If you’re preparing for JEE Mains 2025 but worried about the 75% marks criteria in Class 12, you’re not alone. Many students find themselves in a similar situation, wondering if not meeting this requirement will stop them from appearing for the exam.
The good news is, that you can still appear for JEE Mains even if you don’t meet the 75% criteria! However, there are some important details to understand, especially regarding admission to top colleges like NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. Let’s break it down.
Here are some more similar queries.
- I got less than 75 percent in the board Exam. Can I take the JEE next year by taking a drop year?
- Should a person take a drop for the JEE if he scored 55% in the 12th boards?
- Can I take a drop for the JEE 2021 if I have exactly 75% in the 12th boards?
- If I have 60 percent in the 12th boards, can I take the JEE 2025 if I take a drop?
- If I scored less than 75% in the boards, can I take the JEE exam? If I cleared the exam, will I get admission to any IIT?
- Should I take a 2nd drop for the JEE if I have 64.2 percent in 12th?
I will answer all the queries in this blog. If your query matches any of these, read this post till the end for clarity.
What are the 75% Criteria?
The 75% criteria means that to get admission into NITs (National Institutes of Technology), IIITs (Indian Institutes of Information Technology), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs), you must either:
Score at least 75% marks in your Class 12 board exams if you belong to the General or OBC category.
Score at least 65% marks if you belong to the SC, ST, or PwD (Persons with Disabilities) categories.
OR
Alternatively, if you are in the top 20 percentile of students who appeared in your respective board exams, you are also eligible for admission to these institutes.
Can I Appear for JEE Mains Without 75% Marks?
Yes, you can still appear for JEE Mains 2025 even if you don’t meet the 75% mark requirement. The 75% rule applies only to admissions into specific colleges like NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs, and not for taking the JEE Mains exam itself.
In simpler terms, your ability to sit for the exam is not affected by your Class 12 percentage. JEE Mains is an entrance exam that anyone who has passed Class 12 in 2023, 2024, or is appearing in 2025, can take, regardless of their marks.
What Happens If I Don’t Meet the 75% Criteria?
If you do not meet the 75% (or 65% for SC/ST/PwD) criteria and want to get into NITs, IIITs, or CFTIs, you won’t be eligible for admission to these institutes, even if you score well in JEE Mains.
However, many state-level engineering colleges, private institutes, and other universities accept JEE Mains scores without requiring 75% marks in Class 12. So, even if you don’t meet the criteria, you still have a good chance of getting into other good colleges.
Top 20 Percentile Rule In JEE Mains 2025
If you don’t score 75% but rank in the top 20 percentile of students on your board, you can still be eligible for NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. The top 20 percentile rule allows students who are among the top performers in their respective boards to qualify for admission, even if their actual percentage is less than 75%.
Each board sets its own top 20 percentile cut-off, so it’s a good idea to check your board’s specific cut-off marks for eligibility.
What Are My Options If I Don’t Meet the 75% Criteria?
Focus on Private Colleges: Many top private engineering colleges accept JEE Mains scores and do not require 75% in Class 12 for admission. You can research and apply to these institutes, where your JEE Mains score will still be valuable.
State-Level Institutes: Some state-level engineering colleges have their eligibility criteria, which might not include the 75% rule. You can apply to these colleges based on your JEE Mains score.
Retake Class 12 Exams: If you are determined to get into an NIT or IIIT and missed the 75% requirement, some students opt to improve their Class 12 marks by retaking the board exams. If your board allows it, you can reappear for specific subjects and improve your percentage.
Key Takeaways
- You can still appear for JEE Mains 2025 even if you don’t meet the 75% criteria.
- The 75% rule only applies to admission into NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs.
- Many private and state-level colleges do not require 75% marks in Class 12 for admission based on JEE Mains scores.
- The top 20 percentile rule is an alternative option for students who don’t meet the 75% requirement but are among the top performers in their respective boards.
Conclusion
If you don’t meet the 75% criteria for JEE Mains 2025, don’t worry. You can still take the exam, and plenty of opportunities exist for you in other engineering colleges. Focus on your preparation for the exam, and explore different options for admission based on your JEE Mains score. Remember, scoring well in the exam is key to unlocking various doors, even if the 75% rule prevents admission to a few institutions.