JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria 2026: Overview of Qualifications and Reservation Policy
IIT Roorkee has confirmed that there will be no change in the number of attempts for JEE Advanced 2026. Candidates are allowed two attempts: one in the year they complete 12th grade and the other in the following year.
To appear for JEE Advanced 2026, students must meet the specific eligibility criteria set by the exam conducting authority (IIT Roorkee). Candidates who fail to meet these eligibility conditions will be disqualified from appearing for the exam.
Top JEE Main 2026 qualifiers will be eligible to register for JEE Advanced 2026. For detailed information on the JEE Advanced Reservation Criteria 2026 and the JEE Advanced Reservation Policy, refer to this page.
JEE Advanced Reservation Criteria 2026: Overview
To gain admission to IITs through JEE Advanced 2026, candidates must first qualify for JEE Main 2026 and meet several eligibility requirements. If these JEE Advanced eligibility criteria are not fulfilled, candidates will be disqualified from appearing for the exam. The JEE Advanced eligibility criteria include age limit, number of attempts, and 12th-grade qualifying marks. Below is a detailed breakdown of these criteria.
Criterion 1 - Qualifying Marks in JEE Main 2026
The most important eligibility requirement for JEE Advanced 2026 is qualifying in JEE Main 2026 (Paper 1). To be eligible for JEE Advanced, candidates must be among the top 2,50,000 rank holders in JEE Main.
The percentage division for various categories is as follows:
OPEN: 40.5%
GEN-EWS: 10%
OBC-NCL: 27%
SC: 15%
ST: 7.5%
PwD: 5% horizontal reservation
The JEE Advanced Reservation Policy ensures that candidates from different categories are selected based on their performance in JEE Main 2026 for the top 2,50,000 candidates.
JEE Advanced Reservation SC, ST, OBC, EWS: Selection Order for the Top 2,50,000 Candidates Based on JEE Main Performance
Note: The total number of candidates may exceed 2,50,000 due to ties in ranks or scores within any category.
Criterion 2 - Number of Attempts Allowed
Candidates can attempt the JEE Advanced exam a maximum of two times in two consecutive years. This rule has been consistent for several years and is expected to remain unchanged for JEE Advanced 2026.
Criterion 3 - Age Limit
Candidates born on or after October 1, 2001, are eligible for JEE Advanced 2026. Candidates in PwD, ST, or SC categories are granted a 5-year relaxation, making those born on or after October 1, 1996, eligible. Stay updated with any potential changes to the age limit criteria after the official JEE Advanced 2026 notification is released.
Criterion 4 - Previous Admissions at IITs
Candidates who have already been admitted to any IIT or ISM are not eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026, including those who were expelled or rejected after admission. However, candidates who enrolled in a preparation program at any IIT in 2025 or were unable to report, had their seat cancelled, or withdrew before the final seat allocation in JoSAA 2025 are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026.
Criterion 5 - Class 12 or Equivalent Examination
Candidates who appeared for the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination in 2025 or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects are eligible for JEE Advanced 2026. Candidates who appeared in Class 12 for the first time in 2024 or earlier are not eligible, unless the Class XII exam results for the academic year 2023–2024 were announced after September 21, 2024.
For complete information, check the page: JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Criteria.
FAQs on JEE Advanced Reservation Criteria 2026: Qualification, Age Limit, and Number of Attempts
1. What is the JEE Advanced Reservation Criteria 2026?
The JEE Advanced Reservation Criteria 2026 includes category-specific seats for OPEN, GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, and PwD candidates. There are also horizontal reservations for PwD candidates in each category. The criteria ensure fair opportunities for all eligible candidates.
2. How is the JEE Advanced Reservation Policy for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates?
The JEE Advanced Reservation Policy allocates seats based on the category-wise percentages. For example, OBC-NCL candidates have a 27% reservation, SC candidates have a 15% reservation, and ST candidates have a 7.5% reservation. GEN-EWS candidates are given a 10% reservation.
3. How many seats are reserved for female candidates in JEE Advanced 2026?
The JEE Advanced reservation for female candidates is part of the female-only reservation seats under the supernumerary quota. This ensures greater participation by female candidates in top engineering institutions like the IITs.
4. What is the reservation for PwD candidates in JEE Advanced 2026?
The JEE Advanced reservation for PwD (Persons with Disabilities) candidates is 5% and applies horizontally across all categories. PwD candidates are eligible for special provisions and seat reservations to ensure equal access to the examination and admissions process.
5. How is the seat allocation done in JEE Advanced for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates?
The JEE Advanced reservation for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates is based on their performance in JEE Main. The selection follows the category-wise allocation and ensures that the top 2,50,000 candidates are considered for JEE Advanced 2026 based on their ranks.
6. Can a candidate from the SC/ST category apply for a general seat in JEE Advanced 2026?
Yes, candidates from the SC/ST category can apply for a general seat if they meet the eligibility requirements for the general category. However, they will be considered for admission under the SC/ST category reservation unless they choose to compete for general seats under the JEE Advanced reservation policy.
7. What is the JEE Advanced reservation for female candidates in 2026?
JEE Advanced 2026 provides a supernumerary reservation for female candidates to encourage greater participation in the IITs. A specific number of seats is reserved under the female-only quota across all IITs.
8. What are the eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced reservation in 2026 for PwD candidates?
PwD candidates in JEE Advanced 2026 are given a 5% horizontal reservation across all categories. These candidates must meet the required medical standards to be eligible for the reservation benefits.
9. How are seats divided in JEE Advanced for different categories in 2026?
Seats for JEE Advanced 2026 are divided based on the category-wise reservation policy:
OPEN: 40.5%
GEN-EWS: 10%
OBC-NCL: 27%
SC: 15%
ST: 7.5%
PwD: 5% horizontal reservation.
