How Much Percentage Required For IIT: Complete Details (2026)

Getting into an IIT is the dream of many students who wish to pursue engineering at the best institutions in India. However, with so many steps involved, it can be overwhelming to understand what it truly requires. One of the most common questions is about the percentage required in Class XII to get into an IIT. The admission process may seem complicated, but it’s simpler when you break it down. There are two main exams: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. While Class XII marks play an important role in your eligibility, there is no fixed percentage requirement for JEE Advanced. 

However, understanding the details of how your Class XII performance affects your chances is crucial. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the percentage requirements for IIT admissions, the importance of JEE Main, and the eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced. Let’s dive in and clear all your doubts!

How Much Percentage Required For IIT?

For IIT Admission, there is no minimum Class XII percentage requirement from 2021, but you must pass Class XII with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. For NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs through JEE Main, General/EWS/OBC need 75%, and SC/ST/PwD need 65% in PCM.

Understanding the Two-Step Process: JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced)

The journey to an IIT begins with understanding the two main exams that play a crucial role in the admission process: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. These exams are designed to evaluate your knowledge and skills in subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Let’s break down each step to help you understand how the process works.

JEE Main: The First Step

JEE Main is the first and mandatory step for all students aspiring to get admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other engineering colleges. The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year, in January and April. While students can choose to appear in both sessions, their best scores from the two attempts are considered for their final ranking.

The primary purpose of JEE Main is to filter out students for JEE Advanced, which is the next step in the IIT admission process. To be eligible for JEE Advanced, you must first qualify in JEE Main. This means that you need to secure a high enough score to rank among the top 2,50,000 candidates. The rank you achieve in JEE Main determines your eligibility for the next stage.

In JEE Main, there are two papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2. Paper 1 is for students interested in B.E. or B.Tech courses and is conducted in an online mode (computer-based). Paper 2 is for students interested in B.Arch or B.Planning courses and is conducted in both online and offline modes.

The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical-based questions. It covers three subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The syllabus for JEE Main is based on topics taught in Class XI and XII.

JEE Advanced: The Next Level

Once you qualify JEE Main and secure a rank among the top 2,50,000 candidates, you are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. This is the second and final stage of the admission process for IITs. Unlike JEE Main, which is conducted by NTA, JEE Advanced is organized by one of the IITs on a rotational basis. The exam is typically held in May, soon after the JEE Main results are announced.

JEE Advanced is considered one of the most difficult entrance exams in India. It is designed to test not only your knowledge of core subjects but also your problem-solving abilities and logical reasoning skills. The exam format differs from JEE Main in the sense that it focuses more on conceptual understanding and application of the topics.

In JEE Advanced, there are two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Both papers are mandatory, and each paper lasts for three hours. These papers consist of multiple-choice questions, numerical-based questions, and questions that test the understanding of concepts at a deeper level. The questions in JEE Advanced are more complex and require more time to solve compared to JEE Main.

JEE Advanced is open to students from different categories, including General, OBC, SC, ST, and PwD. The total number of seats available in IITs is limited, and therefore, the competition is fierce. A good performance in JEE Advanced is key to securing admission to an IIT, especially in the more popular branches like Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.

No Direct Percentage Requirement, but Class XII Matters

It’s important to note that there is no fixed percentage requirement for appearing in JEE Advanced, especially after the 2021 changes. In the past, students from the General, EWS, and OBC categories needed at least 75% in Class XII to qualify for JEE Advanced, while SC, ST, and PwD candidates needed 65%. However, now the rule is more flexible, and students just need to pass Class XII with the required subjects.

Nevertheless, Class XII marks are still important for eligibility. To appear for JEE Advanced, you need to have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in Class XII (or an equivalent examination). You also need to ensure that you pass your Class XII exam with the minimum required marks in these subjects.

Key Differences Between JEE Main and JEE Advanced

The key difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced lies in the level of difficulty. JEE Main is primarily an eligibility test for JEE Advanced, whereas JEE Advanced is designed to test a student’s deeper understanding of subjects and their ability to apply concepts to solve complex problems.

Additionally, JEE Main is used to determine admissions to NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions (GFTIs), whereas JEE Advanced is exclusively for admission to IITs.

JEE Advanced Eligibility Criteria (2026)

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced is one of the most challenging and prestigious exams for students aspiring to study engineering at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). To appear for JEE Advanced 2026, students must meet several eligibility criteria. These criteria ensure that only deserving candidates who meet academic and age requirements are able to take part in the exam. In this section, we will go through the detailed eligibility criteria for JEE Advanced 2026, including performance in JEE Main, age limits, number of attempts, Class XII performance, and other important conditions.

Criterion A1: Performance in JEE Main 2026

The first eligibility requirement for JEE Advanced is performance in JEE Main 2026. Only the top 2,50,000 students from JEE Main will be eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. This is the first filter to ensure that only the most qualified students get the chance to compete for admission into IITs.

The number of students selected from different categories is as follows:

Additionally, candidates from the OCI/PIO (Overseas Citizen of India/Person of Indian Origin) categories can only qualify under the OPEN or OPEN-PwD categories.

It is important to note that the number of top 2,50,000 students is calculated based on the aggregate score of JEE Main Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech courses. Therefore, a strong performance in JEE Main is critical for gaining eligibility to appear for JEE Advanced.

Criterion A2: Age Limit

The age limit for JEE Advanced 2026 is different for candidates from various categories. The age criteria for different categories are as follows:

• General, EWS, OBC-NCL: Candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 2000. This means that the candidate must not have completed 25 years of age by October 1, 2026.
• SC, ST, PwD (Persons with Disabilities): Candidates from these categories are given a relaxation of 5 years in age. They should have been born on or after October 1, 1995. Therefore, candidates from these categories must not have completed 30 years of age by October 1, 2026.
  

