In a major update this year, candidates aiming for the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) now have an additional shot at the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced. Previously limited to two attempts, aspirants can now take the exam up to three times within three consecutive years. This exciting shift provides a new opportunity for those who may have needed an extra chance to secure their dream of studying at an IIT.
Key Highlights for JEE Advanced 2025 Eligibility
Increased Attempts: Candidates can now attempt JEE Advanced three times in a row, an increase from the previous two-attempt limit. This change offers additional flexibility and relief for students who might need extra time to succeed.
Age Limit Adjustments: For JEE Advanced 2025, candidates must be born on or after October 1, 2000, with a five-year relaxation for those from SC, ST, and PwD categories (cutoff date: October 1, 1995).
To qualify for JEE Advanced, candidates must rank in the top 2.5 lakh (roughly) of JEE Main 2025 (BE/BTech Paper).
Due to rank ties, the number could exceed 2.5 lakh slightly.
Seat Distribution by Category: Seats are divided into the following categories: 10% for GEN-EWS, 27% for OBC-NCL, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, and 40.5% for General. Each category additionally has a 5% horizontal reservation for PwD applicants.
OCI/PIO Eligibility: According to a Supreme Court ruling, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) with OCI/PIO cards issued before March 4, 2021, will be considered Indian nationals for IIT admissions. They are only eligible for general seats and do not have access to category-based reservations, with the exception of the OPEN-PwD category.
Class 12 Requirements: Candidates must have taken the Class 12 (or equivalent) exams in 2023, 2024, or 2025, with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as key subjects. Those who appeared in 2022 or before are ineligible, regardless of the subjects they attempted. However, if board results from the 2021-22 session were released after September 21, 2022, candidates are eligible.
Previous IIT Admission Rule: If a candidate has been previously admitted to any IIT, they are not eligible to apply for JEE Advanced 2025, even if they left the program. Candidates who were allocated seats but either did not report or withdrew before final allocation are, however, still eligible.
Final Takeaway
The changes in JEE Advanced 2025 bring renewed hope for aspiring engineers. With the additional attempt, relaxed age limits, and clarified eligibility rules, students now have more flexibility to pursue their dreams of joining the IITs. This new approach could open doors for more students to achieve success on their path to one of India’s most sought-after institutions.