The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), serves as a gateway for admission to undergraduate engineering programs at various institutions across India. The eligibility criteria encompass requirements related to age, educational qualifications, subjects, attempts, and more, ensuring fairness and standardization in the admission process. These JEE Main eligibility criteria are essential for candidates aspiring to appear in the exam and secure seats in premier institutes.
Table of Contents
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Overview
The following table outlines the key eligibility aspects for appearing in JEE Main 2026:
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | There is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2026. Candidates who have passed Class XII/equivalent in 2024, 2025, or are appearing in 2026 can participate, regardless of age. However, individual institutes may impose their own age requirements for admission. |
| Qualifying Examinations | Candidates must have passed or be appearing in one of the following: 10+2 system from a recognized Central/State Board; Intermediate or Pre-University exam; Joint Services Wing of NDA; NIOS Senior Secondary with at least five subjects; AIU-recognized equivalent exams (including foreign boards like GCE A-level or IB Diploma); HSC Vocational; AICTE-recognized 3-year Diploma; BOSSE, Sikkim. For non-public exams, a prior public exam is required. AIU equivalence certificate needed for unspecified boards or foreign qualifications. |
| Year of Appearance in Qualifying Examination | Eligible if passed Class XII/equivalent in 2024 or 2025, or appearing in 2026. Candidates who passed in 2023 or earlier are ineligible. The passing year is when the result was first declared as 'pass'. Improvement exams do not alter the original passing year. |
| Subjects Required | For B.E./B.Tech (Paper 1): Physics, Mathematics, and one from Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical Vocational. Plus a language and any other subject. For B.Arch (Paper 2A): Physics, Mathematics (compulsory), and Chemistry/Biology/Technical Vocational/Computer Science/IT/Informatics Practices/Engineering Graphics/Business Studies. For B.Planning (Paper 2B): Mathematics and four other subjects. |
| Number of Attempts | No limit on attempts. Candidates can appear in both January and April 2026 sessions; the best score is considered. |
| State of Eligibility | Based on the state where Class XII/equivalent was passed, not residence or native place. For NIOS: State of study center. For Indian nationals abroad (Nepal/Bhutan): Permanent address in India. OCI candidates passing in India: Eligible for All India and Home State quotas; abroad: Only All India quota in NITs/IIITs/GFTIs. |
| Reservations and Special Provisions | GEN-EWS: 10%; OBC-NCL: 27% (central list, non-creamy layer); SC: 15%; ST: 7.5%; PwBD: 5% horizontal in each category. State policies apply to state institutes. PwBD (≥40% disability or writing difficulty): Scribe and extra time (20 min/hour). Scribe must be one qualification level below candidate. |
| Other Requirements | Indian nationals for full reservations; OCI as specified. Upload photo, signature, Class X certificate, etc. Aadhaar-linked verification at center. Refer to institute websites for additional eligibility. |
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility: Category-wise
The category-wise JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria primarily refer to two main aspects managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA):
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Eligibility to appear in the JEE Main exam — This is largely uniform across categories, with no category-specific differences in age limit, number of attempts, year of passing, or subjects required. All candidates (General, GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD) follow the same basic rules to register and appear.
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Eligibility for admission (especially to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs via JoSAA/CSAB) — Here, category-wise relaxations apply in the minimum marks/percentage in Class 12 (qualifying examination), along with seat reservations.
Category-Wise Eligibility for Admission (NITs, IIITs, GFTIs via JoSAA/CSAB)
For admissions to these institutes, candidates must meet the minimum aggregate marks in Class 12 (or be in the top 20 percentile of their board) in addition to qualifying in JEE Main.
