Essential Guidelines for JEE Main 2026 and JEE Advanced Eligibility
Overview of JEE Main 2026
JEE Main 2026: The first session of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 has been completed, with the second session set for April. Candidates aiming for top scores are focused on qualifying for JEE Advanced, which is crucial for admission into prestigious institutions like IITs, NITs, and IISc Bangalore. To gain entry into any of the 23 IITs, candidates must take the JEE Advanced exam. Achieving a high score in JEE Main is vital, but it is not the only requirement. Candidates must also meet specific criteria, including their 12th-grade exam results, the number of attempts, and age restrictions.
Rank Requirements for JEE Advanced
Every year, over 1.3 million candidates participate in JEE Main, which is organized by the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to established guidelines, only the top 250,000 scorers in JEE Main are eligible to take the JEE Advanced exam, which is hosted by one of the IITs. For 2026, IIT Roorkee will conduct JEE Advanced.
The selection of these top 250,000 candidates is influenced by reservation policies, which allocate spots as follows: 40.5% for the General category (including 5% for General PwD), 10% for General and PwD EWS, 27% for OBC, 15% for SC, and 7.5% for ST candidates.
Age Limit Regulations
Age Limit: The maximum age for General category candidates to appear for JEE Advanced is 25 years, with a 5-year relaxation for those in reserved categories. For JEE Advanced 2025, General candidates must have been born on or after October 1, 2001, while the age limit for reserved category candidates is calculated based on October 1, 1996.
Attempt Limitations
Attempt Rules: Candidates are limited to two attempts for JEE Advanced, and these must be consecutive without any gaps in between. A third attempt is not permitted.
Eligibility Based on 12th Board Exams
12th Board Exam Requirements: Candidates must have completed their 12th grade with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics to qualify for JEE Advanced. Only those who have passed their board exams in the last two years (including the current year) are eligible. Therefore, candidates aiming for JEE Advanced 2026 must have completed their 12th grade in 2025 or 2026. If a student fails or if the board withholds results, it still counts as one attempt. Candidates whose results are announced after the JEE Advanced exam can take the exam in the following two years.
Restrictions for Previous IIT Admits
Previous Admissions: Candidates who have previously taken JEE Advanced and secured a seat in an IIT cannot reappear unless they have completed their course. For instance, those who accepted a seat through JoSAA counseling will not be allowed another attempt. However, candidates who withdrew from JoSAA counseling before the final seat allocation can still appear for JEE Advanced.