What Is the 75% Rule in JEE? Class 12 Marks Needed for NIT, IIIT and IIT Admission, the Top 20 Percentile Option, Explained
The JEE 75% rule: you need 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or the top 20 percentile of your board for NIT, IIIT and IIT seats. It does not stop you writing JEE.
Photo: Shishirdasika / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 75% rule means that to get a seat in an NIT, IIIT, IIT or other centrally funded technical institute through JoSAA, you need at least 75% aggregate marks in Class 12 (65% for SC, ST and PwD candidates), or you must be in the top 20 percentile of your board in your category. It does not stop you from registering for or writing JEE Main. It only matters at the admission stage.
Many students lose sleep over this rule without understanding it. Here is exactly how it works, based on the rules used for the 2026 admissions.
In this guide
Does the 75% rule apply to writing JEE Main?
No. Anyone who passed Class 12 in 2025 or 2026, or is appearing in 2027, can register for JEE Main 2027 regardless of their board percentage. A student with 60% in Class 12 can still write JEE Main, get a percentile and an All India Rank.
The rule is checked when you take admission through JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) or CSAB counselling to NITs, IIITs, IIEST Shibpur and other government-funded technical institutes, and for IITs after JEE Advanced.
The rule in one table
| Category | Minimum Class 12 aggregate | Or |
|---|---|---|
| General, OBC-NCL, General-EWS | 75% | Top 20 percentile of your board in your category |
| SC, ST, PwD | 65% | Top 20 percentile of your board in your category |
You need to meet one of the two conditions, the percentage or the top 20 percentile, not both.
What does “top 20 percentile” mean?
Each board, such as CBSE, the Maharashtra State Board or ISC, publishes the minimum aggregate marks needed to be in its top 20 percentile for each category in that year. If your marks are at or above that cut-off, you qualify even if your percentage is below 75%.
Two important points:
- Top 20 percentile is not the same as 80%. The cut-off marks vary by board, category and year, and for some boards they are well below 75%.
- The comparison is with students of your board in the year you passed, as published by the board for JoSAA.
So a Maharashtra State Board student with 72% might still qualify if the board’s top 20 percentile cut-off for their category that year was below 72%. Check the board-wise cut-offs published during JoSAA counselling.
Which subjects are counted?
For JoSAA, the aggregate is generally calculated on five subjects: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry (or the specified alternative subject), a language, and one other subject. If your board gives marks for more subjects, the rules specify how the five are chosen. Check the JoSAA business rules for the exact method for your board.
What happens if I don’t meet the 75% rule?
You can still:
- Use your JEE Main percentile for state-level admissions, such as Maharashtra’s CAP rounds, which have their own eligibility rules.
- Apply to private universities that accept JEE Main scores and set their own criteria.
- Improve your Class 12 marks through a board improvement exam, where the board allows it and the rules permit using the improved marks.
Has the 75% rule been removed?
No official announcement has removed it. The rule was relaxed for a few admission years during the COVID-19 period, which is why some students believe it is gone. For the 2026 admission cycle, it applied. JoSAA publishes its rules for each year shortly before counselling, so check the 2027 rules when they are released, usually after the JEE Advanced results.
Practical advice for Class 12 students
- Do not neglect boards. A strong JEE rank is of no use for NITs if your board marks fall short.
- Know your board’s top 20 percentile cut-off from the previous year to understand your safety margin.
- Keep your marksheets ready for document verification during counselling.
For registration dates and steps, see our guide to education news, where our JEE Main 2027 registration guide is also listed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 75% rule in JEE?
It is an admission requirement for NITs, IIITs, IITs and other centrally funded institutes: you need 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST/PwD) or a place in the top 20 percentile of your board in your category.
Is 75% required to write JEE Main 2027?
No. The 75% rule does not apply to registration or writing JEE Main. It is checked only at the time of admission through JoSAA or CSAB.
Is top 20 percentile the same as 80% marks?
No. Top 20 percentile means being in the top fifth of students in your board and category that year, and the required marks vary by board and year.
Can I get an NIT if I have less than 75% in Class 12?
Yes, if you are in the top 20 percentile of your board in your category. If you meet neither condition, you are not eligible for JoSAA seats but can use your JEE score for state or private admissions.
