The NTA JEE Main 2025 is the gateway to India’s top engineering colleges, including NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. If you’re aiming for IITs, clearing JEE Main is the first step to qualifying for JEE Advanced. But before diving into preparation, understanding the eligibility criteria, age limit, and educational qualifications is crucial. Miss these details, and you might lose a year! Let’s break it all down—no jargon, just clear facts—so you can plan your exam strategy without any last-minute surprises.
Key Highlights 🔍
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organizing Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Levels | Two papers – Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) & Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) except for B.Arch Drawing Test |
| Age Limit | No age limit for JEE Main (but JEE Advanced has restrictions) |
| Attempts Allowed | 3 consecutive years (2025, 2026, 2027 if eligible) |
| Qualifying Exam | Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics |
| Minimum Marks | 75% aggregate or in top 20 percentile (65% for SC/ST) |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.ac.in |
Who Can Apply for JEE Main 2025? 📝
1. Age Limit 🎂
Good news—there’s no age limit for JEE Main! Unlike earlier when the cap was 25 years (30 for SC/ST), now anyone can attempt it. But remember:
- JEE Advanced (for IITs) has an age limit—you must be born on or after October 1, 2000 (relaxation for SC/ST/PwD).
- No restriction on attempts as long as you meet educational criteria.
2. Educational Qualifications 📚
To be eligible, you must:
- Pass Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2023, 2024, or appearing in 2025.
- Have Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) as core subjects.
- Score 75% marks (or be in the top 20 percentile) of your board.
Exception: SC/ST candidates need only 65%.
What If You Don’t Meet the 75% Criteria?
- You can still appear for JEE Main, but admission to NITs/IIITs requires 75%.
- Some private colleges accept lower scores, so check their criteria.
Number of Attempts Allowed 🔄
NTA allows 3 consecutive attempts starting from the year you first appear.
| First Attempt Year | Valid Attempt Years |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025, 2026, 2027 |
| 2026 | 2026, 2027, 2028 |
Note: If you first appeared in 2024, 2025 will be your second attempt.
Subject-Wise Eligibility for Different Papers 📖
JEE Main has two papers:
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) – Mandatory PCM.
- Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) – Different subject combos.
| Paper | Required Subjects |
|---|---|
| B.E./B.Tech | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| B.Arch | Physics, Chemistry, Math + Drawing Skills |
| B.Planning | Math + A qualifying exam in any stream |
Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about your stream, Paper 1 (B.Tech) is the safest choice.
State-Specific Quota Rules 🏛️
Some states have additional criteria for admission via JEE Main:
| State | Special Requirement |
|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | Must have studied Class 11 & 12 in MP |
| Haryana | 75% in Class 12 from Haryana board |
| Telangana | Local candidates get 85% seats reserved |
Always check your state’s engineering admission policy before applying.
Documents Required for JEE Main 2025 📄
When filling the form, keep these ready:
| Document | Format |
|---|---|
| Class 10 Marksheet | Scanned PDF (under 500 KB) |
| Class 12 Marksheet/Admit | Scanned PDF (if appearing) |
| Passport-sized Photo | JPEG (10-200 KB) |
| Signature | JPEG (4-30 KB) |
| Category Certificate (if applicable) | PDF (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) |
Mistake to Avoid: Blurry scans can lead to rejection—double-check before uploading!
Final Checklist Before Applying ✅
Before hitting “Submit,” ensure:
✔ You meet the 75% (65% for SC/ST) criteria or are in the top 20 percentile.
✔ Your subjects (PCM) match the paper you’re applying for.
✔ You’ve verified state-specific rules (if applying for state quota).
✔ All documents are clear and correctly uploaded.
Rohan Malhotra is a tech writer focusing on recruitment notifications in the IT sector. He holds a degree in Computer Applications and has 3+ years of experience. Rohan enjoys coding and participating in hackathons.
