying Marks for JEE Mains 2025?
The qualifying marks refer to the minimum marks required to be eligible for JEE Advanced or admission to government engineering colleges. These marks are determined based on several factors:
- The total number of candidates appearing for the exam
- The difficulty level of the paper
- Previous years’ trends
- The number of available seats for different categories
Expected Cut-off Marks for JEE Mains 2025 by Category
Based on past trends, the expected qualifying marks for different categories in JEE Mains 2025 are as follows:
| Category | Expected Cut-Off Marks (Out of 300) |
|---|---|
| General (GEN) | 90-100 |
| OBC-NCL | 65-75 |
| SC | 45-55 |
| ST | 40-50 |
The cut-off for OBC, SC, and ST candidates is lower than the General category, making it more accessible for reserved categories to qualify.
How Many Marks Are Needed for Good Colleges?
If you are aiming for top NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs, scoring just the qualifying marks is not enough. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate marks needed for different tiers of engineering colleges:
| Marks (Out of 300) | Expected College Options for GEN/OBC/SC/ST |
| 180+ | Top NITs (CSE, ECE branches) for GEN, OBC |
| 150-180 | Mid-tier NITs and IIITs for GEN, OBC; Top NITs for SC/ST |
| 100-150 | Lower-ranked NITs and state colleges for GEN/OBC; Mid-tier NITs for SC/ST |
| 65-90 | Eligible for JEE Advanced (OBC/SC/ST) |
JEE Mains Percentile vs. Qualifying Marks by Category
Since JEE Mains uses a percentile-based ranking system, marks are converted into percentiles based on the difficulty level and performance of all candidates. Here’s an estimated percentile range for different categories:
| Marks (Out of 300) | Expected Percentile (GEN/OBC/SC/ST) |
| 150-180 | 98-99 percentile (GEN/OBC), 95+ percentile (SC/ST) |
| 120-150 | 95-98 percentile (GEN/OBC), 85-95 percentile (SC/ST) |
| 90-120 | 85-90 percentile (GEN/OBC), 75-85 percentile (SC/ST) |
| 65-90 | 70-85 percentile (OBC), 55-75 percentile (SC/ST) |
Can You Get Admission to NITs with the Qualifying Marks?
While scoring the minimum qualifying marks makes you eligible for JEE Advanced, it does not guarantee a seat in NITs or IIITs. Here are some tips to increase your chances of admission:
- Aim for a Higher Score: Try to score at least 120+ marks for decent college options.
- Utilize Home-State Quota: Some NITs have reserved seats for home-state candidates.
- Consider Lower-Cutoff Branches: If you cannot secure CSE or ECE, look for branches with lower competition.
- Apply for Counselling Properly: Participate in JoSAA and CSAB rounds to get the best possible college.
How to Improve Your Score in JEE Mains 2025?
If you are not scoring high enough in mock tests, consider the following strategies:
- Focus on NCERT and PYQs (Previous Year Question Papers)
- Time Management: Practice solving questions under time constraints.
- Mock Tests: Attempt full-length mock tests regularly.
- Revision Plan: Strengthen weaker subjects and revise formulas daily.
Conclusion
The qualifying marks for JEE Mains 2025 vary by category, with General candidates needing around 90-100 marks, OBC candidates requiring 65-75 marks, SC candidates needing 45-55 marks, and ST candidates requiring 40-50 marks. However, securing admission to top colleges requires a much higher score. If you are targeting NITs and IIITs, aim for at least 120+ marks to improve your chances. Keep practicing, stay motivated, and work on your weak areas to secure a good rank in JEE Mains 2025.