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JEE Counselling

2026

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College Predictor

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How Many Attempts for JEE Main & JEE Advanced?

JEE Main: max 6 attempts (3 years × 2 sessions). JEE Advanced: max 2 consecutive attempts. Full rules and dropper scenarios explained.

JEE Main Attempt Rules

JEE Main allows a maximum of 6 attempts spread over 3 consecutive years with 2 sessions per year (January and April). The clock starts from the year you first appear in JEE Main or from the year you pass Class 12 — whichever comes first.

  • Appearing in Session 1 but not Session 2 of the same year = 1 attempt used (not 0)
  • Registering but not appearing = does NOT count as an attempt
  • Both sessions in a year can be taken; best of two scores is used for rank calculation
  • No age limit for JEE Main (as per 2025 NTA rules — verify for 2026)

JEE Advanced Attempt Rules

JEE Advanced permits a maximum of 2 attempts in consecutive years. Additionally:

  • Candidate must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) for the first time in 2025 or 2026 to be eligible for JEE Advanced 2026
  • Students who passed Class 12 in 2024 or earlier are NOT eligible for JEE Advanced 2026
  • Age limit: Born on or after October 1, 2001 (for JEE Advanced 2026)
  • Must be in the top 2,50,000 (approx.) of JEE Main CRL 2026 to be eligible
  • Must NOT have been previously admitted to an IIT (even if you cancel after admission)

Practical Scenarios by Class 12 Year

Class 12 passed 2024

JEE Main:

JEE Main 2024 (2 sessions) + JEE Main 2025 (2 sessions) + JEE Main 2026 (2 sessions)

JEE Advanced:

JEE Advanced 2025 only (2024 passout — last eligible year). NOT eligible for JEE Advanced 2026.

Class 12 passed 2025

JEE Main:

JEE Main 2025 (2 sessions) + JEE Main 2026 (2 sessions) + JEE Main 2027 (2 sessions)

JEE Advanced:

JEE Advanced 2025 (attempt 1) and JEE Advanced 2026 (attempt 2). 2 attempts available.

Class 12 passed 2026

JEE Main:

JEE Main 2026 (2 sessions) + JEE Main 2027 (2 sessions) + JEE Main 2028 (2 sessions)

JEE Advanced:

JEE Advanced 2026 (attempt 1) and JEE Advanced 2027 (attempt 2). 2 attempts available.

Dropper (2025 passout appearing 2026)

JEE Main:

JEE Main 2026 counts as 3rd and 4th attempts (Sessions 1 & 2)

JEE Advanced:

JEE Advanced 2026 is available as 1st or 2nd attempt depending on whether 2025 JEE Advanced was taken.

Quick Links

JEE Main vs JEE AdvancedJEE Exam Calendar 2026Full JEE Counselling Process 2026How JoSAA Works

Related Pages You Should Read

JEE Main vs JEE AdvancedJEE Exam Calendar 2026After JEE Advanced ResultJEE Counselling Process 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about JEE Main and JEE Advanced attempt limits

1
What is the maximum number of attempts for JEE Main?
JEE Main allows a maximum of 6 attempts total — 2 sessions per year (January and April) over 3 consecutive academic years. So a student who passed Class 12 in 2025 can appear in JEE Main 2025 (both sessions), JEE Main 2026 (both sessions), and JEE Main 2027 (both sessions) — totalling 6 attempts. Using a session counts as one attempt even if you withdraw.
2
Can I give JEE Advanced more than 2 times?
No. JEE Advanced is strictly limited to 2 attempts, and both must be in consecutive years. If you appeared for JEE Advanced 2025 (attempt 1), your final attempt is JEE Advanced 2026. You cannot skip 2025 and take 2026 + 2027 — the rule specifically requires consecutive-year attempts.
3
Can a student who passed Class 12 in 2024 give JEE Advanced in 2026?
No. JEE Advanced 2026 requires that the candidate must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) for the FIRST TIME in 2025 or 2026. A student who passed Class 12 in 2024 is only eligible for JEE Advanced 2025 (first attempt) and has already exhausted their window. They are NOT eligible for JEE Advanced 2026.
4
What is the dropper JEE attempt scenario?
A dropper who passed Class 12 in 2025 can take JEE Main 2026 (this is within the 3-year window: 2025, 2026, 2027). They are also eligible for JEE Advanced 2026 if they did not appear in JEE Advanced 2025, or they can take JEE Advanced 2026 as their second attempt if they appeared in 2025. Plan carefully — each attempt counts.
5
What is the age limit for JEE Main 2026?
As per recent NTA guidelines, there is no upper age limit for JEE Main. NTA removed the 25-year (General) and 30-year (SC/ST/PwD) age caps. However, always verify this at the official JEE Main 2026 notification at jeemain.nta.nic.in, as rules can change. JEE Advanced 2026 requires birth on or after October 1, 2001.

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Quick Reference

JEE Main max attempts6 (3 years × 2)
JEE Advanced max attempts2 (consecutive)
JEE Advanced age limit (2026)Born ≥ Oct 1, 2001
Class 12 year for JEE Adv 2026First pass in 2025 or 2026
JEE Main age limitNo upper limit (2025 rule)
2024 passout eligible for JEE Adv 2026?NO

Important Links

JEE Main College PredictorIIT College PredictorJoSAA 2026 GuideJEE Exam Calendar 2026

Disclaimer

Attempt rules are based on official 2025 NTA and IIT guidelines. Rules may be revised for 2026. Always verify at jeemain.nta.nic.in and jeeadv.ac.in.