98 Percentile in JEE Main Marks—Which NIT Can You Get?

Recent News: JEE Main Session 2 results are announced and 26 students have scored 100 percentile. JoSAA counselling will commence on June 2 and hence time to check your rank and commence planning your college choices. JEE advanced (General category) qualifying cutoff is 93.41 percentile.

98 Percentile in JEE Main Marks: Achieving the 98 percentile in JEE Main is a strong performance that keeps the majority of National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in reach. At this point the chances of getting into NITs are dependent on the rank you hold, preference branch, class, and whether you are eligible for the quota of your home state. A lot of students who score this are able to get seats at highly regarded NITs each year.

In this article we will examine 98 percentile in JEE Mains marks and provide a realistic answer to the question— Which NIT will you score with the 98 percentile?

Marks for 98 Percentile in JEE Mains 2026 (Expected)

The score needed for each exam varies every year in accordance with test difficulty and normalization. However, recent trends offer an accurate estimate of marks for 98 percentile in JEE Mains 2026.

Expected JEE Main Marks vs Percentile

Percentile	Expected Marks (Out of 300)
99 percentile	190-205
98 percentile	170-185
97 percentile	155-170
95 percentile	130-150

Its key feature:

• Higher marks for easier paper are required
• More durable paper with smaller marks enough

The majority of students who reach the 98 percentile usually achieve a score in the mid-170.

Must Read: JEE Main Cut Off 2026 for Top NITs

98 Percentile in JEE Mains Rank (Expected Range)

Percentile alone is not enough to determine NIT admission. Your All India Rank (AIR) is the key factor in JoSAA counseling.

Expected Rank range at 98 Percentile in JEE Main

Category	Expected Rank
General (CRL)	20,000 - 25,000
OBC	~5,000 - 8,000
EWS	~4,000 - 6,000
SC/ST	Better odds

The rank range, which could shift dependent on the number of applicants in 2026 and the difficulty level of JEE examination etc.

Read More: 99 Percentile in JEE Main 2026

Which NIT Can You Get with 98 Percentile?

With the 98 percentile in JEE Mains marks, the majority of General category candidates usually score between 20,000 to 25,000 rank. In this range, entry to mid-tier and more recent NITs is attainable, especially in core fields such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering.

The final allocation will be contingent on your category and home state quotas and JoSAA selection of filling. The following table shows real NIT alternatives based upon past closing trends.

Expected NIT college list for 98 percentile in JEE Main

NIT Name	Likely Branches	Admission Chance (General)
National Institute of Technology Silchar	Mechanical, Civil, ECE	Good
National Institute of Technology Raipur	Electrical, Mechanical	Good
National Institute of Technology Agartala	ECE, EE, Mechanical	Good
National Institute of Technology Patna	Civil, Mechanical, EE	Moderate
National Institute of Technology Srinagar	Mechanical, Civil	Good
National Institute of Technology Goa	Mechanical, ECE	Moderate

The main takeaway is: At 98 percentile core branches of mid NITs are among the best bets.

Read More: JEE Main 2026 Colleges for 70–80 Percentile

Branch-Wise Chances of 98 Percent in JEE Mains Marks (NIT-Wise)

Your choice of branch has a significant impact on admission chances. With 98 percentile in JEE Mains marks, finding top branches like CSE at elite NITs is a challenge; however, numerous good NITs are still accessible.

Expected NIT Options by Branch

Branch	Admission Chances	Competition	Possible NIT Colleges
Computer Science Engineering	Limited	Very High	NIT Agartala, NIT Mizoram, NIT Sikkim
Electronics & Communication	Good	High	NIT Silchar, NIT Patna, NIT Raipur
Electrical Engineering	Very Good	Moderate	NIT Jalandhar, NIT Hamirpur, NIT Srinagar
Mechanical Engineering	Excellent	Moderate	NIT Durgapur, NIT Kurukshetra, NIT Jamshedpur
Civil / Chemical	Very High	Lower	NIT Bhopal, NIT Rourkela, NIT Calicut

Quick Insight

• The 98 percentile in JEE Mains marks generally translates to an AIR of 18,000 - 25,000 (General class).
• Core branches in mid-tier NITs are very feasible.
• CSE in the top NITs, such as NIT Trichy or NIT Surathkal, is not likely at this level.
• A home state quota can dramatically increase your chances.

