Difference Between JEE Main and JEE Advanced : Overview, Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus and Much More

One of the most pursued careers in India and annually lakhs of students appear in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). It is the most difficult entrance examination in the country as it is the gateway to the best engineering institutes in India. 

Most candidates become surrounded by the differences of JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The two exams are associated yet are used differently. The initial step is called JEE Main and is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the second step is called JEE Advanced and is administered by IITs.

JEE main and advanced differ in terms of difficulty level, eligibility, syllabus, pattern of the exam and chances of admission. By learning these differences, students will be equipped to work in the right direction.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced : Overview

The distinction between JEE Main and Advanced can be discussed by considering the overview of the two exams first.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts JEE Main which is administered several times annually (typically in January and April). It is the qualifying test of JEE Advanced. Admission to NITs, IIITs and other government-funded colleges (GFTIs) is based on scores obtained in JEE Main. 

Out of the top 2.5 lakh students in JEE Main, students are given the opportunity to take part in JEE Advanced. In this way, JEE Main functions as a gateway to the best colleges in engineering as well as a filter of Advanced.

One of the IITs conducts JEE Advanced every year, in a rotating manner. Only the students who qualify JEE Main have the privilege to appear in Advanced. This test has been referred to as highly difficult in terms of conceptual depth. The JEE Advanced is used to admit students to the IITs, which are known throughout the world as academic powerhouses and for their research capabilities.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for JEE Main and Advanced differ, which is a major point of comparison.

JEE Main 2026: Eligibility Criteria

• Educational Qualification: Students must have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing in 2026.
• Age Limit: There is no age limit to attempt JEE Main.
• Subjects Required: Mathematics and Physics are mandatory, along with one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a Technical Vocational subject.
• Minimum Marks: Usually, specific marks are not required to appear, but for college admissions (especially NITs/IIITs), candidates should meet the minimum percentage (75% for General/OBC, 65% for SC/ST) criteria in Class 12 (as per past norms).
• Number of Attempts: Maximum 3 consecutive years.

JEE Advanced 2026: Eligibility Criteria

• Qualifying Exam: Only those who clear JEE Main and fall within the top 2.5 lakh ranks can register.
• Year of Passing: Candidates should have passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025. 2026 appearing candidates cannot apply.
• Number of Attempts: Maximum 2 consecutive years.
• Age Limit: Must be born on or after October 1, 2000 (with relaxation for reserved categories).
• Prior Admissions: Candidates who were allotted a seat in an IIT earlier (even if they did not join) are not eligible.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Number of Attempts Allowed

Another significant difference that all students need to be aware of before starting to plan their preparation is the number of attempts in JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The two exams provide students with minimal opportunities, and it is this knowledge that helps in setting achievable goals.

JEE Main: Number of Attempts

Once a candidate passes Class 12, then he or she can take JEE Main three times consecutively.

The JEE Main exam is taken twice a year (usually in January and April session). These two sessions are counted as a single effort in a year, although you may be in both. Suppose you clear Class 12 in 2025, then in 2025, 2026 and 2027 you could take the JEE Main.

JEE Advanced: Number of Attempts

JEE Advanced is stricter. You are allowed to appear only two years after passing Class 12.

This implies that when you are taking Class 12 in 2025, you are only eligible to appear in JEE Advanced 2025 and JEE Advanced 2026. Then you are no longer qualified. Furthermore, you also count that year in case you did not show up after passing JEE Main in the first attempt but decided to take JEE Advanced.

Difference Between JEE Main and JEE Advanced: Exam Pattern

The JEE Main and JEE Advanced exam pattern is very different. JEE Main is more concerned with basic knowledge, whereas JEE Advanced is more concerned with conceptual knowledge, application, and problem solving skills.

JEE Main 2026: Exam Pattern

Mode of Exam: Computer based online exam (except drawing part in Paper 2).

Paper Options:

• Paper 1: To B.E/B.Tech (most students choose this).
• Paper 2A: In B.Arch (Architecture).
• Paper 2B: For B.Planning.

Time: 3 hours (4 hours when there are PwD candidates).

Marking: +4 right answers, -1 wrong answers on MCQs.

JEE Advanced 2026:  Exam Pattern

• Exam format: completely computer based.
• Paper: Two mandatory papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2).
• Time: 3 hours (each).
• Marking Scheme: Changes each year. Marking can be full, partial or negative.

The question forms can be:

• Single/ multiple choice.
• Questions of the numerical answer type.
• Matrix match type.
• Integer value answers.

Difference Between JEE Main and JEE Advanced: Exam Syllabus

The JEE Main and JEE Advanced syllabus are closely related due to the fact that they are covered by the Class 11 and 12 NCERT syllabus.  

JEE Main 2026: Exam Syllabus

The JEE Main syllabus is directly aligned with the NCERT books. It covers basic to moderately difficult concepts:

• Physics: Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Thermodynamics, Oscillations, Modern Physics.
• Chemistry: Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Equilibrium, Carbon Compounds, Metallurgy.
• Mathematics: Sets, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Calculus, Probability, and Statistics.

JEE Advanced 2026:  Exam Syllabus

The JEE Advanced syllabus is more exhaustive. While it includes the same base topics, the questions require:

• Multi-concept applications.
• Deeper understanding of theory.
• Problem-solving and logical analysis.

Topics like 3D Geometry, Advanced Mechanics, Complex Numbers, Differential Calculus, and Electrochemistry are tested with more difficulty here.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Registration Process

The registration process for JEE Main and JEE Advanced is different.

JEE Main Registration Process

• Go to the site of NTA JEE.
• Full registration online with your personal data, your academic data and the type of exam center you prefer to attend.
• Post photograph, signature and category certification (where necessary).
• Pay a registration fee on the internet (depending on category and gender).
• Get the confirmation page as a record.

JEE Main is very easy to register and because it is held in several sessions, students have the choice of attempts.

JEE Advanced Registration 2026

• Students who clear JEE Main in the top 2.5 lakh ranks are only eligible to register.
• Go to the official site of JEE Advanced (organized by the IIT).
• Login with JEE Main roll number.
• Complete scholastic and personal information.
• Change uploaded documents (mark sheet, photo, and signature).
• Complete the application online by paying a fee.
• Download an admit card on release.

JEE Advanced registration is more selective as a small number of students are eligible every year.

JEE Main vs JEE Advanced: Admission Process

Admission via JEE Main and Advanced also differs depending on the type of institutes:

JEE Main Admission Process

Successful students are then subjected to JoSAA counselling.

The seat allocation is done according to All India Rank (AIR), preferences and category.

JEE Main scores are used by:

• NITs
• IIITs
• GFTIs

Main scores are also accepted in some of the privately-run engineering colleges.

JEE Advanced Admission Process

Those students who clear JEE Advanced also attend JoSAA Counselling.

But the allocation of seats here is limited to IITs.

Admission depends on:

• JEE Advanced Rank.

• Category-based reservation.

• Seats in selected branches and IIT.