Securing a seat in an IIT is a dream for many engineering aspirants. JEE Advanced is the gateway to these prestigious institutes, but only a few candidates qualify each year. The key to success is understanding the cutoff marks and setting realistic goals.
Many students prepare for months without knowing the marks required to clear the exam. Some aim too high, while others underestimate the competition. Knowing the minimum qualifying marks and rank requirements can help students plan their preparation effectively.
JEE Advanced has two types of cutoffs: the qualifying cutoff and the admission cutoff. The qualifying cutoff determines whether a candidate can get a rank, while the admission cutoff decides if they can secure a seat in an IIT.
This article explains JEE Advanced cutoffs, past trends, and rank requirements for different IITs and branches. Understanding these details will help students improve their chances of getting admission to their desired IIT.
Understanding JEE Advanced Cutoff
Cutoff marks play a crucial role in JEE Advanced. They help candidates understand whether they have qualified for admission and what rank they need for different IITs. The cutoff is not a fixed number and varies each year based on several factors.
The cutoff refers to the minimum marks a candidate must score to qualify for JEE Advanced ranking or to secure a seat in an IIT. It helps in filtering students based on their performance.
Candidates often confuse cutoff marks with cutoff ranks. Cutoff marks are the minimum scores required to qualify, while cutoff ranks refer to the rank range within which a student can get admission to a specific IIT or branch.
Minimum Qualifying Marks in JEE Advanced (2025 Expected)
To qualify for JEE Advanced, candidates must secure minimum marks in each subject and overall. Based on past trends, the expected cutoffs for 2025 are:
| Category | Aggregate Cutoff (%) | Subject-wise Cutoff (%) |
| General/UR | 35% | ~10% |
| OBC-NCL/EWS | 31.5% | ~9% |
| SC/ST/PwD | 17.5% | ~5% |
Previous Years’ Qualifying Marks Trends (2020–2024)
JEE Advanced cutoffs fluctuate every year. The table below shows category-wise qualifying cutoffs from 2020 to 2024.
JEE Advanced 2024 Cutoff (Qualifying Marks)
| Rank List | Minimum Marks in Each Subject | Minimum Aggregate Marks |
| Common Rank List (CRL) | 10 | 109 |
| OBC-NCL Rank List | 9 | 98 |
| GEN-EWS Rank List | 9 | 98 |
| SC Rank List | 5 | 54 |
| ST Rank List | 5 | 54 |
| Common-PwD Rank List (CRL-PwD) | 5 | 54 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD Rank List | 5 | 54 |
| GEN-EWS-PwD Rank List | 5 | 54 |
| SC-PwD Rank List | 5 | 54 |
| ST-PwD Rank List | 5 | 54 |
| Preparatory Course (PC) Rank List | 2 | 27 |
JEE Advanced 2024 cutoff for Inclusion in a Rank List
| Rank List | Minimum Percentage of Marks in Each Subject | Minimum Percentage of Aggregate Marks |
| Common Rank List (CRL) | 8.68% | 30.34% |
| OBC-NCL Rank List | 7.80% | 27.30% |
| GEN-EWS Rank List | 7.80% | 27.30% |
| SC Rank List | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| ST Rank List | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| Common-PwD Rank List (CRL-PwD) | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| OBC-NCL-PwD Rank List | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| GEN-EWS-PwD Rank List | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| SC-PwD Rank List | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| ST-PwD Rank List | 4.34% | 15.17% |
| Preparatory Course (PC) Rank List | 2.17% | 7.58% |
JEE Advanced 2023 Cutoff (Qualifying Marks)
| Rank List | Minimum Marks in Each Subject | Minimum Aggregate Marks |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 8 | 86 |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 7 | 77 |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 7 | 77 |
| SC rank list | 4 | 43 |
| ST rank list | 4 | 43 |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL-PwD) | 4 | 43 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 4 | 43 |
| GEN-EWS-PwD rank list | 4 | 43 |
| SC-PwD rank list | 4 | 43 |
| ST-PwD rank list | 4 | 43 |
| Preparatory course (PC) rank lists | 2 | 22 |
JEE Advanced 2023 cutoff for Inclusion in a Rank List
