Over 12,000 IIT aspirants seek third attempt for JEE-Advanced

More than 12,000 IIT aspirants have petitioned authorities seeking three attempts for JEE-Advanced, instead of the current two. They argue that additional opportunities would ensure fairness, reduce disadvantages linked to unequal preparation and better reflect students' academic potential

New Delhi: IIT aspirants across the country are demanding that the number of attempts for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)-Advanced, the gateway to admission to prestigious institutes, be increased from two to three.

At present, aspirants are allowed a maximum of two attempts in two consecutive years. The first attempt must be taken in the year of passing Class 12, while the second attempt can be taken in the following year.

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More than 12,000 aspirants have petitioned the Ministry of Education, the IIT Council and the Joint Admission Board (JAB), urging that the number of attempts either be increased to three or that the existing two attempts be allowed over three consecutive years.

The top 2.5 lakh candidates in JEE-Main are eligible to appear for JEE-Advanced. Students are allowed to appear for JEE-Main up to six times over three consecutive years, beginning with the year in which they pass Class 12.

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET (UG), the single entrance test for admission to MBBS and BDS courses, allows unlimited attempts and has no upper age limit.

“Under the current policy, students are limited to only two consecutive attempts, while JEE-Main allows three attempts within the same admission system. If improvement is allowed in JEE-Main, why is it restricted in JEE-Advanced?

“This inconsistency denies many capable and hardworking students a fair opportunity to demonstrate their true potential,” the aspirants said in the petition.

“The idea that a third attempt will increase competition is a misconception. JEE-Advanced already filters candidates through JEE-Main. The number of seats remains unchanged.

“The exam difficulty and evaluation remain the same. More attempts do not create unfair competition — they ensure fair participation,” they added.

IIT aspirants have been demanding three attempts for JEE-Advanced for years. However, the movement has gained momentum against the backdrop of the debate surrounding students’ mental well-being.

During the COVID-19 period, an additional attempt was allowed for JEE-Advanced.

“The COVID measure demonstrated that the system can adapt when fairness demands it. Additional attempts do not dilute quality. More deserving students get the opportunity they deserve,” the petition said.

“It is a request to remove an unnecessary limitation and ensure equal opportunity. A fair system should measure students at their true potential, not restrict them through rigid timelines. Do not limit talent by the number of attempts. Let merit be decided at its peak,” it added.

The aspirants argued that JEE-Advanced tests deep conceptual clarity, analytical thinking and problem-solving maturity, and that many students reach their peak performance only after sustained preparation, often beyond one drop year.

“JEE-Advanced is a high-pressure, single-day exam. Factors such as health issues, anxiety or minor mistakes can significantly affect performance. Two attempts may not truly reflect a student’s capability.

“Not all students begin with the same level of awareness, guidance or resources. Many, especially those from rural or underprivileged backgrounds, begin serious preparation only after Class 12, leaving them at a disadvantage,” they said.

They argued that some students receive structured preparation from an early stage, while others begin much later. A third attempt would help reduce this gap and create a more level playing field, the aspirants said.