JEE Advanced 2025: Get a Third Chance to Join IIT

In a game-changing update for engineering aspirants, the eligibility rules for the prestigious JEE Advanced have been revised, offering candidates an additional chance to secure a seat at the coveted Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Starting with the 2025 exam, candidates can now appear for JEE Advanced three times within three consecutive years, a significant shift from the previous limit of two attempts.

This update is set to bring relief and renewed hope to students, providing them more flexibility and time to achieve their IIT dream. Let’s dive into the key updates and what they mean for future engineers!

Key Highlights of JEE Advanced 2025 Eligibility

1. Three Attempts Now Allowed

The biggest highlight is the increase in the number of attempts. Candidates can now take the exam three times in three consecutive years, up from the earlier limit of two attempts. This provides much-needed breathing space for those who may require extra preparation or faced setbacks in their earlier attempts.

2. Revised Age Criteria

Candidates for JEE Advanced 2025 must have been born on or after October 1, 2000

There’s a five-year relaxation for candidates from SC, ST, and PwD categories, setting the cutoff to October 1, 1995.

3. Qualifying Through JEE Main

To appear for JEE Advanced, candidates must first secure a rank among the top 2.5 lakh performers in JEE Main 2025 (BE/BTech Paper). While this number may slightly exceed 2.5 lakh due to rank ties, it’s a crucial stepping stone for IIT aspirants.

4. Category-Wise Seat Distribution

Seats for IIT admissions are distributed as follows:

General: 40.5%
GEN-EWS: 10%
OBC-NCL: 27%
SC: 15%
ST: 7.5%

Within each category, 5% horizontal reservation is provided for PwD candidates.

5. OCI/PIO Candidates Welcomed

In compliance with a Supreme Court ruling, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) with cards issued before March 4, 2021, are now treated as Indian nationals. However, they will only be eligible for general category seats, except for the OPEN-PwD category.

Other Essential Eligibility Rules

Class 12 Requirements: Candidates must have completed their Class 12 (or equivalent) exams in 2023, 2024, or 2025 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Those who appeared in or before 2022 are not eligible.

Exception: If a candidate’s board results from the 2021-22 academic year were released after September 21, 2022, they are eligible.

Previous IIT Admissions:

• Candidates previously admitted to any IIT are ineligible, even if they left the program.
• However, those who were allotted seats but did not report or withdrew before final seat allocation remain eligible.

What These Changes Mean for Aspirants

• These new eligibility criteria offer students more opportunities and flexibility in pursuing their IIT dreams.
• The additional attempt can be a game-changer for those who may have faced challenges in their initial tries.
• The clarity in rules regarding OCI/PIO candidates and the revised age limits further ensures that deserving candidates, irrespective of background, have a fair shot at success.

Final Thoughts

With JEE Advanced 2025, aspiring engineers can aim higher with added opportunities and time to refine their preparation. This update is a positive step towards creating a more inclusive and student-friendly process, ensuring that no dream goes unfulfilled due to time constraints or technical hurdles.

If you’re an IIT aspirant, this is your time to gear up and make the most of these changes. The route may be difficult, but the destination is worth it!