JEE Main Eligibility, 75% Criterion & Number of Attempts
JEE Main eligibility rests on a few key rules, but two are the most frequently misunderstood: the board-marks criterion and the attempt count. These rules have changed in recent cycles and vary by category, so always read the current information bulletin for the live rules.
The 75% board-marks criterion (or top-20-percentile in your board) applies for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs — not for appearing in JEE Main itself. You can sit JEE Main without meeting this criterion, but you cannot take up an NIT/IIIT/GFTI seat without it. Confirm the current year's applicability on the official portal.
Key eligibility points
| Rule | Current position (verify in bulletin) |
|---|---|
| Educational qualification | Class 12 (or equivalent) pass or appearing in the qualifying year |
| 75% board criterion | Required for NIT/IIIT/GFTI admission (General/OBC); 65% for SC/ST/PwD. Confirm current applicability. |
| Top-20-percentile alternative | Qualifying in the top 20 percentile of your board also satisfies the criterion |
| Attempts | JEE Main: two sessions per year, multiple years (confirm current year-limit in bulletin). JEE Advanced: maximum 2 attempts in 2 consecutive years. |
| Age limit | No age limit for appearing in JEE Main (confirm current bulletin for any specific programme restrictions) |
Eligibility rules change. Always confirm in the current NTA information bulletin.
Droppers: check the 75% criterion early: If you are a dropper using your Class 12 marks from a previous year, confirm whether those marks meet the current 75% / top-20-percentile criterion for your target college family. Requirements can vary by year. Always confirm on the official portal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I appear in JEE Main without 75% in boards?
You can appear and get a percentile, but for NIT/IIIT/GFTI admission you need to satisfy the 75% / top-20-percentile criterion. Confirm the current rule for your category in the official bulletin.
75% criterion kitne saal tak valid hota hai — does the 75% criterion apply to old board results?
The marks from your qualifying board examination are what matter — whether from the current year or a previous year. Confirm with the official information bulletin whether your specific year and board results satisfy the criterion.
Is there an upper age limit for JEE Main?
Currently there is no upper age limit for JEE Main itself, but there may be age requirements for specific programmes. Always confirm in the current bulletin.