JEE MAIN 2026: Joint Entrance Examination Main 2026 is a national-level entrance exam for students who want to take admission into engineering, architecture, and planning courses in top institutions of India like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. It is also the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which is required for admission into the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in computer-based mode and is held in two sessions – usually in January and April. Students can appear in one session or both, and the best score is considered for ranking and admission. The exam is going to be held in the second week of January 2026.
JEE MAIN Registration was started on 31 October 2025, and the last date to submit the form was 27 November 2025. JEE Main has three papers, such as Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech, Paper 2A for B.Arch, and Paper 2B for B.Planning. The test checks the student’s knowledge in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, while architecture and planning papers include mathematics, aptitude, and drawing or planning-based questions.
JEE Mains 2026 Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Purpose | Admission to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs + Qualifier for JEE Advanced |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Sessions | Two – Session 1: January 2026 Session 2: April 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Eligibility | 12th pass/appearing with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Syllabus | NCERT Class 11 & 12 (PCM) |
| Exam Pattern | Section A: MCQs Section B: Numerical Value Questions |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, –1 for wrong (MCQs) |
| Difficulty Trend | Increasing; more application-based questions |
| Expected Cut-off (General) | Around 93 percentile |
JEE Main 2026 Exam Date
JEE Main 2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for students who want to study engineering and architecture at top Universities in India, like NITs, IIITs, and other centrally technical Universities. Students who will qualify JEE Main 2026-27 exam will be eligible for the JEE Advanced to get admission in IITs.Â
The exam will be conducted in two sessions: Session 1 in January 2026 and Session 2 in April 2026. Students may appear in one or both sessions, and the best score will be used for admission. The test is held in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The syllabus is based on Class 11 and 12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, following the NCERT curriculum. The question paper includes two sections with multiple-choice and numerical value questions.
JEE Main is a highly competitive exam, so students need to prepare well on strong concepts with regular practice. Clearing this exam opens doors to some of the best engineering colleges in the country and offers a bright career in technology.Â
JEE Main 2026 Exam Important Dates
| Event | Session 1 (January 2026) | Session 2 (April 2026) |
| Registration Starts | 31 October 2025 | To be Announced |
| Registration Ends | 27 November 2026 | March 2026 |
| Correction Window | December 1 – 2, 2025, till 11:50 PM | March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 3rd week of January 2026 | March 2026 |
| Exam Dates | January 2026 | April 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | – | – |
| Result Declaration | – | – |
Eligibility Criteria for JEE Mains 2026
JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria are the rules set by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure candidates meet the necessary requirements before applying for the exam. These criteria include nationality, educational qualifications, age limit, and subject requirements. It is important for all aspirants to read and understand these conditions before filling out the form. Providing incorrect details may lead to the rejection of the application by NTA.
- There is no upper age limit for JEE Main 2026, but candidates must meet the age criteria of the institute they wish to join.
- Candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 or equivalent in 2024 or 2025 from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
- JEE Main is open to Indian nationals, OCI/PIO candidates, and foreign nationals who meet the eligibility rules.
- Candidates must also meet the minimum percentage or rank requirements prescribed by the institutions during admission.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Application Form
JEE Main 2026–27 application form will be available online through the official NTA portal jeemain.nta.nic.in, and it is expected to be released in 31 October 2025 for Session 1 and . Interested candidates must visit the official website to begin the process by registering themselves. During registration students will need to provide details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, and email address to create login credentials.
Once registered, candidates can log in and fill out the application form with accurate personal details, educational qualifications, passing year, and exam city preferences. They will also be required to upload scanned copies of a passport-size photograph, signature, and, if applicable, category and PwD certificates.
The application fee is expected to range from INR 325 to INR 1,000 depending on the category and number of papers chosen. Payment must be made online via debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking.
Before submitting, candidates should carefully review all the details to avoid errors that may lead to rejection. After final submission, applicants must download and print the confirmation page for future reference, including admit card download, counselling, and document verification.
How to Apply for JEE Main 2026 Exam?
To apply for JEE Main 2026–27 candidates should follow the steps given below:
- Step 1: Visit the official NTA JEE Main website @jeemain.nta.nic.in .
- Step 2: Click on the JEE Main 2026 registration link and create a new account by entering basic details such as name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID.
- Step 3: Log in using the generated credentials and fill in all required personal, academic, and contact details carefully.
- Step 4: Select your preferred exam city from the available options.
