Are you aspiring to crack the JEE Advanced 2026 and secure a seat at one of India’s most coveted IITs? IIT Roorkee, the organising institute, has just announced very critical rules for students to appear in JEE Advanced 2026.
5 crystal-clear eligibility criteria to filter the top trailblazing students.
So, if you are engrossed in prepping for IIT JEE 2026, then this guide breaks it all down – just actionable understanding to boost your preparation strategy.
You Need to Be in the Top 2.5 Lakh of JEE Main
First things first – Only the top 2,50,000 candidates across all categories qualify for JEE Advanced. Here’s the smart category-wise breakdown, including a 5% PwD quota within each:
| Sl No. | Category | Number of “Top” candidates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OPEN | 96187 | 101250 |
| 2 | OPEN-PwD | 5063 | |
| 3 | GEN-EWS | 23750 | 25000 |
| 4 | GEN-EWS-PwD | 1250 | |
| 5 | OBC-NCL | 64125 | 67500 |
| 6 | OBC-NCL-PwD | 3375 | |
| 7 | SC | 35625 | 37500 |
| 8 | SC-PwD | 1875 | |
| 9 | ST | 17812 | 18750 |
| 10 | ST-PwD | 938 | |
Note: Ties might push the total slightly over 2.5 lakh. OCI/PIO candidates skip category reservations (except OPEN-PwD) and must compete in the OPEN pool.
Age Limit
Very important!
Candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 2001. Five years of age relaxation is given to SC, ST, and PwD candidates, i.e. these candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 1996.
Two Attempts Only—Make Them Count
JEE Advanced gives you just two shots, and they must be consecutive years. Miss the window? You’re out. Plan your JEE Main attempts wisely to align perfectly.
Your Class 12 Timeline Matters
Read it twice. As it’s a little tricky. So read closely. You should have appeared for Class 12 (or equivalent) for the first time in either 2025 or 2026. And yes, you need Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics – that’s non-negotiable.
Here’s where it gets complicated: If you appeared for Class 12 before 2025, you’re generally out of luck. BUT (and this is a big but), there’s one exception. If your board declared the 2023-24 academic year results on or after June 18, 2024, you might still be eligible.
Confused? Let me simplify: If your board results came out before June 18, 2024, you can’t apply, even if your results were withheld. If they came out after that date, you’re good to go!
No Prior IIT Admissions Allowed
If you accepted and joined an IIT seat through JoSAA 2025, you lose eligibility—even if you later withdrew. However, candidates admitted to a preparatory course in 2025 can apply in 2026. Seats that were offered but not joined or cancelled early don’t affect eligibility.
Final Word
These five rules from IIT Roorkee ensure a level playing field. Understand them early, plan smartly, and stay focused on clearing JEE Main 2026—your real gateway to JEE Advanced.
Tip: Stay consistent, follow expert guidance, and strengthen your basics. When you’re ready, the IITs will be too!
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