Engineering And Architecture ExamsStudent Guide

JEE Main 2026 vs JEE Advanced: Eligibility & Attempt Rules

Likhith Likhith · November 11, 2025
JEE Main vs JEE Advanced 2026 comparison showing eligibility and attempt rules with student icons symbolizing exam qualification and admission criteria differences.

Introduction

Are you preparing for JEE 2026 and wondering how JEE Main eligibility affects your chances for JEE Advanced? Understanding the connection between these two exams is crucial, as it can directly influence your admission opportunities to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs.

While JEE Main is the gateway to a wide range of engineering colleges across India, JEE Advanced is the key to securing a seat in the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Knowing the eligibility rules, age limits, and attempted policies is essential to avoid surprises and plan your preparation strategically.

In this blog, we will explore the eligibility criteria, attempt rules, and the connection between JEE Main and Advanced for 2026 aspirants. By the end, you will have a clear roadmap for optimizing your attempts and maximizing your chances of success in both exams.

Overview of JEE Main 2026

JEE Main 2026 is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and serves as a national-level engineering entrance exam. It primarily facilitates admission to:

  • NITs (National Institutes of Technology)
  • IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology)
  • GFTIs (Government Funded Technical Institutes)

Eligibility:

  • Completion of 10+2 or equivalent exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
  • Minimum marks: Usually 75% aggregate in PCM or top 20 percentile in board exams
  • Indian and foreign nationals are eligible.

Exam Pattern:

  • Multiple-choice questions in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
  • Two sessions per year (January and April)
  • Computer-based test mode

JEE Main focuses on conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills, making it competitive but accessible for well-prepared candidates.

Overview of JEE Advanced 2026

JEE Advanced 2026 is conducted for admission to IITs, and only students who qualify for JEE Main in the same year can apply.

Eligibility: 

For JEE Main 2025, NTA’s qualifying cutoff percentiles (i.e., the minimum percentile needed in JEE Main to be eligible for JEE Advanced) are:

  • General (UR): 93.1023262
  • OBC-NCL : 79.4313582
  • EWS: 80.3830119
  • SC: 61.1526933
  • ST: 47.9026465 
  • PwD: 0.0079349
  • 10+2 completion with minimum marks in PCM with 75%.
  • A candidate can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of 2 times in 2 consecutive years.

Exam Pattern:

  • This exam consists of multiple-choice and numerically-based questions
  • Focuses on analytical thinking, higher-order problem solving, and application of concepts

JEE Advanced is considered more challenging than JEE Main due to its depth, complex problems, and limited number of seats in IITs.

Eligibility Criteria Comparison

Educational Qualification

  • JEE Main: 10+2 completion in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026
  • JEE Advanced: Must qualify through JEE Main in the same year and pass 10+2 with PCM

Attempts

  • JEE Main: Maximum 3 consecutive years, 2 attempts per year
  • JEE Advanced: Maximum 2 consecutive years, 2 attempts total

Understanding these rules is crucial, as failing to meet eligibility can disqualify you from attempting JEE Advanced, even if you perform well in JEE Main.

Attempt Connection Between JEE Main and Advanced

Your JEE Main performance directly affects your eligibility for JEE Advanced. Here’s how the connection works:

  1. Top Candidates from JEE Main: Only the top 2,50,000 candidates (including category-wise allocation) can register for JEE Advanced
  2. Multiple Attempts:

    • If you attempt JEE Main in January 2026 and fail to rank in the top 2,50,000, you can attempt again in April 2026
    • Only the best performance counts for Advanced eligibility

Example Scenario

  • Student A: Appears in January 2026 JEE Main, ranks 2,70,000 → Not eligible
  • Appears in April 2026 JEE Main, ranks 1,80,000 → Eligible for JEE Advanced
  • Ensures multiple attempts can maximize chances

This attempt emphasizes the importance of planning and preparation for both sessions of JEE Main strategically.

Number of Attempts & Rules

JEE Main 2026

  • Maximum Attempts: 3 consecutive years (2024, 2025, 2026)
  • Sessions per Year: 2 attempts (January and April)
  • Best Score Consideration: The Highest score from both sessions is used for ranking

JEE Advanced 2026

  • Maximum Attempts: 2 consecutive years
  • Connection to Main: Must be in the top 2,50,000 candidates in JEE Main 2026
  • Example: If a candidate attempted JEE Advanced in 2025 and didn’t succeed, they can attempt again in 2026, provided they meet the Main eligibility criteria.

Strategic Planning Tip:

  • Focus on performing well in either session of JEE Main to secure Advanced eligibility
  • Avoid unnecessary attempts if confident in one session

Implications of Eligibility Rules on Preparation

Eligibility and attempt rules influence preparation strategy significantly:

  1. Early Preparation: Start with the goal of clearing both sessions of JEE Main comfortably
  2. Session Selection: Choose which session to target for peak performance while treating the second as a backup
  3. Backup Strategy: If January results are below expectations, April serves as a second chance without losing a year
  4. Time Management: Allocate sufficient months for revision, mock tests, and conceptual clarity

Understanding attempt rules reduces anxiety and ensures candidates are well-prepared to qualify for JEE Advanced.

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FAQs

  1. How many attempts are allowed in JEE Main 2026?
    Candidates can attempt 2 sessions per year for 3 consecutive years.
  1. Can I appear in JEE Advanced without qualifying for JEE Main?
    No, for JEE Main 2025, NTA’s qualifying cutoff percentiles (i.e., the minimum percentile needed in JEE Main to be eligible for JEE Advanced) are:
  • General (UR): 93.1023262
  • OBC-NCL : 79.4313582
  • EWS: 80.3830119
  • SC: 61.1526933
  • ST: 47.9026465 
  • PwD: 0.0079349
  1. How do attempts in JEE Main affect JEE Advanced eligibility?
    Only the best performance in Main counts for Advanced eligibility in the same year.
  1. Are there any exceptions for age or attempts?
  • Age relaxation exists for SC/ST/PwD categories.
  • Attempt rules are strict; no exceptions beyond category-based relaxation.
  1. Can I appear in both sessions of JEE Main in 2026?
    Yes, you can appear in both January and April sessions.
  1. What happens if I fail in JEE Main in the first session?
    You can attempt the second session in April; your better score will count for eligibility.
  1. How should I plan attempts for maximum success?
    Start early, focus on conceptual clarity, attempt mock tests, and treat April as a backup if January doesn’t meet expectations.

Conclusion

Understanding JEE Main 2026 vs JEE Advanced eligibility and attempt rules is vital for strategic preparation.

  • JEE Main: Two sessions per year, three consecutive years, determine Advanced eligibility
  • JEE Advanced: Top 2,50,000 candidates from Main, maximum 2 attempts, strict age criteria
  • Strategic Planning: Proper preparation and session selection can significantly improve your chances of securing admission to IITs, NITs, and GFTIs

Plan your attempts wisely, understand the connection between Main and Advanced, and step confidently toward your IIT/NIT goals!

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