JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2021

Before you proceed with the application process for JEE Main Exam, it is important for you to go through the eligibility criteria. From this year, there are few key changes introduced in the JEE Main Eligibility Criteria which will be explained in this post. 

One of the major eligibility criteria to note is that there is no age limit to apply for Joint Entrance Exam 2021. Isn't it great? Well, read through the article to know more. 

JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2021

There are various parameters to be checked under eligibility criteria that include age limit, educational qualifications, nationality, and reservation criteria. Let us understand in deep of all these criteria in this post. 

After you have gone through the eligibility details, don't miss the opportunity of filling the JEE Main Paper 2 Application Form. The last date to fill the form is until 16th January 2021 for the 1st session. 

JEE Main Age Limit 2021

• This year, to apply for JEE Main 2021, there is no age limit.
• If you have passed the class 12 or equivalent examination in 2019, 2020, or appearing in 2021 irrespective of your age can appear in JEE (Main) 2021 examination.
• But, you need to fulfill the age limit prescribed by the respective Institute that you desire to get admission.

JEE Main Educational Qualification 2021

• As per the JEE Main Eligibility criteria, only those who have passes class 12/ equivalent examination in 2019, 2020 or 2021 can apply.
• Also, those who are appearing in Class 12 / equivalent examination in 2021 can apply.
• But, note that those who passed Class 12/equivalent examination in 2018 or before as well as those who will appear in such examination in 2022 or later are not eligible to apply for JEE Main 2021 Exam.

JEE Main State of Eligibility 2021

• State code of Eligibility is the code of state from where you have passed class 12 or equivalent. 
• Remember that the State code of eligibility does NOT depend upon the native place or the place of residence of the candidate.
• For instance, if you have appeared for the class 12 examination in New Delhi and you are a resident of Noida, UP, then your state code of eligibility will be New Delhi and NOT UP.
• If you appeared or appearing for class 12 from NIOS, then you must select the state code of eligibility as per the state in which the study center is located. 
• For Indian nationals passing the Class XII (or equivalent) examination from Nepal/Bhutan, the State code of eligibility will be determined based on a permanent address in India as given in the passport.
• The State code of eligibility of OCI/PIO passing Class XII (or equivalent) examination in India is at par with Indian nationals.

List of Qualifying Examinations

If you are applying for JEE Main, then make sure you have qualified in any of the below-listed exams and have the concerned documents.

1. The final examination of the 10+2 system, conducted by any recognized Central/ State Board, such as Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi; Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi; etc.
2. Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination conducted by a recognized Board/ University.
3. Final examination of the two-year course of the Joint Services Wing of the National Defense Academy
4. Senior Secondary School Examination conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.
5. Any Public School/ Board/ University examination in India or any foreign country recognized as equivalent to the 10+2 system by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
6. Higher Secondary Certificate Vocational Examination.
7. A Diploma recognized by AICTE or a State board of technical education of at least 3 years duration.
8. General Certificate Education (GCE) examination (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka) at the Advanced (A) level.
9. High School Certificate Examination of the Cambridge University or International Baccalaureate Diploma of the International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva.

JEE Main Eligibility for Droppers

There are no specific criteria for aspirants who have a year gap after class 12 or wish to reappear for the exam. But, there are few prerequisites as listed below:

• You must have obtained an aggregate of 75% or be amongst the top 20 percentile of their respective boards. For the SC/ST category, at least 65% of marks are required.
• Only three attempts are allowed for JEE Main in continuity. Hence, it is essential that you have passed your Class 12 exams in 2019 or 2020.
• Any applicant must have had at least five subjects for the 12th class or qualifying exam with compulsory ones in the form of Physics, Mathematics, and chemistry/biology/biotechnology.

JEE Main Eligibility Criteria - Reservations

As per the central government norms, the reservations for categories is as tabulated below:

JEE Main Eligibility Criteria for Persons with Disability (PwD)

As per RPwD Act, “Persons with Disability (PwD)” means a person with long term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairment which, in interaction with barriers, hinders his full and effective participation in society equally with others. 

As per Section 2(r) of the RPwD Act, 2016, “persons with benchmark disabilities” means a person with not less than forty percent (40%) of a specified disability where specified disability has not been defined in measurable terms and includes a person with a disability where specified disability has been defined in measurable terms, as certified by the certifying authority.

The specified disabilities included in the Schedule of the RPwD Act, are as follows: