To be eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026, a JEE Main score alone will not be sufficient. Candidates must secure a place within the top 2.5 lakh ranks of JEE Main 2026, meet the prescribed age criteria, comply with the attempt limit, and have passed the Class 12 board examination with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics within the last two years.
The eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced 2026 have been specified for candidates seeking admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. The examination will be conducted based on JEE Main 2026 performance, but only candidates ranked within the top 2.5 lakh will be permitted to appear. Selection will be carried out according to category-wise reservation norms. Age limits, a maximum of two attempts, and Class 12 board examination conditions will apply. Candidates who have already taken admission to an IIT will not be eligible to appear again.
In JEE Main 2026, more than 13 lakh candidates appeared for the examination. As per the rules, only the top 2.5 lakh candidates are allowed to sit for JEE Advanced 2026. This selection is conducted on the basis of category-wise reservation, including General, EWS, OBC, SC and ST categories.
The list of the top 2.5 lakh candidates is not prepared solely on overall merit but in proportion to constitutional reservation norms. Candidates are required to assess eligibility and expectations based on the cut-off applicable to their respective categories.
For JEE Advanced 2026, the maximum age limit for candidates in the General category is fixed at 25 years, with a relaxation of five years for reserved categories. Age is calculated on the basis of the prescribed cut-off date, making the accuracy of the date of birth essential.
Each candidate is permitted to attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times, and only in two consecutive years. A gap between attempts does not entitle a candidate to an additional chance.
Only candidates who studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in Class 12 are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. The Class 12 board examination must have been passed within the last two years, including the current year.
Candidates who have previously secured admission to an IIT through JEE Advanced are not eligible to appear again, even if they did not complete the course. However, candidates who withdrew their seat before the final round of JoSAA counselling may be allowed one opportunity.
