NCHMCT JEE 2026 B.Sc. HHA final round closing cutoff for OBC, SC, ST and EWS categories is expected to range from rank 3,500 to 18,000 across Central IHMs, based on 2024–2025 stray vacancy round trends.
The NCHMCT JEE 2026 counselling, conducted through nchmcounselling.nic.in, fills B.Sc. Hospitality and Hotel Administration (HHA) seats across Central IHMs in multiple rounds. The final round — the stray vacancy round — reallocates seats left unfilled after Round 1 and Round 2. Closing ranks in this round are the most relaxed of the entire counselling cycle, offering reserved category students a strong last chance at top IHMs.
- OBC closing ranks at top IHMs are expected between 3,500 and 11,000 in the 2026 final round, based on 2025 trends.
- SC category ranks are expected to close between 8,000 and 18,000, reflecting the larger SC applicant pool competing for 15% reservation seats.
- ST category ranks are expected between 4,000 and 10,000, with the smaller ST applicant base keeping numerical ranks comparatively lower.
- EWS closing ranks are expected between 1,500 and 7,000, tracking 20–30% above corresponding General category closing ranks.
- All figures are expected and based on NCHMCT JEE 2024–2025 final round data and will be updated after official allotment.
| Direct Link to NCHMCT JEE 2026 Counselling Portal (ACTIVE) — nchmcounselling.nic.in |
About NCHMCT JEE 2026 Final Round Counselling
The NCHMCT JEE 2026 counselling typically runs across two main rounds followed by a stray vacancy (final) round. Seats not filled by reported students in Round 1 and Round 2 are pooled and reallocated in the final round. Students who missed earlier rounds or were not allotted their preferred institute can participate in this round. Closing ranks in the final round are historically higher (more relaxed) than earlier rounds because available seats often outnumber remaining participants.
| Counselling Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | NCHM JEE Counselling Authority |
| Official Portal | nchmcounselling.nic.in |
| Programme | B.Sc. Hospitality and Hotel Administration (HHA) |
| Total Counselling Rounds | Round 1, Round 2, Stray Vacancy (Final) Round |
| Reservation Breakdown | OBC – 27%, SC – 15%, ST – 7.5%, EWS – 10% |
| NCHMCT JEE Total Marks | 800 (200 questions × 4 marks) |
Expected NCHMCT JEE 2026 Final Round Closing Cutoff for OBC
OBC students hold 27% reservation across all Central IHMs. Based on 2024 and 2025 final round trends, OBC closing ranks in the stray vacancy round are notably more relaxed than Round 1. IHM Pusa (New Delhi), IHM Mumbai, and IHM Chennai remain the most competitive IHMs even for OBC students, while institutes in smaller cities carry higher (more relaxed) closing ranks.
| Institute | OBC Expected Closing Rank — Final Round 2026 |
|---|---|
| IHM Pusa, New Delhi | 3,500 – 4,800 |
| IHM Mumbai | 5,500 – 6,800 |
| IHM Chennai | 6,000 – 7,500 |
| IHM Bangalore | 7,000 – 8,500 |
| IHM Hyderabad | 7,500 – 9,000 |
| IHM Kolkata | 8,000 – 9,800 |
| IHM Ahmedabad | 8,500 – 10,200 |
| IHM Lucknow | 9,000 – 11,000 |
These figures are expected and based on 2025 closing rank trends. OBC students with ranks in the higher bands should include mid-tier and Tier-2 city IHMs in their final round choice list to maximise seat allotment chances.
Expected NCHMCT JEE 2026 Final Round Closing Cutoff for SC and ST
SC students hold 15% reservation. SC closing ranks numerically go the highest of all categories because the applicant pool is large relative to the 15% seat share. ST students hold 7.5% reservation, and their numerically lower closing ranks reflect the comparatively smaller ST applicant pool, not lower competition within the category. Both categories see significant relaxation in the final round versus earlier rounds.
| Institute | SC Expected Closing Rank | ST Expected Closing Rank |
|---|---|---|
| IHM Pusa, New Delhi | 8,000 – 10,500 | 4,000 – 5,500 |
| IHM Mumbai | 10,500 – 12,500 | 5,000 – 7,000 |
| IHM Chennai | 11,500 – 13,500 | 5,500 – 7,500 |
| IHM Bangalore | 12,500 – 15,000 | 6,000 – 8,000 |
| IHM Hyderabad | 13,000 – 16,000 | 6,500 – 8,500 |
| IHM Kolkata | 13,500 – 16,500 | 6,800 – 9,000 |
| IHM Ahmedabad | 14,000 – 17,000 | 7,000 – 9,500 |
| IHM Lucknow | 15,000 – 18,000 | 7,500 – 10,000 |
SC and ST students with ranks inside these expected ranges should fill all eligible IHMs in their final round choice form. Institutes with seats remaining after Round 2 are more likely to allot seats even at the outer end of these rank bands.
