Do you dream of studying at an IIT? You are not alone. Thousands of students across India work hard every year to achieve this goal. But before you can enter an IIT, you need to clear two major exams: JEE Mains and JEE Advanced. JEE Mains is the first step. Without qualifying in JEE Mains, you cannot even appear for JEE Advanced. That is why your performance in JEE Mains is very important.
Many students often ask, “What percentage do I need in JEE Mains to reach IIT?” The answer depends on many things like your category, the exam difficulty, and how others perform. This article will help you understand the exact cutoff percentiles from previous years, what affects those cutoffs, and how you can prepare smartly. If your target is IIT, you must know where to start and how high to aim in JEE Mains. Let’s break it down for you.
Understanding JEE Mains and Its Role in IIT Admissions
JEE Mains is a national-level entrance exam for engineering courses. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts this exam. Students who pass JEE Mains can apply to many engineering colleges like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. But for IITs, students must qualify for JEE Advanced. So, JEE Mains acts as a first step towards IIT admission.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) manages the whole process of JEE Mains. It sets the paper, holds the exam in many sessions, and releases the results. The NTA uses the percentile(percentile-based ranking system). system to announce the results. This system helps to compare students fairly when the exam is held in different shifts.
Serves as a Qualifying Exam for JEE Advanced
JEE Mains is not just for admission to NITs and IIITs. It also serves as the entry pass for JEE Advanced. Only the top 2,50,000 students in JEE Mains can appear for JEE Advanced. These students are selected based on their percentile scores and category ranks.
How JEE Mains Percentile Determines JEE Advanced Eligibility
NTA does not give marks out of 300 or 360. It uses the percentile system. This system ranks students in each session. The top 2,50,000 students across all categories are allowed to appear for JEE Advanced. The list includes General, EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PwD categories. The exact cutoff percentile changes every year.
Minimum Marks Required in JEE Mains to Qualify for JEE Advanced
Let us now look at how much percentile students needed in the past years to qualify for JEE Advanced.
NTA JEE Mains 2025 Cutoff
| Category | JEE Main cutoff 2025 |
| General | 93.1023262 |
| Persons with Disability | 0.0079349 |
| EWS | 80.3830119 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.4313582 |
| SC | 61.1526933 |
| ST | 47.9026465 |
NTA JEE Mains 2024 Cutoff
| Category | JEE Main Cutoff 2024 (Percentile) |
| Unreserved (UR) | 100.0000000 to 93.2362181 |
| OBC-NCL | 93.2312696 to 79.6757881 |
| SC | 93.2312696 to 60.0923182 |
| ST | 93.2312696 to 46.6975840 |
| UR-PwD | 93.2041331 to 0.0018700 |
NTA JEE Mains 2023 Cutoff
| Category | JEE Main 2023 Cutoff |
| Common Rank List | 90.7788642 |
| Gen-EWS | 75.6229025 |
| OBC-NCL | 73.6114227 |
| SC | 51.9776027 |
| ST | 37.2348772 |
| PwD | 0.0013527 |
NTA JEE Mains 2022 Cutoff
| Category | JEE Main Cutoff 2022 (Percentile) by NTA |
| Common Rank List (CRL) | 88.4121383 |
| GEN-EWS | 63.1114141 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 67.0090297 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 43.0820954 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 26.7771328 |
| PwD | 0.0031029 |
NTA JEE Mains 2021 Cutoff
| Category/Year | JEE Main Cutoff 2021(Percentile) by NTA |
| General | 87.8992241 |
| OBC-NCL | 68.0234447 |
| SC | 46.8825338 |
| ST | 34.6728999 |
| Gen-EWS | 66.2214845 |
| PwD | 0.0096375 |
NTA JEE Mains 2020 Cutoff
| Category/Year | JEE Main Cutoff 2020 (Percentile) by NTA |
| General | 90.3765335 |
| OBC-NCL | 72.8887969 |
| SC | 50.1760245 |
| ST | 39.0696101 |
| Gen-EWS | 70.2435518 |
| PwD | 0.0618524 |
Strategic Preparation Tips to Achieve the Required Marks in JEE Mains for IIT
1) Focused Preparation on High-Weightage Topics
JEE Mains tests a wide variety of topics across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. However, certain topics have a higher weightage and appear more frequently in the exam. Focusing on these high-weightage topics can significantly improve your score.
