JEE Advanced 2026 sees SC, ST qualification rates surge significantly

Scheduled Caste candidates achieved a qualification rate of 50.16 per cent in JEE Advanced 2026, a substantial jump from 40.41 per cent recorded in 2025. The improvement underscores enhanced accessibility and performance among socially disadvantaged groups in the highly competitive examination.

Scheduled Tribe candidates similarly demonstrated robust progress, with their qualification rate rising to 42.14 per cent from 33.99 per cent in the previous year. The consecutive year-on-year gains suggest sustained momentum in improving representation and success rates among traditionally underrepresented communities in India's engineering education pipeline.

The 2026 examination cycle also marked a significant milestone for women candidates, who registered their highest participation and qualification rates in six years. The broader improvements across demographic categories reflect ongoing institutional efforts to widen access to premier engineering institutions and foster greater inclusivity in technical education.

These results come as the National Testing Agency continues to administer JEE Advanced, which serves as the gateway to admissions at Indian Institutes of Technology and other premier engineering colleges across the country.