According to the NTA report, a candidate can appear for JEE Main a total of six times, with two separate sessions each, over three consecutive years. The best of both sessions is considered for the final JEE Main result and admissions.
Reserved category candidates also receive a total of six attempts, with no relaxation provided.
There is no age limit applied. Candidates who passed their 12th grade in 2025, 2026, or are appearing in 2027 are eligible to apply. Candidates who passed Class 12th in 2024 or earlier are not eligible for JEE Main 2027.
The passing year for Class XII (or equivalent) refers to the year when a candidate first receives a “pass” result in that examination.
For example, if a candidate passes Class XII with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in 2024 but clears Maths in 2025, NTA considers 2024 as the official passing year for JEE Main eligibility. Subsequent improvement exams or mark upgrades do not reset this date or count as new attempts.
JEE Main Attempt Limit: Impact of a Dropout Year
JEE Main is conducted in two sessions; candidates appearing for session 1 will get the firsthand experience. By knowing their mistakes, they can improve in the next session. This process eliminates the need to drop a full year, preserving all six attempts within the three-year eligibility window.
Can 2024 Passouts Get 6 JEE Main Attempts from 2027 After Dropout?
No, if you passed Class 12 in 2024, your eligibility ends after 2026. Candidates get six attempts total across 2024, 2025, and 2026 (two sessions each year). By 2027, the three-year window will close completely, regardless of dropping a year.
Check: How to Apply for JEE Main 2027?
Does Skipping the JEE Main Session After Registration Count as an Attempt?
No, registering for JEE Main Session 1 but skipping the exam does not count as an attempt under NTA rules. An attempt registers only when you actually appear and submit the paper.