JEE Main (Joint Entrance Examination Main)

JEE Main 2026

Notification | Eligibility | Exam Dates | Application Form | Exam Pattern | Admit Card | Syllabus | Result | Counselling

JEE MAIN 2026 notification will be available in November 2025 (Session 1) following with the online application submissions starting in the 1st week of November 2025 (session 1) and 1st week of February 2026 (session 2). The last date for the submission of online applications is 1st week December 2025 (session 1) and 1st week of March 2026 (session 2).  JEE MAIN exam will be conducted between 22nd – 30th January 2026 (session 1) and 2nd – 9th April 2026 (session 2) although the official dates are yet to be released by the authorities.

The JEE Main exam is the first stage of the Joint Entrance Examination system, serving as the primary gateway for admission to undergraduate engineering programs. The JEE Main serves as a gateway into premier institutions such as the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other centrally funded technical institutes. The JEE Main exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is held in multiple sessions throughout the year, providing aspirants with several opportunities to improve their scores.

The JEE Main exam consists of two papers: Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech aspirants and Paper 2 for those seeking admission to B.Arch/B.Planning courses. Paper 1 is a three-hour computer-based test featuring questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, structured to evaluate a candidate’s both conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities. With a moderate difficulty level compared to JEE Advanced, JEE Main is accessible to a broader range of candidates, yet remains highly competitive due to the large number of applicants vying for limited seats in top engineering colleges in India.

For aspirants, the JEE Main 2026 session brings both opportunities and challenges. Competition will be fierce, the JEE Main 2026 syllabus remains vast, and any updates in JEE Main 2026 exam pattern or marking scheme will be closely watched. Early preparation, strategic revision, and familiarity with the latest NTA guidelines will be critical to success. Whether aiming for a top engineering college or using the JEE Main 2026 exam as a stepping stone to JEE Advanced, candidates must approach JEE Main 2026 with discipline, persistence, and a smart study plan that balances conceptual clarity with practice under exam-like conditions.

JEE MAIN 2026 – Key Highlights

Basic Information on JEE MAIN

The JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) Main is a national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate Engineering, Architecture, and Planning programs across India. It is held twice a year, typically in January and April, giving candidates two attempts to improve their scores. The JEE Main exam consists of multiple-choice and numerical-type questions, primarily testing Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for engineering aspirants, while architecture and planning candidates have additional sections. JEE Main scores are accepted by NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions, and the exam also serves as the qualifying stage for JEE Advanced, which is required for admission to IITs. Registration, syllabus, exam pattern, and important dates are officially announced on the NTA’s website each year. Candidates are advised to ensure their eligibility criteria before applying for the JEE Main exam.

JEE MAIN 2026 Exam Dates (Tentative)

Following is the list of the JEE Main 2026 exam dates. Please note that these dates are only tentative as the authorities are yet to release the dates in their official website.

JEE MAIN 2026 Exam Highlights

JEE MAIN 2026 Eligibility Criteria

The JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria require candidates to have qualified or be appearing in their Class 12 or equivalent examination in the years 2024, 2025, or 2026, with compulsory subjects including Physics and Mathematics, along with Chemistry or other specified vocational subjects for B.E./B.Tech aspirants. There is no age limit, and candidates can attempt the JEE Main exam for three consecutive years after their Class 12 passing year. Additionally, Indian nationals and foreign candidates with qualifying board equivalence are eligible to apply, though admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs demands a minimum of 75% marks (65% for reserved categories) or placement in the top 20 percentile of their board.

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JEE MAIN 2026 Application Process

The JEE Main 2026 application form is available online on the official JEE Main website, where candidates must register by providing basic personal details and creating login credentials. Following registration, applicants complete the form by filling in educational qualifications, exam preferences, and category details candidates need to upload required scanned documents and pay the application fee online. The JEE Main 2026 application process include a provision for form correction within a specified window after submission, ensuring candidates can rectify any errors before final confirmation.

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JEE MAIN 2026 Exam Pattern

The JEE Main 2026 exam pattern comprises three papers: Paper 1 for B.E./ B. Tech, Paper 2A for B. Arch, and Paper 2B for B. Planning. Paper 1 includes 75 questions across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with each subject featuring 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 5 numerical value questions (NVQs) to be attempted, totaling 300 marks. The exam duration is 3 hours and it is conducted as a computer-based test except for the Drawing section in Paper 2A, which is pen-and-paper based. For MCQs, the marking scheme grants +4 marks for correct answers and -1 for incorrect, while NVQs have no negative marking. The JEE Main 2026 exam is offered in 13 languages to accommodate diverse candidates.

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JEE MAIN 2026 Syllabus

The JEE Main 2026 syllabus is aligned with the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12 covering Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Physics topics include mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics concepts. Chemistry covers physical, inorganic, and organic chemistry, including chemical bonding, thermodynamics, and biomolecules. Mathematics encompasses algebra, calculus, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, vectors, and probability. For B. Arch and B. Planning aspirants, the syllabus additionally includes an aptitude test (covering spatial awareness and reasoning) and, for B. Arch, a drawing test. The syllabus strictly adheres to the prescribed NCERT topics to ensure exam relevance.

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JEE MAIN 2026 – Preparation Tips

Effective preparation for JEE Main 2026 involves a balanced approach of understanding the detailed syllabus and exam pattern, creating a realistic study plan, building strong conceptual clarity, and regular practice. Aspirants should focus on NCERT textbooks initially, supplement with standard reference books, and solve previous years' papers and mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Consistency, timely doubt clearance, and maintaining physical and mental well-being are equally important. Developing concise revision notes and practicing time management strategies can significantly enhance performance in JEE Main 2026.

