Safe Score & Percentile in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech AI & ML in IIITs

B.Tech AI & ML has become one of the most popular branches of IIITs as the number of demanded specialists in the field of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science increases. The number of seats is low, and competition is on the rise, meaning that admission can only be achieved by having high scores that are beyond the cutoffs.

In recent years, the highest-ranked IIITs such as IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Allahabad, and IIIT Bangalore have recorded a closing score of AI & ML about 255-270 marks, which is a percentile of 99.6+. IIITs at the middle level have a closing cutoff at about 220-240 marks (98.5-99.4 percentile), with newer or less in-demand IIITs having a cutoff of 200-215 (95-98 percentile).

In order to make sure that they remain safely above such cutoffs in JEE Main 2026, students need to achieve a safe mark despite changes in exam difficulty, number of candidates and counselling trends. In this article, we discuss the safe score & percentile in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech. AI & ML in IIITs and factors affecting cutoffs, which allows future students to plan their preparation process effectively.

What Is Considered a Safe Score for B.Tech AI & ML in JEE Main 2026?

One of the most competitive branches in IIITs is the B.Tech AI and ML, which is usually slightly more demanding compared to CSE, with fewer seats and subsequently increasing demand in the artificial intelligence and machine learning industries. Safe JEE Main 2026 AI and ML score is the specific score that provides you with a high possibility of getting admission in case the cutoffs rise because of a high-performing batch or a less challenging examination.

According to the current tendencies in JoSAA counselling, high-ranking IIITs like IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Allahabad, and IIIT Bangalore have a cutoff of 255- 270 marks and need a safe score target of 270+ marks. The mid-Tier IIITs expect a cutoff mark of 220-240 marks. And the safe score target should be 235-255 marks. For the newly developed IIIT, the closing score is expected to be 180-215 marks, and the Safe score target is 200-225 marks

The students of the general category should be the ones who have the highest safety scores.

Candidates of OBC/EWS tend to score 10-15 marks lower. The candidates of SC/ST have an opportunity to get a seat at significantly lower scores relative to the rest of the categories. Concisely, scoring 10-20 points higher than your anticipated cutoff means that you are within the low-risk category and have more prospects of being selected in B.Tech AI and ML in IIITs in 2026.

Safe Score Range Expected for B.Tech AI & ML in IIITs in 2026

The B.Tech AI & ML is among the most in-demand branches in the IIITs since careers in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data science have swiftly expanded. This is because there are only a few seats and cutoffs are high, particularly in good IIITs. A safe score would be the score that would ensure that you are well beyond what is anticipated in closing marks, so that your likelihood of being admitted is high even when the exam is not as hard as usual or there is an increase in competition.

The students of the general category require the best safe scores, compared to the reserved groups (OBC-NCL, EWS, SC/ST), which need lower scores. The final cutoff may be influenced by such factors as paper difficulty, the number of applicants and seat availability in counselling.

Having a goal of scoring in the safe range means that you will be in a comfort zone and have more chances of getting a seat in B.Tech AI & ML at your preferred IIIT.

The table below shows the safe score range expected for B.Tech. AI and ML in IIITs in 2026.

Category-Wise Safe Score for B.Tech AI and ML (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS)

A safe score will guarantee a good probability of gaining admission to B.Tech AI and ML in IIITs, despite a slight increase in cutoffs as a result of increased competition or less challenging tests. The admissions in IIIT are provided in accordance with the reservations, therefore, there are variations in the expected safe score of each category. The table below shows the safe score ranges for the different categories for B.Tech AI and ML.

Factors That Influence Safe Score for B.Tech AI and ML in 2026

The safe score of B.Tech AI & ML in IIITs may not be constant and changes every year. Several factors determine what score you need to achieve to be in a comfortable range above the closing cutoff. The knowledge of these factors can assist you in planning how you would prepare, and you can have realistic targets.

1. Difficulty Level of JEE Main 2026- When the exam is difficult, the overall scores decrease, and the cutoffs are also low. With a simpler paper, the students score higher and there is an increase in cutoffs.

2. Number of Applicants- An increase in the number of students will increase the competition and drive the cutoffs up. 

3. Performance of Top Scorers- In case most of the students are scoring more than 260-270, the best IIITs are filled sooner and the closing scores are raised. A reduction in the number of high scorers can slightly reduce cutoffs.

4. Seat Availability in AI & ML- Cutoffs can be relaxed as a result of new AI and ML seats or intake increases. Fewer seats increase the safe score required.

5. Popularity of AI & ML Branch- The tendency of high demand for AI & ML in the industry makes it a more targeted field by more students, raising the required scores.

6. Amendments in Counselling Rules (JoSAA / CSAB)- Final cutoffs can be changed in relation to any alterations in round, reservation, or seat allocation policies.

7. Category and Reservation- The students needing highest safe scores are general category students. About 10-15 marks lower can help OBC-NCL and EWS category students. The SC/ST applicants tend to get seats at a significantly lower score.

8. Home State vs All India Quota- The cutoffs of the Home State quota might be lower than those of the All India quota.

9. Choice Filling Strategy- Admission can be obtained at a slightly lower score by strategically filling preferred IIITs.

10. Previous Year Cutoff Trends- Trends in past years show an upward direction of the cutoffs or a stabilization or a decline in cutoffs, which allows one to predict safe scores in 2026.

Conclusion

The safe score & percentile in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech. AI & ML in IIITs depends on the category, quota and counselling strategies. Students in the general category have to achieve the highest scores, whereas OBC-NCL, EWS, SC, and ST students will be permitted to reach slightly lower marks.

Through these safe scores, candidates will have better chances of entry, minimize risk, and remain within a safe range above the desired 2026 cutoffs. Correctly interpreting such scores, percentages, and trends means that the aspirants will be well equipped to get admissions in IIITs under JEE Main 2026.