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

Check the expected safe score and percentile in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech CSE admissions in IIITs. Know target marks, percentile range, and admission chances based on past trends.

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The branch that is most competitive in IIITs is Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) CSE, and a very small percentage of the JEE Main applicants achieve the required scores annually. Over the past few years, closing scores in the best Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) have remained over the 250-mark that typically corresponds to a 99.5+ percentile mark. Even in IIITs that have lower and medium-tier demands, CSE cutoffs are uncommon to fall below 180-200 marks. Competition is also going to be tough again, with over 12-14 lakh students predicted to take the JEE Main 2026.

This is the reason students are targeting a safe score, that is, one that is over and above the expected JEE Main cutoffs, to enable minor fluctuations in the difficulty of the paper or counselling trends not to influence admission opportunities. The article reduces your confusion by telling you what score & percentile in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech CSE in IIITs are needed. It explains the trend of JoSAA in the upcoming years, differences in category cutoffs, as well as cutoffs in various IIITs.

What Is Considered a Safe Score for B.Tech CSE in JEE Main 2026?

A safe score & percentile in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech. CSE for IIITs would imply a score that would make you have a big chance of securing a seat, even with a slight increase in cutoffs, with a more competitive test. It is typically maintained at 10-15 marks above the projected cutoff of your desired IIIT and category.

Judging by the past years' tendencies, the score ranges of CSE to be considered safe in IIITs may be understood broadly. For the best IIIT for B.Tech. CSE, you must target 240+ marks. For a mid-tier IIIT, you can target between 220 and 230+ marks. And for IIIT, which is newer or less in demand, you can target 190 and above marks.

The strategy will provide you with a guarantee on any fluctuation in exam difficulty or increase in the number of candidates appearing, and is likely to secure you a seat in B.Tech CSE in IIITs for 2026 through JEE Main.

JEE Main Exam Dates 2026	JEE Main Participating Colleges
JEE Main Admit Card	JEE Main Exam Day Guidelines 2026

Safe Score Range Expected for CSE in IIITs in 2026

The most demanded branch in IIITs is CSE. There is a wide range of cutoffs between good IIITs (such as IIIT Allahabad, Bangalore, and IIIT Hyderabad) and newer or less sought-after IIITs. Safe score refers to scoring well above the recent closing score in such a way that the slight variations in the competition or the difficulty of the papers do not pose any threat to your chances.

In the leading IIITs, the cutoff in CSE tends to remain high. Over the recent years, the range of scores within which closing scores have predominantly been found has been in the 250-plus range, with a percentile greater than 99.5. A safe level of 2026 would be approximately 265-285 marks, which 99.6 percentile. This compartment provides good opportunities even in the case of increased competition.

In upper-middle tier IIITs (such as IIIT Guwahati, IIIT Sri City, IIIT Kottayam or IIIT Dharwad), CSE cutoffs take a range of 215 to 240 marks. The safe mark of 2026 would be approximately 235-255 marks that would translate to a 98.5-99.4 percentile.

In the case of mid-tier and low-end IIITs, new CSE cutoffs have largely remained between 180 and 215 marks. In order to be on the safe side in 2026, anything close to 200 marks to 225 marks is what you should target, and it translates to 95.5 to 98 percentiles. The safe score ranges in the table below are based on the latest trends in JoSAA and anticipated competition.

Safe Score Range Expected for CSE in IIITs in 2026
IIIT Category	Examples of IIITs	Expected Closing Score (2026)	Safe Score Range (2026)	Expected Percentile
Top IIITs	IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Allahabad, IIIT Bangalore	250 – 265	265 – 285+	99.6 – 99.9
Upper Mid-Tier IIITs	IIIT Guwahati, IIIT Sri City, IIIT Kottayam, IIIT Dharwad	215 – 240	235 – 255	98.5 – 99.4
Mid-Tier IIITs	IIIT Nagpur, IIIT Pune, IIIT Bhagalpur, IIIT Bhopal	195 – 215	210 – 230	96.5 – 98.0
Lower-Demand IIITs	IIIT Kalyani, IIIT Una, IIIT Ranchi, IIIT Senapati	175 – 195	190 – 210	94.0 – 96.5

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

The JoSAA admission process is based on reservation, so General, OBC-NCL, EWS, SC and ST have their own range of cutoffs. These cutoffs vary with the difficulty of the exams, the number of applicants and seat availability on an annual basis. Knowing the category safe score will help you determine how many points higher you will need to be to be safely above the projected closing cutoffs in CSE.

Category-Wise Safe Score for B.Tech CSE (General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS)
Category	Expected Closing Score Range (Top–Mid Colleges)	Safe Score Range for 2026	Expected Percentile Range	What This Means
General (UR)	235 – 255	255 – 270+	99.3 – 99.8	Needed for CSE in top IIITs. Mid colleges possible around 225–240 safely.
OBC-NCL	210 – 230	235 – 250	98.3 – 99.2	Good chance in top and mid IIITs with this range.
EWS	205 – 225	230 – 245	98.0 – 99.0	Similar to OBC, slightly easier than General.
SC	150 – 180	170 – 195	90 – 95	Works for good IIITs; lower ones possible at 135–155.
ST	120 – 150	140 – 170	85 – 92	Enough for CSE in many IIITs; some at even lower scores.

Factors That Influence Safe Score for B.Tech CSE in 2026

The B.Tech CSE safe score varies year by year depending on a number of factors that are involved in the exam, counselling, and the student's preferences. With these, you can know how to set a target that is realistic.

Difficulty Level of JEE Main 2026- When the paper is hard, the total scores decrease, and cutoffs decline. When it is simple, a higher number of students will score high, and the cutoffs will be increased. An easy paper, therefore, implies a higher safe score is expected.
Number of Candidates who appear- The more students taking the JEE Main, the higher the competition. Increased competition raises the cutoffs, particularly when the branch concerned, such as CSE, is popular.
Performance of Top Scorers- When the number of students who scored above 250-270 is large, then the seats at the top colleges are filled quickly. Fewer high scorers imply reduced cutoffs.
Seat Availability in CSE- In case of new CSE seats or in case of increment of the intake in IIIT, the cutoffs can be lowered marginally. When the number of seats is decreased, then safe scores increase.
Demand of CSE Branch- The most desired branch is CSE. Safe scores will increase in case of further growth of the demand, following job trends and technological advancement.
Amendments to Counselling Rules (JoSAA/CSAB)- Any modification in counselling round, reservation policy, or seat-sharing policy has the potential to influence cutoffs and safe scores.
Home State vs All India Quota- Home State quota tends to require lower scores as compared to All India quota. The target of your safe score should be equal to the quota that you are applying for.

In IIITs, the cutoff is not fixed in the case of B.Tech CSE. It varies yearly with the difficulty level of the exam, the number of applicants, and the available seats. Safe scores & percentile in JEE Main 2026 for B.Tech. CSE typically requires high marks of about 265-285+, which is approximately a 99.6+ percentile to get into the Top IIITs. The safer range of the mid IIITs at the higher finish is 235-255 marks, which is approximately 98.5-99.4 percentile. Newer or less desirable IIITs are secure at 200- 225 marks, approximately 95.5- 98 percentile. These figures can vary depending on your category. When you set up your target with safe score and percentile as opposed to bare minimum cutoffs, you are reducing the risk and also increasing your odds of securing B.Tech CSE in an IIIT in 2026.