Session 1 Registrations increased by 10%: What will be the Percentile Impact in JEE Main 2026?

Synopsis: 

The blog reflects the noticeable impact on percentiles across every shift of the session 1 exam dates, as the number of registered participants is much higher than ever before. Here is where every parent and their child (aspirant) should be aware of. 

This year, something notable occurred in JEE Main session 1 registrations. The number of registrations has outpaced last year's, with the increase of about 10 per cent. Which means, you will observe a noticeable increase in the number of students appearing for the JEE Main session 1 exam on multiple dates in shifts. An increase in the number of aspirants on the mentioned dates and shifts will bring a significant change in the percentiles, when compared to the previous year (2025). 

Registrations this year and their impact on JEE Main per shift:

JoSAA released information on the total number of registrations, which rose by 10% to 14.5 lakhs. The total number of aspirants who may appear on the examination dates, by shift, should be approximately 145,000,00, distributed in 10 shifts across five days of the exam. Hence, to calculate the number of aspirants per shift, divide 145,000,00 by 10, which equals 145000. There may be a 5% reduction in the number of participants per shift, as some may opt out of the exam despite being eligible to appear for JEE Main 2026. The total number of aspirants per shift can be 135,000. However, the per-shift percentiles calculated for this year may differ from those for last year. This percentile shift is mainly due to increased participation and improved raw scores. 

Effects and changes, as aspirants increase in every shift in JEE Main 2026: 

An aspirant in every shift will not experience the same level of toughness. In a few shifts, the exam paper may appear easy, and in some shifts, the exam could be either moderate or tough. 

1. To standardise the examination, the evaluators calculate percentiles. An increase in participation per shift will be relative and may result in a drop in percentile as more competitors enter. 

2. The cutoff percentile can increase compared to the previous year as the competitive spread widens. 

3. The percentile calculations perform normalisation, thereby maintaining relative fairness and enabling internal competition to gain momentum. 

4. The expert panel states that the number of participants in Session 2 can increase by 2.5 lakh, bringing the total to 15.5-17.5 lakh—representing the combined number of unique aspirants who can participate in Sessions 1 & 2. However, the actual appearances could be approximately 14.2 to 16.3 lakhs. It refers to the relative difference between registrations and participation, with a 5% reduction possible in JEE Main 2026. 

Percentile doesn't reflect the absolute Scores but the Relative Performance: 

1. In JEE Main, percentile calculations are per shift and are directly proportional to the number of aspirants who are equal to or below the assigned aspirant. 

2. The fundamental formula in use: 

1. Percentile = ( 100 x Number of candidates in the shift with raw score <= the aspirant's score) divided by the total number that appeared in the shift. 

3. Since there will be more aspirants per shift this year than in the previous year, the denominator of the formula will likely increase. 

4. If the score and rank among aspirants remain the same, the aspirant's percentile may decrease as more aspirants are appearing this year. 

5. For example, with 1.3 lakh aspirants, a score above 12,500 places an aspirant in the 90th percentile. Whereas, with 1 lakh aspirants participating, the same raw position could yield a higher percentile. 

6. Conclusion: Therefore, percentile is the relative ranking within a shift, not the raw score obtained. 

Summary: 

In the first session of JEE Main 2026, there was a 10 per cent increase to 145,000,00 compared to the previous year's session 1. With more aspirants taking session 1, this can have a meaningful impact on their percentile score per shift. With the same raw score as last year and the same number of aspirants performing below the assigned aspirant, the percentiles will decrease more than in the previous year. Why so? Readers will better understand when they review the lines above. 

FAQs: What will be the percentile impact on JEE Main 2026? 

1. Why did the question of percentile impact rise in JEE Main 2026?

1. For the 2026 JEE Main exam, registrations for Session 1 increased significantly. It may result in lower percentiles than the previous year, or, with a wider competitive spread, higher percentiles than the previous year. 

2. Why can there be a relative drop in the percentiles this year?

1. With more aspirants appearing for the JEE exam this year, the denominator of the formula will increase, reducing the Percentile value. 

3. What else can be the interpretation of the abrupt increase of aspirants by 10% in JEE Session 1? 

1. The aspirants' increase in exam participation is a positive sign, and the exam can become more competitive; close scores can affect percentiles. The percentiles may approach 100%.