| Rank List | Minimum Percentage of Marks in Each Subject | Minimum Percentage of Aggregate Marks |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 6.83% | 23.89% |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 6.15% | 21.50% |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 6.15% | 21.50% |
| SC rank list | 3.42% | 11.95% |
| ST rank list | 3.42% | 11.95% |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL-PwD) | 3.42% | 11.95% |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 3.42% | 11.95% |
| GEN-EWS-PwD rank list | 3.42% | 11.95% |
| SC-PwD rank list | 3.42% | 11.95% |
| ST-PwD rank list | 3.42% | 11.95% |
| Preparatory course (PC) rank lists | 1.71% | 5.98% |
IIT JEE Advanced 2022 Cutoff (Qualifying Marks)
| Rank List | Minimum Marks in EachSubject | Minimum AggregateMarks |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 5 | 55 |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 5 | 50 |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 5 | 50 |
| SC rank list | 3 | 28 |
| ST rank list | 3 | 28 |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL-PwD) | 3 | 28 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 3 | 28 |
| GEN-EWS-PwD rank list | 3 | 28 |
| SC-PwD rank list | 3 | 28 |
| ST-PwD rank list | 3 | 28 |
| Preparatory course (PC) rank lists | 1 | 14 |
JEE Advanced 2022 cutoff for Inclusion in a Rank List
| Rank List | Minimum Percentage of Marks in Each Subject | MinimumPercentage of Aggregate Marks |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 4.40% | 15.28% |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 4.00% | 13.89% |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 4.00% | 13.89% |
| SC rank list | 2.20% | 7.78% |
| ST rank list | 2.20% | 7.78% |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL-PwD) | 2.20% | 7.78% |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 2.20% | 7.78% |
| GEN-EWS-PwD rank list | 2.20% | 7.78% |
| SC-PwD rank list | 2.20% | 7.78% |
| ST-PwD rank list | 2.20% | 7.78% |
| Preparatory course (PC) rank lists | 0.83% | 3.89% |
JEE Advanced 2021 Cutoff (Qualifying)
| Rank List | Minimum Marks inEach Subject | Minimum AggregateMarks |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 6 | 63 |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 5 | 56 |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 5 | 56 |
| SC rank list | 3 | 31 |
| ST rank list | 3 | 31 |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL-PwD) | 3 | 31 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 3 | 31 |
| GEN-EWS-PwD rank list | 3 | 31 |
| SC-PwD rank list | 3 | 31 |
| ST-PwD rank list | 3 | 31 |
| Preparatory course (PC) rank lists | 0 | 9 |
JEE Advanced Cut off 2021 (For Inclusion in Rank List)
| Category | Minimum percentage of marks in each Subject | Minimum Percentage of Aggregate marks |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 5.00% | 17.50% |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 4.50% | 15.75% |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 4.50% | 15.75% |
| SC rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| ST rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL-PwD) | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| GEN-EWS-PwD rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| SC-PwD rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| ST-PwD rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| Preparatory course (PC) rank lists | 0.75% | 2.63% |
JEE Advanced Cutoff 2020 (Qualifying)
| Category | Minimum Marks in Each Subject | Minimum Aggregate Marks |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 6 | 69 |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 5 | 62 |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 5 | 62 |
| SC rank list | 3 | 34 |
| ST | 3 | 34 |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL) | 3 | 34 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 3 | 34 |
| SC-PwD rank list | 3 | 34 |
| ST-PwD rank list | 3 | 34 |
| Preparatory course rank lists | 0 | 10 |
JEE Advanced Cut off 2020 (For Inclusion in Rank List)
| Category | Minimum Percentage of Marks in Each Subject | Minimum Percentage Aggregate Marks |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 5% | 17.50% |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 4.50% | 15.75% |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 4.50% | 15.75% |
