How Many Attempts for JEE Main 2026? Know the Attempt Rules, Its Benefits, & Important Dates

Many engineering aspirants often think about how many times they can appear for JEE Main 2026. According to the official guidelines set by the National Testing Agency (NTA), JEE Main is conducted twice a year: once in January and once in April. Over a period of three consecutive years, a student can attempt the exam up to six times. However, candidates must ensure that these attempts fall within three years of passing their Class 12th exam. For example, students who passed class 12th in 2024, 2025, or are appearing in 2026 are eligible for the full six attempts. Understanding the number of attempts is important for those planning for admission to institutes like NITs, IIITs, and IITs. Additionally, there is no upper age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2026, which allows candidates the flexibility to plan their attempts according to their preparation.

Number of Attempts Allowed for JEE Main 2026

JEE Main 2026 will be conducted in two sessions: the first in January and the second in April, and candidates can choose to appear in one or both sessions. Each session is counted as a separate attempt. According to NTA rules, students can appear for JEE Main for up to three consecutive years from the year they pass Class 12, with a maximum of two attempts per year. This means a student passing Class 12 in 2026 can take the exam in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Hence, JEE Main 2026 Attempt Limit is 6. Similarly, students who passed Class 12 in 2024 are also eligible to appear in JEE Main 2026.

Category-wise JEE Mains 2026 Attempt Limit

The attempt limit for JEE Main 2026 also differs based on category. There is some relaxation in the 75% eligibility criteria for SC/ST/OBC students. However, it’s important to know that the attempt limit remains the same for all categories. Candidates from the general category, OBC, SC, ST, or other reserved categories can appear for JEE Main a maximum of six times in total over three consecutive years, with two attempts allowed each year.

Can I Skip a JEE Main Session?

It’s important to know how attempts are counted when planning for JEE Main 2026. Each session of the exam, in January and April, is considered a separate attempt. So, if a candidate appears in both sessions in the same year, it counts as two attempts.

Many students think that they can skip a session to save an attempt for later. Unfortunately, there is no provision to do this. The JEE Main 2026 Attempt Limit is tied to the three consecutive years following the year of passing Class 12. Even if a candidate skips a session, the overall eligibility period still expires after three years, which means missing a session does not extend the total number of eligible attempts.

Validity of JEE Main 2026 Score

The JEE Main 2026 score is valid only for the same year in which the exam is taken. This means that candidates who appear in JEE Main 2026 can use their score to apply for admission to various colleges and institutes for the 2026 academic session only. The results and scorecards can be accessed on the official NTA website at jeemain.nta.ac.in.

Important Dates of JEE Main 2026

The JEE Main 2026 Application Form for the session is out, and the last date to register is November 27, 2025. Find out the important dates related to JEE Main 2026 in the table shown below:

Get more details on Exam Cutoffs

What are the Benefits of Multiple Attempts for JEE Main 2026?

Given below are the benefits of multiple attempts for JEE Main 2026 for students’ reference:

• Candidates who are not satisfied with their scores in the first session can improve their performance in the second session.
• The second attempt allows aspirants to correct mistakes made in the first exam.
• Multiple attempts help students become familiar with the exam environment.
• If a candidate misses the first session due to any circumstances, they can still appear in the second session without waiting for another year.
• Students can target a better percentile and rank by using both sessions in the same academic year.

To Conclude

JEE Main 2026 offers a flexible approach to students who plan to pursue their engineering dreams. With two sessions each year and a maximum of six attempts over three consecutive years, students have multiple opportunities to improve their scores, learn from mistakes, and aim for a better rank. By understanding the attempt rules, important dates, and advantages of multiple sessions, candidates can plan their preparation strategically and make the most of their efforts.