Students Demand Three Attempts at JEE Advanced
Over 13,349 students have petitioned the government to allow three attempts at the JEE Advanced examination, the crucial gateway to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The petition argues that the current policy limiting candidates to two attempts over two years is unfair.
Current JEE Advanced Rules
Currently, students are permitted to appear in the JEE Main exam for three consecutive years after completing Class 12. However, the JEE Advanced exam, which determines admission to the IITs, allows only two attempts within a two-year period.
Petition Details
Raj Aryan, a student leading the “Third Attempt Movement,” stated that the petition has been submitted to the Education Ministry, the IIT Council, and the Joint Admission Board (JAB), the body responsible for organizing the JEE Advanced. Approximately 10,000 students initially signed the petition in August and September.
Proposed Changes
The petition proposes two possible solutions: either allowing three attempts across three consecutive years, or permitting two attempts within a three-year window. The movement emphasizes that this is not intended to lower academic standards but to ensure fairer access to opportunities.
Previous Policy Change and Reversal
In November 2024, the JAB announced that three attempts would be permitted for the JEE Advanced 2025. However, this decision was reversed on November 18, 2024, and the previous two-attempt policy was reinstated.
Rationale Behind the Petition
The petition highlights the diverse circumstances of aspiring engineering students. It points out that students from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly those in rural areas and attending government schools, may lack access to quality coaching, experienced mentors, and adequate study materials. The petition argues that this disparity creates an uneven playing field.
2026 Exam Details
The JEE Advanced 2026 exam was held on May 17, 2026, with a total of 179,694 candidates appearing. 56,880 candidates qualified for IIT admissions.
Source: The New Indian Express. Featured image credit: The New Indian Express.
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