| SC rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| ST | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL) | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| SC-PwD rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| ST-PwD rank list | 2.50% | 8.75% |
| Preparatory course rank lists | 0.75% | 2.63% |
JEE Advanced Cutoff 2019
| Category | Minimum Percentage of Marks in Each Subject | Minimum Percentage of Aggregate Marks | Revised Cutoff |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 10 | 35 | 25 |
| GEN-EWS rank list | 9 | 31.5 | 22.5 |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 9 | 31.5 | 22.5 |
| SC rank list | 5 | 17.5 | 12.5 |
| ST | 5 | 17.5 | 12.5 |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL) | 5 | 17.5 | 12.5 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 5 | 17.5 | 12.5 |
| SC-PwD rank list | 5 | 17.5 | 12.5 |
| ST-PwD rank list | 5 | 17.5 | 12.5 |
| Preparatory course rank lists | 2.5 | 8.75 | 6.25 |
JEE Advanced Cutoff (qualifying) 2018
| Category/Rank List | Minimum Marks in Each Subject | MinimumAggregate Marks | MinimumAggregate Marks (Revised) |
| Common rank list (CRL) | 12 | 126 | 90 |
| OBC-NCL | 11 | 114 | 81 |
| SC | 6 | 63 | 45 |
| ST | 6 | 63 | 45 |
| Common-PwD rank list (CRL) | 6 | 63 | 45 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 6 | 64 | 45 |
| SC-PwD rank list | 6 | 64 | 45 |
| ST-PwD rank list | 6 | 64 | 45 |
| Preparatory course rank lists | 3 | 32 | 23 |
JEE Advanced Cutoff (qualifying) 2017
| Category/Rank List | Minimum Marks in Each Subject | MinimumAggregate Marks |
| CRL | 12 | 126 |
| OBC-NCL rank list | 10 | 115 |
| SC rank list | 6 | 64 |
| ST rank list | 6 | 64 |
| CRL-PwD | 6 | 64 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD rank list | 6 | 64 |
| SC-PwD rank list | 6 | 64 |
| ST-PwD rank list | 6 | 64 |
| PC-CRL-PwD | 3 | 32 |
| PC-OBC-NCL-PwD | 3 | 32 |
| PC-SC | 3 | 32 |
| PC-SC-PwD | 3 | 32 |
Marks vs. Rank: What Rank is Needed for IIT?
The rank a candidate secures depends on their performance compared to other test-takers. Since JEE Advanced is a competitive exam, even a slight difference in marks can lead to a big jump in rank.
General Category
For General category candidates, the required rank varies based on the reputation and demand of the IIT.
- Top IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Madras) – To secure a seat in these IITs, candidates need a rank under 500, which requires a score of approximately 300+ marks.
- Mid-tier IITs (Roorkee, Guwahati, Kanpur) – These institutes admit students with ranks between 500 and 2000, corresponding to marks between 200 and 280.
- Newer IITs – Candidates with ranks between 2000 and 4500 can secure admission in newer IITs with a score of around 150–200 marks.
OBC-NCL and EWS Categories
Candidates in OBC-NCL and EWS categories have slightly relaxed rank requirements compared to General category students.
- Mid-tier IITs – Rank between 1000 and 3000 with 180–250 marks.
- Newer IITs – Rank between 3000 and 6000 with 130–180 marks.
SC/ST Categories
For SC and ST candidates, the cutoff ranks are significantly lower due to reservation policies.
- Mid-tier IITs – Rank up to 10,000 with 100–150 marks.
- Newer IITs – Rank up to 20,000 with 80–120 marks.
Since marks vs. rank trends fluctuate each year based on paper difficulty and competition, candidates should aim to score well above these estimates for better chances of securing a seat in their preferred IIT and branch.
Branch-Specific Cutoffs in IITs
The cutoff for different branches in IITs varies based on demand, competition, and the number of available seats. Some branches, like Computer Science, have higher cutoffs, while others, like Civil Engineering, have relatively lower cutoffs.
Computer Science Engineering (CSE): Computer Science is the most sought-after branch in IITs due to high placement packages and career opportunities.
- Top IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, Kharagpur): Candidates need a rank under 200, which requires a score of around 320+ marks.
- Mid-tier IITs (Roorkee, Guwahati, BHU, Hyderabad): Candidates need a rank between 200 and 1000, corresponding to 250–300 marks.
- Newer IITs: Admission is possible with a rank between 1000 and 3000, requiring 200–250 marks.
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering: These branches are also highly preferred, especially in top IITs.
