Preparing for JEE Advanced 2026 is a dream shared by lakhs of engineering aspirants across India. Understanding the eligibility criteria is the crucial first step toward achieving admission to prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). This comprehensive guide covers all essential eligibility requirements, ensuring you’re fully prepared to take this important step in your engineering journey.
Who Conducts JEE Advanced 2026?
IIT Roorkee is expected to conduct JEE Advanced 2026, following the established rotation pattern among IITs. This will be the third time IIT Roorkee organizes the exam, having previously conducted it in 2008 and 2019. Based on historical trends, the difficulty level during IIT Roorkee’s years has been moderate, making it manageable with proper preparation.
5 Essential Eligibility Criteria for JEE Advanced 2026
Criterion 1: JEE Main 2026 Performance
The most fundamental requirement is securing a rank among the top 2,50,000 candidates in JEE Main 2026 (Paper 1). The category-wise distribution follows government reservation norms:
| Category | Number of Candidates | Total per Category |
|---|---|---|
| OPEN | 96,187 | 1,01,250 |
| OPEN-PwD | 5,063 | |
| GEN-EWS | 23,750 | 25,000 |
| GEN-EWS-PwD | 1,250 | |
| OBC-NCL | 64,125 | 67,500 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD | 3,375 | |
| SC | 35,625 | 37,500 |
| SC-PwD | 1,875 | |
| ST | 17,812 | 18,750 |
| ST-PwD | 938 |
Important Note: There is a 5% horizontal reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) across all categories.
Criterion 2: Age Limit Requirements
The age criteria vary based on your category:
| Category | Birth Date Requirement | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | On or after October 1, 2001 | No relaxation |
| SC/ST/PwD | On or after October 1, 1996 | 5 years relaxation |
Criterion 3: Number of Attempts
Candidates can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in consecutive years. This means:
- If you appear for JEE Advanced 2025 for the first time, you can also appear in 2026
- If you appeared in 2024 or earlier, you’re not eligible for JEE Advanced 2026
- Your two attempts must be in consecutive years
Criterion 4: Class 12 Examination Appearance
You must have appeared for Class XII (or equivalent) examination for the first time in either 2025 or 2026. The mandatory subjects are:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
Who is NOT eligible?
- Candidates who appeared for Class XII in 2024 or earlier are not eligible, regardless of subjects taken
- Exception: If your board declared results for 2023-24 on or after September 21, 2024, you may still be eligible
Important clarification: “Appearance” means the board officially declared results for that year, whether or not exams were physically conducted.
Criterion 5: Previous IIT Admissions
You should NOT have been admitted to any IIT previously, regardless of whether you continued the program or not. However, there are specific exceptions:
Still Eligible if you:
- Were admitted to a preparatory course in any IIT for the first time in 2025
- Were allocated an IIT seat through JoSAA 2025 but did NOT report online or at any reporting centre
- Withdrew before the last round of seat allotment
- Had your seat cancelled before the last round of seat allotment
Class 12 Qualifying Examinations
The following examinations are considered equivalent to Class XII:
- Final examination of 10+2 system by Central/State Boards recognized by AIU
- Intermediate or Pre-University examination by recognized Boards/Universities
- National Defence Academy Joint Services Wing final examination
- NIOS Senior Secondary examination with minimum five subjects
- Diploma recognized by AICTE (minimum 3 years duration)
- GCE Advanced Level examination
- International Baccalaureate Diploma
JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
Exam Timings:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Papers | Paper 1 and Paper 2 (Both Compulsory) |
| Duration per Paper | 3 hours each |
| Total Duration | 6 hours total |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Language | English and Hindi |
| Question Types | MCQs, Numerical Answer Type, Match the Following |
Paper 1: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM IST
Paper 2: 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM IST
Important Dates for JEE Advanced 2026
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Application Form Release | April 2026 |
| Registration Last Date | First week of May 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Mid-May 2026 |
| JEE Advanced 2026 Exam | May 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | June 2026 |
Special Provisions and Relaxations
For PwD Candidates
- 4 hours duration for each paper instead of 3 hours
- 5% horizontal reservation across all categories
- Same age relaxation as SC/ST candidates
For Foreign Nationals and OCI/PIO Candidates
- Can directly register for JEE Advanced 2026 without appearing for JEE Main
- Must meet other eligibility criteria
- Separate registration process starting in first week of April 2026
Relaxation for 2025 Absentees
Candidates who registered for JEE Advanced 2025 but were absent in both papers are eligible for JEE Advanced 2026 without fulfilling criteria 1-4, provided they register and pay the fee.
Application Process Overview
The JEE Advanced 2026 application process will be entirely online:
- Authentication: Use JEE Main 2026 credentials (application number, date of birth, name)
- Form Filling: Complete registration with personal and academic details
- Document Upload: Submit scanned copies of required documents
- Fee Payment: Pay application fee online
- Confirmation: Download and print acknowledgment receipt
No correction facility is provided after form submission, so ensure all details are accurate.
Key Points to Remember
- Multiple applications are not allowed – only one application per candidate
- No hard copies required – entire process is online
- Aadhaar card is not mandatory for application
- Fee relaxation available for SC/ST/PwD candidates
- The 75% Class 12 marks requirement has been waived for 2026
Preparation Strategy Tips
Understanding eligibility is just the beginning. With IIT Roorkee conducting the exam and expecting a moderate difficulty level, focus your preparation on:
- Comprehensive coverage of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from Class 11-12 syllabus
- Time management skills for the 6-hour examination
- Regular practice with previous years’ question papers
- Mock tests to familiarize yourself with the computer-based format
Stay Updated
Keep checking the official website jeeadv.ac.in for the latest updates and official notifications. The detailed information brochure will be released closer to the exam date with complete guidelines and any updates to the eligibility criteria.
Read also: How to get into IIT without JEE?
