JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026, Age Limit, Marks Required, No of Attempts, Important Factor
The JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026 have been made public by NTA on their official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates must have finished their Class 12 education in 2024 or 2025, or be taking their examinations in 2026, according to the JEE Mains 2026 notification. Crucially, individuals who wish to take the JEE Mains 2026 exam have no upper age limit.
The JEE Mains 2026 phase 1 registration is currently being administered by the authority from October 31 and November 27, 2025. JEE Mains exam dates 2026 for session 1 will be held from January 21 to January 30, 2026, and session 2 will be held from April 2 to April 9, 2026.
The minimal prerequisites needed to sit for the JEE Mains 2026 are known as the JEE Main eligibility criteria. The requirements cover things like JEE Main eligibility marks in 12th subject-wise, JEE Main eligibility age, Age limit for JEE Advanced, JEE Main nationality, JEE Main eligibility marks in 12th, the overall JEE Main eligibility percentage, JEE Main eligibility for OBC, and more.
It's crucial to remember that you will be disqualified from the test if you don't meet any of the qualifying conditions.
To get admitted to any of the colleges that recognize NTA JEE Mains 2026 scores, students must meet the JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026. There is no set number of attempts for JEE Main 2026. The National Testing Agency administers JEE Main for admission to undergraduate (UG) programs offered by JEE Mains 2026 participating institutions. Candidates for 2026 can read the article below for additional information regarding the JEE Main eligibility criteria.
Highlights of the JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026
These are the general requirements for JEE Main eligibility criteria according to the JEE Main 2026 notification. Any updates to the data will be posted here.
Overview of JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026
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JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026
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JEE Main Eligibility Criteria Details
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JEE Mains Exam Dates
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Jan 21-30, 2026 Session 1
April 2-9, 2026 Session 2
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JEE Main Eligibility Age
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There is no age limit
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Academic Eligibility
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Class 12 or equivalent level
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JEE Main Eligibility Percentage
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65%-75%
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Year of the qualifying exam
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2024/ 2025 /2026
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Class 12th subjects
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BE/BTech- Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry/ Biology/ Biotechnology/ Technical Vocational Subjects
B. Arch- Maths, Physics and Chemistry
B. Plan- Maths
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JEE Main Eligibility criteria for Btech
(Marks in 12th)
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BTech in NITs/ IIITs/ GFTIs- 75% (general) or 65% (SC/ST)
B. Arch/ B. Plan- 50% aggregate scores
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Limit of JEE attempts
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Three consecutive years
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What are the JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026?
Before completing the application, candidates should review the eligibility criteria 2026. At a subsequent stage of the admissions procedure, those who do not match the required JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026 will be disqualified.
Key Requirements for JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026
View the JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026 below:
JEE Main Academic Qualification
JEE Main Eligibility Age
There is no upper age limit for candidates to appear in JEE Mains 2026. Regardless of age, candidates can take the JEE Mains 2026 exam if they pass class 12, are enrolled in an equivalent exam in 2024 or 2025, or are appearing in 2026. Nevertheless, the applicants might have to meet the Institute's age requirements to be admitted.
Age limit for JEE Advanced: Applicants must have been born on October 1, 2000, or later. SC, ST, and PwD applicants are granted a five-year age relaxation; that is, they must have been born on or after October 1, 1995.
JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 10th
To sit for the IIT JEE (JEE Advanced) exam, there is no set JEE Main eligibility marks in 10th (Class 10 board exams). The candidate's performance on the JEE Main test determines their eligibility for JEE Advanced.
JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 12th
There is no minimum score needed in Class 12 to sit for the JEE Main exam. To get admitted to IIT, NIT, IIITs, and several prestigious universities, applicants must, nevertheless, have at least 75% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Regardless of your JEE Main rank or percentile, you must have JEE Main eligibility marks in 12th grade to be admitted. Additionally, the JEE Main eligibility marks in 12th for SC/ST/OBC students have not changed.
