Who Is Not Eligible For JEE Main 2026 Session 2, Check Eligibility Below
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Who Is Not Eligible For JEE Main 2026 Session 2: The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the JEE Main examination in two sessions each year. The second session for 2026 is tentatively scheduled for April. Understanding Who Is Not Eligible For JEE Main 2026 Session 2 is vital for all aspiring candidates. Eligibility mainly depends on educational qualifications, the year of passing Class 12, and the type of qualifying examination. While there is no upper age limit set by NTA, specific institutions may have their own admission guidelines. Here we provide comprehensive details on the JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria for Session 2.
Who Is Not Eligible For JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Overview
To apply for JEE Main 2026 Session 2, candidates must meet the eligibility standards prescribed by the NTA. The eligibility guidelines are consistent for both sessions of JEE Main 2026.
| JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Eligibility Criteria Overview | |
| Aspect | Details |
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
| Notification Date | October 2025 (Session 1 advisory on Sep 29, 2025; registration from Oct 31) |
| Exam Dates (Session 2) | April 2 to 9, 2026 |
| Eligibility Criteria | - Passed/appearing Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or 2026- Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics mandatory- No age limit- Min 75% in Class 12 (General) or top 20 percentile for NIT/IIIT/CFTI admissions |
| Syllabus | Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (Paper 1 B.E./B.Tech); plus Aptitude/Drawing/Planning for Paper 2; PDF on official site |
| Attempts Allowed | Up to 3 consecutive years |
Educational Qualification for JEE Main 2026 Session 2
Aspirants must have successfully completed Class 12 or an equivalent qualifying examination from a recognised board or institution. Those who passed their Class 12 examination in 2024 or 2025, or are currently appearing for it in 2026, are eligible.
The accepted qualifying examinations for JEE Main 2026 Session 2 include:
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10+2 examinations conducted by recognised central or state boards.
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Examinations from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
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Vocational Higher Secondary Examinations.
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AICTE-approved diploma examinations (minimum three years duration).
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International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.
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General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level examinations.
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Any other examination recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
JEE Main 2026 Age Limit
For JEE Main 2026 Session 2, there is no upper age limit for candidates. Any applicant who satisfies the educational qualification requirements can appear for the exam, regardless of their age. However, candidates should be aware that institutions like NITs, IIITs, and other colleges may have specific age criteria for admission purposes. The NTA is solely responsible for conducting the examination and does not regulate admission rules for individual institutes.
JEE Main 2026 Attempt Limit
Candidates get three straight years from the year of their Class 12 passing year, meaning up to six attempts (two sessions per year). For 2026, candidates passing in 2024 or later are eligible to apply.
Droppers from 2024 are also eligible for both 2026 sessions, but those who have passed in 2023 are not eligible.
JEE Main 2026 Passing Year Eligibility
Only candidates who passed their Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2024 or 2025, or those who are appearing in 2026, are eligible for JEE Main 2026. If a candidate completed their qualifying examination in 2023 or earlier, they are not eligible. The year when the result was initially declared as 'pass' is considered the official passing year. This applies even if the candidate appeared later for an improvement examination.
JEE Main 2026 Ineligible candidates
Certain candidates will be deemed ineligible for JEE Main 2026 Session 2. Specifically, candidates are not eligible if they:
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Passed their Class 12 or equivalent qualifying examination in 2023 or any preceding year.
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Fail to complete the required registration process.
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Do not meet the educational qualifications or other specific eligibility criteria set by the NTA.
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Fail to pay the examination fee within the stipulated timeframe.
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Submit multiple applications for the same examination session.
JEE Main 2026 Improvement Exam Eligibility
Improvement counts toward your passing year only if first declared "pass" that year. For Example- If passed in 2023, improved in 2025. Still, 2023 candidates will be ineligible. But candidates who passed in 2024, improving in 202,6 will be eligible.
JEE Main 2026 Diploma Eligibility
3-year AICTE-approved diplomas after Class 10 can qualify, but only if they include PCM equivalent. Diploma holders post-12th are treated as 12th passers. Year rules will be eligible for diploma holders.
JEE Main 2026 NIOS Eligibility
NIOS students are welcome if they've got a senior secondary certificate with PCM and 5 subjects. Must follow the same passing year (2024-2026).