Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced)
Built from official exam bulletins, conducting body notifications, and institution pages.
What this exam is
JEE Advanced — the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced — is the sole gateway for admission to undergraduate programmes at the 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). From the 2026 academic year, IISc Bangalore’s B.Tech programmes are also admitted through JEE Advanced via JoSAA. It is consistently ranked among the most competitive undergraduate entrance examinations in the world, with approximately 1.8 to 2 million students entering the JEE Main funnel and roughly 180,000 appearing for JEE Advanced each year — competing for around 18,000 IIT seats.
The exam is conducted annually, typically in May, by one of the seven zonal IITs on a rotational basis under the oversight of the Joint Admission Board (JAB). In 2025, IIT Kanpur was the organising institute; in 2026, IIT Roorkee holds the responsibility. The organising institute changes each year but the syllabus, question format framework, and eligibility criteria remain consistent.
JEE Advanced consists of two compulsory papers — Paper 1 and Paper 2 — held on the same day in two shifts. Both papers must be attempted; appearing in only one paper results in disqualification. The exam is conducted entirely in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. Questions are available in English and Hindi.
The exam is designed not to test rote memorisation but analytical reasoning, multi-step problem solving, and a deep, flexible understanding of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The question types — particularly multiple-correct MCQs, integer-type answers, and matching-type questions — demand precision and conceptual clarity that goes well beyond standard board examination standards.
Who should take this exam
JEE Advanced is exclusively for candidates aiming at the IITs (and IISc Bengaluru’s B.Tech programmes). There is no other pathway into IITs at the undergraduate level for domestic students. You should plan for JEE Advanced if:
Your target is an IIT. The 23 IITs — from IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi at the top of the demand hierarchy to newer IITs with broader seat availability — are among India’s highest-ranked engineering institutions globally. Admission to any of them requires a JEE Advanced rank.
You have qualified JEE Main Paper 1 in the top 2.5 lakh. Eligibility for JEE Advanced is contingent on ranking among the top 2,50,000 candidates across all categories in JEE Main Paper 1. Without this, registration for JEE Advanced is not possible.
You are prepared for Class 12+ difficulty. The JEE Advanced syllabus overlaps significantly with JEE Main but the questions probe at a fundamentally deeper level. Problems require multi-concept application, and a large proportion of questions have no direct template from standard textbooks.
You are in your first or second year of eligibility. Candidates can appear for JEE Advanced at most twice in two consecutive years. Most candidates attempt it in the year of their Class 12 board exams and optionally again in the following year (as a dropper). Strategic droppers often score significantly better in their second attempt after a dedicated year of preparation.
Candidates interested in BTech AI and Data Science or BSc Physics at IITs will find JEE Advanced the necessary route. IITs offer some of the strongest programmes in computer science, electrical engineering, and pure sciences in the country.
Exam pattern and structure
JEE Advanced consists of Paper 1 and Paper 2, each of 3 hours duration (4 hours for PwD candidates with ≥40% disability or difficulty in writing). Both papers are compulsory and are held on the same day: Paper 1 in the morning (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) and Paper 2 in the afternoon (2:30 PM to 5:30 PM).
Each paper has three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The question types vary each year and may include:
- Single correct MCQ: One correct option out of four; partial negative marking in some years
- Multiple correct MCQ: One or more correct options; partial marks awarded for partially correct answers in most formats; negative marking for wrong answers
- Integer/Numerical type: Candidates enter a numerical answer directly; typically no negative marking
- Matching type: Match elements in two columns or lists
- Paragraph-based: A passage followed by related questions
The number of questions per paper is not fixed and has varied across years. In 2025, each paper contained 51 questions (17 per subject), with each paper carrying 180 marks, for a combined total of 360 marks.
