JEE Advanced 2026 SC category qualifying cutoff is expected at approximately 63 marks out of 360 (17.5% aggregate), with IIT-wise SC closing ranks for CSE ranging from around 22 at IIT Delhi to over 800 at newer IITs, based on 2025 JoSAA trends.
JEE Advanced 2026 results are expected in late June 2026, followed by JoSAA counselling that will publish IIT-wise SC category opening and closing ranks. SC students must clear two distinct thresholds: the qualifying cutoff declared with the result, and the JoSAA branch-level closing rank. This article covers expected qualifying marks and IIT-wise SC rank projections based on 2025 data.
- JEE Advanced 2026 total marks: 360 (Physics 120 + Chemistry 120 + Mathematics 120)
- Expected SC qualifying aggregate (2026): ~63 out of 360 (17.5%)
- Expected SC per-subject minimum (2026): ~6 out of 120 (5%)
- IIT Bombay CSE SC closing rank (expected 2026): around 25–30
- IIT Delhi CSE SC closing rank (expected 2026): around 20–25
- JoSAA 2026 counselling expected from July 2026 — official IIT SC ranks published round-wise
| Direct Link to JEE Advanced 2026 Official Website | jeeadv.ac.in |
JEE Advanced 2026 SC Category Qualifying Cutoff (Expected)
The qualifying cutoff is the minimum score required to receive an SC rank and become eligible for JoSAA seat allotment. Based on 2024 and 2025 trends, the expected cutoff is:
| Category | Min Aggregate (Expected 2026) | Min Per Subject (Expected 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| SC | ~63 out of 360 (17.5%) | ~6 out of 120 (5%) |
| SC-PwD | ~32 out of 360 (8.75%) | ~3 out of 120 (2.5%) |
| General (CRL) | ~126 out of 360 (35%) | ~12 out of 120 (10%) |
| OBC-NCL | ~113 out of 360 (31.5%) | ~11 out of 120 (9%) |
| ST | ~63 out of 360 (17.5%) | ~6 out of 120 (5%) |
| EWS | ~113 out of 360 (31.5%) | ~11 out of 120 (9%) |
These are expected figures based on 2024–2025 trends. The qualifying percentage thresholds have remained stable across three consecutive cycles. SC students scoring ~63 marks aggregate with at least 6 per subject should qualify for a rank and JoSAA eligibility in 2026.
IIT-Wise SC Opening and Closing Ranks (Based on 2025 JoSAA Trends)
The table below lists expected JEE Advanced 2026 SC category opening and closing ranks for major IITs. These are SC category ranks, not CRL ranks. Opening rank is the first SC rank allotted; closing rank is the last SC rank that received a seat in the final JoSAA round.
| IIT | Branch | SC Opening Rank (Expected 2026) | SC Closing Rank (Expected 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | Computer Science and Engineering | 1 | 28 |
| IIT Bombay | Electrical Engineering | 10 | 78 |
| IIT Bombay | Mechanical Engineering | 55 | 255 |
| IIT Delhi | Computer Science and Engineering | 1 | 22 |
| IIT Delhi | Electrical Engineering | 8 | 72 |
| IIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | 60 | 225 |
| IIT Madras | Computer Science and Engineering | 3 | 46 |
| IIT Madras | Electrical Engineering | 18 | 98 |
| IIT Kanpur | Computer Science and Engineering | 5 | 58 |
| IIT Kanpur | Electrical Engineering | 24 | 122 |
| IIT Kharagpur | Computer Science and Engineering | 9 | 70 |
| IIT Roorkee | Computer Science and Engineering | 12 | 98 |
| IIT Guwahati | Computer Science and Engineering | 48 | 285 |
| IIT Hyderabad | Computer Science and Engineering | 32 | 205 |
| IIT BHU Varanasi | Computer Science and Engineering | 105 | 390 |
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | Computer Science and Engineering | 125 | 530 |
| IIT Indore | Computer Science and Engineering | 68 | 330 |
| IIT Tirupati | Computer Science and Engineering | 205 | 810 |
Expected figures based on 2025 JoSAA SC category data. Actual 2026 JoSAA closing ranks will be published during counselling rounds.
SC Category Cutoff for Other Branches at Top IITs
SC students targeting branches beyond CSE and Electrical at top IITs should refer to these expected 2026 closing ranks:
| IIT | Branch | SC Closing Rank (Expected 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | Engineering Physics | 165 |
| IIT Bombay | Chemical Engineering | 385 |
| IIT Bombay | Civil Engineering | 525 |
| IIT Delhi | Chemical Engineering | 345 |
| IIT Delhi | Civil Engineering | 490 |
| IIT Madras | Chemical Engineering | 425 |
| IIT Kanpur | Aerospace Engineering | 505 |
| IIT Roorkee | Civil Engineering | 760 |
| IIT Kharagpur | Mining Engineering | 2250 |
Factors Affecting JEE Advanced 2026 SC Category Cutoff
Several variables can shift the expected cutoff from 2025 levels:
- Paper difficulty — a tougher 2026 paper lowers overall scores and may reduce the qualifying threshold slightly.
- Number of SC qualifiers — a larger pool of SC students crossing the qualifying cutoff increases competition for limited IIT SC reserved seats.
- IIT seat matrix changes — any revision in SC reserved seats at individual IITs directly shifts opening and closing ranks for those programmes.
- Branch preference trends — rising demand for CSE, AI and data science tightens SC closing ranks in those branches year over year.
- JoSAA counselling structure — the number of allotment rounds and vacancy-filling rules can shift final closing rank figures between years.
JEE Advanced 2026 SC Category Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected JEE Advanced 2026 qualifying cutoff for SC category?
Ans. Based on 2024 and 2025 trends, the expected JEE Advanced 2026 SC category qualifying cutoff is approximately 63 marks in aggregate out of 360 (17.5%) and around 6 marks per subject out of 120 (5%). The official cutoff will be announced with the result at jeeadv.ac.in.
Ques. What is the difference between the SC qualifying cutoff and the IIT-wise SC closing rank?
Ans. The qualifying cutoff is the minimum marks needed to receive a JEE Advanced SC category rank. The IIT-wise SC closing rank is the last SC rank allotted a seat at a specific IIT branch through JoSAA counselling. You must cross both thresholds to secure an IIT seat.
Ques. Which IIT has the most competitive SC category closing rank for CSE?
Ans. IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay have the most competitive SC closing ranks for CSE. Based on 2025 JoSAA data, the expected SC closing rank for CSE at IIT Delhi is around 22 and at IIT Bombay around 28 for 2026.
Ques. When will JEE Advanced 2026 IIT-wise SC category cutoffs be released?
Ans. The qualifying cutoff will be released with JEE Advanced 2026 results in late June 2026. JoSAA 2026 counselling is expected from July 2026, and IIT-wise SC closing ranks will be published after each allotment round at jeeadv.ac.in.
Ques. Is the SC rank in JEE Advanced different from the CRL rank?
Ans. Yes. JEE Advanced assigns both a Common Rank List (CRL) rank and a separate SC category rank. IIT seats reserved for SC students are filled using the SC rank. An SC student’s SC rank can be significantly better than their CRL rank, enabling access to top IIT branches even with a high overall CRL rank.
Ques. What SC rank is needed for CSE at IIT Bombay or IIT Delhi in 2026?
Ans. Based on 2025 JoSAA trends, an SC rank of approximately 28 or better is needed for CSE at IIT Bombay, and approximately 22 or better for CSE at IIT Delhi. These are expected projections and actual 2026 cutoffs will depend on exam difficulty and the number of SC qualifiers.
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