There are no JEE Main eligibility marks required in Class 12 to appear for the exam. However, to take admission into NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs you need a minimum of 75% marks in Class 12 for general category students.
SC & ST candidates need a minimum of 65% marks in their Class 12 in their respective boards to get into NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs.
- To get into B. Arch, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are compulsory and you should score at least 45% in your qualifying exam.
- Mathematics is compulsory for B.Planning with 50% in their qualifying exam.
- To pursue B.E or B.Tech: You must have studied at least 5 subjects in class 12 with Physics and Mathematics being compulsory.
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JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria: Key Facts
The 75% marks criterion is not required to sit the exam. It is required only at the counselling and admission stage for NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs.
- Even candidates with 60%, 70% or any other Class 12 score can appear for JEE Main.
- Students with 60% or 70% can’t get admission to NIT, IIIT, and CFTIs.
- A student who does not meet the aggregate percentage can still appear for JEE Main and use the score for private colleges or state engineering institutes with different cut-offs.
| Detail | Information | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Confirmed |
| Min. % to Appear for Exam | No minimum percentage required | Confirmed |
| Min. % for NIT/IIIT/CFTI Admission (General/OBC/EWS) | 75% in Class 12 OR Top 20 Percentile in Board | Confirmed |
| Min. % for NIT/IIIT/CFTI Admission (SC/ST) | 65% in Class 12 OR Top 20 Percentile in Board | Confirmed |
| Compulsory Subjects (B.Tech/B.E) | Physics + Mathematics + one optional (Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational) | Confirmed |
| Compulsory Subjects (B.Arch) | Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics (all three mandatory) | Confirmed |
| Compulsory Subjects (B.Planning) | Mathematics | Confirmed |
| Minimum Subjects in Class 12 | At least 5 subjects | Confirmed |
| Age Limit | No age limit prescribed by NTA | Confirmed |
| Year of Passing Class 12 | 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 | Confirmed |
| Number of Attempts | 3 consecutive years from year of passing Class 12 (up to 6 attempts) | Confirmed |
Source: NTA-JEE Main 2026 Information Bulletin
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Ques. Is 75% required in Class 12 to appear for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. No. There is no minimum percentage required to appear for JEE Main 2026. The 75% criterion (65% for SC/ST) applies only when seeking admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs through JoSAA counselling. Candidates with any Class 12 score can register and sit for the exam.
Ques. Can I apply for JEE Main 2026 without Chemistry in Class 12?
Ans. Yes, for B.Tech/B.E, Chemistry is not compulsory. Candidates must have Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects and at least one from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or Technical Vocational subject. If you have Biology or Biotechnology instead of Chemistry, you are still eligible for B.Tech.
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Marks in 12th: Subject-Wise Requirements by Course
The JEE Main subject-wise eligibility marks in 12th depend on whether you want to get into Engineering, Architecture or B. Planning.
NTA has clearly defined different subject combinations for B.Tech/B.E, B.Arch and B.Planning. If you don’t meet the required subject combination you might be disqualified during counselling.
- For B.Tech/B.E: Physics and Mathematics are the two non-negotiable subjects. The third subject can be anyone from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a technical vocational subject.
- For B.Arch: All three core science subjects are compulsory. Candidates without Chemistry in Class 12 are not eligible for B.Arch admission.
- For B.Planning: Only Mathematics is compulsory from a subject standpoint, but a minimum 50% aggregate in the qualifying examination is required for admission.
| Programme | JEE Main Paper | Compulsory Subjects in Class 12 | Optional Subjects (Any One) | Min. Aggregate % for Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B.Tech / B.E | Paper 1 | Physics, Mathematics, Language | Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational Subject | 75% (General/OBC/EWS) | 65% (SC/ST) |
| B.Arch | Paper 2A | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (all three) | Not applicable — all three core subjects mandatory | 45% aggregate in qualifying exam |
| B.Planning | Paper 2B | Mathematics | No specific optional subject required | 50% aggregate in qualifying exam |
Note: For B.Arch admission through the Council of Architecture, candidates must have scored a minimum of 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics together in the qualifying examination, in addition to passing individually in each.
Source: NTA JEE Main 2026 Information Bulletin | nta.ac.in/Engineeringexam
Also Read: Check JEE Main Category-wise Rank vs College Analysis
Ques. Is Chemistry compulsory in Class 12 for JEE Main B.Tech eligibility?
Ans. No. For B.Tech/B.E through JEE Main 2026, Chemistry is not compulsory. Students with Biology or Biotechnology in Class 12 are eligible as long as they also have Physics and Mathematics. However, Chemistry is mandatory for B.Arch (Paper 2A).
