JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Rules and Exam Schedule Remain Available

IIT Roorkee has maintained the official eligibility rules and comprehensive exam schedule for JEE Advanced 2026 as of February 11.The national-level entrance test for IIT admissions is set for May 17, 2026.Aspirants must ensure they rank within the top 2.5 lakh qualifiers of JEE Main 2026 and meet the 75% aggregate board marks mandate. Detailed criteria regarding age limits and the two-attempt policy are accessible on the official portal for all engineering candidates.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, the organizing body for the current academic cycle, has confirmed that the eligibility criteria and official schedule for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2026 remain active and accessible for public reference. As of 11 February 2026, the institute has reiterated the stringent guidelines that govern admission to the 23 premier IITs across India. With the JEE Main Session 1 results expected tomorrow, thousands of high-scoring aspirants are already pivoting their focus toward the Advanced stage, which remains the sole gateway for undergraduate engineering seats at the nation's most prestigious technical institutions.

Core Eligibility and The Top 2.5 Lakh Rule

The primary filter for the JEE Advanced 2026 is the performance in the JEE Main Paper 1. Only the top 2,50,000 successful candidates (including all categories) are eligible to register for the final advanced test. According to the Official Information Brochure, the distribution follows the national reservation policy: 10% for GEN-EWS, 27% for OBC-NCL, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, and the remaining 40.5% for the OPEN category. This shortlist is the foundational step, ensuring that only the most mathematically and analytically proficient students progress to the next level of evaluation.

• Board Marks Mandate: Candidates must secure at least 75% aggregate marks (65% for SC/ST/PwD) in their Class 12 or equivalent board exams.
• Attempt Limit: An individual can attempt the advanced examination a maximum of two times in two consecutive years.
• Age Constraint: For the 2026 cycle, candidates must have been born on or after October 1, 2001 (with a 5-year relaxation for reserved categories).
• Prior IIT Admission: Candidates who have previously joined an IIT or had their admission cancelled are generally ineligible to appear.

Official Examination Timeline and Shift Details

The IIT Roorkee has scheduled the examination for Sunday, May 17, 2026. The test will be conducted in a fully Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, consisting of two mandatory three-hour papers. Both Paper 1 and Paper 2 must be attempted by the aspirants to be considered for the final merit list. The schedule is designed to test the mental endurance and problem-solving depth of the students over a six-hour period, covering advanced concepts in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

• Foreign Nationals: The registration for OCI/PIO and foreign candidates is set to open earlier, on April 6, 2026.
• Result Declaration: The final answer keys and results are tentatively expected on June 1, 2026, marking the start of the JoSAA counselling.
• AAT 2026: Candidates seeking admission to B.Arch programs must register for the Architecture Aptitude Test immediately after the results.

Conclusion

The 11 February update serves as a critical checkpoint for the 2026 engineering intake. By keeping the guidelines transparent and the schedule fixed, IIT Roorkee provides a stable framework for students to plan their final revision. As the shortlist from the Main session becomes clearer in the coming weeks, the intensity of preparation is expected to reach a fever pitch. Aspirants are urged to regularly visit the JEE Advanced official website to stay updated on any minor procedural changes or document requirements for the April registration window. Adhering to these established rules is not just a formality but a prerequisite for entering the hallowed halls of the Indian Institutes of Technology.

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