IIT JAM 2025 Eligibility Criteria – Age, Qualification, Attempts & Reservation

Before applying for IIT JAM 2025, it’s important to check the age criteria set by IIT Delhi. The examination does not impose any strict upper age limit for candidates. This means that individuals who have completed their bachelor's degree in the relevant subject are eligible to appear for the exam, regardless of their age. There is also no specified minimum age criterion. While the IIT JAM examination itself has no age restrictions, candidates should be aware that individual admitting institutes may have their own specific age-related eligibility requirements for admission to their postgraduate programs. Knowing the age rules in advance ensures you apply within the permitted criteria and make full use of any relaxation benefits.

IIT JAM 2025 may offer relaxations for candidates belonging to specific reserved categories as per IIT Delhi guidelines and Government of India reservation policies. Benefits may include reduced qualifying marks, as seen with SC, ST, and PwD candidates requiring a minimum of 50% aggregate marks compared to 55% for General and OBC Non-Creamy Layer categories. Fee concessions are also available for female candidates and those from SC, ST, and PwD categories. To avail these benefits, candidates must upload valid and up-to-date category certificates during the online registration process. For PwD candidates, a valid medical certificate specifying at least 40% disability is required. While OBC Non-Creamy Layer and EWS candidates may apply with existing certificates, they must submit valid certificates in the prescribed format during the admission or counseling process. Verification will follow the official protocol set by the authority during document verification at the time of counseling and admission. By understanding and following the process, eligible candidates can make full use of the category-based benefits available for IIT JAM.

IIT JAM 2025 is open to Indian citizens and valid OCI or PIO card holders as per IIT Delhi rules. The examination is national-level, and as such, specific domicile requirements for state-level exams do not apply directly to the IIT JAM examination. However, for foreign applicants, including NRI candidates, while they are eligible to appear, they should verify specific eligibility directly with individual colleges or authorities. Foreign nationals holding Indian degrees are generally eligible. Additionally, foreign applicants must comply with the rules and regulations established by the admitting institute(s) for international students, which may include requirements such as a valid passport and visa, proof of English language proficiency, academic transcripts, and potentially additional fees. By understanding these rules early, candidates can ensure they meet the required nationality or domicile conditions before applying.

Before preparing for IIT JAM 2025, it’s essential to know if there’s a cap on the number of attempts. Most national-level exams allow unlimited attempts, and IIT JAM is no exception. For IIT JAM, there is no restriction on the number of times a candidate can appear for the examination. This means candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they wish to improve their scores or achieve their desired admission. Since there is no limit on the number of attempts, category-based relaxations regarding attempts are not applicable. Being aware of attempt limits helps you plan your preparation strategy effectively and avoid exhausting your chances prematurely.