JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026 (Age, Attempts, Class-12 Marks & Application Checklist)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) publishes the official JEE Main eligibility rules for each year. This article summarizes the eligibility requirements likely to apply for JEE Main 2026 — including age, qualifying exam, subject combinations, attempts and Class-12 percentage rules — and explains special cases like NIOS and foreign boards.

Quick checklist — before you apply:

• Year of passing: passed in 2024, 2025 or appearing in 2026 (confirm NTA bulletin for 2026).
• Subjects: Physics & Mathematics compulsory for B.Tech; Maths compulsory for B.Planning; for B.Arch follow course rules.Class-12 marks for admission to NITs/IIITs/CFTIs: Minimum 75% (65% for SC/ST) OR top-20 percentile.
• Attempts: Typically up to 3 consecutive years from year of passing.NIOS/foreign board: Must be recognized by AIU/MHRD — use study-centre or permanent Indian address for state code.
• Documents: Class-12 mark sheet, birth certificate, photo, ID proof — keep scanned copies ready.
  
  

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NTA & Official Eligibility Overview

NTA publishes the official eligibility criteria for JEE Main every year through the information bulletin. Until the JEE Main 2026 bulletin is released, students should follow the previous year’s rules for qualifying exams, minimum subjects, age requirements and eligibility verification. Always confirm the final rules from jeemain.nta.ac.in before applying.

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Minimum Class-12 Marks & Subject Requirements

There is no minimum percentage required to appear for JEE Main.
However, for admissions to NITs, IIITs and CFTIs through JoSAA counselling, candidates must meet one of the following:

Minimum Marks for Admission

• General category: 75% in Class 12 OR top 20 percentile

• SC/ST category: 65% OR top 20 percentile

This rule applies only to admissions, not exam eligibility.

B.Tech / B.Arch / B.Planning Subject Combinations

For admission through JEE Main, students must meet specific Class 12 subject requirements:

B.Tech / B.E:
Physics and Mathematics + one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or Technical Vocational subject.

B.Arch:
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry are compulsory.

B.Planning:
Mathematics must be a compulsory subject.

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NIOS / Open School / Foreign Boards — Eligibility & State Code Rules

Students from NIOS, open schools, and foreign boards are eligible for JEE Main as long as their qualification is equivalent to Class 12 and recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). All candidates must also meet NTA’s subject and minimum requirement rules.

NIOS / Open School Eligibility (India)

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Foreign Nationals / Foreign Boards Eligibility

Foreign nationals, NRIs, OCIs and PIOs can appear for JEE Main if their Class 12–equivalent qualification is recognized by AIU. They must satisfy the same subject rules (PCM for B.Tech, etc.) and the same percentage norms for admission to NITs/IIITs/CFTIs (75% for General / 65% for SC-ST OR top 20 percentile).

State Code of Eligibility for Foreign and NIOS Students

• Foreign students and Indians studying abroad must select State Code of Eligibility based on their permanent Indian address.

• NIOS/open school students must use the study centre address to determine State Code.

Who Can Apply — Year of Passing & Attempt Limits

To determine who is eligible for JEE Main 2026, candidates should follow the previous year’s eligibility rules until NTA releases the 2026 bulletin. Students must have passed a Class 12 or equivalent qualifying examination from a recognized board. Accepted qualifying exams include:

• Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized Central/State board

• 2-year Pre-University examination

• Final exam of the NDA Joint Services Wing (2-year course)

• Senior Secondary School Examination by NIOS (minimum five subjects)

• Any Public School/Board/University exam equivalent to 10+2

• HSC Vocational Examination

• GCE (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) Advanced Level

• High School Certificate from Cambridge University

• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

• Class 12 equivalent from foreign boards recognized by AIU

Year of Passing Eligibility

Based on previous rules:

• Eligible: Passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025 or appearing in 2026

• Not eligible: Passed in 2023 or earlier

Attempt Limits

Candidates typically get three consecutive years of eligibility starting from the year they pass Class 12. JEE Main is held twice a year (January & April), but attempts are generally counted per year, not per session.

