Discover the JEE Main 2026 score and percentile you need for admission to AI & Machine Learning BTech programs in IIITs, based on expected cutoffs, past trends and counselling data.
The JEE Main 2026 exam allows students to secure their seats in top IIITs in B.Tech. in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning courses. Over the previous years, AI and ML have seen a huge demand because of their global relevance, strong placement outcomes, and future-proof career opportunities.
IIITs are well known for their focus on technology-driven programs, and make the AI and ML course a competitive branch. The students who are seeking for admissions in IIITs AI and ML courses must achieve the highest JEE Main 2026 AI ML score. They should also understand the expected cutoffs, required percentile, and rank range to prepare accordingly and achieve a high score.
JEE Main Score (Expected) for B.Tech AI & Machine Learning in Top IIITs in 2026
You must have the 99+ percentile to get admission in B.Tech in AI/ML branch in IIITs. IIIT Hyderabad and Bangalore only accept the candidates with the highest scores in the 99.9+ percentile. IIIT Allahabad, Kota, and Guwahati give admissions to candidates with 98-99+ percentiles.
So you must know the expected Main 2026 AI ML score to get admission in the top IIITs. Let us look at the given table to understand this.
|
IIIT Institute (Example) |
Expected Percentile (Closing) |
Expected Score (Marks) |
Notes |
|
IIIT Hyderabad/Bangalore (High Demand) |
99.9+ |
220 - 260+ |
Very competitive; aim for 99.9+ for CSE/AI. |
|
IIIT Allahabad/Delhi |
99.0 - 99.5+ |
180 - 220+ |
Strong chance for AI/CS branches. |
|
IIIT Kota/Guwahati/Vadodara |
98.0 - 99.0+ |
150 - 200+ |
Good options for AI/related fields. |
BTech AI & Machine Learning Cut-Off Trends in IIITs in 2024 & 2025
IIIT AI ML cutoff 2026 is very competitive. It requires JEE Main ranks within the top 10,000-15,000 for the General Category. Some top-tier IIITs, like IIIT Delhi, even accept lower ranks, such as around 8,000 for AI/CS. The previous year cut off trends show the rising demand and tightening ranks. In recent years (2023-2025), closing ranks for well-regarded IIITs like Lucknow and Delhi typically fall in the 9,000-12,000 range. Let us look at the BTech AI/ML cut-off trends in previous years.
|
IIIT (Example) |
Course |
2024 Closing Rank (Approx.) |
2025 Closing Rank (Approx.) |
Trend Notes |
|
IIIT Delhi |
CSE (AI & ML) |
~764 (2024) |
~782 (2025) |
Very High; Stable/Tightening. |
|
IIIT Nagpur |
CSE (AI & ML) |
~9k-11k (Opening) |
~9k-11k (Opening) |
Mid-Tier IIIT; Competitive opening ranks. |
|
IIIT Kota |
AI & Data Engg. |
~27k (R3 2025) |
~27k (R3 2025) |
Higher ranks for AI/DE in this IIIT. |
|
IIIT Dharwad |
Data Science & AI |
~37,258 (2024) |
- |
Tier 3: Higher ranks but strong demand. |
Factors Affecting Cut-Offs in IIITs
JEE Mains IIIT AI ML cutoff 2026 depends on the number of candidates appearing, total seats, and exam difficulty. High demand for AI/ML lowers ranks at popular institutes like IIIT Delhi and Bangalore.
The overall reputation of the IIIT category and the specific model of the IIIT (PPP or Government) also significantly impacts ranks. This makes these specialized programs highly competitive, even at newer IIITs. Here are the factors affects the IIIT AI ML cutoff 2026
- Number of applicants
- Total number of candidates appear in the exam
- Total number of B.Tech. seats
- Difficulty level of the entrance exam
- Previous year’s JEE Main cutoff trends
More JEE Main Related Articles:
| JEE Main Counselling | JEE Main College Predictor |
| JEE Main Marks vs Percentile | JEE Main Merit List |
How JEE Main Score Translates to Percentile & Rank?