- Top IITs: Candidates need a rank between 300 and 1500, which requires 200–280 marks.
- Mid-tier IITs: Admission is possible with a rank between 1500 and 4000, requiring 150–200 marks.
Civil, Chemical, and Metallurgical Engineering: These branches usually have lower competition compared to CSE and Electrical.
- Mid-tier IITs: Candidates can get admission with a rank between 3000 and 6000, requiring 120–180 marks.
- Newer IITs: Candidates with ranks up to 10,000 may secure a seat with 100–150 marks.
Since cutoffs change every year based on demand, seat availability, and difficulty level, candidates should aim for a higher rank to secure their preferred branch.
Factors Affecting Minimum Marks for IIT
The minimum marks required for IIT admission change every year due to various factors. These factors influence both the qualifying cutoff and the admission cutoff. Candidates should understand these factors to estimate the marks they need for their target IIT and branch.
1) Exam Difficulty Level: The difficulty level of JEE Advanced has a direct impact on cutoff marks.
- If the paper is easy, more students score high marks, leading to a higher cutoff.
- If the paper is difficult, fewer students score high marks, resulting in a lower cutoff.
For example, in 2022, JEE Advanced was tough, and the qualifying cutoff for the General category was 55 marks. In contrast, the 2024 paper was easier, leading to a higher cutoff of 109 marks. Since difficulty varies each year, students should aim for higher marks to secure a good rank regardless of the cutoff fluctuations.
2) Number of Candidates Appearing: The total number of candidates appearing for JEE Advanced directly affects competition.
- If more students take the exam, competition increases, leading to a higher cutoff.
- If fewer students take the exam, competition decreases, and the cutoff may be lower.
In recent years, the number of candidates appearing for JEE Advanced has been around 1.5–1.8 lakh. Any change in this number impacts the required marks for qualification.
3) Seat Availability in IITs: The number of seats in IITs directly impacts admission cutoffs.
- If IITs increase seats, more students get admission, leading to a lower cutoff.
- If seats remain limited, competition stays high, and the cutoff does not drop.
Currently, IITs offer around 17,000 seats, but these seats are distributed among different branches and categories. Highly demanded branches like Computer Science have fewer seats, keeping cutoffs high. On the other hand, branches like Metallurgy or Civil Engineering have more availability, leading to lower cutoffs. The total number of seats in an IIT and its popularity also influence the final admission cutoff.
4) Reservation Policies: IITs follow a reservation policy that impacts cutoffs for different categories. The reserved categories (OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD) have relaxed cutoffs compared to the General category.
- General category candidates often need a higher rank for admission.
- SC/ST candidates have lower cutoffs due to reservation benefits.
5) Popularity of Branches and IITs: The demand for certain IITs and branches affects admission cutoffs.
- Computer Science in IIT Bombay or IIT Delhi has very high cut offs due to high demand.
- Metallurgical or Civil Engineering in newer IITs has lower cutoffs due to less demand.
These factors make it important for students to aim for higher marks to secure admission to their preferred IIT and branch.
JEE Advanced Preparation Tips for IIT Admission
Below are the strategies to help students secure IIT admission through JEE Advanced. A structured study plan, regular practice, and mock tests are essential for improving performance. Focusing on conceptual clarity, managing time effectively, and revising thoroughly can significantly boost the chances of achieving a high rank in the exam.
1) Build a Strong Foundation in Key Concepts
The first step to clearing the subject-wise cutoff is ensuring that you have a strong grasp of the basic concepts in each subject. JEE Advanced questions often go beyond rote learning and require a deep understanding of the core concepts.
- Physics: Focus on understanding the fundamental laws and principles such as Newton’s laws of motion, conservation of energy, and Maxwell’s equations. Concepts like mechanics, electricity and magnetism, optics, and thermodynamics are frequently tested.
- Chemistry: Organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry make up the core of the syllabus. For example, reactions in organic chemistry and stoichiometry in physical chemistry are crucial topics.
- Mathematics: Algebra, calculus, and coordinate geometry are the backbone of JEE Advanced Mathematics. Understand how formulas are derived and apply them to solve problems of varying difficulty levels.
