JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To appear for JEE Advanced 2026, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria announced by IIT Roorkee. The eligibility rules cover JEE Main 2026 performance, age limit, number of attempts, year of Class 12 examination, and previous admission status at IITs. All conditions must be fulfilled together for registration.
JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility criteria are applicable to:
- Indian Nationals and OCI/PIO (Indian category)
- Foreign Nationals and OCI/PIO (Foreign category)
Different rules apply to each category as mentioned below.
JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria 2026 for Indian Nationals and OCI/PIO (Indian Category)
Indian nationals and OCI/PIO candidates under the Indian category must meet five eligibility requirements as notified by IIT Roorkee.
JEE Main 2026 Qualification Requirement
Candidates must be among the top 2,50,000 qualified candidates (all categories combined) in the B.E./B.Tech paper of JEE Main 2026.
Only those candidates whose names appear within the qualifying range declared for JEE Main 2026 are allowed to apply for JEE Advanced.
Age Limit for JEE Advanced 2026 Registration
Candidates should have been born on or after 01 October 2001.
Age relaxation:
- Candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories are given a 5-year age relaxation
- Such candidates should have been born on or after 01 October 1996
Number of Attempts Allowed in JEE Advanced
A candidate is permitted to appear for JEE Advanced only two times, and both attempts must be in two consecutive years.
Candidates who have already used both attempts in consecutive years are not eligible to apply again in 2026.
Class 12 (or Equivalent) Examination Requirement
Candidates must have appeared for the Class 12 or equivalent examination for the first time in 2025 or 2026.
The qualifying examination must include the following compulsory subjects:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Special provision:
Candidates whose respective boards declared the Class 12 results of the 2023–24 academic session on or after 18 June 2024 are also eligible under this condition.
Previous Admission Status at IITs
Candidates must not have been admitted to any IIT earlier, irrespective of:
- Acceptance of the seat
- Joining of the programme
- Cancellation of admission at a later stage
Eligible cases include:
- Candidates allotted a seat through JoSAA 2025 but:
- Did not report to the institute
- Withdrew before the final round
- Had the seat cancelled before the last round
- Candidates admitted to a preparatory course in 2025
Such candidates remain eligible if all other eligibility conditions are fulfilled.
Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Nationals and OCI/PIO (Foreign Category)
Foreign nationals and OCI/PIO candidates applying under the foreign category must meet four eligibility requirements.
Age Requirement for Foreign Candidates
Candidates should have been born on or after 01 October 2001.
Age relaxation may be applicable for candidates from countries where mandatory military service is applicable.
Attempt Limit for Foreign Category Candidates
Foreign category candidates are allowed:
- A maximum of two attempts
- Only in two consecutive years
Class 12 Qualification Requirement
Candidates must have appeared for Class 12 or equivalent examination:
- For the first time in 2025 or 2026
- With Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects
Previous IIT Admission Condition
Candidates must not have been admitted to any IIT earlier.
The same exceptions related to JoSAA seat allotment and preparatory courses apply here as well.
Important Instructions Related to JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility
- All eligibility conditions are applied together
- Eligibility is checked during registration, examination, and admission
- Incorrect information may lead to cancellation of candidature
- Eligibility decisions are taken strictly as per the official notification released by IIT Roorkee
How to Check JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility
Candidates can check their JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility by verifying each condition mentioned in the official notification issued by IIT Roorkee. The eligibility check can be done before registration by following the steps given below.
Step 1: Check JEE Main 2026 Qualification Status
Visit the official JEE Main 2026 result portal and confirm whether your name appears among the top 2,50,000 qualified candidates in the B.E./B.Tech paper. Only candidates within the declared qualifying range are eligible to apply for JEE Advanced 2026.
Step 2: Verify Date of Birth
Check your date of birth as mentioned in Class 10 certificates or official documents.
- General category candidates must be born on or after 01 October 2001
- SC, ST, and PwD candidates must be born on or after 01 October 1996
Step 3: Confirm Number of Attempts
Review your previous JEE Advanced attempts.
- Only two attempts are allowed
- Both attempts must be in two consecutive years
If you have already appeared twice in consecutive years, you are not eligible for JEE Advanced 2026.
Step 4: Check Class 12 Examination Details
Confirm the year of first appearance in the Class 12 or equivalent examination.
- First appearance must be in 2025 or 2026
- Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics must be compulsory subjects
Candidates whose Class 12 results of the 2023–24 academic session were declared on or after 18 June 2024 are also eligible.
Step 5: Review Previous Admission Status at IITs
Check whether you were ever admitted to an IIT.
- Candidates who joined or accepted an IIT seat earlier are not eligible
- Candidates who were allotted a seat through JoSAA 2025 but did not report, withdrew before the final round, or had the seat cancelled before the last round are eligible
- Candidates admitted to a preparatory course in 2025 are also eligible
Step 6: Match Category-Wise Eligibility
Ensure your category details (General, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, OCI/PIO, Foreign National) match the eligibility conditions mentioned in the JEE Advanced 2026 notification.