Indicative 2025 structure:
| Paper | Questions per Subject | Total Questions | Marks per Paper | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 17 | 51 | 180 | — |
| Paper 2 | 17 | 51 | 180 | — |
| Combined | 34 | 102 | 360 | 360 |
Marking scheme (general principles, subject to change by year):
- Single correct MCQ: +3 for correct, −1 for incorrect (typical)
- Multiple correct MCQ: Full marks only if all correct options selected; partial marks for a subset of correct options with no wrong options; negative marks for selecting a wrong option
- Integer type: Full marks for correct integer; 0 for incorrect (no negative marking in most years)
- Matching type: Marks vary by format
Because the pattern changes from year to year within this general framework, candidates should study the official mock tests released for the current year’s exam. The Information Brochure for each year, available at jeeadv.ac.in, provides the definitive pattern.
Historical total marks: Total marks have ranged between 186 and 366 across years, settling at 360 in recent editions (2023–2025). The exam is not standardised to a fixed number of questions or marks — the organising IIT sets the pattern within broad JAB guidelines.
Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT): Candidates who qualify JEE Advanced and wish to apply for B.Arch programmes at IITs (IIT Kharagpur and IIT Roorkee) must additionally appear for the AAT, a separate test covering freehand drawing, geometrical drawing, three-dimensional perception, imagination and aesthetic sensitivity, and architectural awareness.
Syllabus overview
The JEE Advanced syllabus broadly mirrors JEE Main but is examined at a considerably deeper level. The full syllabus is published in Annexure-I of the Information Brochure at jeeadv.ac.in.
Physics: Divided into seven major areas:
- General — Units, dimensions, experimental methods and error analysis
- Mechanics — Kinematics (including relative motion), Newton’s laws, work-energy theorem, rotational dynamics, moment of inertia, angular momentum, gravitation, fluid mechanics (pressure, buoyancy, viscosity, Bernoulli’s equation)
- Thermal Physics — Thermal expansion, calorimetry, heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation), kinetic theory of gases, laws of thermodynamics, entropy
- Electricity and Magnetism — Coulomb’s law, electric field and potential, Gauss’s law, capacitance, DC circuits (Kirchhoff’s laws, Wheatstone bridge), Biot-Savart and Ampere’s laws, electromagnetic induction, Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws, AC circuits, transformers
- Electromagnetic Waves — Nature and properties, Maxwell’s equations (qualitative)
- Optics — Reflection, refraction, lenses and mirrors, total internal reflection, optical instruments, wave optics (interference, diffraction, polarisation, Young’s double-slit experiment)
- Modern Physics — Photoelectric effect, Bohr model, nuclear physics, radioactive decay, semiconductor devices
Chemistry: Three branches:
- Physical Chemistry — Gaseous and liquid states, atomic structure, chemical bonding (VSEPR, MO theory), thermodynamics (Hess’s law, Gibbs free energy), equilibrium (Le Chatelier’s, acid-base, solubility), electrochemistry (Nernst equation, electrolysis), chemical kinetics (rate laws, Arrhenius equation), solid state, solutions, surface chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry — Periodic trends, p-block elements (detailed), d/f-block (properties, oxidation states), coordination compounds (IUPAC nomenclature, isomerism, bonding theories), metallurgy, qualitative analysis of common ions
- Organic Chemistry — Hybridisation, stereochemistry (chirality, R/S configuration, geometric isomerism), reaction mechanisms (SN1, SN2, elimination, electrophilic aromatic substitution, nucleophilic addition), functional group chemistry (aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, amines, phenols), biomolecules, polymers, practical chemistry
Mathematics: Five major domains:
- Algebra — Complex numbers (De Moivre’s theorem, roots of unity), quadratic equations and inequalities, sequences and series, logarithms, permutations and combinations, binomial theorem, matrices (row reduction, inverse), determinants, probability (conditional probability, Bayes’ theorem)
- Trigonometry — Identities, inverse functions, equations, properties of triangles (sine rule, cosine rule)
- Analytical Geometry — 2D: straight lines, circles, parabola, ellipse, hyperbola (all standard forms and parametric equations); 3D: lines, planes, distances
- Differential Calculus — Limits (L’Hôpital, squeeze theorem), continuity and differentiability, derivatives (higher order, implicit, parametric), mean value theorems, applications (maxima/minima, tangents, normals, monotonicity)
- Integral Calculus — Integration techniques (by parts, partial fractions, substitution), definite integrals, area under curves, differential equations (first order separable and linear)
- Vectors — Dot product, cross product, scalar and vector triple products, applications in geometry
The key distinction between JEE Main and JEE Advanced at the syllabus level is not coverage but depth. JEE Advanced questions routinely require combining concepts from multiple chapters and applying higher-order reasoning, whereas JEE Main tests primarily direct application of formulas and standard problem types.