Ques. What is the minimum number of subjects required in Class 12 for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. As per NTA, candidates must have studied a minimum of 5 subjects in Class 12 or their equivalent qualifying examination. For B.Tech/B.E, the mandatory subjects are Physics, Mathematics, and Language along with at least one elective subject from the optional list and one additional subject.
JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 12th 2026: Category-Wise Percentage Breakdown
The JEE Main 12th percentage requirement for admission differs by category.
- General and OBC candidates need either 75% or a top 20 percentile board rank. If you scored 74% but topped your board, you still qualify through the percentile route.
- SC and ST candidates need either 65% or a top 20 percentile rank.
- PwD candidates follow the 65% minimum score criteria with the additional horizontal reservation of 5% seats per category.
| Category | Minimum Aggregate Marks in Class 12 | Alternative Route | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 75% | Top 20 Percentile in Board | Confirmed |
| OBC-NCL | 75% | Top 20 Percentile in Board | Confirmed |
| GEN-EWS | 75% | Top 20 Percentile in Board | Confirmed |
| SC | 65% | Top 20 Percentile in Board | Confirmed |
| ST | 65% | Top 20 Percentile in Board | Confirmed |
| PwD | 65% | Top 20 Percentile in Board | Confirmed |
Source: JEE Main 2026 Information Bulletin
Important: Meeting the 75% or 65% Class 12 requirement alone does not guarantee admission. Candidates must also achieve a good JEE Main rank. Meeting only the Class 12 criteria without a good JEE Main percentile will not get you admission at top NITs or IIITs.
Also Read:
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Ques. What is the JEE Main 12th percentage requirement for OBC category in 2026?
Ans. For OBC-NCL candidates, the minimum Class 12 aggregate marks required for admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs is 75%. Same as the General category. Alternatively, being in the top 20 percentile of the respective state board also satisfies this criterion.
Ques. If I score 70% in Class 12, can I still get admission through JEE Main 2026?
Ans. Yes, you can still appear for JEE Main 2026 with 70% in Class 12. There is no minimum marks requirement for the exam. However, for admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, you would need to be in the top 20 percentile of your board, since 70% does not meet the 75% threshold directly. Many private colleges and state universities set lower thresholds and may accept your score and JEE rank.
Ques. What is the minimum percentage in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics separately for JEE Main 2026?
Ans. NTA does not mandate a minimum subject-wise percentage in individual subjects (Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics) for appearing in JEE Main 2026. The 75% criterion (65% for SC/ST) refers to the overall aggregate in Class 12, not individual subject marks. However, a passing mark in each subject in Class 12 is required by the respective board.
How to Calculate the 75% Marks Requirement for JEE Main 2026
Many students are confused about whether the 75% criterion in JEE Main applies to all subjects or only PCM. Here is how NTA defines it and how candidates should calculate their aggregate.
Which Subjects Count in the 75% Calculation?
The 75% aggregate is calculated over the subjects in your Class 12 marksheet as per your board’s norm. Most students with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) take the aggregate over these three core subjects along with language and one elective.
NTA does not specify that only Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics are counted. All subjects in the qualifying exam contribute to the aggregate unless specified by the board.
- If your board calculates aggregate over best 5 subjects, use that figure to check against the 75% criterion.
- If your board takes all the 6 subjects for aggregate then use the overall aggregate mentioned in your mark sheet.
- If you studied a Language + 4 elective subjects, the aggregate is calculated over all subjects in the mark sheet.
75% vs Top 20 Percentile: Which Route is Easier?
- Students who just miss the 75% threshold but performed well relative to their board peers can use the top 20 percentile route to qualify for NIT/IIIT admission.
- The top 20 percentile cut-off varies by board. CBSE and state board students should check the JoSAA-published percentile thresholds released each year for their respective boards.
- The percentile route benefits students from tougher boards where the score distribution is lower than the national average.
| Route | Requirement | Who Benefits Most |
|---|---|---|
| 75% Aggregate | 75% overall in Class 12 (General/OBC/EWS) | 65% (SC/ST) | Students from boards with straightforward marking |
| Top 20 Percentile | Score in top 20% of all students in that board in that year | Students who score well relative to peers but below 75% absolute |
Also Read:
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JEE Main Eligibility Marks in 12th Subject wise 2026: Reddit Discussions
A user on the r/JEE thread on Reddit explained his confusion about the eligibility criteria for NIT admissions. They got 67% in Chemistry, 65% in Maths, and 63% in Physics, and the total aggregate is 76%, including 1 elective Biology, and belongs to the SC category. Another user suggests that they are eligible for NIT admissions.
In another Reddit discussion, a user explains the complete 75% eligibility criteria in JEE Main
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