- Step 5: Upload the required scanned documents, including your recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature (as per the prescribed format).
- Step 6: Pay the application fee using an online payment method (debit card, credit card, UPI, or net banking).
- Step 7: Review the application form, make corrections if needed, and submit it.
- Step 8: Take a printout of the confirmation page and note down the application number for future reference.
Documents Required
- Class 10th marksheet/certificate
- Class 12th marksheet (or appearing certificate)
- Passport-size photograph
- Scanned signature
- Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar, Passport, etc.)
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- PwD certificate (if applicable)
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card
JEE Main 2026-27 admit card will be released separately for Session 1 and Session 2 by the NTA. For Session 1 it is expected to be available in the second week of January 2026, while for Session 2, it may be released in the first week of April 2026. Candidates will be able to download it only from the official NTA JEE Main website using their application number and password created during registration.
Admit card will contain important details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, photograph, signature, date of birth, exam date, shift timing, reporting time, and the complete address of the examination centre. It will also include exam day instructions that candidates must follow.
On the day of the exam, candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence. The details on the ID proof must match those mentioned on the admit card. Without the admit card and valid ID proof, entry to the examination hall will not be permitted as per NTA guidelines.
Syllabus for JEE Main 2026 Exam
JEE Main 2026–27 syllabus will be released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on its official website, most likely along with the start of registration. Candidates will be able to download the subject-wise syllabus in PDF format to understand the topics they need to study in detail. The syllabus is mainly based on the NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 curriculum for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, as prescribed by the CBSE.
| Subject | Class 11 Topics | Class 12 Topics |
| Physics | Laws of Motion, Work-Energy-Power, Thermodynamics, Gravitation, Kinematics, Waves, Oscillations, Properties of Solids and Fluids | Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Optics, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Alternating Currents, Modern Physics, Communication Systems |
| Chemistry | Basic Concepts, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Hydrocarbons, Environmental Chemistry | Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Surface Chemistry, Chemical Kinetics, p-Block, d-Block, f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, Biomolecules, Polymers |
| Mathematics | Sets, Relations, Trigonometry, Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Sequence & Series, Binomial Theorem, Coordinate Geometry | Calculus, Probability, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Matrices, Determinants, Differential Equations, Linear Programming |
JEE Mains 2026 Exam Pattern
JEE Main 2026–27 will be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and will be available in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, and other regional languages as per the exam centre location. The paper will have questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics based on the Class 11 and Class 12 syllabus. The exam will follow a mix of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Value Type (NVT) questions.
For MCQs, 4 marks will be awarded for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for each incorrect answer. For NVT questions, 4 marks will be awarded for a correct answer, but there will be no negative marking for wrong answers.
Having a clear understanding of the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern is very important for effective preparation. It helps candidates know the marking scheme, question distribution, section-wise weightage, and exam duration in advance. JEE Main is conducted in three formats – Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech., Paper 2A for B.Arch., and Paper 2B for B.Planning.
Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech.
| Subject | Section Type | No. of Questions | Marks for Correct Answer | Negative Marking |
| Physics | Section A – MCQs | 20 | +4 | –1 |
| Section B – Numerical Value | 5 | +4 | 0 | |
| Chemistry | Section A – MCQs | 20 | +4 | –1 |
| Section B – Numerical Value | 5 | +4 | 0 | |
| Mathematics | Section A – MCQs | 20 | +4 | –1 |
| Section B – Numerical Value | 5 | +4 | 0 |
Paper 2A – B.Arch.
| Subject | Part/Section | No. of Questions | Marks for Correct Answer | Negative Marking |
| Mathematics | Part I – MCQs | 20 | +4 | –1 |
| Part I – Numerical Value | 5 | +4 | 0 | |
| Aptitude | Part II – MCQs | 50 | +4 | –1 |
| Drawing Test | Part III – Drawing Aptitude | 2 | As per evaluation | No negative mark |
Paper 2B – B.Planning
| Subject | Part/Section | No. of Questions | Marks for Correct Answer | Negative Marking |
| Mathematics | Part I – MCQs | 20 | +4 | –1 |
| Part I – Numerical Value | 10 | +4 | 0 | |
| Aptitude | Part II – MCQs | 50 | +4 | –1 |
| Planning Test | Part III – MCQs | 25 | +4 | –1 |
Preparation Tips for JEE Main 2026Â
Preparing for JEE Main requires a smart study plan, regular practice, and strong conceptual understanding. Since the exam tests Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from Classes 11 and 12, candidates should focus on learning the fundamentals clearly instead of only memorising formulas. Consistent revision, solving mock tests, and analysing mistakes will help improve speed and accuracy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing stress are also key for success on exam day.
