How Many Attempts Allowed for JEE Main 2026? - NTA Rules Explained Here

How Many Attempts Allowed for JEE Main 2026? - NTA Rules Explained Here

Team Careers360Updated on 02 Feb 2026, 05:29 PM IST

How many attempts for JEE Mains 2026? - NTA has released the details on how many JEE Mains attempts are possible in 2026. As per the JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026, candidates can attempt the JEE Mains a total of six times over three consecutive years. Candidates must have completed class 12th in 2024/2025/2026 to attempt the exam in 2026. There is no upper age limit for appearing in the JEE Main 2026 exam. The authority will conduct the JEE Mains 2026 exam in two sessions. The first session was held from January 21 to 30, 2026, and the second session is scheduled for April 2 to 9, 2026. The authority will conduct the JEE Main exam in online mode. Complete details regarding the JEE Main 2026 number of attempts are mentioned here.
Also Check: JEE Main 2026 registration | JEE Main 2026 exam date

LiveJEE Main 2026 LIVE: Challenge session 1 answer key by today at jeemain.nta.nic.in; JoSAA counselling, cut-offsFeb 6, 2026 | 3:10 PM IST

JEE Mains 2026 session 1 answer key, response sheet out; steps to raise objection

Candidates can check the step-wise instructions to challenge the JEE Main provisional answer key 2026.

  • Visit the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
  • You will see ‘Challenge (s) regarding Answer Key’ on the homepage, click on it.
    A new webpage will open.
  • Enter login credentials such as application number and password, along with Captcha Code as displayed.
  • Press the submit icon.
  • Then click the ‘Challenge (s) regarding Answer Key’ link.
  • Question IDs will appear below in sequential order for JEE (Main)- 2026 Session 2 (January 2026) :

Paper 1: BE/ BTech

25+25+25 Questions

Mathematics/Physics/Chemistry

  • The ID next to the question under the column 'correct option' stands for the most appropriate answer key by NTA.
  • If you are willing to challenge this option, use any one or more of the option IDs given in the next four columns by clicking the check box.
  • Upload supporting documents and select ‘choose file and upload (all documents in single PDF file).
  • Scroll down and click on ‘Save your claim.’
  • Option IDs challenged by you will appear on the screen.
  • Click on 'Save your claim and Pay Fee finally'.
  • Select the mode of payment and pay a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 200 for each question challenged.
  • Make payment through Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking.
Read More

This Story also Contains

  1. How Many Times can a candidate appear for JEE Main?
  2. How Many Attempts For JEE Mains For the General Category
  3. How Many Attempts For JEE Mains For OBC
  4. JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026
  5. JEE Main Application Form 2026
How Many Attempts Allowed for JEE Main 2026? - NTA Rules Explained Here
How Many Attempts for JEE Mains 2026

While the total attempts are 6, in a single year, candidates can appear for the exam only twice, once in each session of the exam. Students aspiring for admission in NITs, IIITs, or IITs often talk about the number of attempts of JEE Main 2026. This means they can appear for the exam twice every year for 3 consecutive years. Read the complete article for more details on the number of attempts in JEE Main 2026.

How Many Times can a candidate appear for JEE Main?

As per the JEE Main eligibility criteria, candidates can appear for JEE Mains six times in three consecutive years. That is, candidates qualified/appearing for Class 12th in the last 3 years are eligible to appear for JEE Main. NTA JEE Main exam 2026 will be conducted in two sessions. Candidates who are attempting the JEE Main exam for the first time in 2026 will be eligible to take the test in 2027 and 2028 as well. The answer to the question of the number of attempts in JEE Mains for the general category is that students can appear for three consecutive years from the year of passing their class 12. For more information on the JEE Mains attempt limit and the advantages, applicants can read the following pointers.

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JEE Main 2026 Schedule

EventsJEE January Dates (Session 1)JEE April Dates (Session 2)
Start date for JEE Main registrationOctober 31, 2025February 1, 2026
Last date for JEE Main registrationNovember 27, 2025February 25 2026
JEE Main 2026 exam correction dateDecember 1 to 2, 2025February 2026
Release of Advanced city intimation slipJanuary 2026March 2026
JEE Main January 2026 admit card release dateJanuary 2026March 2026
JEE Main 2026 exam dates session 1January 21 to 30, 2026April 2 to 9, 2026
Answer key release dateFebruary 2026April 2026
Last date to challenge the provisional answer keyFebruary 2026April 2026
Release date of JEE Main answer keyFebruary 2026April 2026
JEE Main 2026 session 1 result dateFebruary 2026
JEE Main 2026 session 2 result dateApril 2026
JEE Main 2026 Rank Predictor
Use the JEE Main 2026 Rank Predictor to estimate your expected rank based on your scores or percentile and plan your college options smartly.
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Advantages of 2 attempts for JEE Main 2026

Candidates have the following benefits under two sessions for JEE Main:

  • Candidates will be able to improve their scores in the second attempt if they are not satisfied with their IIT JEE Main 2026 first session result.
  • The second attempt will help the candidates to overcome the mistakes from session one if any.
  • This will reduce the probability of dropping a year. Thus, candidates do not have to waste an entire year.
  • In case any candidate misses the first session, they will not have to wait for one more year to appear for the JEE Main exam.

