National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination Cut Off 2026
National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination Cut Off
What is the NCHMCT JEE Cutoff 2026?
The NCHMCT JEE Cutoff is the opening and closing rank released after NCHM JEE 2026 Counselling. The official body prepares it based on the minimum qualifying marks and rank obtained in the NCHM JEE 2026 entrance exam.
The cutoff is released separately for each college that accepts scores of the hotel management entrance exam. The NTA released the NCHMCT JEE Cutoff 2025 on 18 May 2025 along with the scorecard.
Reserved categories typically have a lower cutoff. The expected cutoff for reserved categories is around 450–500 marks and ranks 2000–5000.
The category-wise expected cutoff for 2026 is given below:
| Category | Expected Cut-off Marks |
|---|---|
| Open | 760 |
| Open PWD | 620 |
| EWS | 600 |
| EWS PWD | 600 |
| OBC | 600 |
| OBC NCL | 611 |
| SC | 599 |
| ST | 580 |
What is the NCHMCT JEE Cutoff for Top Colleges?
The NCHM 2026 cutoff varies by institute and category. Top IHMs have high cutoffs due to popularity and placement records.
- Top IHMs (IHM Pusa, IHM Mumbai, IHM Bangalore): Expected marks of 600+ and ranks between 1–1000.
- Intermediate IHMs (IHM Lucknow, IHM Gwalior, IHM Jaipur): Expected marks ranging from 500–600 and ranks between 1001–3000.
NCHMCT JEE Rank-wise Colleges
Admission is offered based on the rank obtained in the exam. The cutoff ranges for different tiers of institutes are listed below.
- Top-tier IHMs typically close admissions for the rank 1000-1500.
- Mid-tier IHMs remain accessible till Rank 5000.
- State-level and private IHMs may accept candidates up to a Rank of 15,000.
Institutes Accepting NCHMCT JEE Scores
NCHMCT JEE is a hotel management entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency. Based on NCHMCT JEE scores, aspirants are offered admission at various institutes.
- 21 Central Govt.-sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management
- 33 State Govt.-sponsored Institutes of Hotel Management
- 25 Private Institutes
- 2 IHMs run under PPP
- 1 PSU-owned Institute
Apart from these, 14 Food Craft Institutes are affiliated to NCHMT. They are located in different parts of the country and offer Diploma programs in core operational areas.
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Marks vs Rank
The NCHMCT JEE 2026 Marks vs Rank table shows the expected All India Rank for a given score in the General category. A higher score leads to a better rank and a better chance of admission to a top institute.
- A score of 680+ marks results in a rank between 1 and 255, which can secure admission to top-tier IHMs like IHM Pusa, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
- A score of 600–640 marks results in a rank between 255 and 530, which can secure admission to IHMs like IHM Chennai and Kolkata.
- A score of 560–600 marks results in a rank between 530 and 1,800, which can secure admission to mid-tier colleges.
- A score below 440 puts the candidate above rank 4,000, where options are limited, mainly to private IHMs.
| Marks Obtained | Expected All India Rank (General Category) |
|---|---|
| 680+ | 1 – 255 |
| 600 – 640 | 255 – 530 |
| 560 – 600 | 530 – 1,800 |
| 440 – 520 | 1,800 – 4,000 |
| Below 440 | 4,000+ |
Expected Rank Range for Top IHMs
The table below shows the expected rank ranges for admission to specific IHMs based on category. These ranges are based on previous trends.
