Is 75% Criteria Removed from JEE Main 2026?

One of the most asked questions by JEE Main aspirants this year is whether the 75% board marks rule has been removed. Many students preparing for JEE Main 2026 are concerned because this condition decides whether they can take admission into top engineering colleges like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.

As per the latest available information, the 75% eligibility criteria have not been removed. Students will still need to meet the board exam percentage or percentile requirement to be eligible for admission. However, this condition is only applicable at the admission stage; it is not mandatory just to appear for JEE Mainexam.

What Is the 75% Criteria in JEE Main 2026?

The 75% rule states that candidates seeking admission through JEE Main into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs must secure:

• At least 75% marks in Class 12 board exams (for General, OBC, and EWS categories), or
• Be in the top 20th percentile of their respective board results.
• For SC/ST students, the minimum requirement is relaxed to 65% in Class 12.

This rule ensures that students not only perform well in competitive exams but also have a strong academic foundation in their school studies.

Is the 75% Rule Removed for JEE Main 2026?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has not announced any removal of the 75% criteria in its latest notifications. The official JEE Main 2026 Information Bulletin, which will be uploaded on the website jeemain.nta.nic.in, will contain the final confirmation. Looking at previous years, the rule was temporarily relaxed during COVID-19, but once normalcy returned, NTA reinstated the condition. Hence, experts believe the 75% rule will remain unchanged in 2026 as well.

Why Has NTA Kept the 75% Rule?

The main reasons behind continuing this criterion are:

• To maintain academic standards in premier engineering institutes
• To ensure students balance board exams and JEE preparation instead of focusing only on competitive exams
• To maintain fairness across all state and central boards by introducing the top-20 percentile option
• To prevent confusion in admissions that could arise if criteria were frequently changed

JEE Main 2026: Category-Wise 75% Criteria

Category-wise 75% criteria for JEE Main 2026 has been shared below:

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: The Role of 75% Criteria

The 75% rule is not just for JEE Main admissions—it also plays a role in eligibility for JEE Advanced (for admission into IITs).

• To appear in JEE Advanced 2026, candidates must be among the top 2.5 lakh qualifiers of JEE Main and also have at least 75% marks (General/OBC/EWS) or 65% (SC/ST) in Class 12.
• Alternatively, students can qualify if they are in the top 20 percentile of their respective boards.

This means that even if you clear JEE Main with a top rank, you cannot appear for JEE Advanced without fulfilling the board marks condition.

How Does the 75% Rule Affect Different Students?

General Category Students must aim for at least 75% in their board exams or be in the top 20 percentile to get NIT, IIIT, or GFTI admission.

• Reserved Category Students (SC/ST) benefit from a 10% relaxation, meaning 65% in Class 12 is sufficient.
• Droppers and Repeaters who completed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025 also need to meet the same conditions for admission in 2026.
• Students Just Writing JEE Main can appear in the exam without 75% marks, but the criteria will apply during admission.

Difference Between Eligibility to Appear and Eligibility for Admission

A common confusion among students is mixing up exam eligibility with admission eligibility.

• To appear for JEE Main 2026: You simply need to have passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026 with Physics, Maths, and another subject (Chemistry/Biology/Technical). No 75% requirement is needed here.
• For admission into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs: The 75% (or 65% for SC/ST) rule applies. Without this, you may qualify JEE Main but still not get a seat.

Historical Context: When Was the 75% Rule Relaxed?

During COVID-19 (2020–2021), NTA temporarily removed the 75% criteria due to disruptions in board exams. Post-COVID (2022 onwards), the rule was reinstated, and NTA clarified that students must again meet the condition for admissions. Thus, unless a major disruption occurs, there is little chance of the rule being removed in 2026.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility at a Glance

• Qualifying Exams: Class 12 or equivalent in 2024/2025, or appearing in 2026
• Subjects Required: Physics + Mathematics + one from Chemistry/Biology/Technical subject
• Attempts: A candidate can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years. Each year has two sessions (January & April)
• Board Percentage Rule: Applies only for admission, not for appearing in the exam

Check: JEE Main Eligibility 2026

Impact on Students and Preparation Strategy

Since the 75% condition is still in place, students should prepare for both board exams and JEE Main side by side.

• Align Board & JEE Prep: Many JEE topics overlap with Class 12 boards (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics). Use this to your advantage
• Don’t Neglect Boards: Even if JEE prep is your priority, set aside time for board exam-style practice (long answers, theory-heavy chapters)
• Track Top-20 Percentile Cutoffs: These vary each year and board. If you fall short of 75%, check if your percentile puts you in the safe zone
• Consider Improvement Exams: Boards like CBSE allow improvement attempts to increase marks, helping you meet the 75% requirement

Conclusion

The 75% eligibility rule has not been removed for JEE Main 2026. Students must secure 75% marks (General/OBC/EWS) or 65% (SC/ST) in Class 12, or fall in the top 20 percentile of their board to be eligible for admission into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. For JEE Advanced and IIT admissions, the same rule applies.

In short, while you can write the exam without meeting this criterion, admission to top institutes will not be possible without it. Therefore, aspirants should balance their preparation between JEE Main problem-solving and scoring well in board exams.