JEE Main 2027: NTA Releases Eligibility Criteria and Application Schedule

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the eligibility criteria and registration schedule for the JEE Main 2027 examination. Students planning to pursue undergraduate engineering programs are encouraged to review the specific requirements regarding qualifying examinations, subject combinations, and the application timeline to ensure their eligibility before submitting their forms.

Registration for the first session of the examination commenced on October 24, 2026. The NTA has set the primary deadline for online applications for November 22, 2026. For those who miss this initial window, a late registration period will be available from November 23 to November 26, 2026, subject to an additional late fee of INR 500. Interested candidates are required to complete their registration through the official NTA website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.

Eligibility Requirements and Academic Criteria

Regarding academic qualifications, the NTA has clarified that candidates who successfully passed their Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2025 or 2026 are eligible to apply. Additionally, students currently appearing for their Class 12 examinations in 2027 are also permitted to register. The agency emphasized that the passing year is defined as the year in which a candidate was declared successful in their qualifying examination for the first time; appearing for improvement examinations does not alter this designated pass year.

There is no prescribed age limit for candidates appearing in the JEE Main 2027 examination. However, the NTA notes that students must satisfy any specific age or academic criteria mandated by the individual institutions where they intend to seek admission. While the NTA does not set a minimum percentage requirement for appearing in the JEE Main exam itself, students are strongly advised to verify the specific admission criteria of their target institutions, particularly for NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs), as these bodies may enforce their own performance standards.

Subject Combinations and Institutional Admission

To be eligible for B.E./B.Tech programs, candidates must have completed a specific set of subjects. The mandatory requirements include Physics and Mathematics. For the third subject, candidates must have studied Chemistry, Information Technology, Biotechnology, or an equivalent technical subject. It is essential for applicants to ensure that their chosen subject combination aligns with the admission policies of the participating colleges and universities they aim to join.

As the registration process is currently underway, candidates should carefully review the official information brochure provided by the NTA. By ensuring all documentation and subject requirements are met well in advance of the November 22 deadline, students can avoid the need for late-fee submissions and ensure a smooth application process for the upcoming session.