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JEE MAIN 2026 Admit Card

The JEE Main 2026 admit card is a crucial document that candidates must download from the official NTA website – jeemain.nta.nic.in before the examination. Typically released a few days prior to the exam, the JEE Main admit card contains vital details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, exam date, center address, and paper applied for. To download it, candidates need to log in using their application number and password or date of birth. It is mandatory to carry the printed JEE Main admit card along with a valid photo ID proof to the exam center; failure to do so will result in denial of entry. Candidates should verify all details on the JEE Main admit card and promptly report any discrepancies to the exam authorities for corrections.

JEE MAIN 2026 – Cut Offs

The JEE Main 2026 cut offs indicate the minimum percentile scores and marks that candidates must achieve to qualify for admission into various engineering institutes like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, as well as to become eligible for JEE Advanced. The JEE Main cut offs vary by category—General, OBC, SC/ST, and PwD—and depend on factors like exam difficulty, number of candidates, and seat availability. Typically, General category candidates need a percentile around 92-95 to qualify, while reserved categories have lower thresholds. The JEE Main cut offs are crucial in determining the All India Rank and eligibility for counselling and admission.

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JEE MAIN 2026 Results

The JEE Main 2026 results will be declared by the National Testing Agency separately for the two sessions conducted in January and April. Candidates can check their JEE Main results online by logging into the official portal with their application number and date of birth. The JEE Main scorecard displays normalized percentile scores for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and the overall aggregate, ensuring fair comparison across different exam sessions. For candidates appearing in both sessions, the best percentile score will be used for the final All India Rank (AIR). The JEE Main results are essential for qualifying for JEE Advanced and for participating in counselling and seat allocation for engineering admissions.

JEE MAIN 2026 Counselling Process

The counselling process for JEE Main 2026 is primarily conducted online by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) for seat allocation in NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and IITs (through JEE Advanced qualification). The JEE Main counselling process involves multiple rounds where candidates register, fill and lock their preferred choices of institutes and courses, and participate in seat allotment based on their ranks and category. Candidates can accept, float, slide, or withdraw seats during various rounds. State-level and private university counselling also take place independently, accepting JEE Main ranks. Additionally, CSAB Special Rounds are held for filling remaining seats after JoSAA rounds.

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JEE MAIN 2026 Instructions

1. Candidates should upload their photograph and signature with the preferred size in the portal which should be clearly visible.
2. Candidates need to carry their admit card/hall ticket to the exam centre. Candidates will be prohibited from entering the exam hall without this document.
3. Candidates will also be required to carry a valid ID proof such as – Voter ID Card/ Aadhaar Card/ PAN Card/ Driving License, etc.
4. It is advisable for all candidates to enter the designated exam hall before time for a smooth security process before the beginning of exam.
5. Any candidate violating the rules will be strictly dealt as per the norms of the exam centre.
6. Any candidate pursuing any unfair means in the exam hall will be dealt with as per the rules and regulations of the test centre.

JEE MAIN 2026 – FAQs

Q1. What is the exam pattern for JEE Main 2026?

Ans. JEE Main 2026 consists of three separate papers catering to different courses: Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech, Paper 2A for B.Arch, and Paper 2B for B.Planning. Paper 1 includes 75 questions divided equally among Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with both multiple-choice (MCQs) and numerical value-based questions. The JEE Main exam duration for each paper is 3 hours, and it is conducted as a computer-based test, except the Drawing section in Paper 2A, which is pen-and-paper based. The marking scheme awards +4 for each correct MCQ and deducts 1 mark for incorrect answers, while numerical questions have no negative marking. The exam is offered in 13 languages to accommodate candidates from across India.

Q2. Who is eligible to appear for the JEE Main 2026 examination?

Ans. Candidates who have qualified or are appearing for their Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible to apply for JEE Main 2026. There is no upper age limit for candidates. For B.E./B.Tech aspirants, Physics and Mathematics are compulsory subjects along with one of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or a technical vocational subject at the qualifying level. Both Indian nationals and foreign nationals can apply, provided their education boards are recognized and equivalent certificates are furnished if applicable. Candidates can attempt the exam up to three consecutive years after passing Class 12.

Q3. How is the JEE Main 2026 result calculated and declared?

Ans. The results for JEE Main 2026 are declared separately for each session conducted in January and April. The National Testing Agency (NTA) releases a scorecard that contains percentile scores for individual subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) and the overall aggregate percentile. Percentile scores are calculated through normalization to fairly compare candidates across different exam sessions and shifts. For candidates who appear in both sessions, the best percentile score is considered for the final All India Rank, which determines eligibility for counselling and admission.

Q4. What is the cut-off for qualifying JEE Main 2026 and securing admission?

Ans. JEE Main 2026 cut-offs are the minimum percentile scores a candidate must achieve to be eligible for admissions to institutions like NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, and to qualify for JEE Advanced. The cut-offs vary by category; for the General category, the expected qualifying percentile is between 92 and 95, with corresponding marks around 105 to 115 out of 300. Reserved categories have lower thresholds. Admission cut-offs for popular branches and institutes are higher than qualifying cut-offs and fluctuate based on exam difficulty, number of applicants, and seat availability.

Q5. How can candidates prepare effectively for JEE Main 2026?

Ans. Effective preparation for JEE Main 2026 involves understanding the syllabus based on NCERT textbooks for Classes 11 and 12, making a realistic study plan, and balancing time among Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Candidates should build a strong conceptual foundation, practice regularly with previous years’ question papers and mock tests, and analyze their performance to address weak areas. Consistent revision, creating concise notes, clearing doubts promptly, and maintaining physical and mental well-being are also crucial to succeed in this competitive exam.