How Many Attempts For JEE Mains For the General Category

For the JEE Main exam, candidates from the general category are allowed a maximum of 6 attempts. This ensures fairness and opportunities for aspiring engineers to showcase their aptitude and secure admissions to esteemed institutions across the country.

How Many Attempts For JEE Mains For OBC

Candidates belonging to the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category are granted a maximum of six attempts for the JEE Main exam in three consecutive years. This provision ensures that OBC candidates have equitable opportunities to showcase their potential and secure admissions to top-notch engineering institutions in the country.

Validity of JEE Main Score 2026

The score of JEE Main is valid for the current year only. This means if a candidate appears for JEE Main 2026, he/she can apply for admission to the institute only for the academic year 2026-27. Candidates will be able to check the qualifying marks for JEE Main 2026 online. Students have to use the JEE Main login 2026 to check their scores. For admission in the next year, candidates need to attempt and qualify the exam again.

JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026

The authority released the JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria online. Candidates need to check the information bulletin for eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria for JEE Main 2026 consist of educational qualifications, number of attempts, nationality, and more. According to the criteria, the eligibility conditions of JEE Main 2026 are as follows-

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria

CriteriaDetails

JEE Main 2026 Number of Attempts

NTA will conduct the JEE Mains 2026 in two sessions - January and April. Students will be able to appear in the exam two times a year. Also, students can appear in JEE Main for three consecutive years from the year of passing their class 12 exam.

Age Criteria for JEE Main 2026

NTA has not mandated any criteria for the age of candidates appearing for the JEE Main. Students of any age can appear in the exam, but only for three consecutive years after passing their class 12.

Criteria for Subjects in Class 12

Students who are aiming for B.Tech admission must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with any one subject among Chemistry/Biotechnology/Biology/Technical Vocational subjects in class 12 and must have passed in each subject.

B.Arch aspirants must have passed class 12 or its equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. For B.Plan, candidates must have Mathematics in class 12.
No Diploma holder is eligible for the entrance exam. Rest the eligibility criteria remain the same as B.Tech aspirants.

Criteria of Percentage of Marks in Class 12

Candidates must have secured at least 75% marks in the Class 12 examination conducted by the respective Boards. For SC/ST candidates the qualifying marks would be 65% in Class 12/qualifying examination. The candidate is also required to pass each of the subjects of the Class 12 / qualifying examination.

Criteria of Year of Appearance in JEE Main 2026

Students appearing in JEE Main 2026 must have passed class 12 not earlier than 2023.

JEE Main Syllabus: Subjects & Chapters
Select your preferred subject to view the chapters

JEE Main Application Form 2026

NTA has conducted the JEE Main 2026 application form correction from December 1 to 2, 2025. The JEE Main 2026 registration for session 1 from was concluded on November 27, 2025. The application process involves registration, form filling, uploading photographs & signatures, and payment of registration fees. Candidates could fill and submit the JEE Main application form on the website, jeemain.nta.nic.in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many times can we give JEE Mains?
A:

A candidate can appear in the JEE Main exam six times in three consecutive years after 12th class.

Q: How many attempts are there in the JEE Main 2026?
A:

There are two attempts in the year 2026. Candidates can attempt both the sessions of the JEE Main exam. 

Q: What is the benefit of extra attempts in JEE Main exam?
A:

Extra attempts will help the candidates to overcome the mistakes from session one if any, improve their scores, reduce the probability of dropping a year, and more.

Q: What is the age criteria for JEE Main 2026?
A:

There is no age limit to appear for JEE Main 2026

Q: What is the criteria of percentage of marks in class 12th?
A:

Candidates must have secured at least 75% marks in the Class 12 examination. SC/ST candidates must have 65% in the Class 12/qualifying exam. The candidate is also required to pass in each of the subjects of Class 12 / qualifying exam.

Q: How many times JEE Mains conducted in a year?
A:

The JEE Main exam is conducted twice a year, with attempt 1 taking place in January and attempt 2 in April.

Q: What is the JEE Mains attempt limit?
A:

JEE Main aspirants are allowed to attempt entrance exams for three consecutive years. JEE Main 2026 will be conducted twice this year, and the candidates can appear in both sessions.

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A score of 110 in JEE Mains is expected to be equal to 94 to 95th percentile. This score may not secure your admission in top NIT institutes for the general category, but candidates from OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories have a good chance of getting into NITs and

Here are the best engineering colleges for 35,000-50,000 rank in JEE Main 2026 examination -

No, JEE Main Answer Key for 2026 session 1 is not out yet. NTA will release the JEE answer key 2026 on February 4.

With 100 marks in JEE Main exam, you can apply for several IIITs depending upon the branch of the course. Candidates with 100 marks in JEE Main are likely to secure seat in IIITs like IIIT Manipur , IIIT Nagpur, IIIT Dharwad, IIIT Sri City , IIIT Trichy and other

With 77 marks in JEE Main, you can expect engineering colleges like NIT Mizoram, NIT Meghalaya , and NIT Arunachal Pradesh. Consider private colleges like GITAM, Lovely Professional University, SRM Institute of Science and Technology , Chandigarh University, and Amity University for better branch options.