The National Testing Agency (NTA) has introduced significant changes to the eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced 2025. These adjustments aim to broaden access and provide more opportunities for students aspiring to gain admission to India's prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
Major Changes in Eligibility Criteria
Increase in Number of Attempts
Candidates are now permitted to attempt the JEE Advanced exam three times within three years. Previously, the limit was two attempts within two consecutive years. This change provides candidates with greater flexibility in their quest for IIT admissions.
Age Limit Criteria
To be eligible for JEE Advanced 2025, candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2000. There are relaxations for certain categories:
- SC, ST, and PwD candidates: Eligible if born on or after October 1, 1995.
Qualification through JEE Main
To qualify for JEE Advanced 2025, candidates must rank among the top 2,50,000 in the BE/BTech paper (Paper I) of JEE Main 2025. The reservation of these ranks is as follows:
- GEN-EWS: 10%
- OBC-NCL: 27%
- SC: 15%
- ST: 7.5%
- Open seats: 40.5%
- PwD candidates: 5% horizontal reservation in all categories
In the case of a tie, the number of qualified candidates may exceed 2.5 lakh to accommodate all successful candidates.
Class 12 Examination Requirements
Candidates must have appeared in the Class XII (or equivalent) examination in 2023, 2024, or 2025 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Candidates whose results were declared on or after September 21, 2022, are eligible to apply. Those whose results were declared before this date and are withheld are not eligible.
Previous Admissions to IITs
Candidates already admitted to any IIT are not eligible to apply for JEE Advanced 2025, unless permitted by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) business rules. Candidates whose IIT admission was canceled after enrollment are also ineligible. However, candidates attending a preparatory course at an IIT for the first time in 2024 are eligible. Additionally, candidates admitted through JoSAA who did not report or withdrew before the final round of allotment can apply.
OCI/PIO Candidates
Following the Supreme Court judgment in 2023, candidates who are Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders issued before March 4, 2021, are considered Indian citizens for seat allotment. However, they will only be eligible for the OPEN-PwD category.
Detailed Breakdown of JEE Advanced 2025 Eligibility Criteria
Number of Attempts
| Previous Criteria | New Criteria |
|---|---|
| 2 attempts in 2 years | 3 attempts in 3 years |
Candidates now have an additional attempt to clear JEE Advanced, providing them more chances to secure admission to an IIT.
Age Limit
| Category | Previous Cutoff Date | New Cutoff Date |
|---|---|---|
| General | Born on or after October 1, 2000 | Born on or after October 1, 2000 |
| SC, ST, PwD | Born on or after October 1, 1995 | Born on or after October 1, 1995 |
The age limit remains the same for general category candidates, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates continue to benefit from a five-year relaxation.
Qualification through JEE Main
To qualify for JEE Advanced, candidates must rank among the top 2,50,000 in the BE/BTech paper of JEE Main. The distribution of these ranks across different categories ensures a fair representation of various communities.
| Category | Percentage of Total Seats |
|---|---|
| GEN-EWS | 10% |
| OBC-NCL | 27% |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| Open Seats | 40.5% |
| PwD | 5% horizontal reservation |
This structured reservation helps maintain diversity and inclusion within the IITs.
Class 12 Examination Requirements
Candidates must have completed their Class XII (or equivalent) examination in 2023, 2024, or 2025. The inclusion of candidates whose results were declared after September 21, 2022, ensures that those who may have faced delays in result declaration are not disadvantaged.
Previous Admissions to IITs
Candidates who have been previously admitted to any IIT are generally not eligible for JEE Advanced 2025, with certain exceptions:
- Candidates whose IIT admission was canceled after enrollment.
- Candidates attending a preparatory course at an IIT for the first time in 2024.
- Candidates admitted through JoSAA who did not report or withdrew before the final round of allotment.
These exceptions provide some flexibility for candidates who may have had their academic journey interrupted for various reasons.
OCI/PIO Candidates
OCI/PIO cardholders issued before March 4, 2021, are treated as Indian citizens for the purpose of seat allotment. However, they are only eligible for the OPEN-PwD category. This decision follows a Supreme Court judgment aimed at providing clarity on the status of OCI/PIO candidates.
Candidates can now attempt JEE Advanced three times within three years, compared to the previous limit of two attempts in two consecutive years.
2. What is the new age limit for JEE Advanced 2025?Candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2000. SC, ST, and PwD candidates must be born on or after October 1, 1995.
3. How many candidates will qualify through JEE Main for JEE Advanced 2025?The top 2,50,000 candidates in the BE/BTech paper (Paper I) of JEE Main will qualify for JEE Advanced.
4. What are the Class 12 examination requirements for JEE Advanced 2025?Candidates must have appeared in the Class XII (or equivalent) examination in 2023, 2024, or 2025 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
5. Are candidates previously admitted to IITs eligible for JEE Advanced 2025?Candidates previously admitted to any IIT are generally not eligible, with certain exceptions such as those whose admission was canceled or those attending a preparatory course for the first time in 2024.
6. How are OCI/PIO candidates treated for JEE Advanced 2025?OCI/PIO cardholders issued before March 4, 2021, are treated as Indian citizens for seat allotment but are only eligible for the OPEN-PwD category.
Final Word from Us
The revised eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced 2025 aim to provide more opportunities and a fairer selection process for aspiring IIT students. With increased attempts, defined age limits, and clear qualification paths, candidates now have multiple ways to secure their place in one of India's premier engineering institutions. This inclusive approach ensures that a diverse pool of talented individuals can compete for admission to IITs, fostering an environment of excellence and innovation.
