150–160 Marks in JEE Main 2026: Expected Percentile, Rank & What to Do Next
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Key Takeaway
A score between 150–160 marks in JEE Main 2026 is expected to yield a percentile range of 98–99, translating to an All India Rank of around 15,000–25,000. With this score, aspirants can target top NITs, IIITs, and state-level government colleges for Computer Science, Electronics, and Mechanical branches.
Understanding What 150–160 Marks Mean in JEE Main 2026
JEE Main percentile and rank vary based on exam difficulty, normalization, and session-wise shifts.However, based on recent trends, the following projections are accurate for 2026:
| Marks Range | Expected Percentile | Approx. Rank Range | Performance Category |
| 150–155 | 98.2 – 98.7 | 22,000 – 26,000 | Top 2% |
| 156–160 | 98.8 – 99.1 | 15,000 – 21,000 | Top 1.5% |
OGcollege Insight: Even a 5-mark difference can shift your percentile by up to 0.3 — hence analyzing score normalization across both sessions is crucial.
Colleges You Can Target with 150–160 Marks (Expected Percentile 98–99)
Top NITs (National Institutes of Technology)
| Institute | Branch | Expected Closing Percentile | Avg. Package (₹ LPA) |
| NIT Trichy | ECE / CSE | 99.1 | 14.5 |
| NIT Warangal | CSE / EEE | 99.0 | 13.8 |
| NIT Surathkal | CSE / Mechanical | 98.8 | 13.2 |
| NIT Calicut | CSE / Civil | 98.6 | 11.5 |
| NIT Durgapur | CSE | 98.4 | 9.8 |
OGcollege Insight: Candidates scoring in the 98–99 percentile bracket can easily aim for top NITs through the Home-State quota or JoSAA counselling Rounds 1–2.
Top IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology)
| Institute | Branch | Expected Percentile Range | Avg. Package (₹ LPA) |
| IIIT Allahabad | IT / CSE | 98.8–99.0 | 13 |
| IIIT Gwalior | IT | 98.5 | 11 |
| IIIT Pune | CSE | 98.2 | 9.5 |
| IIIT Lucknow | CSE / AI | 98.3–98.7 | 10 |
OGcollege Insight: IIITs are excellent for tech-focused aspirants — especially those looking for AI, ML, or Data Science specializations.
Government & State Engineering Colleges
| College | Exam / Admission Mode | Average Fee (₹ L/yr) | Avg. Package (₹ LPA) |
| Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh | JEE Main / JoSAA | 1.8 | 10 |
| DTU, Delhi | JEE Main | 2.1 | 12 |
| VJTI Mumbai | MHT CET / JEE Main | 1.6 | 9 |
| COEP Technological University, Pune | JEE Main / MHT CET | 1.9 | 9.5 |
| BIT Mesra, Ranchi | JEE Main / CSAB | 3.1 | 10 |
Private Universities Accepting 150–160 Marks
| College | Admission Process | Expected Percentile | Avg. Package (₹ LPA) |
| VIT Vellore | VITEEE / JEE Main | 98+ | 9.8 |
| SRM Kattankulathur | SRMJEEE / JEE Main | 97+ | 8.6 |
| MIT-WPU Pune | JEE Main / Direct | 96+ | 7.5 |
| LPU Punjab | JEE Main / LPUNEST | 95+ | 6.8 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | AEEE / JEE Main | 96–98 | 7.2 |
OGcollege Insight: Private universities often offer scholarships and early admission for candidates in the 95+ percentile bracket — useful for backup seat security.
What This Score Means for JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility
- Students scoring above 150 marks are almost certain to qualify for JEE Advanced.
- The General category cut-off for Advanced is usually around the 93–94 percentile.
- Your focus should now shift to conceptual depth and problem-solving for the next stage.
OGcollege Insight: Students scoring 150–160 are in a strong position to clear Advanced — prioritizing time-bound problem solving is key.
Next Steps After Scoring 150–160 Marks
1️ Use Rank Predictor Tools
Estimate your percentile and expected rank using the OGcollege Rank Predictor.This helps shortlist realistic NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
2️ Start Preparing for JoSAA & CSAB Counselling
- Register early after Session-2 results.
- Prepare a Dream–Probable–Safe list of colleges.
- Research branch-wise closing ranks.
3️ Apply to Private Universities
Don’t wait for JoSAA — use your percentile to apply to VIT, SRM, KIIT, and Amrita early.
4️ Evaluate Scholarships
Many universities offer fee waivers for 98+ percentile holders — apply before deadlines.
5️ Plan for JEE Advanced
If eligible, shift focus to Advanced’s conceptual & application-based pattern.
Rank vs Percentile vs Marks (2026 Expected)
| Marks | Expected Percentile | Estimated AIR | Admission Scope |
| 160 | 99.1 | ~15,000 | Top NITs / IIITs |
| 155 | 98.7 | ~20,000 | Mid-tier NITs / IIITs |
| 150 | 98.2 | ~25,000 | State Govt. / Private Tier-1 |
Conclusion
Scoring between 150–160 marks in JEE Main 2026 positions you strongly for top NITs, IIITs, and reputed private universities. With the right counselling strategy, you can secure CSE, ECE, or IT branches in high-ROI institutions. Now is the time to focus on Advanced preparation, counselling readiness, and scholarship opportunities — turning your strong score into a solid admission offer.
Verified Sources
- Careers360 — 150 Marks in JEE Main 2026 Percentile & Rank Trends
- Vedantu — 160 Marks in JEE Main 2026 Percentile Analysis
- Shiksha — JEE Main 150 Marks Percentile vs Rank 2026
- Collegedunia — 160 Marks JEE Main 2026 College Options
Check Colleges Accepting Your JEE Main 2026 Rank
Confused about which colleges you can get through JoSAA, CSAB, or your state counselling? Use the OGcollege College Predictor Tool to explore institutes that match your JEE Main rank across different counselling authorities and admission rounds.
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