JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Rules Announced for Engineering Aspirants

JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Criteria (New) Released by IIT Roorkee. As of December 2025, the institute has officially announced the required conditions for candidates who wish to appear in the national-level engineering entrance test scheduled for May 17, 2026. The rules outline who can apply, how many times a candidate can attempt, and the academic requirements needed for the JEE Advanced 2026 exam. These details ensure that only eligible students move to the second stage of IIT admissions. The criteria released by IIT Roorkee include five mandatory conditions. These cover performance in JEE Main 2026, age limits, number of attempts, Class 12 eligibility, and previous admission status in any IIT. Registrations for the exam will begin in April 2026, and the complete syllabus and paper pattern will be available on the official portal.

JEE Advanced 2026 Performance Criteria in JEE Main

The performance requirement in JEE Main is one of the most important eligibility conditions. IIT Roorkee has clearly stated that only the top 2,50,000 candidates across categories in the BE/BTech paper of JEE Main 2026 will be shortlisted for JEE Advanced 2026. This list includes candidates from all reservation categories. The category-wise distribution within the top 2,50,000 ranks is as follows:

• 10% GEN-EWS
• 27% OBC-NCL
• 15% SC
• 7.5% ST
• 40.5% OPEN

Within each of these categories, 5% horizontal reservation is provided for candidates belonging to the PwD category. This ensures equal opportunity for eligible candidates across diverse backgrounds. Since this is a qualifying condition, candidates must ensure that their JEE Main 2026 scores place them within the specified cut-off to move ahead to JEE Advanced 2026.

JEE Advanced 2026 Age Limit Criteria

The age requirement for JEE Advanced 2026 has been clearly outlined by IIT Roorkee. Candidates must have been born on or after October 1, 2001 to be eligible. This rule applies to candidates from the unreserved and OBC-NCL categories.

A relaxation of five years is provided to candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories. This means these candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 1996. This age criterion ensures uniformity and fairness, allowing candidates who are still within the permitted age range to apply for admission to IITs.

JEE Advanced 2026 Number of Attempts Allowed

The attempt limit for JEE Advanced remains unchanged. Every eligible candidate can appear a maximum of two times in two consecutive years. This rule ensures that students prepare strategically and make the most of the limited chances provided. Since JEE Advanced is only conducted once every year, students should plan their preparation timeline carefully. Candidates who appeared for the first time in 2025 will be eligible for their second attempt in 2026, provided they also meet all other criteria.

Also Check: Last 45 Days Strategy for JEE Advanced 2026 Success

JEE Advanced 2026 Class 12 Appearance Rule

IIT Roorkee has also specified the required year of appearance for Class 12 or equivalent exams. To be eligible for JEE Advanced 2026, a candidate must have appeared for Class 12 for the first time in 2025 or 2026. In addition to this, the candidate must have taken Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. This ensures that candidates coming to JEE Advanced have the necessary academic background for the exam. Candidates who appeared for the Class 12 exam before 2025 are not eligible, even if they meet all other conditions.

JEE Advanced 2026 Rule for Earlier Admission at IITs

The fifth and final eligibility condition concerns previous admission to any IIT. A candidate must not have been admitted to any IIT earlier under any academic program mentioned in the JoSAA Business Rules of 2025. This applies even if the candidate:

• Did not continue in the program
• Accepted a seat but only completed online reporting
• Reported physically at a reporting centre

Candidates whose IIT admission was cancelled for any reason after joining an IIT are also not eligible for JEE Advanced 2026. This rule ensures that candidates who have already accessed IIT admission opportunities do not reattempt the exam for another seat.

Also Check: JEE Advanced 2026 Expected Difficulty Level: Paper Toughness by IIT Roorkee

JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Date, Schedule, and Additional Details

IIT Roorkee announced important details about the exam schedule earlier. As per the official notice, JEE Advanced 2026 will be held on May 17, 2026. This exam date remains one of the most crucial pieces of information for aspirants planning their preparation strategy. Registrations will begin in April 2026, and candidates must complete the application process within the specified window. The exam pattern, syllabus, and other relevant instructions will also be released soon on the official website. Since JEE Advanced is conducted only once a year, a timely understanding of the eligibility conditions helps candidates ensure they meet all requirements before registrations begin.

Importance of Verifying Each Requirement in JEE Advanced 2026

Candidates must cross-check all their details—especially their JEE Main 2026 rank, date of birth, attempt history, and Class 12 year of appearance—before applying. Even a small mismatch can make a candidate ineligible, as IITs follow the rules strictly. Since JEE Advanced is the gateway to 22 IITs, including top institutions across the country, understanding the official eligibility framework is essential for a smooth admission journey.

Conclusion

Before proceeding to the application stage, candidates must confirm that they satisfy all five conditions listed by IIT Roorkee. The five mandatory requirements are:

• Performance in JEE Main 2026 among the top 2,50,000
• Age limit: Born on or after October 1, 2001 (relaxation for SC/ST/PwD)
• Attempts: Not more than two attempts in consecutive years
• Class 12 appearance: First attempt in 2025 or 2026, with PCM subjects
• No previous admission at any IIT

Meeting all these conditions is necessary for appearing in the exam on May 17, 2026.