IIT Roorkee, the organizing institute for JEE Advanced 2026, has officially released the detailed eligibility criteria for appearing in the examination. Aspiring candidates must carefully check and satisfy all conditions to be eligible for one of India’s most prestigious engineering entrance exams.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, the organizing institute for JEE Advanced 2026, has officially released the detailed eligibility criteria for Indian and OCI/PIO candidates aspiring to appear for the exam. All candidates must simultaneously fulfil five key criteria, including securing a rank within the top 2,50,000 in JEE Main 2026, meeting age limits, and attempting the exam within the permissible number of attempts. The category-wise distribution of top ranks and specific conditions regarding Class XII appearance and prior IIT admission have been clarified. Candidates must carefully review all criteria before proceeding with their application.
JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Criteria Notification
The official JEE Advanced 2026 eligibility criteria document is provided below for candidates’ reference. This information outlines the five mandatory criteria (A1 to A5), including performance in JEE Main, age limit, number of attempts, Class XII appearance, and rules regarding earlier admission at IITs.
Check JEE Advanced 2026 Official Eligibility Criteria
JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility: Overview
The JEE Advanced 2026 serves as the gateway for admission to undergraduate programs at IITs. Meeting the following five criteria is compulsory for all candidates.
| Organizing Institute | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | JEE (Advanced) 2026 |
| Primary Eligibility | Rank among top 2,50,000 in JEE Main 2026 (B.E./B.Tech) |
| Age Limit | Born on or after October 1, 2001 (Relaxation for SC/ST/PwD) |
| Maximum Attempts | Twice in two consecutive years |
| Class XII Appearance | First appearance in 2025 or 2026 |
| Official Website | jeeadv.ac.in |
Criterion A1: Performance in JEE (Main) 2026
Candidates must be among the top 2,50,000 successful candidates (all categories) in the B.E./B.Tech paper of JEE Main 2026. The category-wise distribution is as follows:
| Category | Number of “Top” Candidates |
|---|---|
| OPEN | 101250 |
| OPEN-PwD | 5063 |
| GEN-EWS | 25000 |
| GEN-EWS-PwD | 1250 |
| OBC-NCL | 67500 |
| OBC-NCL-PwD | 3375 |
| SC | 37500 |
| SC-PwD | 1875 |
| ST | 18750 |
| ST-PwD | 938 |
Total candidates may slightly exceed 2,50,000 due to tied ranks.
Note for OCI/PIO: They are only eligible under OPEN or OPEN-PwD categories (Sl. No. 1 & 2).
Also Read: [Official] JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Date Announced: Check Schedule for IIT Admissions
Detailed Eligibility Criteria for JEE Advanced 2026
Check Detailed Eligibility Criteria for JEE Advanced 2026 below:
Criterion A2 – Age Limit:
- Candidates must have been born on or after October 1, 2001.
- A five-year relaxation is given to SC, ST, and PwD candidates. They should have been born on or after October 1, 1996.
Criterion A3 – Number of Attempts:
- A candidate can attempt JEE (Advanced) a maximum of two times in two consecutive years.
Criterion A4 – Appearance in Class XII (or equivalent) Examination:
- A candidate should have appeared for the Class XII (or equivalent) exam for the first time in either 2025 or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
- Candidates who appeared for Class XII first time in 2024 or earlier are NOT eligible.
- Exception: If a Board declared results for academic year 2023-24 on or after June 18, 2024, then its candidates who appeared in 2024 are eligible for JEE Advanced 2026.
Criterion A5 – Earlier Admission at IITs:
- A candidate should NOT have been admitted to an IIT under any program listed in JoSAA 2025 Business Rules in the past.
- Eligible Candidates:
- Those admitted to an IIT preparatory course for the first time in 2025.
- Those allocated a seat via JoSAA 2025 but (i) did not report, OR (ii) withdrew before last round, OR (iii) had seat cancelled before last round.
JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility – Key Points to Remember
- All Five Criteria are Mandatory: Fulfilling Criteria A1 to A5 simultaneously is essential.
- Category-Specific Ranking: Ensure your JEE Main 2026 rank falls within your category’s specified quota in the top 2.5 lakh.
- OCI/PIO Candidates: Can only qualify under the OPEN/OPEN-PwD ranks (No EWS/OBC/SC/ST reservation).
- Attempt Calculation: Both attempts must be in consecutive years (e.g., 2025 & 2026).
- Class XII First Appearance: Carefully check the year of your first Class XII attempt.
- IIT Admission History: Even cancelled admission after joining an IIT makes a candidate ineligible.
FAQs
Q1. What is the main eligibility for JEE Advanced 2026?
Ans: The primary requirement is to secure a rank among the top 2,50,000 candidates in JEE Main 2026 (B.E./B.Tech).
Q2. I am an OCI candidate. Which category rank do I need?
Ans: OCI/PIO candidates must rank within the OPEN or OPEN-PwD category quotas only (Sl. No. 1 & 2 in the table). They are not eligible for GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, or ST ranks.
Q3. What is the age limit for general category candidates?
Ans: General category candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2001.
Q4. How many times can I attempt JEE Advanced?
Ans: You can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times, and that too in two consecutive years.
Q5. I first appeared for Class XII in 2024. Am I eligible for JEE Advanced 2026?
Ans: No, you are not eligible. You must have appeared for Class XII for the first time in either 2025 or 2026. The only exception is if your Board declared the 2023-24 results on or after June 18, 2024.
Q6. I took admission in an IIT in 2024 but left. Can I give JEE Advanced 2026?
Ans: No. If you were admitted to an IIT (joined the program) in the past, you are not eligible, even if you left later.
Q7. Where can I check official updates?
Ans: All official information will be available on the JEE Advanced 2026 website: jeeadv.ac.in.