This age limit ensures that students who are within the specified age range can be considered for the exam, maintaining fairness across different age groups.

Criterion A3: Number of Attempts

Candidates can appear for JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in two consecutive years. This means that if you appear for JEE Advanced in 2026, it will be your first attempt. If you do not qualify, you can attempt it again in 2026, but after this, you will not be allowed to appear for the exam again.

This limitation ensures that students get two chances to secure a place in the IITs. However, it also means that you need to be well-prepared and focused during both attempts to make the most of them.

Criterion A4: Class XII (or Equivalent) Examination

Another important eligibility criterion for JEE Advanced is your performance in Class XII (or its equivalent). Students who are appearing for their first Class XII examination in 2025 or 2026 are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026. However, there are certain rules regarding the timing of the examination.

• Candidates appearing for Class XII in 2025 or 2026: Students who are currently in Class XII and will be taking their exams in 2025 or 2026 are eligible. They should ensure that they have completed the required subjects in Class XII, which include Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for those seeking admission to B.E./B.Tech courses.

Criterion A5: No Prior Admission in IITs

Candidates who have already been admitted to any IIT in the past are not eligible to appear for JEE Advanced again. This rule is in place to maintain fairness and ensure that only those who have not been previously admitted to an IIT can compete for a seat.

Here are the specific conditions:

• Disqualified if previously admitted: If you were previously admitted to any IIT program, even if you later canceled your seat, you cannot appear for JEE Advanced again.
• Accepted a seat in JoSAA 2025: If you accepted a seat through the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) in 2025, you are disqualified from appearing for JEE Advanced 2026 unless you withdrew the seat before the final round of seat allocation.
• Allowed if admitted to a preparatory course: If you were admitted to a preparatory course in 2025, you are still eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026.
  

This ensures that students who have already been allowed to study at an IIT do not get multiple chances to reapply and take seats away from other deserving candidates.

Subject-Wise Requirements for Different Courses in IIT

When preparing to apply for an IIT, it’s important to understand the specific subject-wise requirements for different courses. Each course has its own set of subject prerequisites that you must meet to be eligible for admission. These requirements are designed to ensure that students have the necessary academic background to excel in their chosen program. Below, we will outline the subject-wise requirements for popular courses offered at IITs, such as B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning.

1) B.E./B.Tech (IITs, NITs, IIITs, GFTIs)

For most of the engineering courses, including those offered at IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs), the subject requirements are quite similar.

Compulsory Subjects

These three subjects—Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM)—are the core subjects required for pursuing a B.E./B.Tech degree. If you plan to apply for an engineering program at any of these institutions, you must have studied these subjects in Class XII.

Additional Requirements

While the primary focus is on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, it is important to note that there is no strict rule regarding the minimum marks in each subject, as long as you meet the overall eligibility criteria. However, achieving a good academic standing in these three subjects will certainly help improve your chances of securing a spot in your desired branch.

The marks obtained in your Class XII exams will be considered for eligibility, and the total marks across these subjects, along with your performance in JEE Main and JEE Advanced, will determine your rank and whether you qualify for admission.

Recommended Aggregate Marks for NITs

For institutes like NITs and IIITs, it is recommended that candidates score at least 75% in aggregate in their Class XII exams (for the General, EWS, and OBC categories). This is important to ensure eligibility for JEE Main and, subsequently, JEE Advanced. For candidates from the SC/ST/PwD categories, the minimum aggregate requirement is 65%.

2) B.Arch (NITs/IIITs)

B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) is a specialized program offered by some IITs, NITs, and IIITs. The subject requirements for this program are slightly different compared to a regular engineering course.

Compulsory Subjects

These subjects are required for B.Arch admissions, just like in B.E./B.Tech courses. However, B.Arch also has specific additional requirements that applicants must meet.

Minimum Aggregate Marks: To apply for B.Arch, candidates must have at least 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) in their Class XII exams. Additionally, the overall aggregate in Class XII must also be at least 50%.

This requirement ensures that students have a strong foundation in the essential subjects needed for architectural studies, such as physics (for understanding structures) and mathematics (for designing and calculations).

3) B.Planning (NITs/IIITs)

B.Planning (Bachelor of Planning) is a unique course offered by select NITs and IIITs. It focuses on urban planning, construction, and management, providing students with the skills to design and plan cities and infrastructure. Like B.Arch, the subject requirements for this course are specific.

Compulsory Subject

Mathematics is the compulsory subject for admission to B.Planning. Unlike B.Arch, which requires all three subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics), B.Planning focuses primarily on mathematics due to the nature of the course.

Minimum Marks for Admission: To be eligible for B.Planning, candidates need to have studied mathematics in Class XII and have a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in the Class XII exams. This ensures that students are well-equipped with the necessary mathematical knowledge required for the planning and design aspects of the course.

Conclusion

In summary, getting into an IIT is not just about the marks you score in Class XII. While there is no fixed percentage requirement for JEE Advanced, your Class XII performance still plays an important role in eligibility. For JEE Main, NITs, and IIITs, specific percentage requirements must be met. If you’re aiming for IITs, focus on performing well in JEE Main and Advanced, and ensure that you pass your Class XII exams with the necessary subjects. Remember, the journey to an IIT is challenging, but with proper planning and hard work, it is absolutely achievable. Stay focused, keep practicing, and stay updated with the eligibility rules to make the most of your opportunities. Your dream of studying at an IIT can become a reality with the right approach and dedication!