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Physics
| Chapter Name | No. of Questions In JEE Mains | Weightage |
| Current Electricity | 3 | 9.90% |
| Magnetic Effect of Current and Magnetism | 2 | 6.60% |
| Alternating Current | 2 | 6.60% |
| Kinetic Theory of Gases & Thermodynamics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Kinematics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Work, Energy, and Power | 2 | 6.60% |
| Law of Motion | 2 | 6.60% |
| Centre Of Mass | 2 | 6.60% |
| Rotational Dynamics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Modern Physics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Wave Optics | 2 | 6.60% |
| Electrostatics | 1 | 3.30% |
| Capacitors | 1 | 3.30% |
| Simple Harmonic Motion | 1 | 3.30% |
| Sound Waves | 1 | 3.30% |
| Elasticity | 1 | 3.30% |
| Error in Measurement | 1 | 3.30% |
| Circular Motion | 1 | 3.30% |
| Electromagnetic Waves | 1 | 3.30% |
| Semiconductors | 1 | 3.30% |
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Chemistry
| Chapters | No. of Questions In JEE Mains | Weightage |
| Transition Elements & Coordination Compounds | 3 | 9.90% |
| Periodic table, p-Block Elements | 3 | 9.90% |
| Atomic Structure | 2 | 6.60% |
| Chemical Bonding | 2 | 6.60% |
| Chemical And Ionic Equilibrium | 2 | 6.60% |
| Solid-State And Surface Chemistry | 2 | 6.60% |
| Nuclear & Environmental Chemistry | 2 | 6.60% |
| Thermodynamics & the Gaseous State | 2 | 6.60% |
| Mole Concept | 1 | 3.30% |
| Redox Reactions | 1 | 3.30% |
| Electrochemistry | 1 | 3.30% |
| Chemical Kinetics | 1 | 3.30% |
| Solution & Colligative Properties | 1 | 3.30% |
| General Organic Chemistry | 1 | 3.30% |
| Stereochemistry | 1 | 3.30% |
| Hydrocarbon | 1 | 3.30% |
| Alkyl Halides | 1 | 3.30% |
| Carboxylic Acids & their Derivatives | 1 | 6.60% |
| Carbohydrates, amino acids, and Polymers | 1 | 6.60% |
| Aromatic Compounds | 1 | 6.60% |
High-Weightage Topics in JEE Mains Mathematics
| Chapter Name | No. of Questions In JEE Mains | Weightage |
| Sequences & Series | 2 | 6.60% |
| Straight Lines | 2 | 6.60% |
| 3-D Geometry | 2 | 6.60% |
| Determinants | 2 | 6.60% |
| Sets | 1 | 3.30% |
| Permutations & Combinations | 1 | 3.30% |
| Probability | 1 | 3.30% |
| Complex Numbers | 1 | 3.30% |
| Binomial Theorem | 1 | 3.30% |
| Limits | 1 | 3.30% |
| Differentiability | 1 | 3.30% |
| Indefinite Integration | 1 | 3.30% |
| Definite Integration | 1 | 3.30% |
| Differential Equations | 1 | 3.30% |
| Trigonometric Equations | 1 | 3.30% |
| The Area under the Curve | 1 | 3.30% |
| Quadratic Equations | 1 | 3.30% |
| Vectors | 1 | 3.30% |
| Tangents and Normals | 1 | 3.30% |
| Maxima and Minima | 1 | 3.30% |
| Statistics | 1 | 3.30% |
| Parabola | 1 | 3.30% |
| Ellipse | 1 | 3.30% |
| Hyperbola | 1 | 3.30% |
How to Prioritize These Topics
- Make a List: List the high-weightage topics in each subject, and dedicate more time to these areas.