Spend time regularly reviewing your notes, textbooks, and other study materials. Revisit basic concepts whenever you feel unsure, as a weak foundation in any topic can cost you valuable marks during the exam.
2) Prioritize High-Weightage Topics
JEE Advanced often emphasizes certain topics more than others. To ensure you clear the cutoff, focus on the subjects and chapters that are frequently asked and carry more weight in the exam.
- Physics: Mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, and thermodynamics tend to be heavily weighted. For example, the law of motion and gravitation are common in both JEE Main and Advanced.
- Chemistry: Inorganic chemistry (like periodic table and chemical bonding) and organic chemistry (such as reaction mechanisms and functional groups) usually appear in most years. Physical chemistry topics like thermodynamics and electrochemistry are often a safe bet.
- Mathematics: Calculus, probability, and algebra are key areas. Practice questions from integration, differentiation, and sequences and series to improve your chances of scoring well.
While it’s important not to neglect less important topics, prioritizing these high-weightage areas will help you maximize your score and clear the cutoff in each subject.
3) Practice Regularly with Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers
One of the best ways to ensure you clear the subject-wise cutoff is by regularly practicing mock tests and previous years’ question papers. These tests give you an idea of the real exam’s difficulty level and help you get used to the pressure of solving problems within a time limit.
- Mock Tests: Take full-length mock tests to practice both your speed and accuracy. Take full-length mock tests to practice both your speed and accuracy. Phodu Club JEE Test Series is highly recommended for its accurate simulation of the exam pattern and difficulty, helping you prepare effectively and track your progress.
- Previous Year Papers: Solving previous years’ papers is a must. It not only helps you understand the pattern of questions but also allows you to gauge which topics have been asked repeatedly. This will help you in strategizing your preparation effectively.
By practicing consistently, you can track your progress, identify weak areas, and improve your overall performance.
4) Focus on Time Management and Speed
Time management is crucial in JEE Advanced. Since you need to clear the cutoff in each subject, it’s important to allocate your time wisely during the exam. The more efficiently you manage your time, the better your chances of clearing the cutoff in every subject.
- Practice with a Timer: When solving practice questions or mock tests, use a timer to simulate the actual exam environment. This will help you develop the ability to solve questions quickly without compromising accuracy.
- Question Selection: During the exam, don’t get stuck on difficult questions. Start by answering the ones you find easiest and quickest, especially those from the topics you’re confident about. After completing the easier questions, move on to the more difficult ones.
By developing strong time management skills, you can ensure that you have enough time to attempt every subject and clear the cutoff.
5) Revise Effectively and Stay Consistent
Regular revision is a key strategy in ensuring that you don’t forget important concepts and formulas before the exam. The more consistently you revise, the more likely you are to recall key information during the exam, helping you clear the subject-wise cutoff.
- Create a Revision Plan: Set aside time each week for revision. Focus on reviewing concepts, formulas, and problem-solving techniques. Make a checklist of topics that need more revision and prioritize them.
- Short Notes: Prepare concise notes while studying. These can be used for quick revision in the final weeks before the exam. Include important formulas, key concepts, and tricky problems that you found difficult while practicing.
- Don’t Procrastinate: Consistency is key. Avoid leaving revision to the last minute. Spread your revision sessions over some time and stick to the schedule to ensure that you cover every subject adequately.
By revising regularly, you ensure that you’re well-prepared and avoid last-minute stress.
Conclusion
Understanding JEE Advanced cutoffs is important for every aspirant. The qualifying cutoff decides if a candidate will get a rank, while the admission cutoff determines seat allocation in IITs.
Past trends show that cutoff marks change each year based on factors like exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability. Candidates aiming for top IITs need a high rank, especially for competitive branches like Computer Science. Those targeting newer IITs or less in-demand branches may secure admission with a lower rank.
Aspirants should focus on scoring well above the qualifying cutoff to improve their chances. Proper preparation, mock tests, and analyzing past cutoffs can help in setting realistic goals.
Success in JEE Advanced is not just about qualifying but about securing a rank that guarantees admission. With the right strategy and understanding of cutoffs, students can improve their chances of getting into their desired IIT.