Eligibility and registration
Eligibility criteria for Indian nationals (all five criteria must be met simultaneously):
Criterion 1 — JEE Main performance: Candidates must be among the top 2,50,000 in JEE Main 2025 Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), across all categories. The category-wise allocation of the 2.5 lakh slots is: OPEN category — 1,01,250 (including 5,063 PwD); GEN-EWS — 25,000 (including 1,250 PwD); OBC-NCL — 67,500 (including 3,375 PwD); SC — 37,500 (including 1,875 PwD); ST — 18,750 (including 938 PwD).
Criterion 2 — Age limit: Born on or after October 1, 2000. SC, ST, and PwD candidates receive a 5-year relaxation (born on or after October 1, 1995).
Criterion 3 — Number of attempts: A maximum of 2 attempts in 2 consecutive years. This means candidates can attempt JEE Advanced at most in year Y and year Y+1, but not again in year Y+2 or later.
Criterion 4 — Class 12 appearance: Must have appeared for Class 12 (or equivalent) for the first time in 2024 or 2025, with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as required subjects. Candidates who first appeared in 2023 are eligible only if their board declared results for the academic year 2022–23 on or after June 28, 2023.
Criterion 5 — No prior IIT admission: Candidates who have previously been admitted to an IIT (including accepting a seat at the time of JoSAA counselling, even if not reported) are ineligible, with limited exceptions for preparatory course completers and specific JoSAA 2024 withdrawal cases.
Additional criterion for IIT admission (not for appearing in JEE Advanced): To actually take up an IIT seat, candidates must have scored at least 75% aggregate in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST/PwD) or be in the top 20 percentile of their board’s successful candidates.
Foreign nationals: Non-Indian citizens may register for JEE Advanced directly without appearing for JEE Main. They are considered under supernumerary seats (up to 10% of total IIT seats) and must meet age and Class 12 criteria. Foreign nationals are not eligible for reservation benefits.
Registration process: Registration is entirely online at jeeadv.ac.in. Candidates log in using their JEE Main roll number and password. The process involves filling personal details, choosing exam language (English or Hindi), uploading a photograph and signature, selecting exam centres (India or abroad), and paying the registration fee. The registration window is typically about 10 days long, usually in late April/early May.
Application fee (for exam centres in India):
| Candidate category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Female candidates (all categories) | ₹1,600 |
| SC, ST, PwD candidates | ₹1,600 |
| All other Indian candidates (General, OBC) | ₹3,200 |
| Foreign nationals — SAARC countries | USD 100 |
| Foreign nationals — Non-SAARC countries | USD 200 |
For exam centres outside India, Indian nationals pay USD 150. The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Cutoffs and score interpretation
JEE Advanced has two distinct types of cutoffs:
1. Qualifying marks for rank list inclusion: These are the minimum marks that a candidate must score to be included in the JEE Advanced rank list (and thus be eligible for IIT admission via JoSAA). They are set subject-wise and in aggregate. The minimum is expressed both as absolute marks and as a percentage of total marks.
| Rank List | Min. marks per subject (2025) | Min. aggregate (2025) | Min. marks per subject (2024) | Min. aggregate (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRL (General) | 7 | 74 | 9 | 97 |
| GEN-EWS | 6 | 66 | 8 | 88 |
| OBC-NCL | 6 | 66 | 8 | 88 |
| SC | 3 | 37 | 5 | 56 |
| ST | 3 | 37 | 5 | 56 |
| Common-PwD | 3 | 37 | 5 | 56 |
These qualifying marks vary significantly year to year based on exam difficulty. In 2025, the exam was considerably harder than 2024, which explains the lower absolute qualifying marks despite the same percentage thresholds (35% aggregate for CRL, 10% per subject).
