JEE Advanced 2026 – Complete Eligibility Criteria Explained (Official Guidelines + Expert Breakdown)
Updated as per IIT Roorkee (Organizing Institute) and official website jeeadv.ac.in
The Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced) 2026 is the gateway to the prestigious 23 IITs across India. For lakhs of engineering aspirants, clearing JEE Advanced is the final step towards fulfilling their dream of studying Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or any top branch at the IITs.
However, what many students and parents do not realize is that JEE Advanced has some of the strictest eligibility criteria among all national exams. A student may be very capable academically, but a single missed criterion can make them ineligible — even if they score well in JEE Main.
This detailed guide explains all five mandatory eligibility rules, the Class XII marks criteria, age and attempt limits, previous IIT admission rules, and important updates for 2026, along with helpful insights for planning.
This is the most complete, student-friendly explanation you will find.
Understanding JEE Advanced: Why Eligibility Matters So Much
Unlike JEE Main, which lakhs of students attempt, JEE Advanced is reserved only for the top 2,50,000 students from JEE Main 2026. The exam is designed to identify students with deep conceptual clarity, analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity.
But before even registering for the exam, students must pass through five strict eligibility filters. These filters ensure only serious and deserving candidates compete for IIT seats.
JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Date
The official website (jeeadv.ac.in) has announced the exam date:
Sunday, 17 May 2026
The exam will be conducted by IIT Roorkee, which is the organizing institute for 2026.
The 5 Mandatory Eligibility Criteria for JEE Advanced 2026
A candidate must meet all five criteria together. Missing even one disqualifies the student.
Let’s understand each criterion deeply.
Criterion A1 — Performance in JEE (Main) 2026
To qualify for JEE Advanced 2026:
• You must be among the top 2,50,000 successful candidates in JEE Main Paper 1.
• All categories (GEN, GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD) have fixed percentile and rank cut-offs.
• Simply clearing JEE Main is not enough. You must achieve a high rank relative to other students.
Why this matters:
This criterion ensures that Advanced is attempted only by the most competitive and well-prepared candidates from JEE Main.
Criterion A2 — Age Limit
For 2026, the age rules are:
• General / OBC / EWS candidates must be born on or after 1 October 2001.
• SC / ST / PwD candidates get 5 years relaxation (born on or after 1 October 1996).
Why this matters:
This criterion maintains uniformity and gives additional flexibility to socially disadvantaged categories.
Criterion A3 — Number of Attempts Allowed
JEE Advanced allows only:
• Two attempts
• In two consecutive years
Example:
• First attempt → 2025
• Final attempt → 2026
If a student misses one year due to personal or academic reasons, they lose an attempt automatically.
Why this matters:
This policy keeps the competition healthy and encourages disciplined preparation.
Criterion A4 — Appearance in Class XII (or Equivalent) Exam
To be eligible for JEE Advanced 2026:
• The first appearance in Class XII must be in 2025 or 2026.
• Students must have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as compulsory subjects.
• Students must also meet the minimum marks requirement for IIT admissions.
Minimum Marks Requirement for Admission to IITs
After qualifying JEE Advanced, IIT admissions require:
For General / OBC / EWS candidates:
• 75% aggregate marks, or
• Top 20 percentile of their respective boards
For SC / ST / PwD candidates:
• 65% aggregate marks, or
• Top 20 percentile of their board
Why this matters:
Board performance still plays an essential role in IIT admissions. Students must balance JEE preparation with Class XII academics.
Criterion A5 — Earlier Admission to IITs
A student cannot appear for JEE Advanced 2026 if:
• They were admitted into any IIT in the past.
• They accepted a seat through JoSAA in any previous year — even if they did not join, or joined and later withdrew.
Exceptions:
A candidate may still be eligible if:
• Their seat was cancelled before Round 1 of seat allocation.
Why this matters:
This prevents misuse of IIT seats and ensures deserving students get opportunities.
Special Eligibility Rules for Foreign Nationals and OCI/PIO Candidates
• Foreign Nationals have separate eligibility, fee structure, and seat quota.
• OCI/PIO candidates are now evaluated under specific categories:
• Domestic (OCI/PIO-I)
• Foreign (OCI/PIO-F)
Students must check the updated official rules on jeeadv.ac.in.
Participating Institutes in JEE Advanced 2026
After qualifying JEE Advanced, students can get admission to 23 IITs across India, including:
• IIT Bombay
• IIT Delhi
• IIT Madras
• IIT Kanpur
• IIT Kharagpur
• IIT Roorkee
• IIT Hyderabad
• IIT Guwahati
• IIT BHU
• IIT ISM Dhanbad
Each IIT offers B.Tech, Dual Degree, BS, and Integrated programs.
Why Understanding Eligibility Early Is Crucial
Every year, students lose their chance due to:
• Misunderstanding attempt limits
• Wrong assumptions about Class XII eligibility
• Missing the JEE Main rank cutoff
• Not knowing IIT admission marks requirement
• Accepting an IIT seat unknowingly through JoSAA
Parents and students must plan early to avoid last-minute eligibility issues.
How School Toppers Ensures 100% Eligibility and Excellence
At School Toppers, our approach covers all aspects:
• Ensuring students meet every eligibility requirement
• Strong JEE Main + Advanced preparation
• Daily doubt sessions till 8 PM
• Weekly mentorship and personalised planning
• Board exam + JEE balance
• Result-driven strategy with top faculty led by IITian & Author Akhil Tewari
We don’t just prepare students for the exam — we prepare them for IIT success.
Final Summary
To appear for JEE Advanced 2026, a student must:
• Be in the top 2,50,000 JEE Main qualifiers
• Meet the age limit
• Have maximum 2 attempts
• First appear for Class XII in 2025 or 2026
• Not have accepted a seat at any IIT before
• Meet 75%/65% or Top 20 Percentile marks rule
Only when all five criteria are satisfied can the student register for the exam.
