The 75% marks rule in Class 12 has been confirmed for JEE Main 2026 admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs. Candidates must note that qualifying JEE Main 2026 alone does not guarantee admission to top engineering institutes without meeting the board eligibility criteria. The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam will be conducted between January 21 to January 30, while Session 2 is scheduled from April 02 to April 09. The rule applies at the time of admission, not during JEE Main registration. Even candidates with high ranks will be disqualified from counselling if the minimum Class 12 percentage requirement is not fulfilled.
JEE Main 2026 Admission Eligibility for IITs, NITs and IIITs
The admission criteria under the NIT+ system including IITs, NITs, IIEST, IIITs and GFTIs clearly define the minimum academic qualification required from candidates. For the benefit of students, the key eligibility conditions are summarised below. Before checking the table, it is important to understand that these conditions apply after result declaration and during JoSAA or respective counselling rounds. Candidates who fail to meet any single condition may lose their admission despite qualifying JEE Main.
There is no minimum subject-wise cut-off, only overall aggregate percentage is considered.
Subject Requirements for Engineering, Architecture and Planning Courses
The subject combination in Class 12 is also a mandatory condition for admission to different programmes under JEE Main 2026. Before reviewing the subject requirements, candidates must ensure that all subjects are passed individually in the qualifying examination.
Failure to meet the correct subject combination will lead to cancellation of candidature during document verification.
JEE Main 2026 Registration and Candidate Statistics
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 registration has already closed, and as per official reports, approximately 14.5 lakh candidates have registered. The Session 2 registration is expected to start in the last week of January 2026. For Session 1 candidates, the advance city intimation slip will be released in the first week of January 2026, while the admit cards will be issued 3 to 4 days before the allocated exam date.
Important Advisory for Candidates
Candidates who appeared or are appearing in the Class 12 board examinations must carefully verify their aggregate marks before participating in counselling. Those falling short of the required criteria are advised to explore alternate admission pathways through private universities and state counselling systems where institutional cut-offs may differ. The 75% rule is strictly enforced during seat allotment, and no relaxation is provided outside the prescribed reservation categories.
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