JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2024: Check Age Limit &12th Class Marks Required (original) (raw)
Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025
**JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2024: Finally, NTA has uploaded the JEE Main 2024 eligibility criteria on their website – www.nta.ac.in. The eligibility criteria of **JEE Main 2024 include educational qualification, age limit, nationality, marks/ score required, compulsory subjects to appear, and more. Those who appeared in Class XII equivalent in 2022, 23, and at least 75% marks for Gen. (65%+ for SC/ST). Age is not a constraint to appear in the JEE examination.
The number of attempts by JEE Mains candidates will be capped for three consecutive years. Ineligibility of aspirants appearing for the JEE main exam as per the specified criteria will lead to their being disqualified. These are the requirements that must be met by all the JEE Mains applicants to be admitted into the colleges using NTA JEE scores in 2024.
Table of Content
- JEE Main 2024 Overview
- JEE Main Eligibility Criteria: Mode of Examination
- Changes in Rules in JEE Main 2024 Exam
- Rules for Droppers Taking JEE Main
- State of Eligibility
JEE Main 2024 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Examination Name | Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Purpose of Examination | Admission into NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs and a qualifying test for JEE Advanced |
| Category | Undergraduate (UG) Exam |
| Level of Exam | National Level |
| Number of Sessions | 2 (Tentative) |
| Mode of Examination | - Paper: Computer-based test |
| - Paper: Mathematics and Aptitude – computer-based test | |
| - Planning section (B.Plan) – computer-based test | |
| - Drawing test (B.Arch) – pen-and-paper-based exam | |
| Mode of Application | Online |
**JEE Main Eligibility Criteria: Mode of Examination
1. B.E/B. Tech Subjects Needed
- Candidates must have passed the 12th standard with five total subjects, including Mathematics and Physics which are compulsory.[]
- The other three subjects can be chosen by candidates from options like Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology, or any other technical vocational subject.
- These five 12th-standard subjects should be passed by candidates at the qualifying level to meet the eligibility criteria for B.E/**B.Tech admission.
2. JEE Main Eligibility Criteria: Subjects
| Subjects for B.E. or B.Tech Courses | Subjects for B.Arch or B.Planning Courses |
|---|---|
| 1. Physics | 1. Mathematics (Compulsory) |
| 2. Mathematics | 2. Language Subject (Compulsory) |
| 3. Language Subject | 3. Any of the following subjects – Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry, Technical Vocational Subject |
| 4. Any of the following subjects – Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry, Technical Vocational Subject | 4. Any of the following subjects – Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry, Technical Vocational Subject |
3. Age Limit
- There is no age rule for students taking the JEE Main 2024 exam.
- Candidates who passed the 12th standard in 2020, 2021, or are taking it in 2024 can submit an application.
- However, candidates need to match the age criteria of the engineering colleges they are trying to get into.
4. Marks Required
- Candidates should have scored a minimum of 75% total marks in their 12th board exams or candidates need to rank in the top 20% of their 12th standard class.
- That 75% score rule applies to the general category, SC/ST, and disabled students.
- But only general group candidates must rank in the class's top 20%. SC/ST and disabled students do not need to meet the top percentile benchmark.
5. Minimum Subject Marks Needed
- Candidates need to obtain at least 50% combined marks in Physics, **Chemistry, and **Mathematics subjects in their 12th standard exams.
- This 50% aggregate score requirement across the 3 subjects applies to all student categories - general, SC/ST, and disabled candidates.
- Every JEE Main aspirant has to meet this criterion of securing half marks in PCM subjects in their 12th board results.
6. Attempts Allowed
- Candidates can try one or more sessions of JEE Main 2024 as per their preference.
- There is no limit on attempts for any student category - general, SC/ST, disabled - all have the same rules.
- Students who tried once before but did not qualify can reattempt twice more.
- However droppers need to make sure the attempts happen in 3 consecutive years.
- If dropper students do not take the exam in back-to-back attempts, they will be barred from appearing again.
7. General Eligibility Norms
- Candidates must have passed their 12th board exams or equivalent from an accredited school board or college.
