Why Fewer Eligible Students Appear for JEE Advanced 2026

By Gaurav Sharma JEE Advanced JEE Advanced 2026 Kota Coaching May 9, 2026

Less Than 2 Lakh Students Appear for JEE Advanced Every Year

JEE Advanced is considered the toughest engineering exam in the country. Millions of students across the country dream of gaining admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) every year.

To fulfill this dream, students must undergo a rigorous two-stage examination process: the first stage is JEE Main and the second stage is JEE Advanced. Only the top candidates who succeed in JEE Main are eligible to appear for the JEE Advanced exam. This is why this exam is considered one of the most prestigious and challenging entrance exams in the country.

In 2026, the JEE Advanced exam will be held on May 17th. This year, the exam is being conducted by IIT Roorkee. The application process ended on May 5th, and reportedly less than 1.90 lakh students applied this time.

Not all students who qualify the JEE Main appear for the Advanced exam

Every year, approximately 2.5 lakh students who qualify the JEE Main exam are declared eligible for the JEE Advanced exam. However, surprisingly, a large number of these eligible students do not appear for the exam. Statistics show that each year, more than 60,000 eligible students opt out of taking the JEE Advanced.

According to career counselling experts, this trend has been observed for the past several years. Several factors, including student preparation for the JEE Main and JEE Advanced, board exam eligibility, and future strategies, are responsible for this situation.

Statistics from the last few years

An analysis of the data from the last six years reveals a clearer picture. Every year, approximately 2.5 lakh students are declared eligible for JEE Advanced, but the number of students appearing for the exam has consistently declined.

In 2020, 150,858 students appeared for the JEE Advanced exam.
In 2021, only 141,699 students appeared for the exam.
In 2022, 155,532 students appeared.
In 2023, 180,372 candidates appeared for the exam.
In 2024, approximately 180,200 students appeared.

If we look at the situation of the last 6 years, there are about 5 lakh students who did not appear in the exam despite being eligible for JEE-Advanced exam.

Must Check:- JEE Advanced 2026: IIT Roorkee Releases Official Syllabus

75% Board Exam Eligibility Becomes a Major Obstacle

The biggest reason for not appearing for the JEE Advanced exam is considered to be board exam eligibility. For admission to IITs, students must score at least 75% in the 12th board exam or be in the top 20 percentile of their board exams.

Sometimes, students perform well in the JEE Main but fail to achieve the required percentage in the board exam. In such a situation, they are ineligible to appear for the JEE Advanced. This is why thousands of students are left out despite being declared eligible.

Difference in Attempts for JEE Main and JEE Advanced is also a major reason

The rules for attempting the JEE Main and JEE Advanced are different. Students have the opportunity to attempt the JEE Main exam three times, while the JEE Advanced exam can only be attempted in two consecutive years.

There are many students who are taking their third attempt for the JEE Main. They score well in the Main exam, but are ineligible for the JEE Advanced exam because they have already completed two attempts. Consequently, despite being on the eligible list, they are unable to apply.

Many students’ goals are limited to NITs and IIITs

Many students in the country begin their preparation with the goal of entering NITs, IIITs, and other government engineering colleges. These institutes grant admission based on JEE Main scores. Consequently, students limit their preparation to that level.

The level of JEE Advanced is considered significantly more difficult than JEE Main. It requires in-depth concepts, difficult questions, and a high level of preparation. Therefore, many students consider it an additional burden and are reluctant to take the exam.

The IIT Dream Still Attracts Millions of Students

Although a large number of students do not appear for the JEE Advanced, the desire to enter an IIT still persists among millions of young people. The excellent education system, placements, research opportunities, and global recognition of IITs continue to attract students.

Every year, millions of students prepare for this exam with hard work and dedication. For those who pursue the right strategy, strong concepts, and consistent practice, their IIT dream can become a reality.

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