JEE Main 2026: JEE Main 2026 is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It is the first step for admission into top institutions like NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded colleges. JEE Main is also the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which leads to admission in IITs.
JEE Main tests the knowledge of candidates in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics in a computer-based mode. JEE Main 2026 will be held in two sessions, usually held in January and April. Students should check complete details about JEE Main 2026, eligibility criteria, exam pattern, registration, admit card, result, and more below.
JEE Main 2026 Overview
JEE Main 2026 is the first step for students who want to get into top engineering colleges such as NITs, IIITs and GFTIs. Before starting your preparation, it’s important to understand key details like JEE Main 2026 eligibility, exam mode, subjects, and question types. The table below provides an overview of the JEE Main 2026:
|
JEE Main 2026 Overview |
|
|---|---|
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Exam Name |
JEE Main 2026 |
|
Conducting Body |
NTA (National Testing Agency) |
|
Admission To |
NITs, IIITs, GFTIs |
|
Eligibility |
Class 12 passed/appearing in 2024, 2025, or 2026 |
|
Mode of Exam |
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
Subjects |
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
|
Medium of Exam |
English, Hindi + regional languages |
|
Question Format |
Multiple Choice Questions & Numerical Value Questions |
|
Duration |
3 hours |
|
Difficulty Level |
Moderate, NCERT-focused |
|
NTA JEE Main 2026 official website |
jeemain.nta.nic.in |
Also Know: JEE Main Registration 2026
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To appear for JEE Main 2026, candidates must fulfill the eligibility requirements set by the National Testing Agency (NTA):
1. Educational Qualification: The applicants should be passed or appearing for their Class 12 (10+2) exams from the year, as well as 2024, 2025, or 2026 from a recognized board of Education.
2. Subjects Required:
-
For B.E./B.Tech, one should have studied Physics, Mathematics and either Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or Technical Vocational.
-
For B.Arch, candidates should have Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.
-
For B.Plan, only Mathematics is compulsory.
3. Age Limit: There is no age limit to appear for JEE Main 2026.
4. Number of Attempts: There is a maximum of six attempts for the exam to be made by the candidate, two attempts in each year for three consecutive years.
5. Minimum Marks for Admission: For admission in the NITs, IIIT and GFTIs, the candidates must score:
-
General/OBC/EWS: Minimum 75% marks in Class 12 or be in the top 20 percentile of their board.
-
SC/ST/PwD: Minimum 65% marks or top 20 percentile.
Also Know: JEE Mock Test Analysis, Know Step by Step Process
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern
JEE Main 2026 exam will be conducted mainly in a computer-based test (CBT) mode, except for the Drawing test in B.Arch, which is offline. Below is the exam pattern overview:
|
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern |
|
|---|---|
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Exam Mode |
Computer-Based Test (CBT), Drawing Test offline (B.Arch) |
|
Number of Papers |
Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), Paper 2B (B.Plan) |
|
Subjects Tested |
Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing/Planning (as applicable) |
|
Duration |
3 hours per paper (4 hours for PwD candidates) |
|
Languages |
13 languages including English and Hindi |
|
Question Types |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Value Questions |
|
Negative Marking |
Yes, marks are deducted for incorrect answers |
|
Drawing Test |
Offline (only for B.Arch - Paper 2A) |
|
Number of Questions |
Between 75 and 100, depending on the paper |
Also Know: Joint Entrance Examination, Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Tips
JEE Main 2026 Application Form
JEE Main 2026 application form is expected to be released in the first week of November 2025 by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for Session 1 and February 2026 for Session 2. The application process is going to be completely online via the NTA JEE Main 2026 official website.
Steps to Apply:
1. Registration: Create a new account using your name, mobile number, and email.
2. Form Filling: Fill in personal details, academic details, select your exam centre.
3. Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature and category/PwD certificates if applicable.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online by UPI, net banking and debit/credit card.
-
General/OBC Boys: ₹1000
-
SC/ST/PwD: ₹500
-
Girls (all categories): ₹800
5. Confirmation: Download and print the confirmation page for your records.
A correction window will be available for limited edits before the final submission.
Also Know: JEE Main 2026 Preparation Strategy
JEE Main 2026 Syllabus
JEE Main 2026 syllabus follows the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12, focusing on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech). The syllabus is mostly unchanged from previous years, but minor updates may be announced by NTA.
Key Topics:
-
Physics: Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, Optics, Modern Physics.
-
Chemistry: Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Organic Chemistry, Coordination Compounds.
-
Mathematics: Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Probability, Vectors, and 3D Geometry.
