JEE Main Paper 2 Eligibility 2027: B.Arch and B.Planning Criteria

JEE Main Paper 2 eligibility has two layers. The first decides whether you can sit the exam: NTA's rules on the year of passing Class 12 and attempts. The second decides whether your Paper 2A or 2B rank can get you a B.Arch or B.Planning seat: subject and marks requirements set for admission.

The 2027 Information Bulletin is not out yet, so this page uses the rules in the JEE (Main) 2026 bulletin and marks the expected 2027 position. B.Arch and B.Planning have different subject rules, and both differ from JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), so check the one that applies to the paper you choose.

JEE Main Paper 2 Eligibility at a Glance

The three-year window and year-of-passing row are expected values based on the 2026 rule; confirm them in the 2027 bulletin.

Educational Qualification

For B.Arch (Paper 2A)

The 2026 bulletin quotes the Gazette of India notification of 19 July 2023 for B.Arch admission. Candidates need Class 12 or equivalent with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, plus one of the following: Chemistry, Biology, Technical Vocational subject, Computer Science, Information Technology, Informatics Practices, Engineering Graphics or Business Studies.

• Minimum marks: At least 45% in aggregate in the qualifying exam.

• Diploma route: A 10+3 Diploma recognised by the Central or State Government with Mathematics as a compulsory subject and at least 45% aggregate.

• Chemistry: Not compulsory under this rule, but some institutes may set their own subject conditions.

For B.Planning (Paper 2B)

Candidates need at least 50% marks in Mathematics and 50% marks in aggregate in the qualifying examination.

Year of passing

For JEE Main 2026, candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or who were appearing in 2026, could apply. Those who passed in 2023 or earlier were not eligible. Applying the same three-year rule, the 2027 exam is expected to accept those who passed in 2025 or 2026 or are appearing in 2027.

Age Limit

NTA sets no age limit for appearing in JEE Main Paper 2. Candidates of any age who meet the year-of-passing rule can apply. Admitting institutes may still apply their own age criteria, so check the institute's admission rules before you lock choices.

The 75% Criterion for NITs and JoSAA Institutes

For B.Arch and B.Planning seats at NITs, SPAs and other centrally funded institutes through JoSAA, you must also meet one of these conditions:

• Marks route: At least 75% aggregate in Class 12 (65% for SC, ST and PwD candidates).

• Percentile route: A place in the top 20 percentile of successful candidates in your category in your Class 12 board exam.

The Paper 2A calculation names Chemistry even though Chemistry is not compulsory for B.Arch admission itself. If you did not take Chemistry in Class 12, check the JoSAA business rules for how your subjects will be counted. This rule applies to JoSAA and CSAB admissions. State counselling and private colleges set their own minimums, which are often lower.

Number of Attempts and Sessions

• Two sessions a year: You can appear in January, April or both. The better Total NTA Score is used.

• One attempt per session: Appearing more than once in the same session leads to cancellation of candidature.

• Three-year window: In effect you can take the exam in the year you finish Class 12 and the two following years.

Nationality and Other Conditions

• Who can apply: Indian nationals and the overseas and foreign candidate categories listed in the bulletin, each with its own conditions.

• Category certificates: EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST and PwD claims need valid certificates in the format the bulletin specifies.

• Aadhaar and documents: NTA advises updating Aadhaar and category certificates before applying so that names and photographs match.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Older pass-outs: Candidates who passed Class 12 outside the three-year window.

• Missing compulsory subject: B.Arch aspirants without both Physics and Mathematics in Class 12, or B.Planning aspirants without Mathematics.

• Below the marks threshold: Candidates who cannot reach 45% (B.Arch) or 50% in Mathematics and aggregate (B.Planning) cannot take an admission even with a good rank.

Verify all conditions in the bulletin on jeemain.nta.nic.in.