| Institute Name | General (Rank) | OBC (Rank) | SC (Rank) | ST (Rank) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHM Pusa | 1 – 300 | 301 – 600 | 601 – 1000 | 1001 – 1500 |
| IHM Mumbai | 301 – 600 | 601 – 1000 | 1001 – 2000 | 2001 – 3000 |
| IHM Bangalore | 601 – 900 | 901 – 1500 | 1501 – 2500 | 2501 – 3500 |
| IHM Chennai | 901 – 1300 | 1301 – 2000 | 2001 – 3500 | 3501 – 5000 |
| IHM Lucknow | 1801 – 2500 | 2501 – 3500 | 3501 – 5000 | 5001 – 7000 |
| IHM Jaipur | 2501 – 3500 | 3501 – 4500 | 4501 – 7000 | 7001 – 9000 |
| IHM Kolkata | 4501 – 5500 | 5501 – 7000 | 7001 – 9000 | 9001 – 11000 |
| IHM Gwalior | 7001 – 8500 | 8501 – 10000 | 10001 – 12000 | 12001 – 15000 |
| IHM Shillong | 8501 – 10000 | 10001 – 12000 | 12001 – 15000 | 15001 – 18000 |
| IHM Hajipur | 10001 – 12000 | 12001 – 15000 | 15001 – 18000 | 18001 – 20000 |
NCHMCT JEE Qualifying Marks
The approximate qualifying marks for NCHMCT JEE vary by category. These figures are based on previous trends.
| Category | Approx. Qualifying Marks | Expected Rank Range |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 75 - 90 | Up to 17,000 |
| OBC / EWS | 55 - 70 | Up to 20,000 |
| SC / ST | 50 above | Up to 25,000 |
| Top IHMs (Pusa, Mumbai, Bengaluru) | 90-110 | Top 500 |
NCHMCT JEE Seat Availability
The total number of seats for NCHMCT JEE is around 12,000 to 12,700, varying slightly by year. There are around 80 participating colleges, including central, state, and private institutes, offering the BSc (Hospitality & Hotel Administration) program.
For the 2024 cycle, seats were around 12,707. Recent data points to 12,627 seats across roughly 80 institutes.
NCHMCT JEE Difficulty Level
The NCHMCT JEE is generally considered a moderate-difficulty exam. It is not excessively tough but requires consistent preparation, especially in Numerical Ability/Analytical Aptitude and GK/Current Affairs.
Students often consider the Service Sector Aptitude section to be the easiest part of the exam.
NCHMCT JEE Reservation Criteria 2026
The NCHMCT JEE 2026 reservation policy has not been released yet. Until it is announced, students can refer to the reservation criteria used for NCHMCT JEE 2025.
- As per government norms, certain seats are reserved for OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PwD categories.
- A special seat is available for Kashmiri Migrant students in every state and central government IHM.
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Reservation Criteria
Reservation in NCHMCT JEE 2026 is provided for specific categories as per government norms. The percentage of seats reserved for each category is given below.
| Category | Reservation Criteria |
|---|---|
| Other Backward Classes - Non-Creamy Layer | 27% |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 15% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 7.5% |
| Physically Handicapped/Disabled (Pwd) | 5% in each category |
| Kashmiri Migrant (KM) | One seat in each state and the central government-affiliated IHM |
OBC reservation is only for Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) candidates. OBC Creamy Layer candidates are treated under the General category and do not get OBC reservation benefits.
Kashmiri Migrants or Kashmiri Pandits get 1 supernumerary seat per Central IHM. A supernumerary seat is an additional seat and does not reduce seats from other categories.
State IHMs may follow their respective State Government reservation policies. Central IHMs follow the Government of India reservation rules, while State Government Institutes may have different reservation percentages based on state norms.
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Total Seats
The NCHMCT JEE 2026 provides a total of 12,185 seats across 90 institutes. The seats are divided among the institutes as follows:
- Central Government IHMs (Approximately 6,734 seats): This category offers the highest number of seats, making up more than 55% of the total seats available.
- State Government IHMs (Approximately 2,937 seats): State government institutes provide a good number of seats, which is almost 24% of the total.
- PSU Institute (Approximately 96 seats): With a low percentage of merely about 0.8% of the total available seats, the PSU Institute is not very promising.
- Private IHMs (Approximately 2,418 seats): Private institutes offer approximately 20% of the seats.