Note: If the Class 12 qualification is not recognized by AIU, it will not be accepted for JEE Main eligibility.

Age Limit — What Candidates Need to Know

For JEE Main 2026, there is no upper age limit to appear for the exam. Any student who meets the qualifying examination requirements can apply. However, candidates must follow the age rules of the institutes they are applying to, such as IITs, NITs, IIITs and CFTIs, at the time of admission.

Application Requirements & Document Checklist

Before applying for JEE Main 2026, candidates must prepare the following:

• Passport-size photograph

• Candidate signature

• Parent/guardian signature

• Aadhaar card or valid ID

• Class 10 and Class 12 details

• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable

• PwD certificate if applicable

Ensuring accurate documentation prevents form rejections.

State Code of Eligibility for JEE Main 2026

The State Code of Eligibility refers to the state from which a candidate has passed their Class 12 or equivalent examination. It is not based on a candidate’s place of residence, domicile, or nationality. The State Code is used during JoSAA/CSAB counselling for allotting seats in NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs.

How State Code of Eligibility Is Decided

• Candidates studying in India:
Your State Code is the state where you first passed Class 12, even if you later appeared for improvement in another state.

• Indian nationals studying abroad:
Students who completed Class 12 outside India must select the State Code based on their permanent Indian address.

• NRIs / OCIs / PIOs:
They must choose their State Code on the basis of their Indian residential/permanent address.

• NIOS / Open School candidates:
For NIOS or open school students, the State Code is determined by the location of the AIU-recognized study centre, not by home address.

What State Code Does Not Depend On

• Not based on the state you currently live in

• Not based on the test centre you select

• Not based on nationality

• Not based on coaching location

State Code Tables (States & UTs)

The following table provides the Union Territories and their official Codes for candidates' reference.

Note: For admissions to NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs, the applicants should fulfill eligibility criteria with reference to their State Code of Eligibility. Nevertheless, this requirement does not hold good in the case of admission to IITs.

Admission to NITs / IIITs / CFTIs — 75% Rule & Top-20 Percentile

For admission to NITs, IIITs and CFTIs through JoSAA:

• General: 75% in Class 12 OR top 20 percentile

• SC/ST: 65% OR top 20 percentile

This applies only for admissions, not for appearing in JEE Main.

Special Cases — Droppers, Repeaters & Foreign Nationals

Droppers and repeaters are fully eligible to appear for JEE Main 2026 as long as they meet the standard NTA rules for qualifying examinations, year of passing, and subjects. There is no separate or special rule for droppers; the same eligibility criteria apply to all candidates.

Eligibility Rules for Droppers & Repeaters

• No age limit:
Students of any age may appear for JEE Main as long as their Class 12 qualification is valid.

• Year of passing requirement:
Candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or are appearing in 2026, are eligible.
Those who passed in 2023 or earlier are not expected to be eligible.

• Maximum attempts:
Candidates get three consecutive years of eligibility starting from the year they pass Class 12. Both January and April sessions in the same year count as one attempt.

• Minimum subjects:
Droppers must have completed at least five subjects in Class 12. PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) is compulsory for B.Tech.

• Minimum marks for admission:
To be admitted to NITs, IIITs, or CFTIs, droppers must meet the 75% (General) / 65% (SC/ST) or top 20 percentile requirement.
(No minimum percentage is required to appear for JEE Main.)

Foreign Nationals, NRIs, OCIs & PIOs

Foreign candidates are also eligible, provided their Class 12 equivalent qualification is AIU-recognized and they meet the same subject and admission requirements. Their State Code is based on their permanent Indian address.

JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria

The Government of India provides reservation benefits in JEE Main for candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS and PwD categories. These reservations apply during JoSAA/CSAB counselling for admissions to NITs, IIITs and CFT

To help aspirants prepare effectively for the JEE Main 2026 exam, we’ve provided a set of useful resources. Click on the links below to explore eligibility criteria, syllabus, exam pattern, and chapter-wise weightage.