The JEE Main 2026 AI ML scores are normalized and converted into percentiles, which determine the All India Rank (AIR). Percentiles are relative and depend on how other candidates perform. The official JEE Main Percentile Formula (as per NTA) is
Percentile Score = (Number of candidates in the session who scored equal to or less than a candidate ÷ Total number of candidates in that session × 100. Here is how JEE scores are calculated into percentiles and ranks
|
Marks Range (Out of 300) |
Expected Percentile Range |
Estimated AIR (Rank) |
|
285 – 300 |
99.99 – 100 |
1 – 150 |
|
270 – 284 |
99.94 – 99.98 |
151 – 900 |
|
250 – 269 |
99.80 – 99.93 |
901 – 3,000 |
|
230 – 249 |
99.60 – 99.79 |
3,001 – 6,000 |
|
215 – 229 |
99.40 – 99.59 |
6,001 – 9,000 |
|
200 – 214 |
99.10 – 99.39 |
9,001 – 13,500 |
|
185 – 199 |
98.80 – 99.09 |
13,501 – 18,000 |
|
170 – 184 |
98.20 – 98.79 |
18,001 – 27,000 |
|
155 – 169 |
97.50 – 98.19 |
27,001 – 37,500 |
|
140 – 154 |
96.50 – 97.49 |
37,501 – 52,500 |
|
125 – 139 |
95.00 – 96.49 |
52,501 – 75,000 |
|
110 – 124 |
93.00 – 94.99 |
75,001 – 1,05,000 |
|
95 – 109 |
90.00 – 92.99 |
1,05,001 – 1,50,000 |
|
80 – 94 |
85.00 – 89.99 |
1,50,001 – 2,25,000 |
|
65 – 79 |
75.00 – 84.99 |
2,25,001 – 3,75,000 |
JEE Main 2026 Score vs Rank – What Should You Target?
To gain admission to the BTech AI & ML course in IIITs, you should understand how your JEE Main 2026 score relates to your percentile and All India Rank (AIR).
Your JEE Main score will determine your percentile, which in turn dictates your rank. To meet the expected IIIT AI ML cutoff in 2026, candidates should aim for a score that places them in the top 1% or better among all test-takers. Let us look at the expected JEE Mains 2026 score vs ranks for BTech AI ML IIIT admission.
|
JEE Main Score |
Expected Percentile |
Approx AIR |
Admission Chances in IIITs |
|
270+ |
99.95 – 99.99 |
Up to 2,000 |
Excellent chance in top IIITs |
|
250 – 269 |
99.85 – 99.95 |
2,000 – 5,000 |
Very strong chance |
|
230 – 249 |
99.70 – 99.85 |
5,000 – 8,000 |
Good chance |
|
210 – 229 |
99.30 – 99.70 |
8,000 – 12,000 |
Moderate chance |
|
200 – 209 |
99.00 – 99.30 |
12,000 – 15,000 |
Limited (mostly newer IIITs) |
|
Below 200 |
Below 99.00 |
15,000+ |
Very low for AI & ML |
How You can Improve your chances for admission to BTech AI & Machine Learning in IIITs?
Here are some tips to increase your chances of getting BTech AI ML IIIT admission.
- Ace the Entrance Exams
Cracking the exam and achieving the JEE Main/Advanced score is important to enroll in top IIITs. Candidates should focus on Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science fundamentals to boost their percentile.
- Strengthen Core Academics
You should have a solid academic foundation to enroll in B.Tech AI and ML in IIITs. In Mathematics, master topics like Linear Algebra, Calculus, Probability, and Statistics. In Computer Science, develop a strong grasp of Data Structures, Algorithms, and programming basics.
Good conceptual understanding will improve your problem-solving skills in entrance exams and practical situations.
- Develop Practical AI & ML Skills
Having the AI and ML Hands-on skills is also important to show your potential and get admission in IIITs. Become skilled in Python and learn important libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, and NumPy. Work on personal projects, such as chatbots, image classifiers, or recommendation systems, and host them on GitHub to display your work.
- Build a Strong Application
A standout application can make a big difference. Create a strong resume highlighting your AI & ML projects, coding experience, and any competitive achievements. If relevant, write a clear Statement of Purpose (SOP) that conveys your passion for AI & ML and your career goals.
- Stay Updated in the AI/ML Field
Show your interest by following the latest trends in AI & ML. Keep track of industry leaders, research developments, and breakthroughs to stay informed.
This knowledge enriches your understanding and can help in interviews, personal statements, and project ideas, making you a more competitive candidate for IIIT AI & ML programs.
Conclusion
Admission to BTech AI & Machine Learning in IIITs through JEE Main 2026 is highly competitive and requires an outstanding score. Aspirants should aim for a 99+ percentile in JEE Main 2026 to get B.Tech. AI ML IIIT admission. With solid preparation, consistent mock practice, and strategic counseling choices, students can enhance their chances of securing a spot in this future-focused and rapidly growing engineering field.
More Articles Related to Minimum Marks Required for JEE Main 2026 Admission in IIITs
-
Aim for 99+ percentile in JEE Main 2026 for BTech AI/ML in IIITs. -
IIIT Hyderabad/Bangalore expect 99.9+ percentile (220-260+ marks). -
Top IIIT AI/ML closing ranks are typically within 8,000-15,000 AIR. -
High demand for AI/ML makes these programs extremely competitive.