| Category | Minimum Aggregate Marks in Class 12 (or Equivalent) | Top 20 Percentile Requirement | Reservation Percentage in Seats (for NITs/IIITs/GFTIs) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General (OPEN) | 75% aggregate in five subjects | Yes (or 75% marks) | ~40.5% (after reservations) | No relaxation in marks. |
| General Economically Weaker Sections (GEN-EWS) | 75% aggregate in five subjects | Yes (or 75% marks) | 10% | Valid GEN-EWS certificate required (family income criteria apply). |
| Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) | 75% aggregate in five subjects | Yes (or 75% marks) | 27% | Central OBC list only; non-creamy layer certificate mandatory. |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 65% aggregate in five subjects | Yes (or 65% marks) | 15% | Relaxation provided. |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 65% aggregate in five subjects | Yes (or 65% marks) | 7.5% | Relaxation provided. |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwD) | Same as respective category (75% or 65%) | Yes (as per category) | 5% horizontal (across all categories) | Benchmark disability ≥40% as per RPwD Act, 2016; extra provisions like scribe/extra time available. |
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility for IIITs, NITs, GFTIs
For admissions to National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and Government-Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) via JEE Main 2026, candidates must meet the following specific criteria in addition to qualifying in the exam. Admissions are handled through JoSAA/CSAB counseling:
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Marks in Qualifying Exam | At least 75% aggregate in Class XII (65% for SC/ST/PwBD) across five subjects, or top 20 percentile in the respective board. For B.Arch: 45% aggregate or 10+3 Diploma with Mathematics. |
| Subject Requirements | B.E./B.Tech: Physics, Mathematics, a language, one from Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical Vocational, and any other. B.Arch: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and two more. B.Planning: Mathematics and four other subjects. |
| Other Provisions | Document authentication required (ID, DOB, qualifying exam, state, category, disability). State quotas and reservations as per policies. OCI eligibility limited to All India quota if qualified abroad. NTA not responsible for final admission; refer to JoSAA/CSAB websites. |
JEE Main Eligibility 2026 for Other Institutions
The JEE Main exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), primarily serves as the entrance test for admission to B.E./B.Tech programs in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs (also referred to as CFTIs in some contexts) through centralized counseling by JoSAA/CSAB. For other institutions (such as state engineering colleges, private universities, deemed universities, and certain self-financed institutes that accept JEE Main scores), NTA does not prescribe or enforce a uniform eligibility criteria beyond the basic requirements to appear in the exam.
The eligibility to appear in JEE Main 2026 is the same for all candidates, regardless of the target institute. However, for admissions to institutions other than those participating in JoSAA (i.e., outside NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs), the specific eligibility rules—including minimum marks in Class 12, subject requirements, reservations, or any additional criteria—are decided individually by those institutions. NTA explicitly states that it is only an examination-conducting body and not responsible for admission decisions or criteria at non-participating institutes.
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Examination | Passed/appearing in 10+2 or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with one of Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical Vocational subject (for B.E./B.Tech). |
| Year of Passing | Passed Class 12/equivalent in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026. Candidates who passed before 2024 are ineligible. |
| Age Limit | No age limit prescribed by NTA. |
| Number of Attempts | No limit; candidates can appear in both sessions (January and April), with the best score considered. |
| Subjects Required (B.E./B.Tech) | Physics, Mathematics + one from Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical Vocational + Language + any other subject. |
| Minimum Marks for Exam Appearance | No minimum percentage required to appear in JEE Main (unlike the admission criterion for NITs/IIITs/GFTIs). |
JEE Main Eligibility 2026 Required for JEE Advanced
To qualify for JEE (Advanced) 2026, Indian nationals and OCI/PIO (I) candidates must fulfill multiple criteria, including performance in the B.E./B.Tech. paper of JEE (Main) 2026. Specifically, candidates must rank among the top 2,50,000 successful candidates across all categories. This qualification is rank-based, determined by the Common Rank List (CRL) and category ranks from JEE (Main) results. There is no fixed percentile requirement, as the cutoff percentiles vary annually depending on the overall performance of candidates; however, the number of qualifying spots is fixed category-wise with a 5% horizontal reservation for PwD within each category. The total may slightly exceed 2,50,000 due to tied ranks/scores. The category-wise distribution of the top 2,50,000 qualifying candidates is as follows:
| Sl. No. | Category | Number of Top Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OPEN | 96,187 |
| 2 | OPEN-PwD | 5,063 |
| 3 | GEN-EWS | 23,750 |
| 4 | GEN-EWS-PwD | 1,250 |
| 5 | OBC-NCL | 64,125 |
| 6 | OBC-NCL-PwD | 3,375 |
| 7 | SC | 35,625 |
| 8 | SC-PwD | 1,875 |
| 9 | ST | 17,812 |
| 10 | ST-PwD | 938 |
Total: Approximately 2,50,000 (may vary slightly due to ties).
JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria
The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the JEE Main 2026, follows the Government of India reservation policy for seat allocation in participating institutions such as NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs (through JoSAA/CSAB counseling). Reservations apply during admissions (not for appearing in the exam) and include benefits like relaxed qualifying marks in Class 12 (65% aggregate or top 20 percentile for reserved categories vs. 75% for General), lower application fees, and category-specific seat quotas.
PwD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) reservation is horizontal (5% within each category, including General/Open). This means 5% seats in every category are reserved for PwD candidates meeting the benchmark disability criteria (as per RPwD Act, 2016).
| Category | Reservation Percentage | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General Economically Weaker Sections (GEN-EWS) | 10% | For General category candidates from economically weaker sections (family income < ₹8 lakh/year; certificate required as per Govt. norms). |
| Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer (OBC-NCL) | 27% | Central list only; non-creamy layer certificate mandatory (family income criteria apply). |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15% | As per Government of India list. |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5% | As per Government of India list. |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwD) | 5% (horizontal) | Applicable across all categories (GEN, GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST); includes 40%+ benchmark disability or specific conditions; extra provisions like scribe/extra time available. |
Note: These percentages are for seat allocation in centrally funded institutions (NITs, IIITs, GFTIs). State institutions may follow state-specific reservation policies. Candidates must upload valid certificates during registration/counseling; claims are verified, and incorrect claims lead to disqualification.
JEE Main Eligibility FAQs
Q1. What is the eligibility criteria for JEE Main 2026?
To appear in JEE Main 2026, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or 2026 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, plus one from Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical Vocational subject. As per JEE Main eligibility 2026, there is no minimum percentage required to appear in the exam.
Q2. Is there any age limit for JEE Main 2026?
No, there is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2026 as per NTA rules. Candidates of any age can apply if they meet the qualifying exam year criteria (passed in 2024/2025 or appearing in 2026). However, individual institutes may have their own age rules for admission as per the JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026.
Q3. How many attempts are allowed in JEE Main 2026?
There is no limit on the number of attempts for JEE Main. Candidates can appear in both sessions (January and April) of 2026, and the best score is considered. You can attempt it for three consecutive years after Class 12 (e.g., if passed in 2024, attempts in 2026, 2027, 2028 are possible).
Q4. What is the minimum percentage required in Class 12 for JEE Main 2026?
There is no minimum percentage required to appear in JEE Main 2026. However, for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs (via JoSAA/CSAB), candidates need at least 75% aggregate in Class 12 (or top 20 percentile in their board) for General/EWS/OBC-NCL, and 65% for SC/ST/PwD.
Q5. What subjects are required for JEE Main 2026 eligibility in B.E./B.Tech?
For Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in Class 12, along with one of Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical Vocational subject. A language subject and any other subject are also typically included.
Q6. Who is eligible for JEE Main 2026 if appearing in Class 12?
Yes, candidates appearing in Class 12 in 2026 are fully eligible to appear in JEE Main 2026. Their admission (if qualifying) will be provisional until they pass Class 12 with the required criteria.
Q7. What is the 75% criteria in JEE Main 2026?
The 75% aggregate (or top 20 percentile) in Class 12 is required only for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs — not for appearing in the exam. For SC/ST candidates, it is relaxed to 65%. This rule does not apply to other institutions accepting JEE Main scores.
Q8. Is there category-wise relaxation in JEE Main eligibility 2026?
Yes, for admission purposes: SC/ST candidates get relaxation to 65% in Class 12 (instead of 75%). Reservations apply during seat allocation — 10% GEN-EWS, 27% OBC-NCL, 15% SC, 7.5% ST, and 5% horizontal PwD across categories. No category-based differences exist for appearing in the exam.
