JEE Main 2026 Overview – Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Application & Latest Updates

Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is one of India’s most significant national-level engineering entrance exams. This exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It serves as the gateway for admissions into NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and as a qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which leads to IIT admissions.

Every year, lakhs of candidates across the country appear for JEE Main to secure a rank that enables them to pursue B.E./B.Tech. Tech, B.Arch, or B.Planning courses in premier institutes.

JEE Main 2026 Overview

Parameter	Details
Full Form	Joint Entrance Examination Main
Conducting Body	National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Level	National
Purpose	Admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs; Qualifying exam for JEE Advanced
Courses Covered	B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Planning
Exam Mode	Computer-Based Test (Online) for B.E./B.Tech & B.Planning; Computer + Pen-Paper (Drawing) for B.Arch
Frequency	Twice a year (January and April sessions)
Languages	English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Urdu, Marathi, Odia, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu

JEE Main 2026 Important Dates (Session 1 & 2)

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official schedule for JEE Main 2026 on its website – jeemain.nta.ac.in. Through the exam calendar, candidates will know when registration opens, the last date to submit forms, admit card availability, exam dates, result announcements, and other key events.

JEE Main 2026 – Important Dates

Session 1 (January 2026)

Event	Date
Online Application Submission	31 October 2025 – 27 November 2025 (up to 9:00 PM)
Last date for fee payment	27 November 2025 (up to 11:50 PM)
Correction window	29 November – 30 November 2025
City intimation slip	Released on 08 January 2026
Admit card release	Started from 17 January 2026
Exam dates	21, 22, 23, 24, 28, and 29 January 2026
Result declaration	By 12 February 2026

Session 2 (April 2026)

Event	Date
Application window opens	01 February 2026 to 25 February 2026 (up to 09:00 P.M.)
Fee payment last date	25 February 2026 (up to 11:50 P.M.)
Correction window	To be notified (Likely late February 2026)
City intimation slip	Second week of March 2026 (Tentative)
Admit card release	3–4 days before the exam
Exam dates	02 April – 09 April 2026
Result declaration	By 20 April 2026

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria 

Before applying for JEE Main 2026, candidates must carefully review the eligibility conditions laid down by the National Testing Agency (NTA). These criteria define who can appear for the exam and under what circumstances. Below is the updated and complete breakdown.

1. Age Limit

• There is no age limit to appear for JEE Main 2026.
• Candidates who have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or are appearing in 2026 can apply, regardless of their age.
• However, candidates must check the age criteria of the institutes (like IITs, NITs, etc.) they wish to join, as some may have their own specific age limits.

2. Year of Passing (Qualifying Exam)

EligiEligible candidates include:

• Those who passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024 or 2025, or
• Those who are appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2026.

Candidates who passed Class 12 before 2024 (i.e., 2023 or earlier) are not eligible to appear in JEE Main 2026.

The year of passing refers to the year when the candidate was first declared “Pass” in the qualifying examination. Improvement attempts do not change the passing year.

3. Minimum Marks to Appear

• NTA does not specify any minimum percentage in Class 12 for appearing in JEE Main.
• Candidates who fulfill the year of passing and subject requirements are eligible to register.

4. Admission to NITs, IIITs & GFTIs (Through JEE Main Rank)

For admission through JEE Main ranks to National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and Government-Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs):

• General / OBC / EWS candidates:
  • Must score at least 75% marks in Class 12 OR be in the top 20 percentile of their board.
• SC / ST candidates:
  • Must score at least 65% marks in Class 12.

(This rule applies only for admission, not for appearing in the JEE Main exam.)

5. Subject Requirements

For B.E./B.Tech (Paper 1):
Must have studied the following subjects in Class 12 (or equivalent):

• Physics (Compulsory)
• Mathematics (Compulsory)
• One of: Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational Subject

For B.Arch (Paper 2A):

• Mathematics (Compulsory)
• Physics
• Chemistry

For B.Planning (Paper 2B):

• Mathematics (Compulsory)

6. Number of Attempts

• Candidates can appear for JEE Main for three consecutive years after passing Class 12.
• Since the exam is held twice a year (January & April), a candidate may have up to six total attempts (two per year).
• Appearing in both sessions of a single year is allowed, and the best score will be used for ranking.

