JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Criteria

JEE Advanced is the gateway for admission to prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and a select group of top engineering institutes in India. The eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced 2026 are set to ensure only the most qualified candidates compete for admission. Aspiring candidates must carefully review and satisfy all the prescribed eligibility conditions to avoid disqualification.

Candidates are encouraged to check the official JEE Advanced website for updates and detailed instructions before applying, as eligibility rules may see minor annual changes.

1. Performance in JEE Main 2026

JEE Main Qualification: Only candidates who rank among the top 2,50,000 (across all categories) in the B.E./B.Tech. Paper of JEE Main 2026 are eligible for JEE Advanced 2026.

Category-Wise Distribution: The cutoff number for each category is as per reservation norms:

• OPEN: 96,187
• OPEN-PwD: 5,063
• GEN-EWS: 23,750
• GEN-EWS-PwD: 1,250
• OBC-NCL: 64,125
• OBC-NCL-PwD: 3,375
• SC: 35,625
• SC-PwD: 1,875
• ST: 17,812
• ST-PwD: 938

The final total may slightly exceed 2,50,000 due to tied ranks.

2. Age Limit

• General/OBC Category: Candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2001.
• SC/ST/PwD Categories: A relaxation of 5 years is granted; eligible if born on or after October 1, 1996.

3. Number of Attempts

Candidates can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in two consecutive years. Therefore, candidates who appeared for the first time in 2025 may reappear in 2026 if they meet the other criteria.

4. Year of Appearance in Class XII (or Equivalent) Examination

• Eligible only if the candidate first appeared for Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2025 or 2026.
• Those who appeared for their Class 12 exam in 2024 or earlier are not eligible, regardless of subject combination.

5. Qualifying Examination Subjects and Marks

• Candidates must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in their 12th standard (or equivalent).
• A minimum aggregate of 75% marks in the 12th board exams is required for General and OBC categories, and 65% marks for SC/ST/PwD candidates, or they must be in the top 20 percentile of their respective boards.

6. Prior Admission to IITs

• Candidates who have previously accepted admission at any IIT, regardless of whether they continued in the program or withdrew (after seat acceptance), are not eligible for JEE Advanced 2026.
• However, if a candidate accepted an IIT seat but withdrew before the final round of JoSAA 2025, and never attended classes, eligibility may be retained.

7. Reservation Policy

The following reservation percentages apply

• GEN-EWS: 10%
• OBC-NCL: 27%
• SC: 15%
• ST:5%
• OPEN: Remaining seats after reservations
• PwD: 5% horizontal reservation within each category.

8. Nationality

Indian nationals, Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Foreign nationals are eligible (with some additional requirements for foreign nationals).

The following table provides a small summary of JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility criteria for candidates to have a better and quick understanding.

Click Here JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Pattern

FAQs

Q1. Can a candidate attempt JEE Advanced more than twice?

Ans. No, candidates are permitted only two attempts in two consecutive years for JEE Advanced, regardless of whether they qualified or not in the first attempt.

Q2. What is the minimum percentage required in Class 12 for JEE Advanced eligibility?

Ans. Candidates in the General and OBC categories must secure at least 75%, while SC/ST/PwD candidates need 65%. Alternatively, being in the top 20 percentile in the respective board also suffices.

Q3. Is there any benefit for reserved categories in the eligibility criteria?

Ans. Yes, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, GEN-EWS, and PwD candidates receive various relaxations: age limit extension, lower qualifying marks, and reservation in the top 2.5 lakh eligible candidates list.

Q4. Who is not eligible for JEE Advanced 2026, even if qualified in JEE Main?

Ans. A candidate is not eligible if they appeared for Class 12 first time in 2024 or earlier. Candidates have previously accepted a seat at any IIT (unless withdrawn before the final JoSAA round and never joined).

Q5. What documents are required to prove eligibility for JEE Advanced?

Ans. Candidates must upload valid proof of following documents –  JEE Main 2026 rank, Date of birth, Category certificate (if applicable), Class 12 marksheet or certificate, PwD certificate (if applicable), and any supporting documents as per admission category requirements.