best of five best subjects: what the 75% rule means for JEE 2026
The admission rule for JEE 2026 requires that the 75% aggregate in Class 12 be calculated from the "best of five best subjects" — updated Apr 1, 2026 . General and OBC category students must meet 75% ; SC/ST need 65% .
What the best of five best subjects includes
The five subjects must include Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as mandatory components. One language subject is included among the best five. The fifth slot is an optional subject — chosen for the highest score (it can be a technical subject or a language).
Boards’ highest-scoring five subjects are used to compute the aggregate. Improvement exam marks and droppers’ supplementary/compartment scores are considered for meeting the 75% requirement.
How best of five best subjects affects your JEE eligibility
You can sit for JEE Mains and Advanced without meeting the 75% rule. However, you cannot take part in JoSAA counselling for admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs and GFTIs unless you meet the required aggregate.
If your first-attempt marks are below 75% , you may use improvement exam results or valid supplementary scores to reach the threshold.
Colleges that accept below 75% (selected)
| College | Type | Minimum shown in public notices |
|---|---|---|
| Jadavpur University, Kolkata | Government | 60% in PCM |
| COEP, Pune | Government | 45% in PCM / aggregate |
| VJTI, Mumbai | Government | 45% in PCM |
| VIT, Pune | Private | 45% in PCM / aggregate |
| DTU, New Delhi | Government | 60% in PCM (varies by programme) |
Several Delhi colleges and state institutions list 55–60% PCM or passing English as the minimum for various seats. These are institution-level rules — check the college’s official notification for exact conditions.
Key numbers to remember
- 75% aggregate for General and OBC (best of five).
- 65% aggregate for SC/ST.
- Physics, Chemistry, Maths are mandatory in the five.
- Improvement and supplementary scores are accepted for meeting 75% .