For Paper 2A (B.Arch) and Paper 2B (B.Plan), the syllabus includes:
-
Mathematics (same as Paper 1)
-
General Aptitude
-
Drawing Test (for B.Arch)
-
Planning-based questions (for B.Plan)
Students should refer to NCERT textbooks and download the official JEE Main 2026 syllabus PDF once it is released on the official website.
JEE Main 2026 Result
JEE Main 2026 result will be announced separately for both sessions. Session 1 will be in February and Session 2 in April on the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates can check their results by logging in with their application number and date of birth. The result shows:
-
NTA Percentile scores for each subject and overall
-
All India Rank (AIR) and category rank
-
Qualification status for JEE Advanced 2026
If candidates appear in both sessions, the better score will be used for ranking. Tie-breaking is done using subject-wise marks in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card
JEE Main 2026 admit card will be released three to five days before the start of each session. For Session 1, it is likely to be made available in the mid of January 2026 and early April 2026 for Session 2. Candidates will have to download the admit card themselves by logging into the official website using the application number and password.
Details on The JEE Main 2026 Admit Card are:
-
Candidate details and photograph
-
Date and time of examination and venue
-
Instructions and items allowed inside the exam hall.
Candidates must carry the printout of the admit card and any one valid Photo ID Proof to the exam center.
JEE Main 2026 Counselling
JEE Main 2026 counselling will be managed by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA). It will start in June 2026 after the JEE Advanced results are declared. Eligible candidates must register on josaa.nic.in and fill in their preferred colleges and courses. The counselling includes multiple rounds of seat allotment, document verification, and payment of seat acceptance fees.
Candidates can choose to freeze their seat, float it for better options, or slide to a higher preference. JoSAA handles admissions to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. For leftover seats, the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) conducts special rounds. Students should regularly check official websites for updates and deadlines.
JEE Main 2026 Cut Off
JEE Main 2026 cut off will be announced in two parts:
-
Qualifying Cut-off: This is the minimum percentile required to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026. For the General category, it is expected to be around 93 to 95 percentile.
-
Admission Cut-off: These are institute-wise opening and closing ranks released by JoSAA after each counselling round.
Top branches like Computer Science at leading NITs and IIITs usually need a percentile above 99. Cut-offs differ based on category, institute, and type of seat. Official cut-off lists will be published during the counselling process on the JoSAA website.
JEE Main Preparation Tips 2026
To do well in JEE Main 2026, which will be held in January and April sessions, students should follow a clear and focused study plan. With the updated syllabus and tough competition, it's important to prepare smartly.
-
Know Exam Pattern: There are a total of 75 questions in the exam (25 questions each in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics). As per JEE Main marking scheme 2026, students will be awarded +4 marks for one correct answer, -1 for each wrong MCQ, and no negative marking will be awarded for numerical questions.
-
Follow a Daily Routine: Divide time for learning concepts, solving problems, and revision. Be regular and avoid skipping study days.
-
Use Good Study Material: NCERT books are very important. For extra practice, refer to books like HC Verma (Physics), OP Tandon (Chemistry), and RD Sharma (Maths).
-
Check Chapter-Wise Weightage: Focus more on important topics like Thermodynamics, Organic Chemistry, and Calculus using the JEE Main chapter-wise weightage 2026.
-
Solve Mock Tests & PYQs: Practice previous year question papers and mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
JEE Main 2026 FAQs
Q1. What is the JEE Main 2026 exam date?
Ans: The JEE Main 2026 exam is expected to be held in two sessions, likely in January 2026 and April 2026. Final dates will be announced on the official NTA website.
Q2. When will JEE Main registration start for 2026?
Ans: The JEE Main registration date 2026 for Session 1 is expected in November 2025, and for Session 2, it may start in February 2026.
Q3. Are there any JEE Main syllabus changes for 2026?
Ans: Yes, the JEE Main syllabus 2026 has been revised slightly with the removal of a few topics. Students should check the updated syllabus PDF on the official website.
Q4. Can I appear in both January and April sessions of JEE Main 2026?
Ans: Yes, students are allowed to appear in both the JEE Main January and April session 2026. The best score out of the two will be used for final ranking.
Q5. Will the exam pattern change in JEE Main 2026?
Ans: The overall format remains the same, but minor adjustments may apply. The JEE Main 2026 exam will include 75 questions and follow NTA's computer-based test pattern.
DASA Admission for NRI Students 2026 requires JEE Main scores for UG and GRE/GMAT for PG admissions. Registration starts online at dasanit.org in June 2026, with 15% supernumerary seats and a CIWG quota. Tuition fees are around USD 4,000 per semester (USD 2,000 for CIWG), and counselling will be conducted online in July after JEE Main results.