7. Nationality

The following categories are eligible to apply:

• Indian Nationals
• NRIs (Non-Resident Indians)
• OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India)
• PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin)
• Foreign Nationals

8. State of Eligibility

• The State Code of Eligibility refers to the state from where the candidate passed Class 12 (or equivalent).
• It does not depend on the candidate’s native place or residence.
• Example: If a student lives in Uttar Pradesh but passes Class 12 from a school in Delhi, their State Code of Eligibility = Delhi.
• Candidates from NIOS should select the state where their study centre is located.
• For Indian nationals from Nepal/Bhutan, the state code will be based on the permanent Indian address in their passport.
• For OCI candidates, if Class 12 was passed in India, state code = same as Indian nationals; if passed abroad, eligible only for All India Quota seats (not home state quota) in NITs/IIITs/GFTIs.

9. Accepted Boards for Class 12

Candidates must have passed their qualifying exam from:

• Any recognized Central or State Board
• NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling)
• International Boards recognized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)

10. Eligibility for Droppers (JEE Main 2026)

Students who took a gap year can also apply, provided they:

• Passed Class 12 in 2024 or 2025, or are appearing in 2026.
• Meet the subject and attempt criteria.
• Have studied at least 5 subjects in Class 12 (including Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics).
• No age restriction applies.

JEE Main 2026 Syllabus 

The JEE Main 2026 syllabus is officially released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and follows the NCERT curriculum for Classes 11 and 12. It covers Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics topics to test candidates’ understanding, analytical skills, and problem-solving ability.

A thorough understanding of the syllabus is crucial for planning preparation, managing time efficiently, and scoring well in the exam. Candidates who qualify JEE Main are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced for IIT admissions.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the JEE Main 2026 syllabus for all papers.

JEE Main Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)

Mathematics Syllabus

Unit	Topics
1	Sets, Relations, and Functions
2	Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations
3	Matrices and Determinants
4	Permutations and Combinations
5	Binomial Theorem and Its Applications
6	Sequence and Series
7	Limits, Continuity, and Differentiability
8	Integral Calculus
9	Differential Equations
10	Coordinate Geometry
11	Three-Dimensional Geometry
12	Vector Algebra
13	Statistics and Probability
14	Trigonometry

Physics Syllabus

Section A – Theory

Unit	Topics
1	Units and Measurement
2	Kinematics
3	Laws of Motion
4	Work, Energy, and Power
5	Rotational Motion
6	Gravitation
7	Properties of Solids and Liquids
8	Thermodynamics
9	Kinetic Theory of Gases
10	Oscillations and Waves
11	Electrostatics
12	Current Electricity
13	Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
14	Electromagnetic Induction & AC
15	Electromagnetic Waves
16	Optics (Wave & Ray Optics)
17	Dual Nature of Matter & Radiation
18	Atoms and Nuclei
19	Electronic Devices

Section B – Experiment Skills

S. No	Experiment
1	Vernier Caliper: Measure internal & external diameter, depth
2	Screw Gauge: Determine thickness/diameter of wire
3	Simple Pendulum: Plot amplitude vs. time
4	Metre Scale: Determine mass using principle of moments
5	Young’s Modulus of wire
6	Surface Tension by capillary rise
7	Viscosity measurement using terminal velocity
8	Speed of sound in air using resonance tube
9	Specific heat of solids & liquids (method of mixtures)
10	Resistivity using metre bridge
11	Resistance via Ohm’s law
12	Galvanometer: Resistance & figure of merit
13	Focal length: Convex/Concave mirrors & lens (parallax method)
14	Prism: Angle of deviation vs. angle of incidence
15	Refractive index of glass slab
16	PN junction diode characteristics
17	Zener diode characteristics & breakdown voltage
18	Identification of electronic components (diode, LED, resistor, capacitor)