Read More: How Much Percentile Will You Get for 180 Marks in JEE Main

Can I get Top NITs with 98 Percentile?

It is among the most sought-after questions from candidates. The answer to this question is based on your branch and category expectations.

For students of the general category, getting computer science in top NITs is generally difficult with this percentage. However, certain branches with lower demand might be a possibility in some cases (especially with a home state quota).

Top NIT Admission Reality at 98 Percentile

Top NIT	CSE Chances	Core Branch Chances	Overall Verdict
National Institute of Technology Trichy	Very Low	Low	Difficult
National Institute of Technology Surathkal	Very Low	Low	Difficult
National Institute of Technology, Warangal	Very Low	Moderate (rare)	Tough
National Institute of Technology Calicut	Very Low	Moderate	It is possible in certain instances.

Read More: 85 Percentile in JEE Mains Marks

Home State vs Other State: Impact on NIT Admission

Quota is a key factor in determining your seat.

Criteria	Home State (HS) Quota	Other State (OS) Quota
Seat Reservation	50% of seats reserved for applicants from the same state as NIT	50% of seats reserved for other candidates
Cutoff Rank	In general, the cost is less expensive (easier to gain admission)	Usually, higher (more competitive)
Competition Level	Students of the state in question.	Open competition for students from other states
Admission Advantage	Greater chance of being the branch of your choice	A little harder to secure top branches, similar to CSE
Example Scenario (98 Percentile)	More opportunities in core fields such as ECE, mechanical, and Civil	Most of them are middle-level NITs or branches that aren't core
Counselling Process	Through JoSAA Based on the the HS category	Through JoSAA, which is based on OS category
Category Reservation	Application (GEN, OBC, EWS, SC, ST) within the HS the quota	Application (GEN, OBC, EWS, SC, ST) within OS the quota

Key Insight for 98 Percentile Students

If you score around 98 percentile in JEE Main:

• If you scored around 98 percentile, the Home State limit can dramatically increase your chances of securing an improved branch at your state NIT as compared to those who compete with the Other State quota.
• All other candidates in the state might require a higher ranking in the best branches, such as CSE, ECE or IT.

Is 98 Percentile in JEE Mains a Good Score?

It is an excellent performance. With a 98 percentile in JEE Mains marks, you're probably among the top 2 percent of applicants. The score can lead to:

• Good NITs
• The majority of major branches
• Several IIITs
• Government engineering colleges

The smart JoSAA counseling is the most important factor to maximize this score.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. How many marks are required to score 98 percent in JEE Main 2026?

The majority of students who score in the 98th percentile get 170-185 points out of 300 marks, but the exact cutoff differs based on the level of difficulty.

Q2. What is the 98 percentile in JEE Mains rank?

The 98th percentile in JEE Mains marks generally between AIR 20,000 and 25,000 for general category candidates.

Q3. Which NIT can I get with 98 percentile in JEE Mains marks?

There are a lot of opportunities to be a part of institutes like:

• National Institute of Technology Silchar
• National Institute of Technology Raipur
• National Institute of Technology Agartala

Branch allocation is based on the category and quota.

Q4. Can I get CSE in an NIT with 98 percentile?

CSE is a possibility in the newer NITs or via the home state contingents. In the top NITs it's generally difficult for students in the General category.

Q5. Should I prioritize branch or NIT?

If the differences between branches are significant (for instance, CSE vs. Civil), prioritizing the branch usually provides better long-term outcomes. If branches are alike, then choose the stronger NIT.

Make your JoSAA selections carefully, study the previous cutoffs, and you could get a top engineering job in 2026. For more career related guidance and preparation, drop your messages in the comment box or you can fill the enquiry form.