Expected NCHMCT JEE 2026 Final Round Closing Cutoff for EWS
The EWS (Economically Weaker Section) 10% reservation has been in effect at Central IHMs since 2020. EWS closing ranks closely track General category cutoffs and are typically 20–30% higher (more relaxed) numerically. EWS students must submit a valid EWS certificate from a Sub-Divisional Magistrate or equivalent authority at the time of document verification to claim the category benefit.
| Institute | EWS Expected Closing Rank — Final Round 2026 |
|---|---|
| IHM Pusa, New Delhi | 1,500 – 2,200 |
| IHM Mumbai | 2,500 – 3,500 |
| IHM Chennai | 3,000 – 4,200 |
| IHM Bangalore | 3,500 – 4,800 |
| IHM Hyderabad | 4,000 – 5,500 |
| IHM Kolkata | 4,500 – 6,000 |
| IHM Ahmedabad | 4,800 – 6,500 |
| IHM Lucknow | 5,000 – 7,000 |
EWS figures are expected and based on 2024–2025 stray vacancy round trends. Students should ensure their EWS certificate is issued for the financial year 2025–26 to remain valid during document verification.
Factors Affecting NCHMCT JEE 2026 Final Round Closing Cutoff
The final round cutoff for each category is not fixed — several real-time factors shift it each year:
- Seats remaining after Round 1 and Round 2: More unfilled seats push closing ranks higher, giving more students a chance.
- Category-wise participation: If fewer OBC or SC students register for the final round, closing ranks relax further within those pools.
- Non-reporting rate: Students allotted seats in earlier rounds who do not report for admission create additional vacancies that flow into the final round.
- Institute location and demand: Metro IHMs (Pusa, Mumbai) retain tighter cutoffs even in the final round because student demand stays high throughout all rounds.
- Overall NCHMCT JEE 2026 score distribution: A tougher paper or lower average scores shift the rank-to-score mapping and widen the rank bands at the closing end.
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Final Round Cutoff FAQs
Ques. What is the expected OBC closing rank for IHM Pusa in the NCHMCT JEE 2026 final round?
Ans. Based on 2024–2025 final round trends, the expected OBC closing rank for IHM Pusa, New Delhi in the NCHMCT JEE 2026 stray vacancy round is between 3,500 and 4,800. Actual figures will be published on nchmcounselling.nic.in after the round closes.
Ques. Is the final round of NCHMCT JEE counselling the same as the stray vacancy round?
Ans. Yes. The final round and the stray vacancy round are the same stage of NCHMCT JEE 2026 counselling. It reallocates B.Sc. HHA seats left unfilled after Round 1 and Round 2, and closing ranks here are the most relaxed of the entire process.
Ques. Can SC category students with a rank above 15,000 get admission in the 2026 final round?
Ans. Yes. Based on expected trends, SC students with ranks between 15,000 and 18,000 may secure seats at institutes like IHM Lucknow in the final round. Students at these ranks should include multiple institute choices across Tier-2 city IHMs when filling preferences.
Ques. What certificate does an EWS student need for NCHMCT JEE 2026 counselling?
Ans. EWS students must carry an EWS certificate issued by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate or equivalent competent authority, valid for the financial year 2025–26. The certificate must confirm that the family’s annual income is below Rs 8 lakh and that they do not own property exceeding the prescribed limits under Government of India EWS criteria.
Ques. Where are the official NCHMCT JEE 2026 final round closing ranks published?
Ans. Official category-wise closing ranks are published on the NCHM JEE counselling portal at nchmcounselling.nic.in after the seat allotment result for the final round is declared. Students can log in with their application number and date of birth to view their allotment status.
Ques. Do ST students get a lower closing rank or higher closing rank than SC students?
Ans. ST closing ranks are numerically lower (e.g. 4,000–10,000) compared to SC closing ranks (8,000–18,000) at most IHMs. This is because the ST applicant pool is smaller relative to the 7.5% seats reserved for them, making competition within the ST category less intense in numerical rank terms.
Comments