- Students who have a diploma can also apply. However, diploma holders only qualify for admission to **IIT colleges.
- The subjects passed in 12th standard should be five total, with compulsory passing in Physics, Maths plus one additional topic. That third subject can be Biology, Chemistry, Biotechnology or any other career-centric technical subject offered at the 12th level.
8. Valid Qualifying Exams
- The final 10+2 exam from any recognized central/state board like CBSE, CISCE etc.
- Intermediate or 2-year pre-university exam by an accredited board/college.
- Final NDA exam of the Joint Services Wing's 2-year course.
- Senior Secondary School test by National Institute of Open Schooling with minimum 5 subjects.
- Any Indian or foreign exam is considered equal to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities.
- Vocational Higher Secondary Certificate.
- Diploma of at least 3 years by AICTE or state technical education board.
- GCE tests (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at Advanced (A) Level.
- Cambridge University's High School Certificate Exam or International Baccalaureate Diploma.
- If finished 12th grade outside India, need a certificate from the Association of Indian Universities confirming the exam passed is equivalent to the Indian 12th standard exam.
- For non-public 12th exams, students should have cleared at least one public (board or pre-university) test before.
8. Currently in 12th Standard
- Students presently appearing for their 12th board examinations can also submit a JEE Main 2024 application even while their exams are ongoing.
- Diploma holders who want to apply are eligible too. But diploma candidates can only seek engineering college admission into IITs if they qualify, not other institutes.
Changes in Rules in JEE Main 2024 Exam
The NTA has made some new changes to the eligibility rules for JEE Main 2024. These will make it easier for some students to take the engineering entrance exam.
1. Minimum Marks Lowered for SC/ST and Differently Abled Students
Earlier, all students needed at least 50% total in physics, chemistry and maths in 12th standard. Now, reserved category and differently-abled students will need only 40% instead of 50%. This relaxation will help these students qualify and take the exam.
2. New Category Added for Transgender Students
Transgender students can now take the JEE Main exam. The rules now have a separate category for them, similar to categories for other students.
3. Age Limit Increased by 2 Years for Repeat Exam Takers
Students who took the JEE Main exam in the past 2 years can take it again in 2024 even if they are above 20 years old. The limit has gone up from 20 years to 22 years for repeat exam takers.
All students who want to take JEE Main 2024 must check they meet all the eligibility rules. Students in reserved categories and transgender students should especially check the new relaxed rules that apply to them. Meeting the criteria is needed to take the examination.
Rules for Droppers Taking JEE Main
Students who are reappearing for JEE Main after a gap year should check these key eligibility points:
- Passed 12th Standard in Previous Years: Must have already passed 12th board from a recognized school board earlier
- Minimum 75% in PCM: Should have scored at least 75% total in physics, chemistry and maths subjects in those 12th board exams
- Registered for Current JEE Main: Must register and enrol again specifically for the current year exam round
- Appeared in All Papers: Need to take all sections of exam including physics, chemistry and maths
- Cross Cutoff Marks: Must score above the minimum qualifying marks set by JEE Main 2024 rules
Meeting these criteria related to past academic performance, enrollment status and the current attempt is needed for JEE Main eligibility as a dropper student.
State of Eligibility
The state code shows which state you passed the 12th standard in. This decides which JEE Main 2024 exam you can take. Your birth state or where you live does not matter.
For example:
- An applicant from Uttar Pradesh but passed 12th standard in Delhi. His state code will be Delhi, not Uttar Pradesh.
- An applicant passed the 12th standard in Tamil Nadu first. Later she retook some exams in Telangana. Her state code will still be Tamil Nadu.
Some Key Points:
- Students who did NIOS exams should choose the code of where their study centre was located.
- Indian citizens who passed the 12th standard in Nepal/Bhutan should choose their permanent Indian address in their passport.
Passing JEE 2024
If students pass all stages and qualify, they can join BTech, BE, BArch and integrated MSc programs. Top choices are NITs, IIITs and other famous engineering colleges.
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