• Updated on 5 Sept, 2025 by Souvik
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the JEE Main 2026 exam in two sessions in January 2026 and April 2026, respectively. The JEE Main Registration 2026 will begin in November 2025 in online mode. Before heading towards registration, aspirants are advised to check and meet the eligibility requirements for taking the JEE Mains exam. Applicants should have passed their Class 10+2 with at least 75% (65% for SC/ST/OBC) from a recognised board. There is no age limit for test takers. Moreover, candidates can take the JEE Main entrance for three consecutive years or single/both sessions in a single academic year. Continue reading further to know more about the JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026.
Table of Contents
- What’s New in JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026?
- JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026
- JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Institution-Wise
- JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age & Attempt Limit
- JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Percentile Requirement
- JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Droppers
- JEE Main 2026 Counselling Eligibility
- JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
What’s New in JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026?
NTA has introduced some changes in the eligibility criteria for JEE Main 2026 exam. The major updates are as follows:
- The minimum aggregate marks for PwD candidates have been reduced from 50% to 40%.
- A new category has been introduced for transgender candidates.
- The age limit for repeaters (droppers) has been increased from 20 years to 22 years.
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must meet the basic academic, subject, and percentage requirements set by NTA. Applicants should have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board. Subjects vary depending on the course - B.Tech, B.Arch, or B.Plan. There is no upper age limit, but the year of passing and percentile requirements must be met by candidates. Check out the following table for general eligibility requirements for JEE Main 2026.
Criteria | Details |
Qualification | Passed Class 12 or equivalent (recognized board/university) |
Subjects | Physics, Mathematics + one subject (Chemistry/Biology/Technical) for B.Tech |
Age Limit | No upper age limit |
Attempt Limit | Three consecutive attempts |
Percentile | 75% for General, 65% for SC/ST, 65–75% for other categories |
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Institution-Wise
Different institutions have set their own admission requirements apart from JEE Main 2026 Scores. IITs, NITs, and IIITs require both percentile and subject conditions to be fulfilled. Candidates must secure a minimum mark in Class 12 to be eligible for admission in these institutes. Check out the following table for the institute-wise eligibility criteria of JEE Main 2026.
Institution Type | Minimum Requirement |
IITs | Candidates must secure at least 75% marks in Class 12 if they belong to the General category, and at least 65% marks if they belong to the SC/ST category. In addition, they must qualify JEE Advanced with a valid All India Rank (AIR). |
NITs | Candidates must score a minimum of 75% marks in Class 12 if they are from the General category, and 65% marks if they are from the SC/ST category. Admission will also depend on their All India Rank (AIR) in JEE Main. |
IIITs | Candidates are required to obtain at least 75% marks in Class 12 if they belong to the General category, and 65% marks if they belong to the SC/ST category. Their admission will be based on their All India Rank (AIR) in JEE Main. |
CFTIs | Candidates must achieve a minimum of 75% marks in Class 12 if they are from the General category, and 65% marks if they are from the SC/ST category. The selection will also be based on their All India Rank (AIR) in JEE Main. |
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age & Attempt Limit
There is no specific upper age limit for JEE Main 2026. Candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 can apply. Institutions may have their own age criteria, and candidates must also meet those if required. Hence, there is no upper age limit for test takers, however, they must meet the academic and percentile requirements to appear for the JEE Main 2026 exam.
Candidates can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years. Within a single academic year, they can appear in both January and April sessions. The best of the two session scores will be considered.
Also Read: JEE Main College Predictor 2025, Check Colleges Based on Rank
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Percentile Requirement
Candidates must score at least 75% in Class 12 or be in the top 20 percentile of their board. For SC/ST candidates, the minimum required marks are 65%. These requirements apply to admission in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. Check the following table for the percentile requirement of JEE Main 2026.
Category | Class 12 Requirement | Admission Institutions |
General/EWS | 75% or Top 20 percentile | IITs, NITs, IIITs, CFTIs |
SC/ST | 65% minimum | IITs, NITs, IIITs, CFTIs |
PwD | 40% minimum (new change) | IITs, NITs, IIITs, CFTIs |
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Droppers
NTA doesn’t specify separate eligibility criteria for repeaters or droppers of JEE Main entrance exam. Droppers who wish to appear for JEE Main 2026 must follow the same eligibility rules as first-time candidates. They should have completed their Class 12 examination from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Droppers are allowed to attempt the exam for three consecutive years. Check the following table for dropper’s eligibility for JEE Main 2026.
Criteria for Droppers | Requirements |
Class 12 Completion | Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent examination from a recognized board of education. |
Subject Requirement | Candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as their compulsory subjects in Class 12. |
Marks Requirement | General category candidates must secure at least 75% marks, SC/ST candidates must secure at least 65% marks, and PwD candidates must secure at least 40% marks in Class 12. |
Attempt Limit | Candidates are allowed to attempt the JEE Main examination for three consecutive years, including both January and April sessions each year. |
JEE Main Counselling Eligibility 2026
JEE Main Counselling 2026 will be conducted after the exam completion for admission to participating institutes. Candidates must qualify JEE Main 2026 exam with the required percentile. They also need to meet the Class 12 marks eligibility. For counselling, valid documents such as Aadhaar, PAN, photo, and signature are required for verification. Check the following tables for the minimum marks required for droppers of JEE Main 2026.
Category | Minimum Marks in Class 12 |
General/EWS | 75% |
SC/ST | 65% |
PwD | 40% |
EWS | 75% |
Also Read: JEE Main Counselling 2026
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026 FAQs
Who is eligible for JEE Main 2026?
To be eligible for JEE Main 2026, candidates must have passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026. They should have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
Is there any age limit for JEE Main 2026?
No, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has not specified any age limit for JEE Main 2026. However, candidates must also check the age rules of the institutes where they wish to apply.
How many attempts are allowed in JEE Main 2026?
Candidates can attempt JEE Main 2026 up to two times in a year, across January and April sessions. In total, they can appear six times over three consecutive years.
Is the 75% criteria compulsory for JEE Main 2026?
Yes, for admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs through JEE Main 2026, General candidates must score at least 75% in Class 12 or be in the top 20 percentile. For SC/ST candidates, the requirement is relaxed to 65%.
Can droppers apply for JEE Main 2026?
Yes, droppers are eligible for JEE Main 2026 if they passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025. They must meet the same subject, marks, and attempt limit criteria as regular candidates.
What is the minimum Class 12 marks requirement for JEE Main 2026?
For JEE Main 2026, General category students must score at least 75% in Class 12, while SC/ST candidates need 65%. PwD candidates have a relaxation and need only 40%.
Can foreign nationals apply for JEE Main 2026?
Yes, foreign nationals can apply for JEE Main 2026. They must meet equivalent eligibility standards recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
What are the subject requirements for JEE Main 2026?
To appear for JEE Main 2026, candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in Class 12, along with Chemistry, Biology, or a technical vocational subject.
Are diploma holders eligible for JEE Main 2026?
Yes, diploma holders can apply for JEE Main 2026. However, they are eligible for admission only in IITs and must also qualify through JEE Advanced.
Can I appear for JEE Main 2026 if I passed Class 12 in 2023?
No, candidates who passed Class 12 in 2023 or earlier are not eligible for JEE Main 2026. Only students from the 2024, 2025, and 2026 batches can apply.