IISER IAT 2026 OBC-NCL Cutoff: Expected Rank and Marks Range

IISER IAT 2026 expected cutoff for OBC-NCL students is projected between 80 and 110 marks out of 180, with closing ranks ranging from approximately 300 to 550 depending on the IISER campus and program preference.

The Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research Aptitude Test (IISER IAT) 2026 is scheduled for June 22, 2026. After the exam, IISER releases separate merit lists for each reservation category. The OBC-NCL category benefits from 27% horizontal reservation across all seven IISERs. Based on IISER IAT 2024 and 2025 patterns, the projected OBC-NCL cutoff data below helps you benchmark your preparation and set a realistic target before the exam.

• IISER IAT 2026 exam date: June 22, 2026.
• Total marks for IISER IAT: 180 (60 questions x 3 marks each; -1 per wrong answer).
• OBC-NCL students should target at least 85 marks to remain competitive across most IISERs.
• Expected OBC-NCL closing rank range: 300 to 550 across all campuses.
• OBC-NCL seats are filled under 27% horizontal reservation as per Government of India norms.
• Official cutoff and merit list will be published on iiseradmission.in after result declaration.

---

IISER IAT 2026 OBC-NCL Cutoff Overview

The IISER IAT OBC-NCL cutoff is the minimum rank or score an OBC-NCL student must obtain to qualify for seat allotment at an IISER. The conducting body publishes a separate rank list for each reservation category — General (UR), EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, and ST — after the result is declared. Cutoffs differ campus to campus, based on the number of available OBC-NCL seats, total applicants in the category, and the overall difficulty of the paper.

For IISER IAT 2026, the OBC-NCL cutoff will be officially released after the June 22 exam. The projections in this article are based on 2024 and 2025 data and are labeled accordingly.

---

Previous Year OBC-NCL Cutoff Trends

Reviewing the IISER IAT 2024 and 2025 OBC-NCL cutoffs reveals a consistent pattern. The OBC-NCL closing score has typically ranged between 82 and 108 marks out of 180, and closing ranks have gradually tightened by 5–15 positions each year as applicant numbers grow. Use these figures to set your target score for the 2026 cycle.

All figures are approximate and based on available trend data from official merit lists. Actual 2026 cutoffs will vary once the official rank list is published.

---

Expected IISER IAT 2026 OBC-NCL Cutoff by Campus

Based on the year-on-year trend of ranks tightening by 5–15 positions and scores remaining broadly stable, the expected 2026 OBC-NCL closing ranks are projected slightly higher than 2025. Students targeting IISER Pune or Kolkata under the OBC-NCL category should aim for 100 marks or above. For IISER Berhampur or Tirupati, a score of 82 marks may be sufficient to secure a seat in later counselling rounds.

These are expected figures based on 2024–25 trends. The official 2026 cutoffs will be published on iiseradmission.in after result declaration.

---

Category-wise Cutoff Comparison (Expected 2026)

The table below shows the expected closing rank and score across all major reservation categories for a representative mid-tier IISER campus in 2026. OBC-NCL students typically have a 15–25 rank advantage over EWS and a clear advantage over the General category closing rank.

All figures are expected and based on 2024–25 patterns. The official rank list will be the final authority on cutoffs.

---

Factors Affecting the OBC-NCL Cutoff

Several variables influence whether the OBC-NCL cutoff rises or eases compared to the previous year:

• Volume of OBC-NCL applicants: A larger eligible pool generally tightens the closing rank within the category.
• Exam difficulty: A tougher paper pushes raw scores down, which can lower the cutoff score while the rank threshold stays relatively stable.
• Seat intake at each IISER: Any expansion in BS-MS seats directly increases available OBC-NCL slots and can ease the closing rank.
• Seat withdrawal during counselling: Vacancies from withdrawn seats in earlier rounds lower the effective cutoff in subsequent rounds, offering a second chance to students on the waitlist.
• No score normalisation: IISER IAT uses a single paper with raw score ranking — there is no percentile normalisation. Exam day performance directly determines the merit list, making consistent section-wise preparation critical.