Which JEE Main 2026 Score will NTA use for Common Rank List?

How JEE Main 2026 Common Rank List is Prepared?

The National Testing Agency will release the JEE Main 2026 rank list after the JEE Main results. Due to the large number of candidates appearing for the JEE Main exam, the rank/merit list is prepared based on the JEE Mains percentile score of the candidate. To calculate the percentile score, if a candidate has appeared for both exam sessions, the better of the two scores will be considered. The score used by NTA to prepare the JEE Main common rank list will prioritise the better score obtained by the candidate from the two sessions.

Appearing in one session of the JEE Main 2026? Scores of the respective tests will be used.

Appearing in both JEE Main 2026? The better of the two scores will be used. The lower score will be ignored.

JEE Main Expected Marks vs Rank 2026 (Expected)

How will the JEE Main 2026 score be calculated?

The JEE Main score 2026 for Paper-1 and Paper-2 will be calculated differently. Mentioned below is the procedure for the calculation for both papers.

• Score of JEE Main = Number of correct answers x 4 – number of incorrect answers x 1

How is the Candidate's Percentile Score for JEE Main Paper-1 Calculated?

The percentile score will be the normalised score for the JEE Main exam 2026 (instead of the raw marks of the candidate). The JEE Main 2026 percentile scores will be calculated up to 7 decimal places. NTA will use the following method to calculate the percentile score of a candidate:

100 * Number of candidates appeared in the ‘Session’ with raw score ‘Equal To Or Less’ than the candidate/Total number of candidates appeared in the ‘Session'.

Rank List Preparation for JEE Main 2026 for Paper-1

Ranks will be prepared based on the percentile scores of the candidates in JEE Main 2026 as mentioned above. However, there may be instances where more than two candidates may score the same marks. In such a case the inter-se-merit guidelines will be enforced to allot the rank.

• Candidates with a higher percentile score obtained in Mathematics will be given a better rank.

• If the tie remains unresolved, the candidates with higher percentile scores in Physics will be awarded a better rank.

• If the tie still remains unresolved, the candidates with the higher percentile score in Chemistry will be awarded a better rank.

• In case the tie is still not resolved, then the candidates older in age are preferred.

Raw marks for JEE Main paper-2

JEE Main Paper-2 is conducted in two shifts; the raw marks obtained by all the candidates who appeared in the first attempt will be declared. This shall comprise the actual marks obtained in Paper 2 of JEE (Main) 2026 for the first attempt.

Rank List Preparation for JEE Main 2026 for Paper-2

The rank list will be prepared by merging the raw scores of the first and the second attempt. Candidates who have appeared in both attempts; their best of the two raw marks will be considered. The total raw marks of both attempts and the rank of Paper-2 for all candidates will be declared. This shall comprise the total raw marks obtained by the candidate in the first attempt as well as in the second attempt, along with All India rank and All India category rank. In case of a tie, inter-se merit will be determined in the following order.

• Candidates obtaining higher marks in the Aptitude Test in Paper 2

• Candidates obtaining higher marks in the Drawing Test in Paper 2

• Candidates older in age

• If the resolution is not possible after this criterion, candidates will be given the same rank.

Important Points of JEE Main Common Rank List

• The common rank list of JEE Main will include candidates given ranks as per their performance, but with a tag of GEN, GEN-PwD, OBC-NCL, OBC-NCL-PwD, SC, SC-PwD, ST or ST-PwD.

• The category ranks will be separate from the JEE Main 2026 common rank list where the list will consist of the same category candidates assigned ranks based on their performance in JEE Main 2026.

• Allotment will be based onthe CRL, which is also called the common rank list.

Salient Facts about New NTA JEE Main

• JEE Main 2026 new official website is jeemain.nta.nic.in.

• As with the previous year, Section B does not contain any more optional questions. Applicants must sit for all 5 numerical questions in each subject.

• The details of JEE Main 2026 exam pattern for Mathematics: Section A consists of 20 MCQs, Section B has 10 numerical problems. As mentioned earlier five numerical questions will be asked in section B wherein none of the questions will be covered in other questions of the same type. This pattern holds good for both Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) and Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning).

• JEE Main is held by the National Testing Agency, which was set up in November 2017, exclusively for conducting entrance exams pertaining to higher education.

• JEE Main 2026 will be a computer-based test and will be held twice a year

• JEE Main Mock tests will be available on the official website.

• As recommended by the Council of Architecture to NTA regarding JEE Main Paper II, candidates must secure at least 50% marks in the qualifying examination and 50% marks in PCM individually.

• 3400 Schools/ Engineering Colleges as Test Practice Centres (TPCs) are open for practice on the mock tests for free.

• Each student will be assigned a unique paper from a large data bank prepared by experts.

• The Rank List will be prepared in May for JoSAA Counselling.