Tips for Preparation:
- Create a realistic study timetable and follow it regularly.
- Focus more on high-weightage topics in each subject.
- Revise important formulas, concepts, and shortcuts regularly.
- Solve previous years’ papers and take online mock tests.
- Analyse mistakes after every test to improve.
- Clear doubts immediately to avoid confusion later.
- Use NCERT books along with standard reference books.
- Join a good coaching institute or online course if needed for guidance.
NTA JEE Main 2026 Answer Key
 The National Testing Agency (NTA) will release the JEE Main 2026 answer key online for both Session 1 and Session 2, usually within a week after each exam ends. The answer key will help candidates match their responses and calculate their estimated scores before the official results.
Apart from the official key, some coaching institutes may also provide an unofficial answer key and detailed paper analysis soon after the exam. This can give students an early idea of their performance and help them understand the difficulty level and type of questions asked.
JEE Main 2026 Results
Results for JEE Main 2026–27 are likely to be declared online a few weeks after the completion of each session. The result will be announced in the form of a scorecard, which can be accessed by logging in with the candidate’s application number and password/date of birth. The scorecard will display important details such as total marks, subject-wise scores, percentile, and All India Rank (AIR). Based on the final results, a merit list will be prepared for qualified candidates. Students are advised to download and save multiple copies of their results and scorecards, as they will be required during counselling and admission processes.
JEE Main 2026 Cutoffs
Cut-off for JEE Main is the minimum percentile or score candidates must achieve to qualify for JEE Advanced and to be considered for admission to NITs, IIITs, and other participating institutes. The official cut-off will be released along with the result. Only candidates meeting or exceeding the cut-off will be eligible for the next stage of the admission process.
| Percentile Score | Expected Marks (Out of 300) |
| 90% | 90–95 |
| 95% | 130–140 |
| 98% | 160–180 |
| 99% | 180–200 |
JEE Main 2026 Counselling Process
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA), formed by the Ministry of Education, manages the seat allotment process for 119 top universities in India. These include 23 IITs, 31 NITs, IIEST Shibpur, 26 IIITs, and 38 Government-Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) run with support from the Central or State Government. JoSAA counselling provides a fair and centralised system where seats are given to students based on their exam rank, choices filled, and seat availability, making the admission process smooth and transparent.
Who Can Participate in JoSAA Counselling?
- Passed Class 12: Candidates must have cleared their 12th-grade exams.
- Qualified JEE Main: For NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, clearing JEE Main is mandatory.
- Qualified JEE Advanced: For admission to IITs, candidates must also qualify JEE Advanced.
How To Apply for JEE Main Counselling
- Step 1: Â Log in to the official JoSAA website using your JEE Main 2026 application number and password to complete the registration process.
- Step 2: Choose your preferred academic programs and participating institutes according to your eligibility and interest.
- Step 3: Confirm and lock your choices within the given deadline, and keep a printout for future reference.
- Step 4: Â Seats are allotted based on your rank, preferences, and seat availability in the chosen institutes.
- Step 5: Upload and verify all required documents online to proceed with the admission process.
- Step 6: Visit the allotted institute to pay the remaining fees and complete all admission formalities.
JEE Main 2026 FAQ
Q1: What is the syllabus for JEE Main 2026?
Ans: The JEE Main 2026 syllabus includes topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics of Class 11 and 12. Students should follow the official syllabus to cover all important chapters for exam preparation.
Q2: How can I complete the JEE Main 2026 registration?
Ans: Students can do the JEE Main 2026 registration online through the official website by creating an account and filling the application form. They must upload required documents and pay the registration fee to complete the process.
Q3: What is the official website for JEE Main 2026?
Ans: The official website for JEE Main 2026 is jeemain.nta.nic.in. All updates, notifications, application forms, and admit cards will be available on this portal.
Q4: Who is eligible for JEE Main 2026?
Ans: To be eligible for JEE Main 2026, candidates must have passed Class 12 or an equivalent exam with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. There is also an age limit and other criteria set by the authorities.
Q5: When will the JEE Mains 2026 exam be held?
Ans: The JEE Mains 2026 exam is expected to be conducted twice a year, usually in January and April 2026. Exact dates will be announced on the official website once the schedule is released.
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