The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced is an entrance exam that is highly significant for students who aspire to join the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). IITs are among the most prestigious engineering institutions not only in India but across the globe. Admission to these institutes guarantees top-notch education, exposure to the best engineering practices, and excellent career opportunities. Hence, getting admission into an IIT is a matter of pride and a huge milestone in the career of an aspiring engineer.
The JEE Advanced exam is the second stage after the JEE Mains and is only available for students who clear the JEE Mains cut-off, thus making it one of the toughest exams to crack in the country. What makes it even more challenging is the limited number of seats in IITs, which are heavily competed for by students from across India.
For a general category student, understanding the minimum marks required to qualify is critical for effective goal setting and strategic planning. It is essential to recognize that the cut-off is influenced by multiple factors such as the number of applicants, the difficulty level of the exam, seat availability, and previous year trends. In this article, we will delve into these factors, provide insights into the minimum marks required, and also discuss strategies that students can use to perform well in JEE Advanced.
Factors Affecting Minimum Marks Cut-Off
1) Number of Applicants
The number of applicants appearing for JEE Advanced each year significantly influences the cut-off marks. With each passing year, the competition has been increasing, with more and more students aspiring to join the IITs. When the number of students taking the exam rises, the competition becomes stiffer, leading to an increased cut-off.
Example:
In 2021, around 1.6 lakh students appeared for JEE Advanced, and the cut-off for the General category was higher compared to the previous years due to a larger number of students achieving similar scores in JEE Mains. In contrast, in 2019, the number of students was slightly lower, and as a result, the cut-off marks for general category students were also relatively lower.
The ratio of the number of students competing to the number of available seats directly impacts the cut-off. If more students compete for the same number of seats, the cut-off automatically increases because only the top-ranked students will make it to the IITs.
Historical Perspective:
Over the last decade, the number of students attempting JEE Advanced has been consistently increasing due to the growing reputation of the IITs, which not only provide world-class education but also ensure a bright career trajectory. The ratio of applicants to seats has been around 10:1 in recent years, indicating the high competition for each available seat.
2) Difficulty Level of the Exam
The difficulty level of the JEE Advanced exam is another important factor that influences the cut-off marks. The exam is designed to be challenging to select only the most competent students for admission to the IITs. Each year, the difficulty level can vary significantly, affecting students’ scores.
High Difficulty Year:
For example, in 2020, the paper was considered extremely difficult, which led to a reduction in the cut-off marks for the general category. In that year, many students struggled to answer questions due to the level of complexity, and the overall performance of the applicants was below average. As a result, the cut-off was lowered to ensure enough students qualified for the IITs.
Low Difficulty Year:
In contrast, in 2024, the JEE Advanced paper was considered to be relatively easier. This resulted in more students scoring high marks, and consequently, the cut-off marks were raised. This is because when more students score higher, the competition intensifies, and only the students with the highest scores can secure seats.
The unpredictability of the difficulty level makes it important for students to prepare for a wide range of questions, ensuring they are ready for both straightforward and extremely challenging problems. Preparing for a variety of questions, practising complex problem-solving, and understanding the underlying concepts in-depth are essential for scoring well, regardless of the difficulty level.
3) Seat Availability
The number of seats available across all the IITs plays a crucial role in determining the cut-off marks. There are around 23 IITs across India, with a combined total of approximately 16,000 seats (this number can vary slightly depending on the addition of new seats or new branches). These seats are divided among various engineering disciplines, with some branches being more popular than others.
Seat Allocation Example:
- IIT Bombay offers around 120 seats for Computer Science Engineering (CSE).
- IIT Delhi has approximately 90 seats for Electrical Engineering.
When the number of seats in a particular branch is low and there is high demand for it, the cut-off for that branch is higher. For instance, Computer Science is one of the most popular branches, and students need to score exceptionally high to secure a seat in CSE at top IITs like IIT Bombay or IIT Delhi.
In contrast, branches like Metallurgical Engineering or Ocean Engineering may have slightly lower demand compared to branches like Computer Science and Electrical Engineering in Top IITs such as IIT Madras, IIT Bombay etc. resulting in a comparatively lower cut-off.
4) Previous Year Trends
Previous year trends are extremely helpful in predicting the cut-off for the current year. While they cannot give an exact figure, they provide a reliable estimate that can be used to set goals and expectations for students.
Example:
If the cut-off for General category in IIT Madras for the Mechanical Engineering course was around 145 marks in 2020, and the paper in 2021 had a similar difficulty level, then the cut-off is likely to be around the same range. However, if the number of applicants increased significantly or if the paper was easier, the cut-off might rise.
Data Analysis:
Analysing historical data reveals that the cut-off varies significantly not only by year but also by individual IITs and branches. For example:
In 2017, the cut-off for General category students for admission into IIT Delhi’s Computer Science branch was 175 marks.