- Study Plan: Design a study plan that ensures consistent practice in these topics.
- Breakdown into Subtopics: Each high-weightage topic has subtopics. Break these into manageable chunks and study them systematically. For example, in Mechanics, first understand kinematics before moving on to the laws of motion and rotational motion.
By focusing on high-weightage topics, you can ensure that you’re preparing efficiently and maximizing your score potential.
2) Structured Revision Schedule
A revision schedule is a crucial aspect of any successful preparation strategy. A well-planned revision routine ensures that you cover all topics, including the difficult ones, and that you don’t miss out on essential areas. It also ensures you’re consistently revisiting what you’ve studied, which helps reinforce your learning.
How to Create a Revision Schedule
- Daily Revision: Allocate specific time slots for each subject, depending on your strengths and weaknesses. For example, you might dedicate 2 hours to Physics, 1.5 hours to Chemistry, and 2.5 hours to Mathematics. Include a mix of theory revision (concepts, formulas) and problem-solving practice. Focus more on problem-solving in the last few weeks leading up to the exam.
- Weekly Revision: Every week, revise what you studied during the week and solve problems from previous years. This will help you identify any weak areas that need additional attention. Reserve the last day of the week for solving a set of full-length mock papers.
- Pre-Exam Revision: In the weeks leading up to the exam, begin to revise every subject daily. Focus on a quick revision of key concepts and formulas. Include at least one or two full-length mock tests during this period.
Benefits of Revision Schedule
- Ensures Complete Coverage: You’ll make sure that no topic is left behind.
- Prevents Last-Minute Cramming: A well-structured revision avoids the stress of cramming at the last minute.
- Improves Retention: Regular revision helps you retain information for a longer time, which is vital during the actual exam.
3) Resource Selection and Quality Study Material
Choosing the right resources is essential for mastering the JEE Mains syllabus. Quality study material can make a significant difference in your preparation. Stick to books that are known for their comprehensive explanations and problem-solving approach.
Recommended Books for JEE Mains Physics
| Name of the Book | Author/Publication | Why the Books are the Best for JEE Mains Physics |
| NCERT Textbook | NCERT | It covers almost everything. It is the best book for the basic concepts and practice. |
| Concepts of physics (Vol. 1 and 2) | HC Verma | They provide the best exercises along with the basic concepts. |
| Fundamentals of Physics | Halliday, Resnick, & walker | This book helps in clearing all the concepts of Physics important for JEE Mains. |
| Understanding PhysicsIt’s a set of the following books:Electricity & Magnetism Mechanics (Vol. 1 & 2) Optics & Modern Physics Waves & Thermodynamics | D C Pandey – Arihant Publications | This set of books is very popular among the students and one of the best books for JEE Mains. This explains the concepts, derives the formula, and provides a number of solved examples and exercises to solve. |
| Understanding Physics | Freedman and Young | This book explains all the concepts in detail and provides exercises for practice. |
| Problems in Physics | SS Krotov | This book is popular for its exercise questions. |
| Physics Vol-1 and Vol-2 by for Theory and Non-Trivial Problems | Resnick Halliday | Book for understanding concepts and practising questions. |
| Problems on General Physics | I E Irodov | A lot of questions are provided for practising. |
Recommended Books for JEE Mains Chemistry
| Name of the Book | Author/Publication | Why the Book is the Best for JEE Mains Chemistry |
| NCERT Textbook | NCERT | It covers up almost everything. It is the best book for the basic concepts and practice. |
| Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations | R C Mukherjee | Physical Chemistry Numericals are the best in this book. |
| Organic Chemistry | O P Tandon | Each and every topic is well explained in this book. |
| Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J. D. Lee | This is the best book for the concepts of Inorganic Chemistry. |
| Concept of Physical Chemistry | P Bahadur | Along with the concepts, there are many exercises to solve. |
| Physical Chemistry | P.W. Atkins | This book is best for extra exercises. |
| Organic Chemistry | Morrison & Boyd | This book is best for extra exercises. |
