Step 1 — Download Your JEE Main 2026 Scorecard (Within 24 Hours)
Go to jeemain.nta.ac.in and download your official scorecard. Note your CRL (Common Rank List) rank AND your category rank (OBC-NCL / SC / ST / EWS if applicable). Both will be used in JoSAA. Save the PDF — you will need it multiple times.
Step 2 — Check Your JoSAA Eligibility
- JEE Main Paper 1 qualifier → eligible for NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs via JoSAA
- JEE Advanced qualifier → additionally eligible for all 23 IITs
- Check your percentile — NTA announces the cutoff percentile for JoSAA eligibility each year
- In 2025, the JoSAA cutoff was approximately 75 percentile for General, lower for reserved categories
Step 3 — Register for JEE Advanced 2026 (If You Qualify)
JEE Advanced 2026 registration opens immediately after JEE Main results. The window is only 5–7 days. If your JEE Main rank is within the top 2.5 lakh, you are eligible. Register immediately at jeeadv.ac.in — do not miss this window even if you are unsure about appearing.
Step 4 — Register for All State Counselling Processes
| State / Process | Key Institutes | Register at |
|---|---|---|
| JAC Delhi | DTU, NSUT, IGDTUW, IIIT Delhi | jacdelhi.admissions.nic.in |
| WBJEE (West Bengal) | Jadavpur University, IIEST Shibpur | wbjeeb.wb.gov.in |
| MHT-CET (Maharashtra) | COEP, VJTI, ICT Mumbai | cetcell.mahacet.org |
| KCET (Karnataka) | NIE Mysore, BMS, DSCE | cetonline.karnataka.gov.in |
| BITSAT | BITS Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad | bitsadmission.com |
Step 5 — Start Your JoSAA Preparation
- 1Download JoSAA previous year cutoff data from josaa.nic.in (Archives section)
- 2Check 2023, 2024, 2025 closing ranks for your target colleges
- 3Identify your reach, target, and safe colleges based on your rank and category
- 4Book a counselling session to get a personalized choice list built for you
- 5Prepare all documents (category certificate, 10th/12th marksheets, ID proof)
Step 6 — Prepare Your Documents Now (Before JoSAA Opens)
- JEE Main 2026 scorecard and admit card
- Class 10 certificate (date of birth proof)
- Class 12 marksheet and passing certificate
- OBC-NCL / SC / ST / EWS certificate — must be current year (2026)
- Domicile / state eligibility certificate (for home state NIT quota)
- Aadhaar card or other photo ID
- Passport-size photographs (10–15 copies)
Timeline: What Happens When
| Event | Timeline After JEE Main Result |
|---|---|
| JEE Advanced registration | Within 5–7 days of result |
| JEE Advanced exam | ~4–6 weeks after JEE Main result |
| JEE Advanced result | ~6–8 weeks after JEE Main result |
| JoSAA registration opens | ~2 weeks after JEE Advanced result |
| JoSAA Round 1 allotment | ~4 weeks after JoSAA opens |
| Final Round allotment | ~8–10 weeks after JoSAA opens |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum JEE Main rank for NIT admission?
There is no fixed minimum rank — it depends on which NIT, which branch, and which category. Top NITs (Trichy, Warangal) CSE closes around rank 3,000–5,000 for General. Lower NITs and non-CS branches are accessible at much higher ranks (up to 1,00,000+).
Can I apply for JoSAA without appearing in JEE Advanced?
Yes. JEE Advanced is only required for IIT seats. If you only want NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, you can participate in JoSAA with just your JEE Main rank.
What is the JoSAA registration fee?
There is no separate JoSAA registration fee. However, after seat allotment, you must pay a seat acceptance fee: ₹35,000 for General/OBC/EWS and ₹15,000 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.
Can I prepare for JoSAA counselling while waiting for JEE Advanced results?
Absolutely yes — and you should. Identify your target colleges, study previous year cutoffs, prepare your documents, and plan your choice list. The more prepared you are before JoSAA opens, the better your choices will be.