In 2018, due to a tougher paper, the cut-off for the same branch dropped to around 165 marks.
By analysing such trends, students can identify a target range for their preparation and focus their efforts accordingly. This helps in setting realistic goals and managing expectations regarding their performance.
Minimum Marks in JEE Advanced to Get IIT for General Category
The table below provides an overview of the minimum cut-off marks for General category students to get into some of the top IITs based on previous years’ data. These marks are approximate and serve as a guide for setting targets.
General Category cut-offs for highly ranked IITs
It is important to note that these values are indicative, and the actual cut-off can vary each year. Students should aim to score significantly higher than the minimum cut-off to improve their chances of getting their desired IIT and branch.
Please Note: These figures are approximate and can vary annually based on exam difficulty and candidate performance. Individual IITs do not release specific rank cut-offs; instead, the following cutoffs are influenced by student preferences during the JoSAA counselling process.
| JEE Advanced IIT Cutoff for CSE | |||
| Institute Name | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| IIT Bombay | 68 | 66 | 60 |
| IIT Madras | 159 | 144 | 167 |
| IIT Delhi | 116 | 115 | 102 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 414 | 261 | 295 |
| IIT Kanpur | 248 | 215 | 236 |
| IIT Roorkee | 481 | 396 | 408 |
| IIT Hyderabad | 649 | 604 | 585 |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | 3404 | 2806 | 2486 |
| IIT (BHU) Varanasi | 1015 | 1010 | 858 |
| IIT Guwahati | 607 | 601 | 589 |
| IIT Indore | 1354 | 1320 | 1144 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | 1576 | 1534 | 1352 |
| IIT Mandi | 2869 | 2710 | 2773 |
| IIT Jodhpur | 2798 | 2270 | 2378 |
| IIT Patna | 2985 | 2612 | 2500 |
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | 3594 | 2862 | 2814 |
| IIT Ropar | 2234 | 1763 | 1803 |
| IIT Bhilai | 5907 | 5393 | 4928 |
| IIT Goa | 4654 | 3498 | 3729 |
| IIT Palakkad | 5556 | 4531 | 4450 |
| IIT Tirupati | 4469 | 3445 | 3746 |
| IIT Jammu | 5555 | 4458 | 4568 |
| IIT Dharwad | 5577 | 5162 | 4532 |
| JEE Advanced IIT for ECE | |||
| Institute Name | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| IIT Roorkee | 1408 | 1382 | 1410 |
| IIT Guwahati | 1690 | 1597 | 1610 |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | 4110 | 4641 | 4798 |
| IIT Patna | _ | 5319 | 5196 |
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | 5111 | 5250 | 5306 |
| JEE Advanced IIT for Mechanical Engineering | |||
| Institute Name | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | 8494 | 9027 | 9362 |
| IIT Bombay | 1382 | 1691 | 1685 |
| IIT Mandi | 8982 | 9218 | 8829 |
| IIT Delhi | 1865 | 1757 | 1774 |
| IIT Indore | 7009 | 6970 | 6139 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 3097 | 3120 | 3301 |
| IIT Hyderabad | 4747 | 4536 | 4252 |
| IIT Jodhpur | 8750 | 9206 | 8780 |
| IIT Kanpur | 2962 | 2844 | 2736 |
| IIT Madras | 2677 | 2509 | 2302 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | 6826 | 6851 | 5916 |
| IIT Patna | 9208 | 10086 | 9876 |
| IIT Roorkee | 3685 | 3570 | 3437 |
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | 8680 | 9217 | 8970 |
| IIT Ropar | 7839 | 8344 | 7844 |
| IIT (BHU) Varanasi | 6504 | 6437 | 6008 |
| IIT Guwahati | 4692 | 4251 | 4185 |
| IIT Bhilai | 11885 | 12484 | 11505 |
| IIT Goa | 11209 | 11060 | 10653 |
| IIT Palakkad | 11542 | 11767 | 10977 |
| IIT Tirupati | 10368 | 10826 | 10480 |
| IIT Jammu | 11876 | 11770 | 11816 |
| IIT Dharwad | 11304 | 11980 | 11402 |
| JEE Advanced IIT for Civil Engineering | |||
| Institute Name | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| IIT Bhubaneswar | 11771 | 12911 | 13018 |
| IIT Bombay | 3418 | 4134 | 3986 |
| IIT Mandi | 11224 | 12137 | 11499 |
| IIT Delhi | 4261 | 4237 | 4108 |
| IIT Indore | 8989 | 9937 | 9255 |
| IIT Kharagpur | 5952 | 6442 | 6465 |
| IIT Hyderabad | 7763 | 8287 | 7463 |
| IIT Kanpur | 5796 | 5933 | 5676 |
| IIT Madras | 5855 | 5880 | 5516 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | 9919 | 10473 | 9339 |
| IIT Patna | 12097 | 13078 | 13149 |
| IIT Roorkee | 6421 | 6777 | 6134 |
| IIT (ISM) Dhanbad | 10834 | 11895 | 11657 |
| IIT Ropar | 10727 | 10849 | 10771 |
| IIT (BHU) Varanasi | 8362 | 9256 | 8552 |
| IIT Guwahati | 7300 | 7399 | 7112 |
| IIT Palakkad | 13417 | 14330 | 14170 |
| IIT Tirupati | 13138 | 13974 | 13759 |
| IIT Jammu | 13515 | 14583 | 14566 |
Marks vs Rank in JEE Advanced 2025 (expected)
The following table provides an estimated correlation between JEE Advanced 2025 marks and corresponding ranks. Please note that these figures are approximate and can vary annually based on exam difficulty and candidate performance.
