Is 75% Criteria Still Required For JEE Main 2026? Clarified By NTA

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With JEE Main 2026 registrations underway, a recurring question among engineering aspirants is whether the 75% eligibility criterion is still applicable. Every year, this rule sparks confusion among students preparing for admission to India’s leading engineering institutes, such as NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued the official information bulletin for JEE (Main) 2026, which outlines the complete eligibility framework. This article explains the 75% rule in clear terms that what it means, when it applies, and what options are available for candidates who do not meet the required percentage.

The Official Verdict: 75% Criteria Remain in Place

The National Testing Agency has confirmed through the JEE Main 2026 information brochure released on the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in that the 75% criteria has not been removed. This means candidates seeking admission to premier engineering institutions must continue meeting specific board exam percentage requirements.

However, there's an important distinction that often confuses students: there is no minimum or maximum Class 12 percentage required for appearing in the JEE Main exam itself, but candidates need a minimum of 75% in Class 12 to secure admission in IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions.

In a nutshell, yes, the 75% criteria is still required for JEE Main 2026.

Understanding the 75% Criteria for JEE Main 2026

What Exactly is the 75% Rule?

The 75% rule requires candidates seeking admission through JEE Main into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs to secure at least 75% marks in Class 12 board exams for General, OBC, and EWS categories, or be in the top 20th percentile of their respective board results.

Category-Wise Requirements

The eligibility criteria vary based on reservation categories:

General, OBC-NCL, and EWS Categories:

Minimum 75% marks in Class 12 board exams, OR
Top 20 percentile in their respective board

SC, ST, and PwD Categories:

Minimum 65% marks in Class 12 board exams (10% relaxation), OR
Top 20 percentile in their respective board

Also See: The JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern Might Surprise You — Here’s Why

Two-Level Eligibility: Appearing vs. Admission

This is where many students get confused. The JEE Main 2026 eligibility operates on two distinct levels:

Level 1: Eligibility to Appear for JEE Main

Candidates can appear in JEE Main irrespective of their percentage in Class 12. There is no requirement for JEE Main eligibility marks in Class 12 for appearing in the exam. Students only need to have:

Passed Class 12 or equivalent in 2024 or 2025, OR
Appearing for Class 12 in 2026
Physics and Mathematics as mandatory subjects
One subject from Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a Technical Vocational subject

Level 2: Eligibility for Admission

The eligibility criteria of a minimum of 75% marks in Class 12 are required at the time of admission in NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. This means even if a candidate scores exceptionally well in JEE Main but fails to meet the 75% board criteria, admission to these premier institutes will not be possible.

Impact on JEE Advanced 2026

To apply for the JEE Advanced exam, candidates must have secured at least 75% in their qualifying exam (65% for SC/ST categories). The top 2,50,000 qualifiers of JEE Main 2026 who also meet the board percentage requirement become eligible for JEE Advanced, which is the gateway to IITs.

This creates a double barrier: students must not only qualify for JEE Main but also satisfy the board percentage criteria to proceed to JEE Advanced and eventually secure IIT admission.

Does the 75% Criteria Apply to Droppers?

Yes, absolutely. The 75% criteria for JEE 2026 will apply to droppers as well. The authority has not removed the 75% criterion for JEE 2026 droppers. Students who completed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025 must still meet the same board percentage requirements for admission into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs.

Calculating the 75% Aggregate

Students often wonder which subjects count toward the 75% requirement. The aggregate includes:

Physics (mandatory)
Mathematics (mandatory)
Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational subject
One language subject (if multiple language subjects are studied, the one with higher marks is considered)
One additional subject as prescribed by the board

Also See: JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Updated: New NTA Rules, Age Limit, Qualification & Attempts

The 75% is calculated based on the aggregate marks, not just Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

What If Board Results Are Below 75%?

Students scoring below 75% in Class 12 face limited options:

Can still appear for JEE Main: Candidates are eligible with 60% marks in Class 12, but they may not be eligible for admission into IITs, NITs, and other CFTIs.
Alternative admission routes: Some state government colleges and private engineering institutions do not follow the 75% criteria.
Improvement exams: Students can attempt board improvement exams to raise their percentage.

Also See: JEE Main 2026 Application Form Rejected? Here's What NTA's Bulletin Really Says About Corrections

Preparing for Both: Board Exams and JEE Main

The 75% criterion makes it imperative for students to balance board exam preparation with JEE Main preparation. Here's how students can strategize:

Start board exam preparation seriously from Class 11 itself
Don't neglect NCERT textbooks; they form the foundation for both boards and JEE
Allocate specific time for board-oriented questions and numerical problems
Give equal importance to the theory portions required in board exams
Attempt previous years' board papers alongside JEE practice

Key Takeaways: JEE Main 2026

The 75% criterion has NOT been removed for JEE Main 2026 admissions
No percentage requirement to appear for the JEE Main exam itself
75% (General/OBC/EWS) or 65% (SC/ST) required for admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs
The same criteria apply to JEE Advanced eligibility and IIT admissions
Droppers must also meet the 75% board requirement
The top 20 percentile option provides an alternative pathway to the fixed percentage
Balance both examinations: Students must prioritize board exams alongside JEE preparation

Also See: How to Balance Board Exams and JEE Main 2026 Preparation

Also See: JEE Main 2026 Chapter-wise Weightage: High-Scoring Topics You Can’t Miss!

JEE Main 2026 Syllabus PDF Download

Updated Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main 2026

Where Will You Take JEE Main 2026? Find Out Here!

The JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern Might Surprise You — Here’s Why

Conclusion

The NTA has made it clear that the 75% eligibility criteria remain firmly in place. While students can appear for JEE Main regardless of their board percentage, admission to premier institutions like NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs requires meeting this threshold.

Aspiring engineers for JEE Main 2026 should focus on performing well in both board examinations and competitive exam preparation. The dual requirement isn't a hindrance but rather ensures that students entering India's top engineering institutes possess both competitive aptitude and solid academic fundamentals.

For the latest updates and any potential changes, students should regularly monitor the official NTA website at jeemain.nta.nic.in and refer to the official information bulletin for JEE Main 2026.

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