JEE Main 2026 April Attempt: Who Is Eligible for Session 2 Attempt? Check Details

NTA has officially started the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 registration from February 1, 2026. Candidates can apply online through the official website — jeemain.nta.nic.in. The last date to submit the application form is February 25, 2026, up to 9:00 PM. The fee payment must be completed by 11:50 PM on the same day. The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 exam is scheduled from April 2 to 9, 2026.

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If you missed Session 1 or want to improve your score, this is your chance. NTA considers the best score out of both sessions while preparing the final result. So applying for Session 2 can give you a better shot at securing a seat in top NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. But before you apply, make sure you meet all the eligibility criteria. Here's a complete guide to help you understand everything about JEE Main 2026 April Attempt eligibility.

Many students get confused about the qualifying year, subject combinations, and the 75% marks rule. To clear all your doubts, here's a complete and simple guide to JEE Main 2026 April Attempt eligibility criteria.

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JEE Main 2026 Session 2: Important Dates

Here are all the key dates you need to know for JEE Main 2026 Session 2.

Already Appeared in Session 1? Here's What You Need to Know

If you already applied for JEE Main 2026 Session 1, you don't need to register again. You can simply log in with your existing application number and password. After that, just pay the fee, choose your paper, exam medium, and preferred city.

However, if you're a new candidate, you'll need to complete the full registration process from scratch. Also, keep in mind that submitting multiple application forms is not allowed. Doing so can lead to cancellation of your result.

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1. Qualifying Year & Passing Status

One of the most important eligibility conditions is the year you passed or are appearing for Class 12. NTA has set a clear rule about which candidates can apply.

To apply for JEE Main 2026 April Attempt, you must fall into one of these three categories.

• Passed Class 12 in 2024: Candidates who completed their senior secondary education two years ago are still eligible.
• Passed Class 12 in 2025: Candidates who completed their schooling last year, also known as droppers, can apply.
• Appearing in 2026: Students who are currently in Class 12 and will take their board exams in early 2026 are also eligible.

Important: If you passed Class 12 in 2023 or before that, you're not eligible for JEE Main 2026. NTA only allows candidates from the last three qualifying years to apply.

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2. Subject Requirements by Paper

The subjects you've studied in Class 12 play a major role in deciding which JEE Main paper you can apply for. Different papers have different subject requirements. Here's a clear breakdown.

Make sure your Class 12 subject combination matches the paper you want to apply for. If it doesn't, your application may get rejected.

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3. The 75% Marks Rule: Exam vs Admission

This is where most students get confused. There's a big difference between being eligible to sit for the exam and being eligible for admission. Let's break it down clearly.

To Appear in JEE Main 2026 Exam:

There's no minimum percentage required in Class 12 to appear in the exam. You just need a valid "Pass" certificate. Even if you scored less than 75%, you can still sit for JEE Main 2026 without any issue.

For Admission into NITs, IIITs & CFTIs:

If you want to secure a seat in top institutions like NITs, IIITs, or CFTIs through JoSAA counselling, you must meet one of the following conditions.

So, appearing in the exam and getting admission are two different things. You can write the exam with any passing marks, but for admission in top colleges, the 75% rule applies.

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4. Age Limit & Number of Attempts

Many students worry about age limits and how many times they can attempt the exam. Here's the good news.

Age Limit: There's no age limit for JEE Main 2026. Candidates of any age can apply as long as they meet the qualifying year criteria.

Number of Attempts: A candidate can appear for JEE Main for three consecutive years starting from the year they pass Class 12. Since NTA conducts the exam twice a year — January and April — this gives you a total of 6 attempts over three years.

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5. State Code of Eligibility

This is a detail many students overlook. Your State Code of Eligibility isn't based on where you were born or where you live permanently. It's determined by the state where you passed your Class 12 exam. For example, if you're from Rajasthan but passed Class 12 from a school in Delhi, your State Code of Eligibility will be Delhi.

This is important because your state code affects your seat allocation during counselling, especially for state quota seats.

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