What after the JEE Main 2026 Result?
As the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result has been declared, you can download your scorecard from the official website.
The Next step will include appearing for session 2, checking for JEE Advanced Eligibility, and preparing for JoSAA Counselling for NITs, IIITs and GFTIs.
Next Steps After the JEE Main Result
- After both sessions are conducted, the best percentile will be used for the Final AIR and Counselling.
- The candidates who are above the required cutoff can register for JEE Advanced 2026.
- If you are targeting NIT/IIIT branches, consider giving the session 2 exam for improvement.
- Start shortlisting colleges based on expected rank and previous cutoffs.
| Step | Timeline | What to Do |
| Check Scorecard & Percentile of Session 1 | Result released on Feb 16, 2026 | Download and verify details |
| Session 2 Registration Last Date | Feb 25, 2026 | Apply on the NTA portal |
| JEE Advanced Eligibility Check | After Session 2 | Top 2.5 lakh candidates qualify |
| Final AIR Release | After Session 2 results | Based on the best percentile |
| JoSAA Counselling Registration | June 2026 (expected) | Choice filling for colleges |
| Seat Allotment Rounds | June–July 2026 | Accept/upgrade/freeze seat |
Ques. When will JoSAA counselling for JEE Main 2026 start?
Ans. The JoSAA Counselling is expected to start in June 2026, after the session 2 results and the release of the final rank. This will include registration, choice filling, and seat allotment rounds.
| Stage | Expected Timeline |
| Registration | June 2026 |
| Choice Filling | June 2026 |
| Seat Allotment | June–July 2026 |
Ques. Can I improve my percentile by appearing in JEE Main Session 2?
Ans. Yes, if not satisfied with the session 1 score, you can appear in session 2 to improve your percentile.
The NTA will consider the best percentile of both sessions for the final ranking, without any disadvantage for multiple attempts.
JEE Main College Predictor
The JEE Main College Predictor will help the candidates check which college and branch they can get according to their expected percentiles and rank.
Top Colleges Accepting JEE Main Scores
Check: List of colleges accepting more than 90 percentile
JEE Main 2026 Safe Score for NITs/IIITs
As more than 13 lakh candidates appeared in JEE Main Session 1, the competition for NITs and IIITs is expected to be high in 2026.
A “Safe Score” depends upon the branch preference, category, and college tier, but data trends from recent years suggest that scoring 170–220+ significantly improves chances for top branches and institutes.
JEE Main Category-Wise Safe Score Estimate
| Category | Safe Score for Top NITs/IIITs | Safe Score for Decent NIT/IIIT | Expected Percentile Range |
| General (UR) | 200 – 230+ | 140 – 180 | 96 – 99.5 |
| EWS | 190 – 220 | 130 – 170 | 95 – 99 |
| OBC-NCL | 180 – 210 | 120 – 160 | 94 – 98.5 |
| SC | 120 – 150 | 90 – 120 | 80 – 94 |
| ST | 90 – 120 | 70 – 100 | 70 – 90 |
| PwD | 70 – 100 | 50 – 80 | 60 – 85 |
Also Check:
JEE Main Seat Matrix 2026 (Expected)
The JEE Main seat matrix 2026 is expected to provide around 42,000-43,000 seats across the NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, increased to 60,000 with IITs included.
- NITs lead with 24,500–25,000 seats, followed by 9,800–10,000 in IIITs and 11,000 in GFTIs, with a steady 3–4% yearly increase driven by new courses and female supernumerary seats.
- The General category candidates will have the largest share of seats, while EWS will have around 7-8%, and the PwD category will have the horizontal reservation.
Check: JEE Main vs JEE Advanced
JEE Main Institute-Wise Seat Matrix (Expected)
| Institute Type | Number of Institutes | Approx B.Tech Seats |
| NITs | 31 | 24,000 |
| IIITs | 26 | 10,000 |
| GFTIs | 40+ | 11,000 |
| Total Seats | — | 43,000- 45,000 |
IIT seats (~17,000), which are filled through JEE Advanced, are not included here.
Also Check: JEE Main Seat Matrix 2026
JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria
In JEE Main, the Seat allocation by JoSAA will follow the Government of India policies. These reservations will apply across NITs, IIITs and Most GFTIs, with additional home-state quotas in NITs.
JEE Main Category-Wise Reservation
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
| EWS | 10% |
| OBC-NCL | 27% |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| PwD (within each category) | 5% |
| Female Supernumerary Seats | 20% (in select institutes) |
| Home State Quota (NITs) | 50% seats |
Also Check:
JEE Main Counselling 2026
The JEE Main Counselling for NITs, IIITs and GFTIs will be conducted by JoSAA after the release of the final AIR after Session 2.
The JEE Main Counselling process is completely online and includes registration, choice filling, multiple seat allotment rounds, and final admission confirmation.
| Stage | Timeline (Expected) | Detailed Explanation |
| JoSAA Registration | June 2026 | Candidates log in using JEE Main credentials and complete counselling registration. Only registered candidates can participate in seat allotment. |
| Choice Filling | June 2026 | Fill and arrange NIT/IIIT/GFTI branches in order of preference. More choices increase the chances of allotment. Lock choice before the deadline. |
| Mock Allotment Rounds | June 2026 | JoSAA releases 1–2 mock allotments. The candidates should understand the possible seat outcomes and modifies choices accordingly. |
| Round 1 Seat Allocation | June 2026 | First official allotment based on AIR, category, and preferences. Candidates must choose Freeze/Float/Slide and pay the seat acceptance fee. |
| Document Upload & Verification | After allotment | Upload the required documents online for verification. Failure to verify can lead to seat cancellation. |
| Subsequent Rounds (2–6) | June–July 2026 | Candidates can upgrade seat using the Float/Slide options. Cutoffs drop slightly in later rounds. |
| Final Seat Allotment | July 2026 | The last round confirms the final institute and branch. No further upgrades after this stage. |
| Reporting to the Institute | July–Aug 2026 | Candidates report to the allotted institute (online/offline) and complete admission formalities. |
Also Check: JEE Main Counselling 2026
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