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75% JEE Main eligibility marks in 12th class are necessary for admission to IITs, NITs, and GFTIs.
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Minimum 12th percentage for JEE Main eligibility for OBC and SC/ST is 65%
JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 12th subject-wise
JEE Main eligibility marks in 12th subject-wise is 75% in physics, chemistry and mathematics.
JEE Main Number of Attempts
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The maximum number of JEE Main attempts is three years in a row.
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There will be two sessions for the entrance exam (January & April).
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Applicants must have completed their 12th grade in 2024, 2025, or 2026.
Subjects in Class 12/Qualifying test B.E./B.Tech:
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Candidates must have passed the qualifying test in mathematics, physics, and any one of the following subjects: biology, chemistry, biotechnology, or technical vocational.
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Candidates for the B. Arch program should have passed the qualifying test in chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
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B. Plan: Candidates must have passed the mathematics qualifying exam.
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: State of Eligibility
When completing the application form, candidates must indicate their state of eligibility.
JEE Mains Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Admission to CFTIs, IIITs, and NITs
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JEE Main Eligibility marks in 12th for Admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs: Students must have placed in the top 20 percentile of their class 12 test (65% for SC/ST applicants) or have finished their 12th grade with the 75 percent necessary for JEE Mains 2026. The JEE Main eligibility marks in 12th for OBC is 65%.
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Admission to JEE Mains 2026 (B. Arch/B. Planning): He or she must have earned the necessary 50% aggregate score in the 12th grade and passed the 10+2 or equivalent test from an approved board.
JEE Main Eligibility for OBC
According to the JEE Main Eligibility for OBC 2026, the authority posts a list of additional backward classes on the National Commission for Backward Classes' (NCBC) official website. When completing the JEE Main Application Form 2026, those who fit this description must choose OBC reservation for the JEE Mains exam. Other applicants who are listed as OBC according to their state's list will have to select the General category.
JEE Main Reservation Criteria 2026
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Categories
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JEE Main Reservation Percentage
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General Economically Weaker Sections (GEN-EWS)
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10%
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Scheduled Castes (SC)
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15%
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Scheduled Tribes (ST)
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7.5%
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Non-Creamy Layer of Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL)
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27%
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Persons with Disabilities
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5% in each category
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The primary requirements for appearing in JEE Advanced
Candidates can apply for the JEE Advanced exam if they pass the JEE Main exam and place in the top 2,50,000.
Age limit for JEE Advanced: Applicants must have been born on October 1, 2000, or later. SC, ST, and PwD applicants are granted a five-year age relaxation; that is, they must have been born on or after October 1, 1995.
See below for additional JEE Advanced eligibility requirements depending on JEE Mains 2026.
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All categories combined should have a JEE Mains 2026 rank of less than 2,50,000.
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The reservation category will determine which candidates make the shortlist. According to the notice from the previous year, this is the percentage distribution of different categories among the top 2.5 lakh applicants.
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GEN-EWS - 10%
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OBC-NCL - 27%
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SC - 15%
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ST - 7.5%
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OPEN - 40.5%
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PwD - 5% horizontal reservation in all of the above.
Candidates must meet additional requirements based on age, number of attempts, Class 12 test, and prior IIT admission in addition to the previously stated JEE Main eligibility criteria to appear in JEE Advanced. Aspirants are encouraged to consult the JEE Advanced qualifying criteria online for more comprehensive information.
JEE Mains Eligibility Criteria for Droppers
Droppers are applicants who take a sabbatical from school to study for the JEE Mains 2026 exam. The following details the JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026 for droppers.
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There is no upper age limit for applicants to JEE Mains 2026.
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To be eligible, candidates must have passed their class 12 test in 2024, 2025, or 2026.
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Candidates are permitted three consecutive attempts in accordance with JEE eligibility 2026.
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The minimal qualifying scores needed for JEE Main must be met by students.
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In their class 12 or qualifying test, candidates should have studied a minimum of five topics (mathematics, chemistry, and physics are required).
