JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Results: How to Access Your Scorecard and Check Cut-offs

If you're reading this, chances are you've just appeared for JEE Main 2026 Session 1, or you're preparing to check your results. Either way, you've come to the right place. Let's walk through everything you need to know about accessing your scorecard and understanding what those numbers mean for your engineering dreams.

Where to Find Your JEE Main 2026 Results

The National Testing Agency (NTA) releases JEE Main results on their official website. You need to visit jeemain.nta.nic.in to access your scorecard. This is the only authentic source for your results, so bookmark this link and avoid third-party websites that might lead to confusion or security issues.

Sometimes, the official website experiences heavy traffic when results are declared. If you face an access denied error or the page doesn't load, don't panic. This happens when thousands of students try to check their results at the same time. Just wait for a few minutes and try again.

Steps to Download Your Scorecard

Here's what you need to do once you're on the official portal:

1. Visit the official NTA JEE Main website
2. Look for the 'JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result' link on the homepage
3. Enter your application number and date of birth
4. Fill in the security code displayed on the screen
5. Click on submit
6. Your scorecard will appear on the screen
7. Download and save multiple copies for future reference

Pro tip: Take a screenshot as soon as your result appears, even before downloading. This gives you an extra backup just in case something goes wrong with the download.

Understanding Your JEE Main Scorecard

Your scorecard contains several important pieces of information. You'll see your raw scores for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The scorecard also shows your percentile score, which tells you how you performed compared to other students who took the exam.

The NTA percentile is not the same as percentage marks. It shows the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below your marks. So if your percentile is 95, it means you performed better than 95% of all test takers.

You'll also find your All India Rank (AIR) on the scorecard if you qualify. This rank determines your eligibility for counselling and admissions to various engineering colleges across India.

What Are the Expected Cut-offs?

Cut-off marks vary each year based on several factors. The difficulty level of the paper, the number of students who appeared, and the number of available seats all play a role in determining cut-offs.

For general category students, the qualifying percentile is typically around 90. For OBC-NCL students, it drops to about 75, and for SC/ST students, it's around 45. These are approximate figures, and the actual cut-offs are announced along with the results.

Remember, qualifying is just the first step. For admission to top NITs and IIITs, you need to score much higher. The competition is tough, but it's not impossible.

Common Issues While Accessing Results

Students often face technical issues when trying to access their results. An 'Access Denied' message usually means the server is overloaded. This is normal on result day. The best strategy is to try during off-peak hours, like early morning or late at night.

If you've forgotten your application number, you can retrieve it using your registration number and date of birth. There's a separate link on the website for this.

Some students worry when they see a reference number on an error page. This is just a technical identifier for the error and doesn't affect your results in any way.

What Comes Next?

Once you have your scorecard, the next step is to prepare for counselling. JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) conducts counselling for admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other government-funded technical institutes.

Keep multiple copies of your scorecard ready, both digital and physical. You'll need them for various admission processes, scholarship applications, and college verifications.

If Session 2 is scheduled, you have another opportunity to improve your score. Many students appear for both sessions and use their better score for admissions. It's worth the effort if you feel you can do better.

Your JEE Main score opens doors to numerous engineering colleges across India. Even if you don't get into your dream college in the first attempt, remember that this is just one step in your journey. Stay focused, keep your documents ready, and approach the counselling process with a clear mind.