JEE Main 2027 eligibility announced: check passing year, drop rules, and subjects

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the eligibility criteria and examination schedule for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2027. This examination is crucial for candidates seeking admission to National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other participating institutions across India. It also serves as the qualifying examination for JEE Advanced, which leads to admissions in Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

JEE Main 2027 Session 1 is tentatively scheduled to commence on January 22, 2027, with Session 2 following in April 2027. The NTA has clarified rules regarding academic qualifications, subject combinations, and the number of attempts available to aspirants for the upcoming cycle.

Eligibility for JEE Main 2027 Examination

Candidates who passed their Class 12 or equivalent examination in either 2025 or 2026 are eligible to appear for JEE Main 2027. Those who are currently appearing for their Class 12 examination in 2027 are also eligible. However, candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024 or earlier are not eligible for JEE Main 2027. The NTA has confirmed there is no upper age limit for appearing in the examination.

Aspirants can appear for JEE Main across three consecutive years, with the examination being conducted in two sessions (January and April) each year. The best NTA score obtained across these sessions will be considered for ranking purposes. Droppers and students aiming for improvement in their Class 12 marks can appear for JEE Main 2027, provided they meet the specified passing year criteria.

Subject Requirements and Admission Criteria for Institutions

For B.E./B.Tech admissions through JEE Main, Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects, along with one additional subject from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a Technical Vocational Subject. For B.Arch admission, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are prerequisites. Candidates aspiring for B.Planning admission are required to have Mathematics as a subject.

While there is no minimum percentage in Class 12 required solely to appear in JEE Main, specific criteria apply for admission to various institutions. For admission to NITs, IIITs, and Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (GFTIs), candidates must secure at least 75% aggregate marks in their Class 12 examination or be in the top 20 percentile of their respective board. For SC/ST candidates, the minimum aggregate marks for admission to these institutions is 65% or being in the top 20 percentile.

Other Important Eligibility Details

The state code of eligibility for a candidate is determined by the state from which they passed their Class 12 or equivalent qualifying examination. Indian nationals, foreign nationals, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are all eligible to apply for JEE Main 2027. An Aadhar Card is not a mandatory requirement for application; other valid government identification can be used.

The official JEE Main Information Brochure, which will contain complete details on the eligibility criteria and application process, is expected to be released by the NTA in the fourth week of October 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official portal, jeemain.nta.nic.in, for the latest updates and detailed information.

JEE Main Attempt Window and Score Consideration

The NTA allows candidates to appear for JEE Main across three consecutive years, providing multiple opportunities to achieve a competitive score. Within each year, the examination is conducted in two sessions, typically in January and April. This structure allows candidates to improve their performance, as the best NTA score obtained across all attempts will be considered for the final ranking.

The eligibility for passing years is fixed by the NTA for each examination cycle. This consistent policy ensures clarity for aspirants planning their academic trajectory. Individual institutes, however, may set their own age rules for admission during the counselling process, which candidates should verify with the respective institutions.

Further reading

• JEE Main 2027 session 1 exam dates released, registration expected mid-October
• GUJCET/JEE Main 2026: Apply for Gujarat Chemical Engineering by May 1
• JEE Main application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply Next step
• MHT CET 2026: Apply for B.Pharm/M.Pharm admissions at Amravati colleges now
• VITEEE application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply
• JEE Main: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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