JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: The JEE Eligibility Criteria outline the specific essential requirements that applicants must meet to appear for the examination. The National Testing Agency sets the JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026, which includes vital parameters such as educational qualifications, age limit, number of attempts and nationality.
Only those who fulfill the JEE Main eligibility criteria in all respects will be allowed to participate in the exam. Those who fail to satisfy the eligibility criteria will not be considered for the exam. Candidates must go through the detailed JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026 outlined below.
JEE Main Eligibility 2026 As per NTA Guidlines
The National Testing Agency conducts the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) to provide B.E./B.Tech or B.Arch or B.Plan admission to top institutions across the country. Candidates aspiring to pursue engineering programs from a reputed institution are required to qualify for JEE Main.
As per JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026, applicants must have passed Class 12th in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026 with Physics, Mathematics and one of Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational subjects. Moreover, there is no lower or upper age limit requirement set for JEE main.
JEE Main Educational Qualifications 2026
The minimum essential qualification for JEE Main 2026 is as follows:
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Candidates must have passed or are appearing for class 12 or equivalent exam in 2024, 2025, or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
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The qualifying exam must be passed from CBSE, CISCE, State Boards, NIOS (with five subjects), IB diploma, or equivalent as recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
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There is no minimum percentage of marks required to appear for JEE Main 2026 exam.
JEE Main Subjects Required
The different programs require a specific subject combination as mentioned below:
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B.E./B.Tech: Physics, Mathematics (compulsory) + one of Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational subject.
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B.Arch (Paper 2A): Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are compulsory.
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B.Planning (Paper 2B): Mathematics is compulsory.
JEE Main 2026 Qualifying Marks
Even though there is no minimum percentage of marks required to appear for the JEE Main exam 2026 but admission to top institutions like IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs requires specific qualifying marks as follows:
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JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualifying Marks |
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Particulars |
Details |
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Exam Eligibility |
No minimum marks/percentage required to appear for the examination |
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Admission to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs (General/EWS/OBC) |
Minimum 75% marks in Class 12th OR be in the top 20th percentile of the respective board |
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Admission to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs |
Minimum 65% marks in Class 12th OR be in the top 20th percentile of the respective board |
JEE Main Age Limit Eligibility Criteria 2026
The age limit requirements as per JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026 are as under:
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There is no specific age limit criterion set to appear for JEE Main 2026.
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Candidates from any age group can attend the examination.
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However, candidates must meet the age requirements of individual institutions (IITs, NITs, IIITs, CFTIs) for admission.
JEE Main Nationality Requirements 2026
In order to appear for JEE Main 2026, candidates must be:
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Indian citizens
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Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
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Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
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Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)
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Foreign nationals
Foreign candidates must possess qualifying certificates equivalent to class 12, from an institute recognized by AIU.
JEE Main 2026 Number of Attempts
There is specific attempts limit for JEE Main 2026 as follows:
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Candidates can attempt JEE Main up to six times over three consecutive years (two attempts per year).
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These attempts must be taken in the year of passing class 12 and the next two consecutive years.
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If there's a break in consecutive years, candidates become ineligible.
JEE 2026 Eligibility Criteria FAQs
Q. What is the age limit for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. There is no age restriction set for JEE Main 2026. However, candidates must meet the age requirement for the specific institute to secure admission.
Q. What is the essential qualification to appear for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. Candidates must have passed Class 12th or equivalent in 2024, 2025 or appearing in 2026 from a recognized board/institution.
Q. What is the qualifying percentage in Class 12 for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. There is no specific qualifying percentage in Class 12 required for JEE Main 2026.
Q. How many times can I appear for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. Candidates can appear for JEE Main 2026 up to six times (twice a year for three consecutive years after passing class 12).
Q. Can foreign candidates apply for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. Yes, Foreign nationals, NRIs, OCIs, and PIOs are eligible if they possess recognized class 12 (or equivalent) qualifications.