A group of students is seeking a change in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced eligibility rules, demanding three attempts in three consecutive years instead of the current two attempts in two consecutive years.
Alternatively, they have proposed allowing two attempts within a three-year window, arguing that illness, family emergencies and unequal access to preparation can affect candidates during the limited eligibility period.
Unequal Access To Coaching
The students argue that performance across two attempts may not fully reflect a candidate’s academic ability, particularly when serious illness or family emergencies disrupt preparation. They have also highlighted differences in access to coaching, guidance and structured preparation.
Students supporting the proposal argue that candidates who begin preparing early, particularly at established coaching centres, may have more time to develop their problem-solving skills. In contrast, students from rural areas, smaller towns or financially disadvantaged families may have fewer opportunities to access specialised coaching and mentoring.
Stories of Struggle
Abhijeet Singh from Delhi says an allergic condition that persisted from September 2025 to February 2026 disrupted his preparation during a drop year. He has supplied medical reports relating to the period.
Aryan, from Madhya Pradesh, says jaundice, his father’s death in an accident and financial difficulties affected his preparation. He also claims that delays in receiving an improved Class 12 result through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) affected his admission prospects, resulting in the cancellation of a seat allotted to him at MANIT Bhopal after 55 days. The circumstances surrounding the alleged cancellation have not been independently verified.
Sanvi from Maharashtra, whose identifying details have been withheld at her request, says severe stomach pain and menstrual symptoms affected her examination attempt. She reports that subsequent health problems further disrupted her preparation.
They believe a three-year eligibility window could provide greater flexibility without guaranteeing admission to an IIT. Candidates would still need to meet the prescribed examination and admission criteria.
Unseen Implications
Meanwhile, IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal has cautioned that allowing a third attempt could have implications for students’ time, finances and preparation. In an interview with The Print, he argued that one year after Class 12 should be sufficient for JEE Advanced preparation and said data from JEE Main showed that relatively few students performed well on their third attempt.