Chemistry Syllabus

Section A – Theory

Branch	Topics
Physical Chemistry	Basic Concepts, Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding, Thermodynamics, Solutions, Equilibrium, Redox & Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics
Inorganic Chemistry	Periodicity, p-block, d-block, f-block, Coordination Compounds
Organic Chemistry	Principles of Organic Chemistry, Hydrocarbons, Halogen Compounds, Oxygen & Nitrogen Compounds, Biomolecules, Purification & Characterisation

Section B – Practical Skills

S. No	Experiment/Principle
1	Detection of elements in organic compounds (N, S, Halogens)
2	Detection of functional groups: Hydroxyl, Carbonyl, Carboxyl, Amino
3	Preparation of compounds: Mohr’s salt, Potash alum, Acetanilide, etc.
4	Titrimetric exercises: Acid-base, redox reactions
5	Qualitative analysis of salts: Cations & Anions
6	Thermochemistry & Kinetics: Enthalpy of solution/neutralization, reaction rates

JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch)

Mathematics

• Same as Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)

General Aptitude

Section	Topics
Part I	Awareness of objects, materials, persons, places; Visualizing 3D objects from 2D; Analytical reasoning (verbal, numerical, visual)
Part II	3D perception, scale & proportion, forms, harmony, texture, color & contrast; Drawing & designing abstract/geometrical shapes; 2D/3D transformations; Sketching urban & rural scenes from memory

Drawing

• Sketching objects, urban and rural landscapes, human activities, monuments, markets, and natural scenes.

JEE Main Paper 2B (B.Planning)

Planning Syllabus

Unit	Topics
Unit 1 – General Awareness	Knowledge of prominent cities, development issues, government programs
Unit 2 – Social Science	Nationalism, colonialism, industrialization, resources, economy, urbanization, rural development, democracy, constitution, population & inequality
Unit 3 – Thinking Skills	Comprehension of unseen passages, map reading, scale & distance, critical reasoning, interpretation of charts/graphs, basic statistics, and quantitative reasoning

Note: The Mathematics and General Aptitude syllabus for B.Planning is the same as B.Arch.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern

Understanding the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern is crucial for candidates, as it clarifies the structure of the question paper and helps in effective preparation.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts JEE Main in multiple sessions, with three papers — Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), and Paper 2B (B.Planning).

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Key Highlights of JEE Main 2026 Pattern

• The exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, except for the Drawing Test in B.Arch (Paper 2A), which is offline (pen and paper).
• Each subject has two sections:
  • Section A: 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
  • Section B: 10 Numerical Answer Type (NAT) questions (only 5 to be attempted)
• Negative marking applies to both MCQs and numerical-type questions.
• Each question carries 4 marks, and 1 mark is deducted for every incorrect response.

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JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern – Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)

Particulars	Details
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test (Online)
Subjects	Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics
Total Questions	90 (60 MCQs + 30 Numerical Value Questions) – Candidates need to attempt 75 questions only
Subject-wise Distribution	Physics → 20 MCQs + 10 Numerical (Attempt any 5) Chemistry → 20 MCQs + 10 Numerical (Attempt any 5) Mathematics → 20 MCQs + 10 Numerical (Attempt any 5)
Type of Questions	MCQs + Numerical Value (NAV)
Total Marks	300
Marking Scheme	+4 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer 0 for unattempted questions
Duration	3 Hours
Language Options	English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

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JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern – Paper 2A (B.Arch)

Particulars	Details
Mode of Exam	Mathematics & Aptitude → Online (CBT) Drawing → Offline (Pen and Paper)
Subjects	Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing
Total Questions	82
Subject-wise Distribution	Mathematics → 20 MCQs + 10 Numerical (Attempt any 5) Aptitude → 50 MCQs Drawing → 2 Questions
Type of Questions	MCQs + Numerical Value + Drawing
Total Marks	400
Marking Scheme	+4 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer Drawing section is evaluated out of 100 marks
Duration	3 Hours
Language Options	English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

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JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern – Paper 2B (B.Planning)

