JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2025

The JEE Main exam is an important step for students planning to enter top engineering colleges in India. Knowing the eligibility criteria for JEE Main 2025 is essential to understand if you qualify to appear for the exam. This guide covers the key details, including age limits, academic qualifications, and the number of attempts allowed. These criteria help ensure that all candidates are well-prepared and meet the required standards for the exam.

In this guide, you'll find straightforward information on the eligibility requirements set by the exam authorities. Whether you are a first-time applicant or planning to reattempt, understanding these rules will make the application process much smoother. Read on to check if you meet all the requirements to confidently register for JEE Main 2025.

What are the New Changes Introduced in JEE Main 2025 Eligibility Criteria?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced some new changes in the JEE Main 2025 eligibility criteria. These changes are as follows:

• Relaxation in minimum aggregate marks for SC/ST and PwD candidates: The minimum aggregate marks requirement for SC/ST and PwD candidates has been relaxed from 50% to 40%. This means that SC/ST and PwD candidates will now only need to score at least 40% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the 12th class examination in order to be eligible to appear for the JEE Main 2025 exam.

• Introduction of a new category for transgender candidates: A new category has been introduced for transgender candidates in the JEE Mains Eligibility Criteria 2025. This means that transgender candidates will now be eligible to appear for the JEE Main exam on the same basis as other candidates.

• Change in the age limit for repeaters: The age limit for repeaters has been changed from 20 years to 22 years in the JEE Main Appearing Eligibility for 2025. This means that candidates who have appeared for the JEE Main exam in the previous two years will now be eligible to appear for the exam again in 2025, even if they are above the age of 20.

These are the new changes that have been introduced in the JEE Main 2025 eligibility criteria. Candidates who are interested in appearing for the JEE Main exam should carefully review the eligibility criteria and ensure that they meet all of the requirements.

What are the Eligibility Criteria For JEE Mains?

To be eligible for JEE Main 2025, candidates need to have passed one of these exams:

• The final exam of the 10+2 system from recognized boards like CBSE, CISCE, or any other central or state boards.

• An Intermediate or two-year Pre-University exam from a recognized board or university.

• The final exam of the two-year Joint Services Wing course at the National Defense Academy.

• The Senior Secondary School exam by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) with at least five subjects.

• Any Indian or foreign Public School, Board, or University exam is recognized as equal to the 10+2 level by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

• Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational exam.

• A three-year diploma, approved by AICTE or a state technical education board.

• The General Certificate Education (GCE) Advanced (A) level exam from London, Cambridge, or Sri Lanka.

• The High School Certificate Exam from Cambridge University or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma from Geneva.

These qualifications ensure that candidates meet the standard educational requirements for JEE Main 2025.

JEE Main Eligibility Subjects

The JEE Main 2025 exam has specific subject requirements for each course: B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Plan.

1. For B.Tech (Paper 1): Candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with one additional subject, which can be Chemistry, Biology, or a Technical Vocational Subject.

2. For B.Arch (Paper 2A): Candidates need to have completed Class 12 or an equivalent exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

3. For B.Plan (Paper 2B): Candidates must have Mathematics as one of their subjects in Class 12 or its equivalent.

Age Limit:

• There are no age limit criteria for candidates appearing in the JEE Main 2025 exam.

• Candidates who passed their 12th (Intermediate) or equivalent in 2020, 2021, or are appearing in 2025 are eligible to apply.

• However, candidates must fulfil the age criteria prescribed by the institution to which they are seeking admission.

Percentile Requirement:

• Candidates must have scored at least 75% marks in the 12th class examination or have a rank in the top 20 percentile in their class.

• The 75% mark requirement is applicable to all categories of candidates, including general, SC/ST, and PwD candidates.

• The top 20 percentile requirement is applicable only to general category candidates. SC/ST and PwD candidates are not required to meet this requirement.

JEE Main Eligibility Marks in the 12th

JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 12th for General:

• Must score at least 75% in their Class 12 board exams or be among the top 20 percentile of their board.

• This requirement applies to admission in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs).

JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 12th for Reserved Category Candidates (SC/ST/OBC):

• Need to secure at least 65% in Class 12 board exams for eligibility.

• This criteria also applies to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs, promoting fair opportunities based on academic merit.

Attempt Limit:

• Candidates can appear in one or more than one session of JEE Main 2025.

• There is no attempt limit, and the same rule applies to all categories of candidates. 

• In the case of droppers who have appeared once at the entrance and failed to clear it, they may sit twice more for it. However, they must make sure that their attempts are 3 consecutive times, barring which they won’t be allowed to appear.

General Eligibility:

• Candidates should have passed their 10+2 level examinations or equivalent from a recognised board or university.

• Diploma holders can apply for admission but are eligible only for IITs.

• Qualifying subjects at the 12th level should include at least five mandatory subjects: Physics, Mathematics, and one subject from Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or any other technical vocational subject.

