JEE Main 2026 Paper 2 (BArch): Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme, Paper Analysis, Counselling

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Overview

The table below summarizes critical statistics on the JEE Main BArch exam structure, such as question distribution and marking, to highlight the assessment's scope and weightage.

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Important Dates

The table below presents the key important dates specifically for JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A (B.Arch) in Session 2 (April attempt), as the current date is March 10, 2026, meaning Session 1 (January) has already concluded (exams held in late January 2026, with Paper 2 results declared in February 2026).

The Session 2 registration window has closed, and the focus now shifts to upcoming events like admit card release, examination conduct, answer key display, and result declaration. Note that exact dates for some post-exam events (e.g., answer key challenge and results) are typically announced shortly after the exam and should be checked on the official website.

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Exam Pattern

JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch) is designed to evaluate mathematical aptitude, general awareness in architecture, and creative drawing skills. The JEE Main BArch exam is conducted in 13 languages (English, Hindi, and regional languages). It comprises three parts:

• Part I: Mathematics – 30 questions (Section A: 20 MCQs; Section B: 10 Numerical Value questions, attempt any 5). Focuses on Class 11-12 level topics.

• Part II: Aptitude Test – 50 MCQs assessing visual perception, observation, and analytical skills relevant to architecture.

• Part III: Drawing Test – 2 subjective questions to be attempted on drawing sheet, testing imagination and sketching ability.

The overall duration is 3 hours 30 minutes, with the first two parts in CBT mode and the drawing part offline. Candidates opting for both Paper 2A and 2B (B.Planning) will have the same timing.

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Marking Scheme

The total marks are 400, with equal emphasis on objective and subjective evaluation:

• MCQs (Sections A in Parts I & II): +4 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted.

• Numerical Value Questions (Section B in Part I): +4 for correct answer, 0 for incorrect or unattempted (no negative marking).

• Drawing Test (Part III): Evaluated out of 100 based on proportion, perspective, creativity, and composition (no negative marking). Raw scores are normalized to NTA Scores for percentile ranking across shifts.

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Eligibility Criteria

JEE Main Eligibility for appearing in Paper 2A is outlined in the official NTA notification dated October 31, 2025, and remains consistent with prior years:

• Age Limit: No age restriction.

• Qualifying Exam: Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or be appearing in 2026, with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in these subjects is required (45% for SC/ST candidates).

• Attempts: Up to three consecutive years (six sessions total).

• Admission Criteria for NITs/IIITs/CFTIs: At least 75% aggregate in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or top 20 percentile in the board exam. State-specific quotas may apply for other institutions.

• Special Provisions: PwD candidates receive 5 years age relaxation and scribe facilities. Foreign nationals/OCI/PIO are eligible under specific quotas. Diploma holders are not eligible for Paper 2A.

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Syllabus

The syllabus for JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A is unchanged from previous years, as confirmed in NTA advisories (e.g., October 19, 2025 notice), and is detailed in Appendix VI of the Information Bulletin on jeemain.nta.nic.in. It aligns with NCERT Class 11-12 curriculum, with emphasis on architecture-related aptitude. Check JEE Main BArch syllabus from below pointers:

• Part I: Mathematics (Same as Paper 1 - B.E./B.Tech): Sets, Relations & Functions; Complex Numbers; Matrices & Determinants; Permutations & Combinations; Binomial Theorem; Sequences & Series; Limits, Continuity & Differentiability; Integral Calculus; Differential Equations; Coordinate Geometry; 3D Geometry; Vector Algebra; Statistics & Probability; Trigonometry.

• Part II: Aptitude Test:

  • Awareness of persons, places, buildings, materials, and objects (e.g., texture, historical monuments).

  • Visualizing 3D objects from 2D drawings; understanding proportions and geometry.

  • Analytical reasoning (mental ability: series, patterns, rotations).

  • 3D perception: Understanding and appreciating scale and proportion of objects.

• Part III: Drawing Test:

  • Sketching scenes/landscapes from memory (e.g., common activities, buildings in foreshortened views).

  • Creating 2D/3D compositions using given elements.

  • Testing sense of proportion, perspective, and imagination.

Participating Institutes for JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch) 2026

Admissions to Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programs through JEE Main Paper 2A for the academic year 2026-27 are managed by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA), as outlined in the official seat matrix and participating institutes details on josaa.nic.in. These include select National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Other Government Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs), primarily the Schools of Planning and Architecture (SPAs). IITs admit B.Arch candidates via JEE Advanced and Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT), not JEE Main.

The list below is based on the JoSAA 2025-26 seat matrix (applicable for 2026 with no announced changes), featuring 11 institutes offering approximately 600-700 seats in total across categories. Candidates must meet the JEE Main BArch eligibility criteria (including 75% in Class 12 for general category) and participate in JoSAA counseling rounds starting tentatively in June 2026.

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Paper Analysis

Session 2 (April 2–9, 2026) has concluded, but detailed shift-wise analysis for April is pending full release or not yet widely documented on official channels. Session 1 feedback indicates an overall moderate difficulty level, with Mathematics emerging as the most challenging section due to calculation-intensive and conceptual questions, while Aptitude and Drawing were generally easy to moderate, allowing good scoring potential for well-prepared candidates. The exam maintained consistency with the prescribed pattern (77 questions attempted out of 82, total 400 marks, mixed CBT and offline modes). This JEE Main 2026 Paper Analysis helps aspirants understand trends for future preparation or normalization impacts.

