JEE Main Qualification Required: A Detailed Checklist

If you're planning to appear for the JEE Main exam, it's crucial to understand whether you meet all the eligibility criteria. Missing out on even one small rule can make you ineligible, even after months of preparation.

This guide offers a complete checklist of qualifications required to sit for JEE Main, from academic background and subjects to board recognition and attempts allowed.

Let’s decode what you really need to be eligible.

Why Qualification Matters

JEE Main is one of the most competitive engineering entrance exams in India. Every year, over 10 lakh students apply, but only those who meet all NTA’s qualification rules are allowed to sit for the exam.

Failing to meet these requirements can:

• Lead to rejection of your application
• Cancel your admission even after selection
• Waste an entire year of preparation

So it’s important to understand what the NTA expects before applying.

Who Conducts JEE Main?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts JEE Main twice a year: in January and April.

It is the entry-level exam for admission into:

• NITs (National Institutes of Technology)
• IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology)
• GFTIs (Government-Funded Technical Institutes)
• Eligibility for JEE Advanced (IIT admissions)

Let’s now dive into the qualifications needed to be eligible.

JEE Main Qualification Criteria: Quick Overview

Here’s a summarised list of what’s required:

• Academic qualification (Class 12 or equivalent)
• Approved subjects in Class 12 (Physics, Math + one more)
• Year of passing Class 12
• Number of attempts
• Age criteria (or lack of it)
• Recognised board or institution
• Category-based relaxations (if applicable)
• Required documents (category, identity, etc.)

Let’s break these down one by one.

Academic Qualification: Must Have Passed Class 12

To appear for JEE Main, you must have passed:

• Class 12 or equivalent examination
• In the years 2023, 2024, or appearing in 2025 (for JEE Main 2025 cycle)

You’re allowed to take the exam for 3 consecutive years starting from the year you pass your board exam.

This includes both January and April sessions in each year.

Approved Subjects in Class 12

Your Class 12 must include these subjects:

• Physics (Mandatory)
• Mathematics (Mandatory)
• One of these optional subjects:
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Technical Vocational Subject

You must have studied at least 5 subjects in total in your Class 12 board exam.

If you had fewer than 5 subjects, you are not eligible for JEE Main.

Number of Attempts Allowed

Each candidate gets a maximum of:

• 3 years of eligibility, starting from the year of passing Class 12
• 2 attempts per year (January and April sessions)

That gives you a total of 6 attempts maximum.

Note: Even if you skip an attempt, your eligibility window does not extend. Use all your chances wisely.

Age Limit for JEE Main

There is no age limit to appear for JEE Main.

Whether you're 17 or 27, as long as:

• You passed Class 12 in the eligible years
• You meet the academic and subject requirements

You can sit for the exam.

Board Recognition and Validity

Not all boards are accepted. Your Class 12 board should be:

• A recognized board under AIU (Association of Indian Universities)
• Include regular schooling (Open School and Private Candidates are allowed only if the board is recognised)
• For foreign or international boards, equivalency with Indian Class 12 is needed

Check your board's recognition status before applying.

What If You Repeat Class 12?

If you re-appear for board exams to improve marks, only your first passing year counts for eligibility.

For example:

• You passed in 2023 and repeated in 2024
• Your JEE Main eligibility window is 2023–2025, not extended to 2026

Make sure to plan your attempts accordingly.

Percentage Required for College Admission

While JEE Main doesn’t demand a minimum percentage to appear, admission to top colleges like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs does.

• General/OBC/EWS: Minimum 75% in Class 12
• SC/ST: Minimum 65%

This is for college admissions, not eligibility to write the exam. You can write the exam with less than 75%, but you may not qualify for certain colleges.

Diploma Holders and JEE Main

If you’ve done a Diploma after Class 10, you are not eligible for JEE Main.

However, diploma holders can apply for JEE Advanced, which may allow IIT admission (if qualified). But for JEE Main, Class 12 with PCM is mandatory.

Subject-Wise Clarification

To avoid confusion, here’s what qualifies:

• Physics and Mathematics are must-haves
• Your 3rd subject can be:
• Chemistry
• Biology (for B.Planning only)
• Biotechnology
• Technical subjects like Computer Science
• Language subjects like English or Hindi are counted towards the 5-subject minimum, but not as core subjects

If your combination includes Physics + Math + Chemistry/Bio/Tech + English + One more, you're fully eligible.

Required Documents

When applying, keep these documents ready:

• Class 10 mark sheet
• Class 12 mark sheet (if already passed)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) — if applicable
• PwD certificate — if applicable
• Identity proof (Aadhaar, Passport, etc.)
• Recent passport photo and signature scan

Incorrect or missing documents can disqualify your application during verification or counselling.

Category-Based Relaxations

While the core eligibility is the same, certain relaxations apply for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS:

• Lower Class 12 percentage requirement (65% instead of 75%)
• Relaxed cut-off scores for qualification
• Reserved seats during counselling
• Lower fee for registration and counselling

However, attempt count, subjects, and eligibility years remain the same.

Open School and NIOS Candidates

You are eligible if:

• You studied under a board recognised by AIU
• You appeared for 5 subjects
• You cleared Physics and Mathematics along with one optional subject

Make sure you upload your valid mark sheet and certificate during the application.

Can You Apply Without Coaching?

Absolutely. Many JEE aspirants qualify without coaching if they:

• Rely on NCERT books
• Solve previous year papers
• Use online resources and mock tests
• Maintain a disciplined schedule

Qualification doesn’t depend on coaching — it depends on clarity of concepts and consistent practice.

Final JEE Qualification Checklist

Here’s a 10-point checklist to confirm your eligibility:

• ✅ Passed Class 12 in 2023, 2024 or appearing in 2025
• ✅ Studied Physics and Mathematics in Class 12
• ✅ Took at least one subject among Chemistry, Bio, Tech, etc.
• ✅ Appeared for a minimum 5 subjects in Class 12
• ✅ Board recognised by AIU or equivalent authority
• ✅ Have a valid mark sheet or expected result
• ✅ Category certificate (if claiming reservation)
• ✅ Passed with at least 75% (General) or 65% (SC/ST) if targeting NITs/IIITs
• ✅ Within 3-year eligibility window
• ✅ Ready with required documents (ID, photo, certificates)

If you tick all these, you’re fully qualified to register for JEE Main.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the JEE Main qualification required is not just about meeting rules — it’s about strategically planning your journey.

You don’t want to discover a missed subject or an invalid document at the last minute. Knowing your eligibility early saves you from wasting time, money, and opportunity.

Before you dive into solving equations or mock tests, take a moment to confirm this checklist. It’s your first step toward cracking JEE Main with confidence.