| JEE Advanced 2025 Marks | JEE Advanced 2025 Ranks (Expected) |
| 341 – 283 | 1 – 101 |
| 284 – 269 | 102 – 201 |
| 268 – 257 | 202 – 301 |
| 256 – 248 | 302 – 401 |
| 247 – 242 | 402 – 501 |
| 241 – 237 | 502 – 601 |
| 236 – 232 | 602 – 701 |
| 231 – 227 | 702 – 801 |
| 226 – 222 | 802 – 901 |
| 221 – 219 | 902 – 1001 |
| 218 – 215 | 1002 – 1101 |
| 214 – 212 | 1102 – 1201 |
| 211 – 209 | 1202 – 1301 |
| 208 – 206 | 1302 – 1401 |
| 205 – 203 | 1402 – 1501 |
| 202 – 191 | 1502 – 2001 |
| 190 – 181 | 2002 – 2501 |
| 180 – 174 | 2502 – 3001 |
| 173 – 167 | 3002 – 3501 |
| 166 – 153 | 3502 – 5001 |
| 152 – 125 | 5002 – 10101 |
| 124 – 97 | 10102 – 20101 |
| 97 – 86 | 20102 – 26321 |
Strategies to Secure Good Marks in JEE Advanced
Securing a good rank in JEE Advanced requires a combination of strategic planning, effective preparation, and a focused mindset. Below are some strategies that can help you achieve your target:
1) Effective Study Plan
An effective study plan is crucial for preparing for an exam like JEE Advanced. It is important to create a structured plan that allows you to cover all topics comprehensively while also leaving room for revision and practice.
a) Set Realistic Goals
Short-Term and Long-Term Goals: Set both short-term (daily or weekly) and long-term (monthly or bi-monthly) goals. For example, set a goal to complete Electromagnetism in Physics in one week.
Topic Completion: Break down the syllabus into smaller topics and allocate a specific time frame for each. Ensure that you are able to complete each topic thoroughly before moving on to the next.
b) Follow a Consistent Schedule
Balanced Subject Allocation: Allocate time to each subject in a balanced manner. If you are strong in Mathematics but weak in Chemistry, spend extra time on Chemistry while not neglecting Mathematics.
Regular Revision: Revision is key to retaining concepts. Set aside one day every week purely for revising the topics you studied during that week. It will help in long-term retention.
c) Use Quality Study Material
NCERT Textbooks: Start with NCERT textbooks as they provide the fundamental concepts necessary for JEE Advanced. Make sure to read them thoroughly for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Reference Books: After mastering NCERT, use reference books such as HC Verma for Physics, OP Tandon for Chemistry, and RD Sharma for Mathematics for advanced practice.
2) Time Management
Effective time management is crucial during the JEE Advanced exam. Each minute counts, and managing time wisely can make a significant difference in your final score.
a) Practice with Timers
Timed Practice: Whenever practising questions or mock tests, use a timer. Simulate exam-like conditions to get used to solving problems within a specific time frame.
b) Attempt Questions Strategically
Easy Questions First: Start with the questions you find easy. It will boost your confidence and secure some marks early in the exam.
Difficult Questions Later: Do not waste time on questions that seem too difficult initially. Skip them and come back later if you have time remaining.
c) Divide Exam Time Equally Among Subjects
Divide your exam time into three sections—Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics—and allocate specific time slots to each subject. Adjust these time slots based on your strengths and weaknesses, but ensure that each subject gets adequate attention.
3) Mock Tests and Practice
Mock tests are an essential part of JEE Advanced preparation. They help you assess your level of readiness and identify areas for improvement.
a) Simulate Exam Conditions
Full-Length Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests in a setting similar to the actual exam. This will help you get used to the pressure and conditions of the real test day.
b) Analyse Your Performance
Identify Weak Areas: After every mock test, spend time analysing your performance. Identify the areas where you made mistakes and focus on improving those topics.
