JEE Main 2026: The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 Session 1 has already been conducted. JEE Main Session 2 is scheduled for April. The main goal for all candidates appearing in JEE Main 2026 is to achieve a top score so that they can qualify for JEE Advanced for admission to IITs, NITs, and IISc Bangalore. It is generally known that to get admission to all 23 IITs in the country, as well as NITs and IISc Bangalore, one must appear in JEE Advanced. A top score in JEE Main is necessary for this, but this is incomplete information. To be eligible for JEE Advanced, along with a good score in JEE Main, candidates must also fulfill certain conditions and rules, such as 12th board exam results, the number of attempts, and the age limit.

Let's find out what rank is required to appear in JEE Advanced? We will also discuss the rules regarding the age limit, 12th board exams, and the number of attempts in detail.

What rank in JEE Main is required to appear for JEE Advanced?

In fact, more than 1.3 million candidates appear in JEE Main every year. JEE Main is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to the rules, only the top 2.5 lakh candidates in JEE Main get the opportunity to appear in JEE Advanced, which is conducted by one of the IITs. JEE Advanced 2026 is being conducted by IIT Roorkee.

While it's true that the top 2.5 lakh candidates in JEE Main get the opportunity to appear in JEE Advanced, this list of top 2.5 lakh scorers is prepared according to constitutional reservations. This includes 40.5% candidates from the General category (including 5% General PwD), 10% General and PwD EWS, 27% OBC, 15% SC, and 7.5% ST quota candidates.

What are the age limit rules?

Regarding the age limit for appearing in JEE Advanced, it is 25 years for General category candidates. Reserved category candidates get a 5-year age relaxation as per the rules. For JEE Advanced 2025, General category candidates must have been born on or after October 1, 2001.  The age limit for reserved category candidates will be calculated based on October 1, 1996.

How many times can one appear for JEE Advanced?

An important condition for appearing in JEE Advanced is related to the number of attempts. A candidate cannot appear for JEE Advanced for the third time. This means that any student gets only two chances to appear in JEE Advanced. These attempts must be consecutive; a gap of any year in between is not allowed.

Also, know the rules related to the 12th board exam.

Only those candidates who have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in their 12th grade can appear for JEE Advanced. Additionally, candidates who have passed their 12th board exams in the last two years (including the current session) are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. This means that candidates wishing to appear for JEE Advanced 2026 must have passed their 12th grade in 2025 or 2026. However, even if the board withholds the result or a student fails, it will still be counted as one attempt. Candidates whose results are released after the JEE Advanced exam can appear for the exam in the following two years.

No opportunity if you have already taken admission in IITs

If a candidate has previously appeared in JEE Advanced and secured admission to an IIT, but wishes to appear again without completing the course, they will not be given another opportunity. For example, candidates who have participated in JoSAA counseling and accepted a seat at an IIT will not be given another chance to appear in JEE Advanced. However, those who participated in JoSAA counseling but withdrew before the final round of seat allocation will be eligible to appear in JEE Advanced.

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