The percentage-based thresholds remain constant: 35% aggregate and 10% per subject for CRL; 31.5% and 9% for OBC-NCL/EWS; 17.5% and 5% for SC/ST/PwD.
2. JoSAA admission cutoffs (institute + branch specific): The actual rank required to secure a seat at a specific IIT in a specific programme is determined during JoSAA counselling. These opening and closing ranks vary considerably by IIT prestige and programme demand.
Indicative JEE Advanced 2024 CSE closing ranks (General category, last round):
| IIT | CSE Closing Rank (approx.) |
|---|---|
| IIT Bombay | ~1 |
| IIT Delhi | ~27 |
| IIT Madras | ~76 |
| IIT Kanpur | ~120 |
| IIT Hyderabad | ~431 |
| IIT Gandhinagar | ~654 |
| IIT BHU Varanasi | ~619 |
| IIT Indore | ~823 |
| IIT Ropar | ~1,158 |
Newer IITs with less demand can have CSE closing ranks in the 4,000–20,000 range for the general category. Mechanical, Civil, and other branches typically have higher closing ranks than Computer Science or Electrical at the same IIT.
Marks vs rank (2025): The 2025 JEE Advanced top ranker scored 332 out of 360. Approximately 278+ marks corresponded to ranks 1–101; 234–262 marks to ranks 201–500; 208–234 marks to ranks 501–1,000.
Colleges and programmes that accept this exam
All 23 IITs participating in JoSAA 2025 admit students exclusively through JEE Advanced. IISc Bengaluru’s B.Tech programmes joined JoSAA in 2026. The total IIT seat intake through JoSAA 2025 was approximately 18,160 seats.
The 23 IITs: IIT Bombay (Mumbai), IIT Delhi (New Delhi), IIT Madras (Chennai), IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Indore, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Jodhpur, IIT Patna, IIT Ropar, IIT Bhubaneswar, IIT Mandi, IIT Tirupati, IIT Palakkad, IIT Dharwad, IIT Bhilai, IIT Jammu, and IIT Goa.
Programmes available through JEE Advanced:
- B.Tech (4 years) — across engineering disciplines (CS, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Aerospace, Metallurgy, etc.)
- Dual Degree B.Tech + M.Tech (5 years)
- Integrated M.Sc. (5 years) — available at IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in subjects including Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Economics
- B.Arch (5 years) — available at IIT Kharagpur and IIT Roorkee (requires additional AAT)
The JoSAA counselling process allocates seats through 6 rounds, allowing candidates to freeze, float (upgrade), or slide (change branch within same institute). In 2025, approximately 18,160 IIT seats and ~44,000 NIT/IIIT/GFTI seats were allocated through JoSAA.
BTech AI and Data Science is offered at multiple IITs under various names (CSE with specialisations in AI, Data Science, or Computing), and these are among the most sought-after programmes with very low closing ranks at top IITs. Candidates interested in BSc Physics may also consider the Integrated M.Sc. Physics programmes available at IITs, which are also allocated through JEE Advanced and JoSAA.
How to prepare
JEE Advanced preparation is a distinct undertaking from JEE Main preparation, requiring a qualitative shift in approach rather than just more of the same.
Conceptual depth over formulaic coverage. The single most important principle: JEE Advanced rewards candidates who deeply understand why a formula works, not just what it is. Many JEE Advanced problems have no direct template — they require assembling concepts from multiple chapters in unexpected combinations. Preparation must emphasise understanding derivations, edge cases, and the physical or mathematical intuition behind each concept.
Physics preparation: Mechanics and Electrostatics/Magnetism are perennially high-weightage areas. H.C. Verma’s Concepts of Physics (Volumes 1 and 2) is the standard starting point for conceptual grounding. I.E. Irodov’s Problems in General Physics is widely used for advanced problem practice, though selective use is recommended. Thermal Physics and Modern Physics require careful attention to the JEE Advanced syllabus annexure, which covers more advanced topics than JEE Main (e.g., Maxwell’s equations qualitatively, more detailed fluid mechanics).