JEE Main Exam Dates 2026
JEE Main exam dates 2026 are set to take place in two sessions, namely Session 1 and Session 2. The tables below allow candidates to view the JEE Main Exam Dates 2026 for both sessions.
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Events
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JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates (Announced)
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Session 1 (January session)
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Session 2 (April session)
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Release of notification
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31st October 2025
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JEE Main 2026 Application Form Release
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October 31, 2025
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1st week of February 2026
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Last date to apply
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November 27, 2025 (9 pm)
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1st week of March 2026
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Last date to pay JEE Main 2026 Registration Fee
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Till November 27, 2025 (11.50 pm)
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1st week of March 2026
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Application Correction facility
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1st – 2nd week of December 2025
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1st – 2nd week of March 2026
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Application Correction Window
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1st – 2nd week of December 2025
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1st – 2nd week of March 2026
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Advance city intimation slip availability
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1st week of January 2026
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3rd week of March 2026
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JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Release
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3rd week of January 2026
(3-4 days before exam date)
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3 days before the exam date
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JEE Main 2026 exam dates
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Between 21st and 30th January 2026
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2nd- 9th April 2026
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Provisional JEE Main 2026 Answer Key
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January/ February 2026
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April 2026
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Final JEE Main 2026 Answer Key
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1st week of February 2026
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2nd week of April 2026
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JEE Main 2026 Result announcement
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By February 12, 2026
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By April 20, 2026
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JEE Main 2026 Counselling begins
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May/ June 2026
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JEE Mains Eligibility Criteria 2026 - FAQs
Q1. What are the JEE Main Eligibility marks in 12th requirements for applying for GFTIs, IIITs, and NITs?
In class 12 or an equivalent exam, candidates must have received at least 75% of the aggregate marks (65% for SC/ST candidates) or rank in the top 20%.
Q2. What are the JEE Main eligibility marks in 12th for OBC?
The JEE Main eligibility marks in 12th for OBC is a minimum of 75% in the overall 12th class from an accredited board.
Q3. What are the JEE Main eligibility marks in 12?
For JEE Main, there is no set minimum score needed in Class 12. Candidates must, however, meet the requirements set forth by NTA, which include passing the Class 12 or equivalent exam.
Q4. Is 75 percent necessary for the JEE Mains 2026?
A minimum of 75% in Class 12 is required by the JEE Main eligibility criteria to be admitted to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. It's crucial to remember that there is no minimum score of 75% in Class 12 required to sit for the JEE Mains 2026 exam.
Q5. What are the primary requirements for JEE Advanced eligibility?
According to JEE Main, participants must rank in the top 2.5 lakh successful applicants in order to be eligible for JEE Advanced.
Q6. Who can participate in JoSAA 2026?
The following are the minimal requirements to engage in JoSAA counseling: Candidates must have passed the Class XII (or equivalent) Board exam with at least 75% of the possible points. For SC, ST, and PwD candidates, the total score must be at least 65%.
Q7. What is the JoSAA 2026 eligibility proof status?
For JoSAA counseling, students can utilize their Class 12th Statement of Marks, Aadhar, or voter ID cards as proof of eligibility. During the counseling procedure, candidates may also present their home domicile certificate as proof of their JoSAA eligibility.
Q8. Can I submit a CSAB application without JoSAA?
To participate in the CSAB-Special Rounds, qualified candidates must register online at https://csab.nic.in. For CSAB Special Rounds, prior registration and choice-filling completed on the JoSAA portal are not valid.
Q9. Is JoSAA required to get into IIT?
No, if you do not take part in the JoSAA counseling procedure, you will not get admitted to IITs. The only body in charge of overseeing and controlling the joint seat distribution for admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs is JoSAA.
Q10. What is the CSAB special round?
Following the 5th JoSAA Round, the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) holds two Special Rounds of seat allocation to distribute the available seats in the NIT+ System.