JEE Advanced 2026 expected OBC-NCL closing ranks range from approximately 1,050 for IIT Delhi CSE to over 12,000 for newer IITs in non-core branches, based on 2025 JoSAA final-round data.
With JoSAA 2026 counselling underway, OBC-NCL students who cleared JEE Advanced 2026 are now finalising their choice preferences before the last allotment round. The 2025 closing ranks remain the strongest benchmark for forecasting 2026 cutoffs, with year-on-year variation typically within 5–10%.
- OBC-NCL seats at each IIT are approximately 27% of the total sanctioned intake per branch.
- The JEE Advanced 2026 qualifying cutoff for OBC-NCL is lower than the general category by approximately 10–15 percentile points.
- In 2025, IIT Delhi CSE OBC-NCL closed near 1,150 and IIT Bombay CSE near 1,350.
- For newer IITs, OBC-NCL closing ranks for CSE ranged between 6,000 and 12,000 in 2025.
- Official confirmed cutoffs will be published on the JoSAA portal after the final allotment round, expected mid-July 2026.
| Direct Link to JEE Advanced 2026 Official Website (ACTIVE) |
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What Is the OBC-NCL Closing Cutoff in JEE Advanced?
The OBC-NCL closing cutoff in JEE Advanced is the last rank allotted a reserved OBC-NCL seat in the final round of JoSAA counselling. It is entirely separate from the JEE Advanced qualifying cutoff, which only determines who receives a rank on the merit list.
Students first clear the qualifying cutoff to receive a rank, then compete within the OBC-NCL pool for reserved seats. Since 27% of seats in each IIT branch are reserved for OBC-NCL students, the closing rank is numerically higher (less competitive) than the general category closing rank for the same branch. Knowing this figure before the final round shapes a stronger JoSAA preference list.
Expected OBC-NCL Closing Cutoff 2026: Top Old IITs
All figures below are expected OBC-NCL closing ranks for JEE Advanced 2026 based on 2025 JoSAA final-round data. Actual cutoffs may vary by 5–10% once JoSAA 2026 concludes.
| IIT | Branch | Expected OBC-NCL Closing Rank 2026 | 2025 Reference (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | Computer Science and Engineering | ~1,300–1,450 | ~1,350 |
| IIT Bombay | Electrical Engineering | ~2,200–2,500 | ~2,300 |
| IIT Bombay | Mechanical Engineering | ~3,800–4,200 | ~4,000 |
| IIT Delhi | Computer Science and Engineering | ~1,050–1,250 | ~1,150 |
| IIT Delhi | Electrical Engineering | ~2,350–2,700 | ~2,500 |
| IIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | ~4,000–4,500 | ~4,200 |
| IIT Madras | Computer Science and Engineering | ~1,500–1,750 | ~1,600 |
| IIT Madras | Electrical Engineering | ~2,800–3,200 | ~3,000 |
| IIT Kanpur | Computer Science and Engineering | ~1,650–1,900 | ~1,750 |
| IIT Kanpur | Electrical Engineering | ~3,100–3,500 | ~3,300 |
| IIT Kharagpur | Computer Science and Engineering | ~1,900–2,200 | ~2,000 |
| IIT Kharagpur | Electrical Engineering | ~3,600–4,000 | ~3,800 |
| IIT Roorkee | Computer Science and Engineering | ~2,100–2,400 | ~2,200 |
| IIT Roorkee | Electrical Engineering | ~4,000–4,500 | ~4,200 |
Expected OBC-NCL Closing Cutoff 2026: Other IITs
IITs established after 2008 show higher (numerically more relaxed) OBC-NCL closing ranks. The table below covers expected 2026 OBC-NCL closing ranks primarily for CSE, the most competitive branch at each campus.
| IIT | Branch | Expected OBC-NCL Closing Rank 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| IIT Guwahati | Computer Science and Engineering | ~2,900–3,300 |
| IIT Guwahati | Electrical Engineering | ~5,200–5,800 |
| IIT Hyderabad | Computer Science and Engineering | ~3,000–3,500 |
| IIT BHU Varanasi | Computer Science and Engineering | ~3,300–3,800 |
| IIT Indore | Computer Science and Engineering | ~3,600–4,200 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | Computer Science and Engineering | ~4,300–5,000 |
| IIT Jodhpur | Computer Science and Engineering | ~5,500–6,500 |
| IIT Patna | Computer Science and Engineering | ~6,500–8,000 |
| IIT Tirupati | Computer Science and Engineering | ~8,000–10,000 |
| IIT Dharwad | Computer Science and Engineering | ~9,000–11,500 |
| IIT Bhilai | Computer Science and Engineering | ~9,500–12,000 |
| IIT Jammu | Computer Science and Engineering | ~10,000–13,000 |
Factors That Affect OBC-NCL Closing Cutoff 2026
Several variables determine whether 2026 OBC-NCL closing ranks tighten or relax versus 2025.
