JEE 2026 Tie Rule Explanation: How NTA Decide Ranks in Case of Equal Percentile Marks
Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) Main 2026 ( JEE Main )
Result - 20 Apr '26
Check how NTA resolves ties when two or more candidates get the same percentile. Read all details below,
JEE 2026 Tie Rule Explanation: How NTA Decides Ranks in case of Equal Percentile Marks
JEE 2026 Tie Rule Explanation: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has mentioned the tie-breaking rule for JEE Mains paper 1 (BE/Tech), paper 2a (BArch) and paper 2b (BPlan). In case two or more candidates get the same percentile score, then NTA will follow a set rule to break the ties. The tie-breaking rule is explained in detail in the article below. Note that, previously the JEE Mains tie-breaking rule used to include the "age criteria" too. However, the "age criteria" for breaking ties has been dropped in 2024.
- JEE Mains 2026 Tie Breaking Rule for Paper 1 (BE/BTech)
- JEE Mains 2026 Tie Breaking Rule for Paper 2a (BArch)
- JEE Mains 2026 Tie Breaking Rule for Paper 2b (BPlan)
- How to Check JEE Mains 2026 Ranks?
JEE Mains 2026 Tie Breaking Rule for Paper 1 (BE/BTech)
Check below the tie-breaking rule for JEE Mains 2026 paper 1:
- Candidates with a better NTA score in Mathematics will be given a higher rank.
- If that fails, then NTA score in Physics will be given priority
- If that fails, then NTA score in Chemistry will be given priority
If all the above criteria fail, then
- A candidate with a lower proportion of incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the test will be considered for a better rank
- Followed by a candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Mathematics in the test
- Followed by a candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Physics in the test
- Followed by a candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Chemistry in the test
If there is a tie even after this, candidates will be assigned the same rank.
JEE Mains 2026 Tie Breaking Rule for Paper 2a (BArch)
Check below the tie-breaking rule for JEE Mains 2026 paper 2a:
- Candidates with a better NTA score in Mathematics will be given a higher rank.
- If that fails, then NTA score in Aptitude will be given priority
- If that fails, then NTA score in Drawing will be given priority
If all the above criteria fail, then
- Candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the test
- Followed by a candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Mathematics in the test
- Followed by a candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Aptitude in the test
If there is a tie even after this, candidates will be assigned the same rank.
JEE Mains 2026 Tie Breaking Rule for Paper 2b (BPlan)
Check below the tie-breaking rule for JEE Mains 2026 paper 2b:
- Candidates with a better NTA score in Mathematics will be given a higher rank.
- If that fails, then NTA score in Aptitude will be given priority
- If that fails, then NTA score in Planning will be given priority
If all the above criteria fail, then
- Candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in all the subjects in the test
- Followed by a candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Mathematics in the test
- Followed by a candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Aptitude in the test
- Followed by a candidate with less proportion of number of attempted incorrect answers and correct answers in Planning in the test
If there is a tie even after this, candidates will be assigned the same rank.
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How to Check JEE Mains 2026 Ranks?
Candidates can check their JEE Main ranks with their JEE Main session 2 scorecard. To check their ranks, candidates have to download the scorecard from their respective logins.
The JEE Mains 2026 session 2 scorecard will have the category rank as well as the overall All India Ranks of the students.
- AIR (All India Rank): Determines your position nationwide, crucial for seat allocation in the general category.
- Category Rank: Specific to a category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD). It helps candidates secure seats in top institutions, sometimes even with a lower AIR.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 2 days ago
Yes, you can gain admission at Vishwakarma Government Engineering College with a JEE Main rank of 4000 if you belong to the OBC category under the All India category.
The VGEC JEE Main cutoff 2025 ranged from 900523 to 905928, according to the first and last round closing ranks. B.E. in Computer Eng
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
There is no decided cutoff for JEE Main for admission in HKBK College of Engineering. The BTech admission in HKBK is based on JEE merit and available seats. However, for candidates who get a decent percentile, there is a benefit in their favor.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 days ago
Yes, you can get a seat at Vishwakarma Government Engineering College with a JEE Main rank of 20000 if you belong to the General AI category. For this category, the overall VGEC JEE Main cutoff 2025 ranged from 900116 to 903773. Hence, a rank of 20000 might get you admission to this college.
If you
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 days ago
| Scenario | Priority | Recommended Action |
| Want to stay in tech/coding | Branch | Take CSE/IT in a Tier-2/3 college over Civil in a Tier-1 college. |
| Aiming for non-tech roles | College | Take any branch in a Top-Tier college for the brand and network. |
| Confused about career | College | Go for the best possible brand; it gives you 4 years to explore. |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
| Event | Date |
| Exam Dates | April 2 to April 8, 2026 |
| Provisional Answer Key Release | April 11, 2026 |
| Answer Key Challenge Window | April 11 to April 13, 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Tentative) | April 20, 2026 |
| JEE Advanced 2026 Exam | May 17, 2026 |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
| Route | Best Colleges | Selection Criteria |
| University Exams | BITS, VIT, SRM, Manipal | Entrance Exam Rank |
| Merit-Based | LPU, CU, Amity, Thapar | 12th Board Marks (PCM %) |
| Management Quota | RVCE, MSRIT, MAIT, BPIT | 12th Marks + Admission Fee |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
| Category | 2025 Closing Rank (HS) | Estimated Percentile (2026) | Target Marks (out of 300) |
| General (OPEN) | ~16,008 | 98.8 – 99.1% | 165 – 180 |
| OBC-NCL | ~5,44,590* | 82% + | 90 – 110 |
| EWS | ~1,905 | 83% + | 100 – 120 |
| SC | ~2,066 | 64.5% + | 65 – 85 |
| ST | ~688 | 51% + | 50 – 65 |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 days ago
| Category | Quota | Round 1 Closing Rank | Last Round Closing Rank |
| General (OPEN) | Other State (OS) | 3,122 | 4,245 |
| General (OPEN) | Home State (HS) | 4,273 | 7,853 |
| OBC-NCL | Other State (OS) | 1,011 | 6,791 |
| EWS | Other State (OS) | 972 | 2,045 |
| SC | Other State (OS) | 407 | 26,996 |
| ST | Other State (OS) | 729 | - |
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
Yes, a JEE Main All India Rank (AIR) is required to qualify for the merit-based scholarships offered at Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College (AKGEC) for B.Tech students.
The college provides tuition fee waivers based on specific rank brackets in the JEE Main examination. These scholarships are applica
S
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 6 days ago
A percentile of 90 in JEE Main would translate to approximately 1,00,000 to 1,55,000 rank in the exam. With this rank, you might get into Netaji Subhas University of Technology.
This university had the last round cutoff ranging between 55963 and 148808. Students can click here to know more.
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Contributor-Level 10
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