How Many Attempts for JEE Mains 2026? - Eligibility & NTA Rules Explained Here

How Many Attempts for JEE Mains 2026? - Eligibility & NTA Rules Explained Here

Team Careers360Updated on 30 Sep 2025, 10:35 AM IST

How many attempts for JEE Mains 2026? - The National Testing Agency will conduct the JEE Mains 2026 exam in two session, the first session will be held in January, and the second session is scheduled for April 2026. Candidates will be allowed the six attempt for the JEE mains 2026 exam. Candidates can check the details of how many attempts are allowed for JEE Mains 2026 on this page. However, in a single year, candidates can appear for the exam only twice. As per the JEE Main eligibility criteria 2026, candidates can attempt the JEE Mains over three consecutive years, making it a total of six attempts. Candidates must note that there is no upper age limit for appearing in the JEE Main 2026 exam.

LiveJEE Main 2026 Registration LIVE: NTA JEE application form this month; latest update on documentsOct 6, 2025 | 10:11 PM IST

The JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria are as follows.

Age limit

No age limit

Academic eligibility

Class 12 or equivalent level

Year of the qualifying exam

2024/ 2025 / 2026

Limit of attempts

Three consecutive years

Class 12th subjects

  • BE/BTech- Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry/ Biology/ Biotechnology/ Technical Vocational Subjects
  • B.Arch- Maths, Physics and Chemistry
  • B.Plan- Maths

Required 12th class percentage

  • BTech in NITs/ IIITs/ GFTIs- 75% (general) or 65% (SC/ST)
  • B.Arch/ B. Plan- 50% aggregate scores
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 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 for JEE Mains 2026? - Eligibility & NTA Rules Explained Here
How Many Attempts for JEE Mains 2026

Students aspiring for admission in NITs, IIITs or IITs often talk about the number of attempts of JEE Main 2026. 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 6 times in 3 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 to test in 2026 and 2027 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.

JEE Main 2026 Schedule (Tentative)

EventsJEE January Dates (Session 1)JEE April Dates (Session 2)
Start date for JEE Main registrationOctober 2025February 2026
Last date for JEE Main registrationDecember 2025February 2026
JEE Main 2026 exam correction dateDecember 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 2026January 2026
JEE Main 2026 exam dates, session 2April 2026April 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
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JEE Main 2026: Preparation Tips & Study Plan
Download the JEE Main 2026 Preparation Tips PDF to boost your exam strategy. Get expert insights on managing study material, focusing on key topics and high-weightage chapters.
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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.
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How Many Attempts For JEE Mains For 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 2025 online. Candidates have to use the JEE Main login 2025 to check their scores.

JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026

The authority will release 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 from 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 will conduct the JEE Main 2026 registration for session 1 in October 2025. The application process involves registration, form filling, uploading photographs & signatures and payment of registration fees. Candidates can fill and submit the JEE Main application form on the website, jeemain.nta.nic.in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

NTA has not mandated any criteria for the age of candidates appearing for the JEE Main.

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. The session is being conducted in January, and session 2 will be held in April. 

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 3 consecutive years. JEE Main 2025 will be conducted twice this year, and the candidates can appear in both sessions. 

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 validity of the JEE Main scorecard?
A:

The JEE Main scorecard is valid for the current year only. It means if a candidate appears for JEE Main 2025, then he/she can apply for admission in the institutes for the academic year 2025-26. 

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

A candidate can appear in the JEE Main exam 6 times in 3 three consecutive years after 12th class.

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Questions related to JEE Main

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to JEE Main ?

Hello,

You cannot "renew" your September 2025 certificate. You must apply for a completely new EWS certificate after April 1, 2026.

EWS certificates are linked to a specific financial year.

Your certificate issued in September 2025 is valid for the financial year 2025-26. It is based on your family's income from the previous financial year (i.e., 2024-25).

The certificate required for JEE counselling in mid-2026 must be valid for the financial year 2026-27. This certificate must be based on your family's income from the financial year 2025-26 and must be issued on or after April 1, 2026.

Since they are based on two different income periods, they are considered completely different documents.


Hope it's helpful to you.

Hi! Don’t worry, you can correct your category this year while filling out the JEE Main 2025 application form. If you belong to BC/OBC category and have the valid caste certificate, you can apply under OBC NCL now. It will not be a problem if last year you had applied as General/EWS, since each year’s application is considered separately.
OBC NCL is for candidates from socially and educationally backward communities (non creamy layer) with income below 8 lakh, while EWS is for students from the general category (not SC/ST/OBC) with family income below 8 lakh. Since your family income is less than 2 lakh and you are BC, applying under OBC NCL is the right choice and will give you reservation benefits.

Hello,

To get below AIR 100 in JEE Advanced 2027, you need a strong and focused plan. Here’s a simple guide:

  1. Clear Concepts : Make sure all NCERT basics are strong. Focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Maths concepts deeply.

  2. Advanced Practice : Solve previous years’ JEE Advanced papers and high-level questions from books like HC Verma, I.E. Irodov, OP Tandon, and Cengage.

  3. Regular Mock Tests : Take full-length tests every week. Analyse mistakes and improve weak areas.

  4. Time Management : Learn to solve questions quickly and accurately. Work on speed and accuracy together.

  5. Short Notes : Make notes/formulas for quick revision.

  6. Consistency : Study daily and avoid long breaks. Consistent practice is key.

  7. Focus on Weak Areas : Identify topics you struggle with and spend extra time on them.

  8. Stress Management : Stay healthy, sleep well, and avoid last-minute panic.

If you follow a structured plan and stay consistent, AIR below 100 is achievable.

Hope it helps !

Helloaspirant,

The JEE Main 2026 syllabus, which is broken down into Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, is based on the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12.  Calculus, Algebra, and Coordinate Geometry in Mathematics; Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry; and Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Optics in Physics are important subjects.

To know the syllabus, you can visit our site through following link:

https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-main-syllabus

Thank you