JEE Main 2026: Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility, Pattern, Registration

What is JEE Main?

JEE Main is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate programs including B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning in 31 NITs, 25 IIITs, 39 GFTIs, and other state/private engineering colleges. It also serves as the eligibility test for JEE Advanced, the gateway to 23 IITs.

Conducted twice a year (January and April sessions), JEE Main allows candidates to take the better score for admission and Advanced qualification. In 2025, over 12 lakh candidates appeared, with around 2.5 lakh qualifying for Advanced.

JEE Main 2026 Highlights

Important Dates

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Indian citizens, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, foreign nationals eligible

• Educational Qualification:

• Passed Class 12 or equivalent in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology/Biotechnology, and English

• No minimum marks required to appear; 75% aggregate (65% for SC/ST) or top 20 percentile for NITs/IIITs/GFTIs admission

• Age Limit: No upper age limit

• Number of Attempts: Maximum 3 consecutive years (6 attempts: 2 sessions per year)
• For B.Arch/B.Planning: Mathematics compulsory in Class 12; valid score in Paper 2A/2B
• Reservation: As per Government norms (15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC-NCL, 10% EWS, 5% PwD)

JEE Main 2026 Application Form: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Visit jeemain.nta.ac.in
2. Click on “New Registration – JEE (Main) 2026”
3. Fill personal details → Generate Application Number & Password

4. Log in and complete the form:

5. Personal, category, PwD, academic details

6. Choose exam session (Session 1 / Session 2 / Both)
7. Select paper: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) / Paper 2A (B.Arch) / Paper 2B (B.Planning) / Both
8. Choose 4 exam city preferences

9. Select question paper medium (13 languages)

10. Upload photograph, signature, Class 10 & 12 marksheets, category certificate

11. Pay fee online
12. Download confirmation page

JEE Main 2026 Application Fees

Document Specifications for Upload

Correction Window & Exam Centres

• Correction Window: 2–3 days after last date (most fields editable except mobile/email)
• Exam Cities: 400+ in India + 20+ international centres
• Medium Available: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern

Paper 1 – B.E./B.Tech

Paper 2A – B.Arch & Paper 2B – B.Planning

Marking: +4 for correct MCQ/NAT, –1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for wrong/unattempted NAT

JEE Main 2026 Detailed Syllabus

100% NCERT Class 11 & 12:

• Physics: Mechanics, Electrostatics, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics, Thermodynamics, Waves, SHM

• Chemistry:

• Physical: Mole Concept, Atomic Structure, Equilibrium, Redox, Thermodynamics

• Inorganic: Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Coordination Compounds, s/p/d/f Block

• Organic: Hydrocarbons, Functional Groups, Biomolecules, Polymers, Reactions

• Mathematics: Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Vectors & 3D, Algebra, Trigonometry, Probability, Statistics

Best Books for JEE Main 2026 Preparation

How to Download JEE Main 2026 Admit Card

1. Visit jeemain.nta.ac.in
2. Click on “Download Admit Card – JEE (Main) 2026”
3. Login using Application Number, Date of Birth & Security Pin
4. Download and print 2 colour copies on A4 sheet

JEE Main 2026 Exam Day Instructions

• Report 90 minutes before exam start
• Carry: Printed admit card + original photo ID (Aadhaar preferred) + passport-size photo
• Allowed: Transparent water bottle, black ball-point pen (provided at centre)
• Prohibited: Mobile, calculator, smart watch, notes, electronic devices, food
• Dress code: Light clothes, no jackets, half sleeves preferred
• Biometric & frisking mandatory

JEE Main 2026 Result & Percentile Calculation

• Result declared separately for Session 1 and Session 2
• Best of two sessions considered for final rank
• Score card shows raw marks + NTA percentile
• Percentile Formula: (100 × Number of candidates with raw score ≤ you) / Total candidates
• Normalization applied across shifts
• Top 2.5 lakh candidates from both sessions qualify for JEE Advanced

JEE Main 2025 Cut-off Percentile (Expected 2026 Similar)

JoSAA 2026 Counselling Process

• Conducted by Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA)
• 6–7 rounds + CSAB Special Rounds for NIT+ system

• Steps:

• Register on josaa.nic.in using JEE Main Roll Number

• Fill unlimited college + branch choices
• Seat allotment based on rank, category, choices
• Online reporting + document upload + fee payment
• Physical reporting at allotted institute

Top 20 Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main 2026 Score with 2025 Closing Ranks & Fees (General)

JEE Main 2026: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I appear in both January and April sessions?
   Yes, best score of two will be considered.
2. Is 75% in Class 12 still required?
   Yes, for admission to NITs/IIITs/GFTIs (not to appear in exam).
3. Can droppers apply?
   Yes, no age limit.
4. How many attempts allowed?
   6 attempts (3 years × 2 sessions).
5. Is NAT section compulsory?
   No, only 5 out of 10 NAT questions need to be attempted.
6. Can I get IIT with JEE Main?
   No, only through JEE Advanced.
7. Is there negative marking in NAT?
   No.
8. Which states use JEE Main for state colleges?
   Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, etc.
9. Is Hindi medium available?
   Yes, in all centres.
10. Can I change exam city later?
    Yes, during correction window.
11. Is calculator allowed?
    No, virtual calculator provided on screen.
12. Best score for NIT CSE?
    99.5+ percentile (250+ marks).
13. Can I apply for B.Arch and B.Tech together?
    Yes, appear in both papers.
14. Is coaching necessary?
    Not mandatory, but helpful; many toppers are self-study + online courses.
15. When to start preparation?
    Class 11 or 2-year integrated program.