- OBC-NCL qualifier pool size: A larger pool increases competition for reserved seats and can push closing ranks numerically lower, making it harder to secure a seat.
- Seat matrix changes: Any increase in total IIT intake directly relaxes closing ranks for all categories, including OBC-NCL.
- Paper difficulty: A tougher JEE Advanced 2026 paper shifts the overall rank distribution and can cause minor fluctuations in closing cutoffs.
- Number of JoSAA rounds: Six rounds, as in previous years, allow seats to open through upgrades and withdrawals, progressively relaxing cutoffs in later rounds.
- Choice-filling concentration: If OBC-NCL students collectively favour specific high-demand branches, closing ranks in those branches tighten beyond trend-based estimates.
How to Use Expected Cutoff for JoSAA Choice Filling
Mapping your OBC-NCL rank against expected closing cutoffs gives you a structured basis for building your JoSAA 2026 preference list before the final round.
- Anchor with safe choices first. Branches where your rank is comfortably below the expected closing rank (numerically lower) should lead your list as your most secure options.
- Layer in aspirational choices. Add 2–3 branches where your rank is within 10–15% above the expected closing rank — later rounds often relax these as higher-ranked students upgrade.
- Do not freeze choices after Round 1. Modifying choices in Rounds 2–6 is permitted. Students who lock early miss seats freed by upgrades and withdrawals in later rounds.
- Monitor round-by-round allotment data. After each JoSAA round, the portal publishes updated opening and closing ranks by category. Cross-check your rank before every choice-fill window.
- Filter for OBC-NCL specifically. Always confirm you are viewing OBC-NCL category data, not OPEN category figures, when planning choices on the JoSAA portal.
JEE Advanced 2026 OBC-NCL Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected OBC-NCL closing rank for IIT Delhi CSE in JEE Advanced 2026?
Ans. Based on 2025 JoSAA final-round data, the expected OBC-NCL closing rank for IIT Delhi CSE in 2026 is approximately 1,050 to 1,250. IIT Delhi CSE historically shows the lowest (most competitive) OBC-NCL closing rank among all IITs. The confirmed figure will be available on the JoSAA portal after the final allotment round.
Ques. Is the OBC-NCL closing cutoff the same as the JEE Advanced qualifying cutoff?
Ans. No. The JEE Advanced qualifying cutoff is the minimum marks required to receive a rank on the merit list. The OBC-NCL closing cutoff is the last rank allotted a reserved seat during JoSAA counselling. These are separate thresholds serving different purposes in the admission process.
Ques. Do OBC-NCL closing ranks change across JoSAA rounds?
Ans. Yes. OBC-NCL closing ranks typically become numerically higher (more relaxed) after each round as students accept upgrades or withdraw. The Round 6 closing rank is the definitive cutoff published as the official figure for that year.
Ques. Can an OBC-NCL student secure a seat under the general category at an IIT?
Ans. Yes. OBC-NCL students can be allotted OPEN (general) category seats if their rank falls within the OPEN closing rank for that IIT-branch combination. JoSAA automatically considers the most advantageous seat type based on choices submitted and the student’s rank.
Ques. When will the official JEE Advanced 2026 OBC-NCL closing cutoff be published?
Ans. The official OBC-NCL closing cutoff will be published on the JoSAA portal after the final allotment round. Based on the JEE Advanced 2026 schedule, this is expected around mid-July 2026. Students can check the latest updates at jeeadv.ac.in.
Ques. Which newer IIT has the most competitive OBC-NCL closing rank for CSE in 2026?
Ans. Among IITs established after 2008, IIT Hyderabad and IIT Guwahati consistently show the most competitive OBC-NCL closing ranks for CSE. Based on 2025 JoSAA trends, both are expected to close between 2,900 and 3,500 for OBC-NCL students in 2026.
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