Students preparing for JEE Main 2027 may want to know how many marks out of 300 they need to pass. The passing marks out of 300 in JEE Mains 2027 will vary by category and depend on the exam’s overall difficulty that year. Every candidate who appears in JEE Mains is assigned a rank based on their total percentile marks. Depending on the marks you secure, you will get the college and the branch.
- Qualifying for JEE Advanced: To get a shot at IITs, you must cross the NTA’s category-wise cutoff percentile.
- Securing a seat in a NIT/IIIT: This requires a significantly higher score and a competitive rank through JoSAA counselling.
- Qualifying for state-level or GFTI colleges: Where even a modest percentile can open doors.
The passing marks for the General category in JEE Main 2027 are expected to be around 90–94 marks out of 300, while for EWS and OBC-NCL candidates, the expected marks are around 75 each, and for SC and ST candidates, approximately 50 and 40 marks, respectively. The article below shows the category-wise passing marks required.
What Are “Passing Marks” in JEE Mains?
NTA releases a qualifying cutoff percentile after each session. Candidates who meet or exceed this percentile are considered qualified. However, the raw marks out of 300 that correspond to these percentile cutoffs are what most aspirants want to know when planning their preparation targets.
There are two types of cutoffs you need to be aware of:
- Qualifying Cutoff for JEE Advanced: The minimum percentile required to appear in JEE Advanced and earn a shot at the IITs.
- Admission Cutoff for NITs/IIITs/GFTIs: The marks and ranks required for seat allotment through JoSAA counselling at National Institutes of Technology and other centrally funded institutes.
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Passing Marks Out of 300 in JEE Mains 2027 (Expected, Category-Wise)
Based on the official cutoffs from 2023, 2024, and 2025, and accounting for gradually increasing competition, here are the expected passing marks out of 300 in JEE Mains 2027:
| Category | Cutoff 2025 |
| Unreserved (UR) | 93.1023262 |
| Gen-EWS | 80.3830119 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.4313582 |
| SC | 61.1526933 |
| ST | 47.9026465 |
| UR-PwD | 0.0079349 |
Note: These are projected estimates based on historical trends. The official JEE Mains 2027 cutoff will be declared by NTA after both sessions are complete.
Passing Marks Out of 300 in JEE Mains for OBC
OBC (Other Backwards Class – Non-Creamy Layer) candidates consistently enjoy a relaxed cutoff compared to the General category. Based on previous years’ data, the passing marks out of 300 in JEE Mains for OBC are expected to be in the range of 75–82 marks, translating to roughly the 79th to 81st percentile.
For OBC candidates targeting top NITs, however, aiming for 120–150+ marks is advisable to improve your rank significantly. Qualifying for the cutoff is different from securing a seat in a premier branch.
Passing Marks Out of 300 in JEE Mains for SC
SC (Scheduled Caste) candidates benefit from one of the most relaxed qualifying thresholds. The passing marks out of 300 in JEE Mains for SC are projected at 48–55 marks for 2027, corresponding to approximately the 60th to 62nd percentile. This threshold has remained relatively consistent, with the 2025 cutoff recorded at 61.15 percentile and 2024 at 60.09 percentile.
Passing Marks Out of 300 in JEE Mains for ST
The ST (Scheduled Tribe) category has the lowest qualifying threshold. The passing marks out of 300 in JEE Mains for ST are expected to be approximately 38–45 marks in 2027. In 2025, the official ST cutoff percentile was 47.90, and in 2024 it was 46.69 — showing a narrow, stable band over recent years.
Passing Marks Out of 300 in JEE Mains for NIT Admission
Clearing the qualifying cutoff only makes you eligible to participate in JoSAA counselling. To actually secure a seat in a National Institute of Technology (NIT), you need a significantly higher score. Here is a general guide for passing marks out of 300 in JEE Mains for NIT:
- Top NITs (NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, NIT Surathkal): 200–250+ marks for the General category
- Mid-tier NITs: 150–200 marks for General; 120–160 for OBC
- Lower-ranked NITs / Less competitive branches: 100–140 marks
Reserved category candidates (SC/ST) may secure NIT admission with lower marks, but competition is still significant in popular branches like Computer Science and Electronics.
Passing Marks Out of 300 in JEE Advanced
JEE Advanced is a separate, harder exam conducted by NTA for admission to IITs. To appear in JEE Advanced, you must first clear JEE Mains with a score meeting the qualifying cutoff.
For clearing JEE Advanced itself, the cutoff (out of 360 marks) has typically been:
- General: Around 90–100 marks (approximately 25–28%)
- OBC-NCL: Around 81–90 marks
- SC: Around 46–50 marks
- ST: Around 46–50 marks
It is important not to confuse JEE Mains passing marks with JEE Advanced passing marks; they are two distinct exams with separate scoring systems and cutoffs.
Factors That Affect Passing Marks in JEE Mains
Various factors affect the JEE Main Cutoff. Some of the major factors are outlined below:
- Difficulty level of the paper: A harder paper lowers the cutoff; an easier paper raises it.
- Number of candidates appearing: More aspirants typically push cutoffs slightly higher.
- Number of seats available in JEE Advanced: The top 2.5 lakh candidates qualify; shifts in this number affect percentile thresholds.
- Normalisation across sessions: JEE Mains is held across multiple sessions and shifts; marks are normalised before percentile calculation.
JEE Mains Cutoff Percentile Trend
The table below outlines the category-wise JEE Main Cutoff percentiles for the last three years.
| Year | General | EWS | OBC-NCL | SC | ST |
| 2025 | 93.10 | 80.38 | 79.43 | 61.15 | 47.90 |
| 2024 | 93.23 | 81.32 | 79.67 | 60.09 | 46.69 |
| 2023 | 90.77 | 75.62 | 73.61 | 51.97 | 37.23 |
Tips to Score Above the Passing Marks in JEE Main 2027
- Target at least 50–60 marks above the expected cutoff to create a safety buffer.
- Focus on NCERT thoroughly — especially for Chemistry and Biology.
- Solve and download JEE Main previous year papers from 2019–2025 to understand question patterns.
- Attempt both sessions (January and April) and use your best score.
- Work on time management — JEE Mains rewards accuracy and speed equally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the minimum passing marks out of 300 in JEE Mains 2027 for the General category?
The expected minimum is 90–95 marks out of 300 to qualify for the JEE Advanced cutoff. For NIT admission, significantly higher marks are needed.
What are the passing marks out of 300 in JEE Main for OBC?
OBC-NCL candidates are expected to need approximately 73–78 marks out of 300 to meet the qualifying cutoff in 2027.
Is scoring 120 marks enough to get into an NIT?
For lower-ranked NITs and less competitive branches in reserved categories, 120 marks may be sufficient. For top NITs and CSE/ECE branches, you generally need 180+ marks.
Are JEE Mains passing marks the same as JEE Advanced qualifying marks?
No. JEE Mains cutoff qualifies you to sit in JEE Advanced. JEE Advanced has its own separate