JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The JEE Main exam is the first stage of the Joint Entrance Examination system, serving as the primary gateway for admission to undergraduate engineering programs. The JEE Main exam consists of two papers: Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech aspirants and Paper 2 for those seeking admission to B.Arch/B.Planning courses. Paper 1 is a three-hour computer-based test featuring questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, structured to evaluate a candidate’s both conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities. With a moderate difficulty level compared to JEE Advanced, JEE Main is accessible to a broader range of candidates, yet remains highly competitive due to the large number of applicants vying for limited seats in top engineering colleges in India.

JEE MAIN 2026 Eligibility Criteria

4– 5 Year Under Graduate Program (B. Tech/ B.E./ B. Planning/ B. Arch)

• Candidates must be qualified in their 10+2 (Class 12) or equivalent examination in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026 from a recognized board.
• Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics must be included as core subjects in the qualifying examination.
• There is no age limit for candidates appearing in JEE Main 2026.
• Candidates can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years from the year of qualifying their Class 10+2 or equivalent exam.
• Indian citizens, as well as NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, and foreign nationals, are also eligible to apply for JEE Main.
• For admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, candidates must secure a minimum aggregate of 75% marks in Class 10+2 (65% for SC/ST) or be in the top 20 percentile of their respective boards.
• Candidates holding a three-year diploma recognized by AICTE or a state board of technical education are also eligible to appear for JEE Main, but only for B.E./ B. Tech admissions (not B. Arch/ B. Planning).

JEE Main 2026  Application Form