The JEE Main 2026 examination will take place in January and April next year. The exam is one of the most difficult and competitive examinations held in India each year. For some students, taking the exam once may not be enough due to the paper’s difficulty. Unlike other exams however, the JEE Main examination does have a limit on the number of attempts that can be taken by students. This article highlights the total number of attempts students can take for the JEE Main examination as well as various important details about the examination for students’ reference.
Total Number of Attempts for JEE Main 2026
Students attempting to give the JEE Main examination in 2026 will have a total of 6 tries to give the examination. All students looking to give the examination next year will have the chance to give and clear the exam a total of 6 times between 2026 and 2028. Since the exam takes place twice a year in January and April, students will have the option to take the exam in both those months for each of those years starting in 2026.
JEE Main Maximum Attempts Allowed
In general, all students are only allowed a total of 6 attempts to give the JEE Main examination, regardless of their category. Students from the year of completing their class 12th, have 3 years to clear the JEE Main exam, with the opportunity to give the exam twice a year in January and April. This means that students have a total of 6 attempts allowed for the JEE Main examination, as long as they meet the required eligibility criteria.
After the 3-year time period has ended, students will not be permitted to sit for the JEE Main examination, regardless of the number of times they appeared. Even if a student misses an attempt for the exam, if they wish to take the JEE Main exam after the 3-year period has ended, they will not be allowed to.
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Why Does JEE Main Have an Attempt Limit?
The JEE Main examination has several reasons to have a limit on the number of attempts. The reasons include wanting to reduce the overall competition for the exam by limiting the total students who retake the exam each year.
It also has to do with protecting students who keep re-attempting the paper taking ‘gap’ years hoping to get into their desired college, despite being unable to. This can act as a form of ‘reality-check’ and can help students pursue other ventures instead of re-attempting the same exam each year. This limit on the number of attempts also helps alleviate students from family and peer-pressure as well.
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Provided below is an overview of the eligibility criteria for the JEE Main examination. Students looking to appear for the JEE Main exam must meet the required criteria, regardless of their attempt number. The JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria is as follows:
Particular | Detail |
Age Limit | None |
Qualifying Exam | Class 10+2 Board Examinations from a recognized board |
Year of Passing From Qualified Exam | 2024, 2025 or appearing in 2026 |
Background Subjects |
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Admission Criteria | For BTech, BArch and BPlan Courses, general categorystudents must have attained a minimum 75% score to be eligible for NITs and IITs. |
Class 12th Percentage | 75% |
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JEE Main Difficulty
The JEE Mains examination is considered to be a fairly difficult paper for students to crack. More than just being a difficult paper to score high on in of itself, lakhs of students take the exam as well hoping to give the JEE Advanced exam and get into some of the top IITs in India. Giving the exam can be a very difficult process due to the sheer competition as well as the exam itself.
Due to the exam’s competition and difficulty, multiple attempts for the exam may be required by students who struggle with the subjects and topics of the exam. It is completely normal for students to take multiple attempts for the JEE Main examination due to the mentioned factors and students will have the chance to take the exam twice in a given year.
However, being well-prepared for the Main exam can help students develop the discipline that is needed to crack the Advanced exam as well. The JEE Main exam is easier than the Advanced exam and students who thoroughly studied for the Main exam will have a relatively easier time when attempting the JEE Advanced examination as well
