JEE Advanced 2027: Aspirants demand third attempt, petition gets 13,000 signatures

Hyderabad: A demand for a third attempt at the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced is getting louder, with aspirants saying that existing two-attempt limit puts them at a disadvantage in securing seats at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

In an online petition titled ‘Reinstate the Third Attempt for JEE Advanced’ on Change.org, aspirants demanded the Joint Admission Board (JAB) and the IIT Council to allow a third attempt, particularly for students taking a second drop after Intermediate/ Class XII. If not, they sought permission to use two attempts over three consecutive years.

As per the current system, JEE Main, the first stage of the IIT admission system, allows up to six attempts across three consecutive years, with two sessions every year.

However, JEE Advanced restricts attempts to two in consecutive years. This means the first attempt must be in the year of passing Intermediate/ Class XII and the second in the following year. No attempt is available after that.

According to students, this current system penalizes students who follow the rules, including mandatory 75 percent attendance requirement, complete practicals and appear for board examinations, gets only one fully dedicated year for JEE Advanced. A student who bypasses regular schooling can give both attempts largely full-time.

Stating that the third attempt is a basic structural requirement but not a favour, students said the CBSE and other Boards treat Class XII as a school year, with mandatory 75 percent attendance, practical and board exams. The IIT system also counts the same Class XII as one of only two attempts, leaving students with only one real attempt.

“Allow students for third consecutive attempt for JEE Advanced 2027, especially for second droppers or bring two attempts in three consecutive years policy for JEE Advanced 2027. This is not a request to lower standards. It is a request to remove an unnecessary limitation and ensure equal opportunity,” read the petition, which has been signed by 13,000 individuals.