JEE Main Appearing Eligibility:

• Candidates who are appearing for their class 12th exams are eligible to apply for JEE Main 2025.

• Students who hold a diploma are also eligible to apply, but they can seek admission to IITs only.

Points on State of Eligibility and Institutions-wise Eligibility for JEE Main 2025:

State of Eligibility:

• State Code of Eligibility: During the JEE Main 2025 registration process, candidates must select the state code of eligibility. This code represents the state from which they have qualified for their Intermediate (12th level) examination.

• Indian Nationals Studying Abroad: Indian nationals who have completed their 12th-level education from an institution located outside India will also have to choose their state code of eligibility. In this case, the state code will be determined based on the candidate's permanent address in India, as mentioned in their passport. The eligibility will not depend on the candidate's current residence or native place.

Institutions-wise Eligibility:

• Eligibility Criteria for IITs, NITs, CFTIs, and Other Institutions: To secure admission into prestigious institutes like IITs, NITs, CFTIs, and other participating institutions, candidates are required to meet specific eligibility criteria.

• Minimum Marks Requirement: Candidates must obtain a minimum of 75% marks in their 12th-level examination to be eligible for admission. However, candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories need to secure a minimum of 65% marks.

• All India Rank (AIR) for Admission: Admission to these institutions will be granted based on the All India Rank (AIR) secured by the candidate in the JEE Main 2025 examination. The AIR is determined by the candidate's performance in the test, and those with higher ranks will have better chances of getting admission into their desired institutes.

JEE Main 2025 Eligibility Criteria For Droppers

There are no specific JEE Main 2025 Eligibility Criteria For Droppers. However, there are a few things that droppers should keep in mind when applying for JEE Main:

• Droppers must have passed the 12th class examination from a recognized board of education.

• Droppers must have scored at least 75% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the 12th class examination.

• Droppers must have registered for the JEE Main exam in the current year.

• Droppers must have appeared in all the papers of the JEE Main exam in the current year.

• Droppers must have scored at least the minimum qualifying marks in the JEE Main exam in the current year.

JEE Main Counselling Eligibility 2025

Here are the eligibility criteria for JEE Main Counselling 2025:

• Candidates must have passed the 12th class examination from a recognized board of education.

• Candidates must have scored at least 75% in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in the 12th class examination.

• Candidates must have registered for the JEE Main exam 2025.

• Candidates must have appeared in all the papers of the JEE Main exam 2025.

• Candidates must have scored at least the minimum qualifying marks in the JEE Main exam 2025.

The minimum qualifying marks for JEE Main Counselling 2025 are as follows:

• General Category: 75%

• SC/ST: 65%

• PWD: 50%

• EWS: 75%

In addition to the above eligibility criteria, candidates must also meet the following requirements for JEE Main Counselling Eligibility 2025:

• Candidates must have a valid PAN card.

• Candidates must have a valid Aadhaar card.

• Candidates must have a valid passport-size photograph.

• Candidates must have a valid signature.

Candidates who meet the above eligibility criteria can apply for JEE Main Counselling 2025. The application process will be conducted online through the NTA's website.

Significance of Fulfilling Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main Exam 2025

Significant Step Towards Participation:

• Meeting the eligibility criteria is not a mere formality; it holds immense importance in securing your spot in the JEE Main exam.

• These criteria act as a standardized yardstick, facilitating an impartial evaluation of candidates' preparedness and potential in the engineering domain.

Assessment of Readiness and Aptitude:

• Eligibility criteria serve as a comprehensive measure to assess candidates' aptitude and readiness for the rigours of engineering.

• These benchmarks ensure a level playing field, promoting fairness in the selection process.

Essential for Exam Participation:

• Complying with JEE Mains 2025 eligibility criteria is a prerequisite for candidates aiming to appear for the exam.

• Failure to meet these criteria will result in candidates being ineligible to take part in the exam.

Vital for Admission to Engineering Programmes:

• Meeting eligibility criteria is equally vital for candidates aspiring to secure admission to undergraduate engineering programmes across India.

• Many engineering colleges and universities require candidates to fulfil JEE Main eligibility criteria to qualify for admission consideration.

Checkpoints for Candidates

Before you proceed with your application, ensure you've covered all the eligibility checkpoints:

• Confirm completion of the necessary educational qualification.

• Verify that your examination year falls within the accepted range (2022 or 2023).

• Check if you meet the percentile requirement for your desired course and institution.

• If applying for B.Arch outside IITs, NITs, and CFTIs, validate your aggregate marks.

Conclusion

Understanding the JEE Mains Eligibility Criteria 2025 is essential for a smooth application process. From age requirements to specific subjects and marks in Class 12, each detail is important for candidates aiming to qualify for top engineering institutions like IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs. By meeting the requirements, students can confidently focus on exam preparation, knowing they are eligible to apply. Make sure to review the criteria carefully to ensure you meet each qualification for JEE Main 2025. With a clear understanding of these guidelines, you're set to take the next step toward your engineering goals.