Chemistry preparation: Physical Chemistry at JEE Advanced level requires strong mathematical fluency — Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, and Thermodynamics all involve multi-step numerical problems. Inorganic Chemistry is knowledge-intensive and requires systematic revision; the JEE Advanced syllabus explicitly includes detailed p-block and d-block chemistry that must be studied from both NCERT and supplementary sources. Organic Chemistry at JEE Advanced level requires understanding reaction mechanisms and predicting products of novel reactions, not just recognising standard reactions.
Mathematics preparation: JEE Advanced Mathematics is often considered the most differentiating section. Calculus (particularly definite integration and differential equations), Coordinate Geometry (conics), and Complex Numbers are high-weightage and high-difficulty areas. Algebra problems, including probability, matrices, and sequence problems, often have elegant solutions that reward mathematical insight. Practice with previous years’ JEE Advanced papers is indispensable — the official website archives question papers going back many years.
Previous year papers (PYPs): JEE Advanced archives are available at jeeadv.ac.in. Solving 10–15 years of PYPs under timed conditions is the most effective final-phase preparation tool. PYPs reveal the recurring themes, the level of difficulty, and the kind of multi-step reasoning expected.
Mock test strategy: Attempting both Paper 1 and Paper 2 on the same day is important. The mental endurance required for 6 hours of high-difficulty problem solving on a single day is significant, and mock full-tests should be practised accordingly.
Time management in the exam: The multiple-correct MCQs are the most time-consuming question type and carry partial marks — they should not be skipped. Integer-type questions typically carry no negative marking and should be prioritised when uncertain. A common strategy is to attempt integer-type and single-correct questions first, then return to multiple-correct questions.
Class 12 board exam balance: Most candidates prepare for JEE Advanced concurrently with Class 12 boards. A common pitfall is over-investing in board preparation (which tests recall and straightforward application) at the cost of JEE Advanced preparation (which requires deep problem-solving practice). Board scores matter for the 75% eligibility criterion for IIT admission but are a lower bar for most candidates.
Droppers (second attempt): A significant fraction of IIT entrants are second-attempt candidates who graduated Class 12 and took a year dedicated entirely to preparation. This provides 10–12 months of focused study time and often results in substantially better outcomes. The decision to drop depends on the first-attempt result relative to desired IIT and programme.
Key dates and timeline
JEE Advanced follows an annual schedule. The broad timeline:
| Event | Approximate Date |
|---|---|
| JEE Main Session 2 results | Mid-April |
| JEE Advanced registration opens | ~3 weeks after JEE Main results |
| Last date for registration | ~10 days after registration opens |
| Last date for fee payment | 1–2 days after last registration date |
| Admit card download | ~3 days before exam |
| JEE Advanced exam (Paper 1 + Paper 2) | Usually third Sunday of May |
| AAT (Architecture Aptitude Test) | ~1 week after JEE Advanced |
| JEE Advanced results | First or second week of June |
| JoSAA counselling registration opens | Day after results |
| JoSAA rounds (6 rounds) | June–July |
| Reporting to IITs | July–August |
For 2025 specifically:
- Exam date: May 18, 2025
- Result declaration: June 2, 2025
- JoSAA registration: June 3, 2025
Exact dates for each year are announced on the official JEE Advanced website at jeeadv.ac.in and in the Information Brochure.
Related exams
- JEE Main — The qualifying round for JEE Advanced. Must be cleared (top 2.5 lakh) before JEE Advanced registration is possible.
- IIT JAM — Postgraduate entrance for IITs. Relevant for students who pursue a BSc and want to enter IIT M.Sc. or integrated PhD programmes without the JEE Advanced route.
- GATE — Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. The standard route for postgraduate engineering admissions and public sector recruitment, relevant after completing a B.Tech.
Sources Used
The information on this page is compiled from official sources and institutional programme pages. It may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify directly with the institution before making any admission or financial decision.