Seat Intake in Central Government IHMs
| Institute Name | Type | Seat Intake |
|---|---|---|
| IHM Pusa, New Delhi | Central Govt | 303 |
| IHM Mumbai | Central Govt | 285 |
| IHM Bengaluru | Central Govt | 285 |
| IHM Chennai | Central Govt | 127 |
| IHM Kolkata | Central Govt | 127 |
| IHM Lucknow | Central Govt | 127 |
| IHM Bhopal | Central Govt | 127 |
| IHM Bhubaneswar | Central Govt | 127 |
| IHM Goa | Central Govt | 127 |
| IHM Hyderabad | Central Govt | 127 |
NCHMCT JEE Category-Wise Distribution of Seats
The category-wise seat distribution for some institutes is given below. The table shows seats for General (UR), OBC, SC, ST, EWS, and PWD categories.
| Institute Name | Total Seats | General (UR) | OBC | SC | ST | EWS | PWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHM Pusa | 150 | 75 | 40 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
| IHM Mumbai | 180 | 90 | 45 | 25 | 15 | 15 | 5 |
| IHM Bangalore | 250 | 125 | 60 | 35 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| IHM Chennai | 220 | 110 | 55 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
| IHM Lucknow | 200 | 100 | 50 | 30 | 15 | 15 | 10 |
| IHM Jaipur | 180 | 90 | 45 | 25 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
NCHMCT JEE Rank-wise College
The NCHMCT JEE 2026 Rank-wise college distribution is categorized into three tiers: Top Tier, Mid Tier, and Emerging & Private Colleges.
- The Top Tier Institutions (Rank 1–500) are such colleges as IHM Pusa, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
- The Mid Tier Colleges (Rank 500–5000) include institutions such as IHM Bangalore, Rohtak, and Lucknow.
- The Emerging & Private Colleges (Rank 5000–10000+), such as IHM Faridabad and Munnar Catering College, these colleges offer admission to students with low rank and fees.
NCHMCT JEE Expected Closing Ranks for Top Institutes (Rank 1 – 500)
The table below lists the expected closing ranks for General (GEN) category candidates at leading institutes. These ranks show the last rank that was admitted in previous years.
| College Name | Expected Closing Rank (GEN) |
|---|---|
| IHM Pusa, New Delhi | 1 – 164 |
| IHM Mumbai | 4 – 563 |
| IHM Bengaluru | 89 – 892 |
| IHM Bhopal | 239 – 4090 |
| IHM Bhubaneswar | 670 – 5117 |
| IHM Chennai | 140 – 10005 |
| IHM Kolkata | 7497 – 9949 |
| IHM Goa | 9966 – 10004 |
| IHM Lucknow | 7602 – 10005 |
| IHM Hyderabad | 9998 – 10005 |
NCHMCT JEE Mid Tier Institutes (Rank 500 – 5000)
These institutes generally admit candidates with ranks between 500 and 5000. The closing ranks below are for the General category.
| College Name | Expected Closing Rank (GEN) |
|---|---|
| IHM Bangalore | 4939 |
| IHM Mumbai (Round 2) | 1363 |
| IHM Rohtak | 3640 |
| IHM Lucknow (Round 2) | 7602 |
| IHM Jodhpur | 6738 |
| IHM Dehradun | 9962 |
| IHM Jaipur | 9974 |
| IHM Panipat | 9055 |
| IHM Udaipur | 8747 |
| IHM Bodhgaya | 6987 |
NCHMCT JEE Emerging & Private Colleges (Rank 5000 – 10000+)
Candidates with ranks above 5000 can consider these institutes. The expected closing ranks are listed below for the General category.
| College Name | Expected Closing Rank (GEN) |
|---|---|
| IHM Faridabad | 6379 |
| IHM Silvassa | 7867 |
| IHM Yamunanagar | 6867 |
| IHM Durgapur | 9508 |
| IHM Kozhikode | 9958 |
| IHM Gangtok | 9195 |
| IHM Sonepat | 8677 |
| Munnar Catering College, Kerala | 9628 |
| Preston Institute of Hotel Management, Gwalior | 9642 |
| Dewan VS Institute of Hotel Management, Meerut | 8593 |
Minimum Qualifying Cutoff for NCHMCT JEE 2026
The minimum qualifying cutoff for NCHMCT JEE 2026 is the score required to be eligible for counselling. There is no fixed passing mark announced in advance.