Track Progress: Maintain a record of your scores in each mock test. This will help you track your progress over time and understand which areas need more focus.
4) Subject-Wise Preparation
Each subject in JEE Advanced requires a unique approach, as the nature of questions and the skills required differ from subject to subject.
a) Physics
Conceptual Clarity: Physics is all about understanding concepts. Focus on understanding the underlying principles rather than memorising formulas. For example, when studying Electricity and Magnetism, understand how each law is derived and how it applies to different problems.
Problem Solving: Practise solving numerical problems regularly. Focus on both basic and advanced-level problems to gain confidence.
b) Chemistry
Divide into Three Parts: Divide Chemistry into Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry and prepare accordingly.
- Physical Chemistry: This part requires a lot of numerical practice. Practice problems from topics such as Chemical Kinetics, Thermodynamics, and Electrochemistry regularly.
- Organic Chemistry: Focus on understanding reaction mechanisms. Memorise important name reactions, reagents, and intermediates.
- Inorganic Chemistry: Inorganic Chemistry requires memorization. Focus on periodic properties, p-block, d-block, and f-block elements. Reading NCERT is crucial for this section.
c) Mathematics
Practice Variety: Mathematics is all about practice. Solve problems from different areas like Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry.
Revise Formulas Regularly: Keep a formula book handy and revise important formulas daily. Mathematics questions in JEE Advanced often test your ability to apply formulas to complex situations.
Conclusion
JEE Advanced is not just an exam; it is a gateway to fulfilling the dream of joining the prestigious IITs. Understanding the minimum marks cut-off for the general category is crucial for setting realistic goals and planning your preparation effectively. The cut-off is influenced by several factors, such as the number of applicants, difficulty level, seat availability, and previous year trends.
Students must aim to score well above the cut-off to enhance their chances of getting their preferred IIT and branch. This requires a strong study plan, effective time management, consistent practice with mock tests, and focused subject-wise preparation.
By following the strategies mentioned above, staying dedicated, and keeping a positive mindset, you can increase your chances of cracking JEE Advanced and securing a place in one of the most prestigious engineering institutions in the country.
JEE Advanced FAQs
1) Can I Get into an IIT with Less Than the Minimum Cut-Off?
No, it is not possible to get into an IIT if you do not meet the minimum cut-off. The cut-off is set to filter candidates who have achieved a basic level of proficiency required to succeed in the rigorous curriculum of IITs. However, meeting the cut-off does not guarantee a seat, as the final selection also depends on your All India Rank (AIR) and seat availability.
2) How Do I Calculate My Rank in JEE Advanced?
Your rank in JEE Advanced is calculated based on the marks you score in the exam. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) conducting the exam releases the rank list, which includes your AIR. Your rank is directly influenced by the total marks obtained and your relative performance compared to other candidates.
3) What Are the Factors Considered for Counselling After JEE Advanced?
During the JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) counselling process, several factors are taken into account:
- All India Rank (AIR): Your AIR in JEE Advanced is the primary criterion for seat allocation.
- Category (General, OBC, SC, ST, etc.): Seats are reserved for different categories, and each has its own cut-off.
- Branch Preference: The branch you choose also plays a role. Popular branches like Computer Science and Electrical often have higher cut-offs compared to less popular ones.
- Seat Availability: The availability of seats in a particular IIT and branch will determine whether you get a seat in your desired program.
4) What Are the Chances of Getting into an IIT with a Low AIR (All India Rank)?
If you have a low AIR, your chances of getting into an IIT depend on various factors like seat availability and the preferences of candidates with higher ranks. With a lower rank, you may still secure a seat, but it might be in a less popular branch or a newer IIT. Newer IITs often have lower cut-offs, and if you are flexible with your choice of branch, you might still get admission.
5) Is It Possible to Crack JEE Advanced in the Last Few Months?
Yes, it is possible to crack JEE Advanced in the last few months, but it requires intense focus, dedication, and a clear strategy. Here are some tips:
- Revise Important Topics: Focus on revising the most crucial topics with high weightage.
- Take Mock Tests Regularly: Practice as many mock tests as possible to get comfortable with the exam format and to improve your speed.
- Focus on Strengths: Prioritise topics in which you are confident, as they are your best bet to score marks quickly.
- Avoid New Topics: Avoid starting new topics during the last few months, as it may lead to confusion. Instead, strengthen your grasp over the topics you have already covered.
With consistent efforts and the right strategies, it is possible to crack JEE Advanced even with limited time left for preparation. The key is to remain focused, practice extensively, and maintain a positive attitude.