| Numerical Chemistry 22/e | P Bahadur | This is one of the best books for JEE Mains recommended by toppers. |
Recommended Books for JEE Mains Mathematics
| Name of the Book | Author/Publication | Why the Book is the Best Maths Book for JEE Mains |
| NCERT Textbook | NCERT | It covers up almost everything. It is the best book for the basic concepts and practice. |
| Objective Mathematics | RD Sharma | This book explains the concepts very well. They also have a lot of exercise questions. |
| Plane Trigonometry | S L Loney | This book is best for Trigonometry. |
| Algebra | Dr S K Goyal – Arihant Publications | This book is best for Algebra. |
| Differential Calculus | Amit M Agarwal – Arihant Publications | This book is best for understanding the concepts of Calculus. |
| Integral Calculus | Amit M Agarwal – Arihant Publications | This book is best for understanding the concepts of Calculus. |
| The Elements of Coordinate Geometry | S L Loney | This book is best for understanding the concepts of Coordinate Geometry and practising questions on Coordinate Geometry. |
| Play with Graphs | Amit M Agarwal – Arihant Publications | This book is best for practising graphs. |
| Complete Mathematics for JEE Main | Tata McGraw Hill | This is the best book for overall preparation. |
| New Pattern Mathematics for JEE Main | Arihant Publications | You will get a lot of exercises. |
4) Regular Mock Tests
Mock tests are a vital part of JEE Mains preparation, as they help simulate real exam conditions, improve time management, and boost performance. To make the most of mock tests, follow these strategies:
- Practice Under Timed Conditions: Always take mock tests within the actual exam duration (3 hours). This will help you manage time effectively and build endurance for the real exam.
- Analyze Performance: After each test, review your mistakes and identify weak areas. Focus on correcting conceptual gaps, calculation errors, and improving time management.
- Increase Frequency: In the final month before the exam, aim for 3-4 full-length mock tests per week. This ensures consistent practice and helps fine-tune your strategy.
Benefits of Mock Tests:
- Improved Time Management: Helps you develop strategies to solve problems faster and more efficiently.
- Familiarity with the Exam Pattern: Regular mock tests get you comfortable with the format, reducing exam-day anxiety.
- Reduced Stress: With regular practice, you’ll approach the exam more confidently.
Highly Recommended: Phodu Club’s JEE Mains Test Series
For comprehensive practice, we highly recommend Phodu Club’s JEE Mains Test Series. It is designed to closely mirror the actual exam, providing you with a realistic test experience. The detailed performance analysis after each test will help you track your progress, identify strengths and weaknesses, and fine-tune your exam strategy. This tailored approach ensures that you are well-prepared to excel in the exam and gives you a significant edge in your preparation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1) Ignoring NCERT (Especially for Chemistry): Many students ignore NCERT books. This is a big mistake. NCERT covers most of the Chemistry syllabus. Many direct questions come from NCERT.
2) Over-relying on Coaching Material Without Self-Study: Coaching helps, but you must study on your own too. Make your own notes. Revise them regularly. Self-study gives clarity.
3) Wasting Time on Very Difficult Questions First: Don’t waste time on hard questions at the beginning. Solve easier ones first. This saves time and boosts your score.
4) Neglecting Revision in the Last Month: Revision is as important as preparation. In the last month, revise formulas, important concepts, and shortcuts. Take regular mock tests during this time.
Conclusion
Getting into an IIT is a big dream, but it starts with clearing JEE Mains. Your JEE Mains percentile decides if you can take JEE Advanced. Every year, the top 2,50,000 students qualify for the next stage. The required percentile changes each year based on factors like paper difficulty and the number of students.
But if you are from the General category, you should aim for at least 90 percentile or higher to stay safe. Students from reserved categories have lower cutoff requirements, but strong preparation is still needed.
Focus on NCERT books, solve mock tests, manage your time, and revise well. Avoid common mistakes and practice smartly. Remember, JEE Mains is not just about working hard. It’s about working in the right direction. Start early, stay focused, and keep improving. If you give your best, you can take the first big step toward your IIT dream. Keep going, and don’t give up.