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Result

The JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A (B.Arch) results are released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the form of NTA Scores (percentiles), which include details such as subject-wise performance, All India Rank (where applicable), and qualification status for further counselling.

Session 1 (January attempt) results for Paper 2A (B.Arch/B.Planning) have been declared and are live on the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. Session 2 (April attempt) exams were conducted between April 2–9, 2026, but results are not yet declared (expected in late April or early May 2026.

The better NTA Score from the two sessions is considered for JoSAA counselling and admissions to B.Arch programs in NITs, SPAs, and other institutes. Results are accessible online only via login with application number and date of birth/password; no physical scorecards are sent.

How to Check/Download Result

1. Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in.

2. Click on the relevant result link under "Candidate Activity" or "Results" (e.g., "Results for JEE(Main)-2026 [Session-I] [Paper-2 (B.Arch/B.Planning)]").

3. Enter application number and date of birth/password.

4. View/download the scorecard (PDF format) showing NTA Score/percentile, rank, and other details.

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Counselling

The JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A (B.Arch) counselling is conducted centrally by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) through a single online platform for admissions to Bachelor of Architecture programs in participating National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Government Funded Technical Institutes (primarily the Schools of Planning and Architecture - SPAs). This process uses the NTA Scores (percentile ranks) from JEE Main Paper 2A, with the better score considered if a candidate appeared in both Session 1 and Session 2.

The process is fully online via josaa.nic.in, and candidates must meet eligibility criteria including minimum Class 12 marks (75% aggregate or top 20 percentile for GEN/EWS/OBC; 65% for SC/ST). After JoSAA rounds, any vacant seats may go to CSAB special rounds.

• JoSAA: JoSAA allows candidates to take admissions in the seats of 110 participating institutes like NITs, GFTIs

• CSAB NEUT: CSAB NEUT Counselling is conducted by Central Seat Allocation Board for admission to supernumerary seats in North East Region and Union Territories

• CSAB SFTI: CSAB SFTI is conducted for admission to Self Financial Technical Institues

Key Stages of JoSAA Counselling for JEE Main B.Arch 2026

JEE Main 2026 BArch (Paper 2-A): Cutoff (Expected)

The official JoSAA counselling for the 2026-27 academic year has not yet begun—Session 2 exams concluded recently (April 2–9, 2026), with results expected in late April 2026, followed by JoSAA registration tentatively starting in early June 2026. Therefore, exact JEE Main cutoffs 2026 are not yet available on the official website.

The data below provides category-wise cutoff rank ranges (primarily closing ranks from final/last rounds) for top participating institutes, based on the most recent official JoSAA trends from 2025. These serve as reliable indicators for 2026 expectations, as year-to-year variations are typically moderate unless significant changes in exam difficulty, applicants, or seats occur. Ranks are All India (CRL for OPEN; category ranks for reserved). Top institutes include SPAs (highly competitive) and leading NITs.

JEE Main BArch FAQs

Q1. What is JEE Main Paper 2A for B.Arch 2026?

JEE Main Paper 2A is the entrance exam for Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) programs conducted by NTA. It assesses Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing skills for admissions to NITs, SPAs, and other institutes via JoSAA counselling. The exam is held in two sessions (January and April 2026), with the better NTA Score considered.

Q2. What is the eligibility criteria for JEE Main B.Arch 2026?

Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects (minimum 50% aggregate in these subjects; 45% for SC/ST). No age limit exists. For admission to institutes, 75% aggregate in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or top 20 percentile is required.

Q3. What is the exam pattern for JEE Main Paper 2A (B.Arch) 2026?

• Total Questions: 77 (to be attempted out of 82).
• Mathematics (Part I): 25 questions (20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value).
• Aptitude Test (Part II): 50 MCQs.
• Drawing Test (Part III): 2 questions (offline pen & paper).
• Total Marks: 400.
• Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes.
• Mode: CBT for Math & Aptitude; pen-paper for Drawing.

Q4. How difficult was the JEE Main B.Arch 2026 exam (Session 1)?

Based on student feedback for January 29, 2026: Overall moderate. Mathematics was difficult (lengthy calculations, conceptual), Aptitude easy to moderate, Drawing easy to moderate. Good attempts: 50–65 out of 77 for strong scores.

Q5. What is the counselling process for JEE Main B.Arch 2026?

Conducted by JoSAA (josaa.nic.in) starting tentatively June 2026. Includes registration, choice filling, multiple seat allotment rounds, fee payment, and reporting. Use NTA Score for allocation to SPAs, NITs offering B.Arch. CSAB handles special rounds/NEUT/SFTI if needed.

Q6. What are the top institutes and expected cutoffs for JEE Main B.Arch 2026?

Top ones: SPA Delhi (closing ranks ~180–300 OPEN), SPA Bhopal/Vijayawada (~300–600), MNIT Jaipur (~500–1000). Cutoffs are JoSAA opening/closing ranks (not qualifying marks). Refer to previous JoSAA data on josaa.nic.in for trends.