The qualifying cutoff depends on overall performance of candidates, exam difficulty level, and seat availability. Only candidates meeting the cutoff rank are invited for counselling.
Will the NCHMCT JEE 2026 Cutoff Increase?
The NCHMCT JEE 2026 cutoff may increase if the exam is easier or if more candidates appear for the test. If the paper is difficult or fewer students participate, the cutoff may decrease.
Cutoff trends usually vary slightly every year.
Cutoff Difference Between Central IHMs and State IHMs
The NCHMCT JEE cutoff differs for Central IHMs and State IHMs. Central institutes typically have higher closing ranks compared to state institutes.
NCHMCT JEE 2026 Rank vs Percentile
Percentile and rank help you estimate your admission chances. The table below shows the expected rank for each percentile range.
| Percentile | Expected Rank |
|---|---|
| >95% | 1 – 1000 |
| 90% – 95% | 1001 – 2000 |
| 85% – 90% | 2001 – 3000 |
| 80% – 85% | 3001 – 4000 |
| 75% – 80% | 4001 – 5000 |
| <75% | 5001+ |
A percentile above 95% gives a rank between 1 and 1000. This range is enough for admission to IHM Pusa, IHM Mumbai, and IHM Bangalore.
A percentile between 90% and 95% gives a rank between 1001 and 2000. This range offers moderate chances for IHM Chennai and IHM Lucknow.
A percentile between 85% and 90% gives a rank between 2001 and 3000. IHM Jaipur and IHM Kolkata are likely options in this range.
A percentile between 80% and 85% gives a rank between 3001 and 4000. This may secure admission to lower-tier institutes or later rounds of popular IHMs.
A percentile between 75% and 80% gives a rank between 4001 and 5000. Lower-tier IHMs or waitlist positions at top institutes are possible.
A percentile below 75% gives a rank of 5001 or more. This usually means admission to newer or less popular IHMs with lower cut-offs.
NCHMCT JEE Previous Year Cut-Off Analysis
Previous year cut-offs help you set realistic score goals. They also show patterns for strategic preparation.
NCHMCT JEE 2024 Cut-Off Analysis
In 2024, top-tier IHMs had cut-offs around 600+ marks. These institutes include IHM Pusa, IHM Mumbai, and IHM Bangalore.
- Top-tier IHMs (Rank 1–1000): Cut-offs were around 600+ marks.
- Moderate-tier IHMs (Rank 1001–2000): IHM Lucknow and IHM Chennai saw cut-offs between 500 and 600 marks.
- Mid-range IHMs (Rank 2001–3000): IHM Jaipur and IHM Gwalior had cut-offs around 450–500 marks.
- Lower-tier IHMs (Rank 3001–5000): IHM Gurdaspur and IHM Bhubaneswar had cut-offs between 400 and 450 marks.
The rank ranges for specific institutes in 2024 are given below.
| Institute Name | General Rank | OBC Rank | SC Rank | ST Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHM Pusa | 1 – 350 | 351 – 700 | 701 – 1100 | 1101 – 1600 |
| IHM Mumbai | 351 – 700 | 701 – 1100 | 1101 – 2000 | 2001 – 3000 |
| IHM Bangalore | 701 – 1000 | 1001 – 1600 | 1601 – 2500 | 2501 – 3500 |
| IHM Chennai | 1001 – 1400 | 1401 – 2000 | 2001 – 3500 | 3501 – 5000 |
| IHM Lucknow | 1401 – 2200 | 2201 – 3000 | 3001 – 5000 | 5001 – 7000 |
| IHM Jaipur | 2201 – 3500 | 3501 – 4500 | 4501 – 7000 | 7001 – 9000 |
NCHMCT JEE 2023 Cut-Off Analysis
The 2023 cutoff is slightly higher than 2022. This is due to more applicants and better overall performance.
