JEE Main 2026 Attempt Limit – How Many Times Can You Appear?
The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the JEE Main exam, allows candidates to appear up to six times in total. The exam is held twice a year — once in January and again in April.
Aspirants can take the exam for three consecutive years from the year they pass their Class 12 board examination. For instance:
- Students who passed Class 12 in 2024 can appear in JEE Main 2024, 2025, and 2026 (two sessions per year).
- Those appearing for Class 12 in 2026 can attempt the exam in 2026, 2027, and 2028.
This means candidates get two attempts per year × three years = six total attempts.
Importantly, there is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main, as long as the Class 12 qualification year fits within this three-year window.
Number of Sessions for JEE Main 2026
As announced by NTA, JEE Main 2026 will be conducted in two sessions:
- Session 1: January 21–30, 2026
- Session 2: April 1–10, 2026
Candidates can appear in either one session or both. Each session counts as one attempt, even though they fall in the same academic year. The best NTA score among both sessions will be considered for final ranking and JoSAA counselling.
Attempt Limit for Reserved and General Categories
There is often confusion about whether category-based relaxations apply to the attempt limit. While SC/ST/OBC students do get relaxation in the 75% marks eligibility rule, the attempt limit remains the same for all categories — a total of six attempts across three years.
What Counts as an Attempt?
Every session a candidate appears in is considered one attempt. For example, if you write both the January and April exams in a single year, that counts as two attempts.
Skipping a session does not extend eligibility beyond the three-year limit. The attempt window is strictly tied to the year of passing Class 12.
Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main 2026
To apply for JEE Main 2026, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024 or 2025, or be appearing in 2026.
- Must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with one optional subject among Chemistry, Biology, or Technical Vocational subject.
- No upper age limit applies.
- No minimum board percentage is required to appear for the exam (though individual institutes may have specific criteria for admission).
Why Multiple Attempts Are an Advantage
Having multiple sessions and years to attempt JEE Main offers several benefits:
- A chance to improve your score without wasting an academic year.
- The opportunity to gain experience with the actual exam format and reduce stress.
- A better shot at achieving a higher percentile and rank in subsequent sessions.
- In case of unforeseen circumstances, students still have another chance in the same year.
How NTA Calculates Scores for Multiple Sessions
If a student appears in both sessions of JEE Main in a single year, the higher NTA score between the two will be used to prepare the final merit list. The result validity applies for that specific academic year only.
Key Takeaway
In summary, candidates can attempt JEE Main up to six times over three consecutive years from their Class 12 passing year. With two sessions each year — in January and April — students have multiple opportunities to maximize their performance and secure admission to top engineering colleges across India.