The JEE Main 2026 registrations can begin anytime soon now, and those ready to apply must familiarise themselves with the JEE Main eligibility criteria beforehand. The JEE eligibility is set by the examination authority, which is NTA in this case. It defines the minimum age required to sit for this exam, the minimum marks in qualifying examination, and other things like reservation criteria (if any).
Now a common question that arises here is - “Is there any stream eligibility as well?” Those who have studied their class 11th and 12th from streams other than non-medical (PCM) may wonder if they are eligible for appearing in JEE Main. With this article we aim to answer this question and discuss the JEE Main eligibility criteria in depth.
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is one of India’s most competitive national-level entrance exams, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It primarily serves as a gateway for admission to undergraduate engineering, architecture, and planning courses in prestigious institutes such as NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions.
A common question among students from non-science backgrounds is — Can a Commerce student appear for the JEE Main exam? Let’s explore this in detail.
Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main
Before applying for JEE Main, it is important to understand the official eligibility conditions laid down by NTA.
Eligibility Factor | Details |
Educational Qualification | The candidate must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination from a recognized board. |
Compulsory Subjects | For B.E./B.Tech, candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics along with one of Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational subjects in Class 12. |
Year of Passing | Candidates should have passed Class 12 in 2023, 2024, or appearing in 2025. |
Attempts Allowed | Students can appear for JEE Main in three consecutive years after Class 12. |
From the table, it is clear that Mathematics and Physics are mandatory subjects for B.E./B.Tech admissions through JEE Main.
Also check → JEE Main Syllabus
Can Commerce Students Apply for JEE Main?
The short answer is No, Commerce students cannot appear for the JEE Main exam for engineering programs unless they had Physics and Mathematics as part of their Class 12 curriculum.
However, there is one exception — Commerce students with Mathematics can apply for certain programs under JEE Main, such as B.Arch or B.Planning, provided they meet the required subject combination.
Read in detail → JEE Main exam pattern
JEE Main Courses and Subject Requirements
Course | Required Subjects in Class 12 | Eligible Streams |
B.E./B.Tech | Physics, Mathematics, and one of Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational Subject | Science stream only |
B.Arch (Paper 2A) | Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry | Science stream only |
B.Planning (Paper 2B) | Mathematics (compulsory) | Students from Science, Commerce, or Arts streams with Mathematics are eligible |
So, a Commerce student with Mathematics can appear for the B.Planning paper of JEE Main. But for B.Tech or B.Arch, Physics is mandatory, which is not included in the Commerce curriculum.
Alternative Options for Commerce Students
If you are a Commerce student but interested in a technical or analytical career path, here are some alternative options to explore:
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) – for careers in IT and software.
- BBA or Integrated MBA – for management and business roles.
- B.Com (Hons.) or BA (Economics) – for finance, accounting, and economics domains.
- Professional Courses – such as CA, CS, CMA, or CFA.
- Data Analytics or FinTech programs – for tech-driven finance roles.
These alternatives align well with Commerce subjects and still allow you to build strong, rewarding careers.
Key Takeaway
While Commerce students cannot appear for the engineering papers of JEE Main (B.E./B.Tech) due to the absence of Physics and Chemistry in their curriculum, they can apply for the B.Planning paper if they have Mathematics as a subject in Class 12.
So, the eligibility depends entirely on your subject combination — not just your stream name.