- Top-tier IHMs (Rank 1–1000): IHM Pusa, Mumbai, and Bangalore maintained cut-offs of 600+ marks.
- Moderate-tier IHMs (Rank 1001–2000): IHM Lucknow and IHM Chennai saw a slight rise with cut-offs of 550–600 marks.
- Mid-range IHMs (Rank 2001–3000): IHM Jaipur and IHM Gwalior had cut-offs between 475 and 525 marks.
- Lower-tier IHMs (Rank 3001–5000): IHM Gurdaspur and IHM Bhubaneswar had cut-offs of 400–450 marks.
NCHMCT JEE Cutoff by Institute
Yes, the NCHMCT JEE cutoff differs by institute. Top Central IHMs usually have higher closing ranks due to high demand.
State and private IHMs generally have comparatively lower cutoff ranks.
NCHMCT JEE Cutoff Ranks for Top IHMs
The table below shows the expected rank ranges for admission to the top five Central Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) based on category. These are indicative ranks based on previous years' trends.
| Institute Name | General Rank | OBC Rank | SC Rank | ST Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHM Pusa | 1 – 400 | 401 – 800 | 801 – 1300 | 1301 – 1800 |
| IHM Mumbai | 401 – 800 | 801 – 1300 | 1301 – 2100 | 2101 – 3200 |
| IHM Bangalore | 801 – 1100 | 1101 – 1700 | 1701 – 2600 | 2601 – 3600 |
| IHM Chennai | 1101 – 1500 | 1501 – 2200 | 2201 – 3600 | 3601 – 5200 |
| IHM Lucknow | 1501 – 2400 | 2401 – 3200 | 3201 – 5200 | 5201 – 7200 |
Qualifying Marks for NCHMCT JEE
There is no fixed passing mark announced in advance for NCHMCT JEE. The qualifying cutoff depends on the overall performance of candidates, the difficulty level of the exam, and seat availability.
Based on previous trends, the approximate qualifying marks and expected rank ranges are:
- General (UR): 75 – 90 marks, rank up to 17,000
- OBC / EWS: 55 – 70 marks, rank up to 20,000
- SC / ST: 50 marks and above, rank up to 25,000
- Top IHMs (Pusa, Mumbai, Bengaluru): 90 – 110 marks, top 500 rank
Total Seats and Participating Institutes
The total number of seats for NCHMCT JEE is around 12,000 to 12,700, varying slightly by year. There are around 80 participating colleges, including central, state, and private institutes.
These institutes offer the BSc (Hospitality & Hotel Administration) program. For the 2024 cycle, seats were around 12,707, while recent data points to 12,627 seats across roughly 80 institutes.
Exam Difficulty Level
NCHMCT JEE is generally considered a moderate-difficulty exam, not excessively tough. Consistent preparation is required, especially in Numerical Ability/Analytical Aptitude and GK/Current Affairs.
Students consider the Service Sector Aptitude section to be often the easiest part of the exam.
Reservation Policy for OBC Candidates
Reservation under OBC is only available for OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) candidates. If a candidate belongs to the OBC Creamy Layer, they are treated under the General category.
OBC Creamy Layer candidates are not eligible for OBC reservation benefits.
Supernumerary Seats for Kashmiri Migrants
NCHMCT JEE 2026 provides 1 supernumerary seat per Central IHM for Kashmiri Migrants or Kashmiri Pandits. A supernumerary seat is an additional seat and does not reduce the number of seats from other categories.
Reservation Policy for State IHMs
State IHMs may follow their respective State Government reservation policies. Central IHMs follow the Government of India reservation rules.
State Government Institutes may have different reservation percentages based on state norms.
Cutoff Trends and Variations
The NCHMCT JEE cutoff may increase if the exam is easier or if more candidates appear for the test. If the paper is difficult or fewer students participate, the cutoff may decrease.
Cutoff trends usually vary slightly every year. The cutoff also differs by institute, with top Central IHMs usually having higher closing ranks due to high demand.
State and private IHMs generally have comparatively lower cutoff ranks.