NCHMCT JEE 2026 closing scores are expected to range from approximately 425 (IHM Hyderabad, ST category) to 658 (IHM Mumbai, General category Round 1), based on 2024 counselling trends across three allotment rounds.
NCHMCT JEE is conducted out of 800 marks (200 questions, +4 per correct answer, -1 for wrong). Closing scores shift downward with each successive counselling round as vacant seats are filled. Students planning to participate in NCHMCT JEE 2026 counselling should study these round-wise and institute-wise closing score patterns to set realistic expectations for each round.
- NCHMCT JEE 2026 total marks: 800 (200 questions × 4 marks)
- Counselling is conducted via nchmcounselling.nic.in by NCHMCT
- Closing scores drop by 25 to 42 points from Round 1 to Round 3, depending on the institute
- IHM Mumbai has the highest closing score among all IHMs (General Round 1: ~658 expected)
- All score data below is expected based on 2023–2024 trends and will be updated after official allotment
- Category-wise gaps between General and ST closing scores can be 200+ marks at top IHMs
| Direct Link — NCHMCT JEE 2026 Official Counselling Portal (Active) — nchmcounselling.nic.in |
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Counselling Rounds Overview
NCHMCT JEE 2026 counselling is conducted by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology. The process typically runs across three main allotment rounds followed by a spot round for remaining vacancies. Each round has distinct features that affect the closing score.
| Round | Key Feature | Score Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Most competitive; all seats available | Highest closing scores of the cycle |
| Round 2 | Upgrades processed; some Round 1 seats vacated | Scores drop by 10–20 points vs Round 1 |
| Round 3 | Final main round; fewer students active | Scores drop 25–42 points below Round 1 |
| Spot Round | Walk-in for unreserved vacancies | Lowest closing scores of the cycle |
Round-Wise Closing Score Movement
The table below shows expected round-wise closing scores for General category students at key IHMs. All figures are expected based on 2023–2024 counselling trends. NCHMCT JEE is scored out of 800 marks.
| Institute | Round 1 (Expected) | Round 2 (Expected) | Round 3 (Expected) | Drop R1 to R3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHM Mumbai | ~658 | ~645 | ~633 | ~25 pts |
| IHM Pusa, Delhi | ~602 | ~585 | ~572 | ~30 pts |
| IHM Chennai | ~552 | ~535 | ~522 | ~30 pts |
| IHM Kolkata | ~522 | ~503 | ~487 | ~35 pts |
| IHM Bangalore | ~492 | ~470 | ~452 | ~40 pts |
| IHM Hyderabad | ~468 | ~448 | ~428 | ~40 pts |
| IHM Chandigarh | ~455 | ~433 | ~413 | ~42 pts |
All scores are out of 800. Data is expected based on 2024 trends; official figures will appear on nchmcounselling.nic.in after each allotment round.
Institute-Wise Year-on-Year Trends
Comparing Round 1 General category closing scores from 2023 and 2024 shows a consistent upward trend at most IHMs. This suggests rising competition year on year. Use 2024 figures as the floor for 2026 planning, with a slight upward buffer of 8–12 points.
| Institute | 2023 Round 1 (General) | 2024 Round 1 (General) | Change | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHM Mumbai | ~650 | ~658 | +8 | Rising |
| IHM Pusa, Delhi | ~592 | ~602 | +10 | Rising |
| IHM Chennai | ~542 | ~552 | +10 | Rising |
| IHM Kolkata | ~512 | ~522 | +10 | Rising |
| IHM Bangalore | ~480 | ~492 | +12 | Rising |
| IHM Hyderabad | ~458 | ~468 | +10 | Rising |
| IHM Chandigarh | ~445 | ~455 | +10 | Rising |
All data is based on previous year trends. 2026 figures are expected and will be officially confirmed post-allotment.
Category-Wise Closing Scores
NCHMCT JEE counselling follows government reservation norms. Closing scores vary significantly across categories. The table below shows expected Round 1 closing scores by category at three major IHMs, based on 2024 trends. All figures are out of 800 marks.
| Institute | General | EWS | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHM Mumbai | ~658 | ~622 | ~588 | ~492 | ~425 |
| IHM Pusa, Delhi | ~602 | ~570 | ~538 | ~448 | ~388 |
| IHM Chennai | ~552 | ~520 | ~488 | ~402 | ~348 |
All scores are expected based on 2024 counselling data. The gap between General and ST categories can exceed 200 marks at top IHMs.
Factors Affecting NCHMCT JEE Closing Score Movement
Several variables cause closing scores to rise or fall between rounds and across years:
- Number of qualified students: A larger NCHMCT JEE 2026 qualified pool increases competition and pushes closing scores upward.
- Choice preferences and popular institutes: IHMs in metro cities like Mumbai and Delhi consistently attract more choices, keeping their closing scores higher.
- Seat vacancies from upgrades: When higher-preference students upgrade in Round 2 or 3, seats open at lower-ranked IHMs, creating late-round opportunities with lower closing scores.
- Category-wise seat availability: Reserved category seats may not fill in Round 1, leading to a sharper score drop in later rounds for SC, ST, and OBC categories.
- Spot round participation: Fewer students participate in the spot round, resulting in the lowest closing scores of the entire cycle for most IHMs.
- Year-on-year growth in applicants: As NCHMCT JEE participation grows, Round 1 closing scores tend to increase by 8–12 points annually at most IHMs.
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Closing Score FAQs
Ques. What is the total marks for NCHMCT JEE 2026?
Ans. NCHMCT JEE 2026 is conducted for a total of 800 marks. The paper has 200 questions, each carrying 4 marks. There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer.
Ques. What is the expected closing score for IHM Mumbai in 2026?
Ans. Based on 2024 trends, IHM Mumbai General category closing score in Round 1 is expected to be approximately 658 out of 800. This may drop to around 633 by Round 3. Official figures will be available on nchmcounselling.nic.in after each allotment round.
Ques. By how many marks do NCHMCT JEE closing scores drop between Round 1 and Round 3?
Ans. Based on previous year trends, the drop ranges from approximately 25 points at IHM Mumbai to 42 points at IHM Chandigarh for General category students. Less competitive IHMs see larger drops between rounds.
Ques. Are NCHMCT JEE 2026 closing scores different for reserved categories?
Ans. Yes. Closing scores are significantly lower for reserved categories. At IHM Mumbai, the expected Round 1 closing score for SC students is around 492 and for ST students around 425, compared to approximately 658 for General — a gap of over 200 marks.
Ques. Where can students check official NCHMCT JEE 2026 closing scores?
Ans. Official round-wise closing scores and seat allotment results are published on the NCHMCT counselling portal at nchmcounselling.nic.in after each allotment round is completed.
Ques. Can students get admission if their score is below the Round 1 closing score?
Ans. Yes. Closing scores drop in Round 2 and Round 3 as students with higher scores upgrade and vacate seats. Students who miss Round 1 should actively participate in subsequent rounds. A spot round is also conducted for remaining vacancies, often with the lowest closing scores of the cycle.
Comments