JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria, Qualification, Age, Marks

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria outline the essential requirements for students who wish to appear for the exam. Candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent exam in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026. For B.Tech, Physics and Mathematics are compulsory, along with one subject from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a technical subject. For B.Arch, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry are mandatory, and for B.Planning, Mathematics is required.

There is no age limit, and students can attempt the exam for three consecutive years after Class 12. Eligibility applies to Indian, NRI, OCI, PIO, and foreign nationals. Students must also follow rules for state codes, minimum marks, and reservations to ensure fair admission opportunities in NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs.

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JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria Overview

JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria is very important for all students who want to appear in the exam. These criteria include the main rules for age, marks, subjects, attempts, and nationality. Students must read these criteria carefully before applying so they meet every rule and avoid mistakes during registration.

JEE Main 2026 Age Limit

For JEE Main 2026, there is no age limit for anyone. This means you can appear for the exam no matter how old you are. Here is JEE Main 2026 age limit:

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Educational Qualification

To appear for JEE Main 2026, candidates must meet certain educational and subject requirements. You should have passed Class 12 or an equivalent exam from a recognized board, or be appearing in Class 12 in 2026. Candidates who passed before 2024 are not eligible. Below are the key eligibility details for JEE Main 2026:

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria - Nationality

All Indian citizens can appear in JEE Main. NRIs (Non-Resident Indians), OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India), PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin), and even foreign students can apply. Below is the accepted nationalities for JEE Main 2026. 

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Students from Open School or NIOS

Are you from an open school or NIOS? You can still apply for JEE Main 2026 if you have studied at least five subjects in Class 12. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) awards are treated the same as regular boards. The details below help open school or NIOS students see if they are eligible for JEE Main 2026:

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Nationals

Foreign students can also apply. They need to show proof that their education is equal to Class 12 in India. They must also meet other JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria, like subjects and marks. The points below remind foreign students of what they need to sit for JEE Main 2026:

• Education must be equal to Indian 10+2.

• Valid passport and required identity papers are needed.

• Must meet age rules and subject conditions.

• Proof of qualifying marks (minimum marks or percentile) is necessary.

JEE Main 2026 State Code 

The eligibility conditions for JEE Main 2026, including the State Code of Eligibility, will be announced soon. In the meantime, candidates can refer to previous guidelines. The State Code is based on where the candidate cleared Class 12, not their residence. 

For foreign-educated students, it’s based on their permanent Indian address. Please refer to the details below for the list of States and their corresponding Codes:

Codes of Union Territories 

The following table provides the Union Territories and their official Codes for candidates' reference.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria for NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs Admissions

To get a seat in NITs, IIITs, or CFTIs, you need to qualify the entrance and fulfill extra rules. Apart from clearing JEE Main, you must have:

• At least 75% marks in Class 12, or be in the top 20 percentile of your board (General and OBC/EWS students)

• At least 65% marks for SC/ST students

Below shows how many marks you need in Class 12 ( percentile) to be eligible for top colleges through JEE Main 2026.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Droppers

Students who passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025 and are taking a drop year are eligible to sit for JEE Main 2026. Droppers must meet all other JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria. You can attempt JEE Main in three consecutive years after passing Class 12. 

For example, if you pass in 2024, you can appear in 2024, 2025, and 2026. Details below tell droppers how many times they can apply for JEE Main after finishing Class 12:

JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria

JEE Main 2026 offers reservations for different categories.  This means some seats are set aside for certain groups for SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, and PwD candidates

This helps students from these categories get fair chances for admission.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility 2026 Key Points

Candidates planning to appear for JEE Main 2026 must meet certain eligibility criteria to ensure a smooth application process.  Here are some quick points to keep in mind:

• No age limit for JEE Main 2026.

• Year of passing for Class 12: 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026.

• Five subjects in Class 12 are needed.

• Main subjects: Physics, Math, and one more from Chemistry, Biology, or Technical.

• For admissions to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, marks needed: 75% (General/OBC/EWS), 65% (SC/ST).

• You should choose your state code by where you studied Class 12.

• Droppers can attempt three years in a row after Class 12.

• JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria apply to Indian and foreign nationals.

The rules help keep the exam fair for all students. Follow each point to avoid mistakes while applying.

All students who dream of a good engineering college must know JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria. Always check the marks required in Class 12 for JEE Main 2026, make sure you match the JEE Main 2026 Age Limit Criteria, and understand the eligibility criteria detailed breakdown. Doing all of these gives you the best chance for a seat. Use this information before you start applying for JEE Main 2026.

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