To take part in the JoSAA 2025 counselling process, candidates must fulfill certain eligibility conditions. Admission to IITs requires qualification in JEE Advanced 2025, while entry into NITs, IIEST, IITs, and other GFTs requires a valid JEE Main 2025 score. Apart from these exams, candidates should satisfy any additional institute or program-specific eligibility requirements for securing the final admission.
To be considered for seat allocation at IITs, NITs, IIITs, or GFTIs, candidates should complete registration through the official JoSAA 2025 online portal. This article would provide a detailed overview for criteria required for participation in JoSAA 2025 counselling.
JoSAA 2025 Eligibility Criteria
| Institution Type | Program | Required Exam | Additional Eligibility Requirements |
| IITs | All BTech Programs & Preparatory Courses | Qualified in JEE Advanced 2025 | Must meet minimum performance criteria in Class XII (or equivalent) examination |
| NITs, IIEST, IIITs, Other-GFTIs | B.E. / B.Tech | Secured a rank in JEE Main 2025 (BE/BTech paper) | Must meet performance criteria in Class XII (or equivalent) examination |
| NITs, IIEST, Other-GFTIs | B.Arch | Secured a rank in JEE Main 2025 (BArch paper) | Must meet performance criteria in Class XII (or equivalent) examination |
| NITs, IIEST, Other-GFTIs | B.Plan | Secured a rank in JEE Main 2025 (BPlan paper) | Must meet performance criteria in Class XII (or equivalent) examination |
Note:
- Performance Criteria Class XII- Specific percentage or subject-wise requirements may vary by institute and program. Candidates should refer to individual institute guidelines for detailed eligibility.
- Admission through JoSAA is based on solely on rank obtained in JEE Advanced (For IITs) or JEE Main (for NIT+ system), combined with Class XII eligibility.
JoSAA 2025 Eligibility Criteria: Performance Criteria in Class 12 (or equivalent) Examination
In addition to qualifying JEE Main or JEE Advanced, candidates should meet specific class 12 board exam requirements, including minimum marks and required subjects. The detailed performance criteria for IIT admission via JoSAA 2025 are as follows:
- Year of Passing Class 12: Candidates should have appeared for their Class XII (or equivalent) examination for the first time in 2024 or 2025.
- Mandatory subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and mathematics must have been taken as compulsory subjects in the candidate’s first attempt at the class 12 exam.
- Minimum marks requirements: Candidates should fulfill at least one of the following two conditions:
- General category candidates should secure a minimum of 75% aggregate marks in the class XII board exam. The minimum required aggregate for SC, ST, and PwD candidates is 65%.
- The candidates must be ranked within the top 20 percentile of successful students in their respective board exams, based on category.
Performance criteria in Class XII (or equivalent) examination for NITs, IIEST, IIITs,and others
| Program Type | Year of Passing Class 12 | Required Subjects | Minimum Marks Requirement |
| B.E./B.Tech (NITs, IIITs, IIEST, GFTIs) | First attempt in 2023, 2024, or 2025 | Physics and Mathematics (Compulsory) + Any one of: Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational Subject / Language / Any other subject (subject with highest marks will be considered) | Must meet either:• Minimum 75% aggregate marks in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST/PwD)OR• Be in the top 20 percentile of successful candidates in the respective board (category-wise) |
| B.Arch (NITs, IIEST, GFTIs) | First attempt in 2023, 2024, or 2025 | Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics + Any other two subjects (subject with highest marks will be considered) | Same as above |
| B.Plan (NITs, IIEST, GFTIs) | First attempt in 2023, 2024, or 2025 | Mathematics (Compulsory) + Any other four subjects (subject with highest marks will be considered) | Same as above |
| All Programs at IITs | First attempt in 2024 or 2025 | Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (Compulsory in first attempt) | Same as above |
Class 12 Performance Criteria for IIT Admissions
| Criteria | Details |
| Year of Passing Class 12 | Candidate must have appeared for Class 12 (or equivalent) for the first time in 2024 or 2025. |
| Compulsory Subjects | Must have taken Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in their first attempt of Class 12. |
| Minimum Marks Requirement | Must satisfy at least one of the following two criteria: |
| 1. General Category: Minimum 75% aggregate marks in Class 12 board exam | |
| 2. SC/ST/PwD Categories: Minimum 65% aggregate marks in Class 12 board exam | |
| OR | |
| Candidate must be in the top 20 percentile of successful candidates in their respective board, based on category. |
Common Mistakes in Meeting Class 12 Criteria
| Mistake | Explanation | How to Avoid |
| Wrong Subject Combination | Students may skip taking Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics together in their Class 12 board exam. | Ensure all three subjects are taken in the first attempt of Class 12 (2024 or 2025 only). Double-check with school/board curriculum. |
| Reappearing or Improving in Class 12 | Students who appear for improvement exams in subjects may not be considered first-time test-takers. | Appear for Class 12 for the first time in 2024 or 2025. Reappearing candidates may become ineligible for IITs. |
| Misinterpreting the 75%/65% Criteria | Confusion between the aggregate percentage and marks in individual subjects. | Calculate the aggregate of five subjects as per board guidelines, not just PCM scores. |
| Relying Only on Percentage Without Checking Percentile | Students with <75% (or <65% for SC/ST/PwD) may miss the alternative top 20 percentile route. | Check the category-wise top 20 percentile cut-off of your board if you don’t meet the percentage criteria. |
| Using Old Class 12 Marks (2023 or before) | Students who passed Class 12 before 2024 may assume they’re eligible. | Only first-time appearances in 2024 or 2025 are valid for IITs via JoSAA 2025. |
| Not Verifying Board-Specific Rules | Each board may have a different method to calculate the top 20 percentile. | Refer to official board notifications or JoSAA percentile data for accurate info. |
| Ignoring Subject Marks in First Attempt | Some students may attempt one or more subjects later for improvement. IITs only consider first-attempt subjects. | Make sure you meet the subject and performance criteria in your first attempt itself. |
| Mistaking Eligibility for NITs with IITs | Candidates may think JEE Main + 75% is enough for IITs. | IITs require JEE Advanced + Class 12 performance criteria — JEE Main only applies to NIT+, not IITs. |
| Wrong Calculation of Best-of-Five Subjects | Some students incorrectly include subjects not counted by their board in aggregate. | Use only the subjects considered in your board’s aggregate calculation (check board rules). |
| Overlooking PwD/SC/ST Relaxation | Candidates from reserved categories sometimes assume the 75% rule applies to all. | SC/ST/PwD candidates only need 65% aggregate or to be in the top 20 percentile of their category. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
To participate in JoSAA Counselling, candidates must have cleared the JEE (Advanced) exam. JEE (Advanced) is the second phase of the Joint Entrance Examination and is the gateway for admission into various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) nationwide.
For admission, general category students must have secured at least 75% marks in Class 12, while reserved category candidates need at least 65%. Additionally, candidates must have qualified for the JEE Main 2025 cut-off. Seat allocation is based on merit ranks, which differ across categories.
To register for JoSAA, candidates must have qualified either for JEE Main 2025 or JEE Advanced 2025, depending on the institute they aim for. They must also meet the eligibility criteria set by individual institutes, including the required Class 12 performance standards. Registration is done online through the official JoSAA portal, where candidates must provide their JEE credentials and academic details and select their preferred courses and institutes during the choice-filling process.