Branch-Wise Safe Score & Percentile in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech Admissions in NITs, IIITs & GFTIs

The branch-wise safe score in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech admission in NITs, IIITs and GFTIs is the minimum score required for admission in specialisations such as CSE, ME, ECE, EE, etc. A safe score in CSE is 240-265+ for top NITs, while other branches in newer NITs might need 140-180+, all out of 300. These scores vary depending on several factors, including exam difficulty level, past year cut-off trends, and the category of the candidate.

Understanding what constitutes a “safe score” in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech admission is essential for candidates aiming to make informed decisions during the JoSAA counselling process. A safe score not only increases the chances of admission but also helps students set realistic expectations and plan their preparation effectively.

 In this article, we will discuss the concept of a safe score, branch-wise safe scores for JEE Main 2026, category-wise expectations, and practical tips to achieve a competitive score.

What is a Safe Score in JEE Main 2026?

A safe score in JEE Main 2026 is the marks or percentile secured by the candidate that likely has the potential to help them secure a seat in the desired branch in IIITs, NITs and GFTIs. 

Unlike the cutoff, which is the minimum requirement to qualify for the exam, the safe score is generally higher than the cutoff. It ensures that the candidate has a comfortable chance of admission without risking their seat. A safe score in JEE Main 2026 for BTech admission is influenced by several factors, including the difficulty of the exam, the total number of candidates, seat availability, and the category of the candidate.

What Is a Safe Score in JEE Main 2026? Branch-Wise & Category-Wise Analysis

Choosing the right branch plays a crucial role in JEE Main choice filling process and it is recommended for candidates to plan it by analysing the JEE Main 2026 branch-wise cutoff from top IIITs, NITs and GFTIs as per previous year trends. 

The table below highlights the safe score in JEE Main 2026 in percentile for BTech admission in NITs, IIITs and GFTIs:

Branch	Institute Type	General	OBC	SC/ST
CSE	NITs	95 - 98	90 - 94	78 - 85
	IIITs	92 - 97	88 - 92	75 - 83
	GFTIs	90 - 96	85 - 91	72 - 80
ECE	NITs	88 - 92	82 - 87	70 - 78
	IIITs	85 - 90	80 - 85	70 - 78
	GFTIs	83 - 88	78 - 83	68 - 75
EE	NITs	80 - 85	75 - 80	65 - 72
	IIITs	78 - 83	72 - 78	65 - 72
	GFTIs	75 - 82	70 - 75	62 - 70
ME	NITs	72 - 78	67 - 72	58 - 65
	IIITs	70 - 77	65 - 70	58 - 64
	GFTIs	68 - 75	63 - 70	55 - 62
CE	NITs	65 - 72	60 - 65	55 - 60
	IIITs	65 - 73	60 - 65	55 - 60
	GFTIs	62 - 70	58 - 63	52 - 58

Category-wise Safe Score Expected for BTech Admissions 2026

In addition to branch-wise variations, a candidate’s category plays a crucial role in determining the safe score for JEE Main 2026. As per the JEE Main reservation criteria 2026, a certain number of seats should be allocated by each institution for SC, ST, and OBC category candidates, which naturally affects the percentile or marks required for admission. The safe score given below are predictive ranges which are derived from previous year data for your reference:

Category	Expected Safe Score (Percentile)	Details
General	85 - 98	Most competitive category. Requires a higher percentile for popular branches like CSE and ECE.
OBC	80 - 92	Slight relaxation compared to the general category still needs strong performance in core subjects.
SC	65 - 85	Significant relaxation in cut-off and safe scores are lower than OBC and General.
ST	55 - 78	Candidates with moderate performance can secure admission depending on branch demand as this is the category with highest relaxation
EWS	75 - 90	Relaxation applied similar to OBC and may vary by branch popularity.

How Safe Score in JEE Main 2026 Varies By Category?

Safe scores are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the difficulty level of JEE Main 2026 and the number of applicants in each category. Given below are some of the important pointers on how the JEE Main 2026 safe scores vary by category:

• Expected Relaxation in Percentile:Reserved categories benefit from lower cut-offs for admission. For example, a general category student might need 95 percentile for CSE in a top NIT, while an OBC candidate might safely get a seat with 90 percentile, and an SC or ST candidate might get it around 75 to 80 percentile, depending on the institute.
• Strategic Implications: Understanding JEE Main 2026 category-wise safe scores helps candidates set realistic targets, plan their preparation effectively, and choose backup branches or institutes if their expected percentile falls below the general category safe score.

Tips to Achieve a Safe Score in JEE Main 2026

Achieving a safe score in JEE Main 2026 for BTech admission in NITs, IIITs and GFTIs, not only requires hardwork, but also smartwork and strategy. Here are some of the tips on how to achieve a safe score in JEE Main 2026 to secure your desired seat:

Understand the Exam Pattern: JEE Main consists of three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Each section carries equal weight. Understanding the types of questions helps in strategizing preparation.

Prioritize High-Weightage Topics: Focus on your strongest subjects and chapters to maximize scoring potential. For example, if Mathematics is your strong suit, solve higher-order problems to secure full marks.

Time Management: Effective time management is crucial during preparation and the exam. Practice mock tests and previous year papers to improve speed and accuracy.

Clear Concepts: Emphasize conceptual clarity over rote learning, as JEE Main focuses on problem-solving. Mastering mechanics in Physics or algebra in Mathematics can significantly boost scores.

Regular Revision: Include daily and weekly revision in your schedule, especially for formulas, derivations, and important reactions in Chemistry. Frequent revision ensures retention and builds confidence.

Take Mock Tests: Mock tests simulate exam conditions, help identify weak areas, and allow adjustment of strategies. Regular practice also aids in handling exam stress effectively.

Conclusion

Throughout this article, we explored how safe scores vary by branch and institute type, including CSE, ECE, EE, ME, and CE across top-tier and mid-tier NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. We also discussed the impact of category-wise expectations with reserved categories benefiting from relaxed percentiles as well as how these scores interrelate with real marks trends seen in recent JEE Main cycles.