Particulars	Details
Mode of Exam	Computer-Based Test (Online)
Subjects	Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning-Based Questions
Total Questions	105
Subject-wise Distribution	Mathematics → 20 MCQs + 10 Numerical (Attempt any 5) Aptitude → 50 MCQs Planning → 25 MCQs
Type of Questions	MCQs + Numerical Value
Total Marks	400
Marking Scheme	+4 for correct answer -1 for incorrect answer
Duration	3 Hours
Language Options	English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

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Quick Summary

• Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech): 300 Marks
• Paper 2A (B.Arch): 400 Marks
• Paper 2B (B.Planning): 400 Marks
• Duration: 3 Hours for each paper
• Negative Marking: Applicable for all question types, including numerical answers.
• Medium: Available in 13 languages across India.

JEE Main 2026 Application Form

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the JEE Main 2026 application form on its official portal http://jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates who fulfill the eligibility requirements can register and submit their applications for the exam.

The application process is online and consists of four main steps:

1. Registration
2. Filling out the application form
3. Uploading necessary documents
4. Payment of the application fee

How to Apply for JEE Main 2026

1. Registration

• Candidates must first complete the registration process.
  
• During registration, candidates will need to provide:
  
  • Full name
  • Parent/guardian details
  • Gender
  • Identification number (Aadhar/other ID)
  • Contact information

2. Filling the Application Form

• After registration, candidates must fill out the detailed application form, including:
  
  • Personal and contact details
  • Aadhaar number
  • Choice of exam centre
  • Educational qualifications
  • Additional details like PwD status or category

3. Uploading Documents

• Candidates must upload scanned copies of the following:
  
  • Photograph
  • Signature
  • Address proof
  • Category certificate (if applicable)
  • PwD certificate (if applicable)

4. Payment of Application Fee

• The final step is paying the application fee.
• Payment can be made through:
  • Credit card
  • Debit card
  • Net banking
  • UPI
    
• Once the payment is successful, the application form is considered submitted.

JEE Main 2026 Application Fee – Indian Exam Centres

Category	Single Paper (B.E./B.Tech or B.Arch or B.Planning)	Two Papers (Any Combination)	All Three Papers
General – Male	₹1000	₹2000	–
General – Female	₹800	₹1600	–
EWS/OBC-NCL – Male	₹900	₹2000	–
EWS/OBC-NCL – Female	₹800	₹1600	–
SC/ST/PwD/Transgender	₹500	₹1000	₹1000

JEE Main 2026 Application Fee – Foreign Exam Centres

Category	Single Paper (B.E./B.Tech or B.Arch or B.Planning)	Two Papers (Any Combination)	All Three Papers
General – Male	₹5000	₹10000	–
General – Female	₹4000	₹8000	–
EWS/OBC-NCL – Male	₹4500	₹5000	–
EWS/OBC-NCL – Female	₹4000	₹5000	–
SC/ST/PwD/Transgender	₹2500–₹3000	₹5000	–

Key Points to Remember

• Ensure that all information is accurate before submitting the form.
• Keep scanned copies of the photograph and signature ready in the required format.
• Check the category certificate or PwD certificate if applicable.
• Payment must be completed to successfully submit the application.

Note: Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official portal for updates on registration dates, fee deadlines, and the corrections window.

Also See: JEE Main 2026 Exam Notification PDF Download

JEE Main 2026 – Latest Updates

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official JEE Main 2026 notification on 31st October 2025. This notification serves as the definitive guide for all aspirants and will contain crucial information such as:

• Opening and closing dates for registration
• Detailed exam schedule for both January and April sessions
• Updates to the syllabus or addition/removal of topics
• Changes in the exam pattern or question distribution
• Guidelines for document submission, eligibility, and fee payment

Any modifications or new instructions for JEE Main 2026 will be published in the official NTA information brochure, making it the primary source for accurate details. Aspirants are advised to regularly check the official JEE Main portal to stay informed about updates and avoid missing important deadlines. Staying aware of the latest changes ensures better planning, a smoother preparation journey, and reduces last-minute confusion.