+ 13 View More- View Less
JEE Main 2026 Highlights
The Joint Entrance Examination (Main), also known as JEE Main, is the exam required for admission to B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Plan courses at NITs, IIITs, other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs), and institutions/universities funded/recognized by participating state governments. JEE Main is held twice a year, giving students two chances to get a decent result. Students, however, have the option of participating in one or both tries. Candidates seeking admission to Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) must first pass the JEE Main exam with the required cutoff score. Check out the following table for the key highlights of JEE Main 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (Main) or JEE Main 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | Undergraduate Level |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (January and April) |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT Mode) |
| Courses Offered | BTech, BArch and BPlan |
| Exam Paper Language | 13 languages (English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu) |
| Accepting Institutions | All NITs, IIITs and CFTIs |
| Number of Test Cities | 290 Indian Test Cities, 20 Foreign Test Cities |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.ac.in |
NEWWhat's New in JEE Main 2026?
The JEE Main 2026 exam brings significant changes to the exam pattern and security measures: • **No Optional Questions in Section B:** Unlike previous years, the option to choose 5 out of 10 questions in Section B (Numerical Value Questions) has been discontinued. Candidates must now attempt all 5 questions provided in this section for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. • **Advanced Biometric Authentication:** NTA has introduced a three-tier authentication mechanism involving facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and live photography at exam centres to prevent impersonation. • **Rationalized Syllabus:** The exam will continue to follow the reduced syllabus based on the rationalized NCERT curriculum, similar to the 2025 session. • ** Tie-Breaking Rule:** The age criterion for tie-breaking (older candidates getting a better rank) has been reinstated for 2026 rankings.
JEE Main 2026 Important Dates
The JEE Main 2026 Session 1 will take place from January 21 to 29, 2026 and Session 2 from April 2 to 9, 2026. Registration begun on October 31, 2025. Check out the following table for JEE Main 2026 exam dates.
| JEE Main 2026 Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| JEE Main 2026 City Intimation Slip Session 1 | January 08, 2026 (Out) |
| JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Release Date for Session 1 | January 17, 2026 (Out) |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam date | January 21 to 29, 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Result Release Date | February 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Registration Start Date for Session 2 | February 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Registration Last Date for Session 2 | March 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Release Date for Session 2 | March 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 2 exam date (Revised) | April 2 and 9, 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Result Release Date | April 2026 |
JEE Mains 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for JEE Mains 2026, candidates must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or any technical vocational subject can be the third subject. There is no age limit, and candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or are appearing in 2026 are eligible. Students need to meet the specific eligibility criteria of institutes like NITs, IIITs, or IITs to get admission. To join NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, students must secure at least 75% in Class 12 or be in the top 20th percentile of their board. Check out the following table for JEE Mains 2026 Eligibility Criteria in brief.
| Category | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Qualifying Exam | Class 12 passed in 2024, 2025 or appearing in 2026 |
| Required Subjects | Physics, Mathematics + one of Chemistry/Biology/Biotech/Technical Subject |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Number of Attempts | 3 consecutive years from the year of passing Class 12 |
| Minimum % for NITs/IIITs/ GFTIs | 75% marks in Class 12 or top 20 percentile |
JEE Main 2026 Application Process
The JEE Main 2026 application process involves registration, form filling, document upload, and fee payment. For Session 1, the process has concluded. For Session 2, registration is expected to begin in the last week of January 2026. A key change this year is the mandatory capture of a live photograph during registration to prevent impersonation.
Steps to Apply for JEE Mains 2026
- Visit the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Click on 'New Candidate Registration' and create an account using Email and Mobile Number.
- Fill in the online application form with personal and academic details.
- Capture a Live Photograph using a webcam/camera at the exam centre or during registration as per new NTA guidelines.
- Upload scanned images of Signature, Category Certificate (if applicable), and PwD Certificate (if applicable).
- Pay the application fee using Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
- Download and print the Confirmation Page for future reference.
Documents Required for Registration
- Scanned Signature (JPG/JPEG format)
- Class 10 and Class 12 Mark Sheets/Certificates
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) if applicable
- PwD Certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar Card or valid Govt ID for identity verification
- Valid Email ID and Mobile Number
JEE Main 2026 Application Fees (Per Session)
| Category | Application Fee | Add. Subject |
|---|---|---|
| General - Male | ₹ 1,000 (India) / ₹ 5,000 (Outside India) | - |
| General - Female | ₹ 800 (India) / ₹ 4,000 (Outside India) | - |
| Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL - Male | ₹ 900 (India) / ₹ 4,500 (Outside India) | - |
| Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL - Female | ₹ 800 (India) / ₹ 4,000 (Outside India) | - |
| SC / ST / PwD / Third Gender | ₹ 500 (India) / ₹ 2,500 (Outside India) | - |
JEE Main 2026 Application Form Correction
NTA has closed the correction facility after the application window closed. Candidates who made errors in the form could edit it online. The JEE Main 2026 form correction window has been closed on December 02, 2025.
Steps for JEE Main 2026 Application Form Correction
The candidates can follow the steps to unlock the application correction window:
- Go to the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Log in using the JEE Main application number and password.
- Click on the 'Correction in Application Form' link.
- Make the necessary changes in the allowed fields.
- Click on 'Confirm and Save'.
- Download and print the corrected application form for future use.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern
The JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern has been revised. A major change is the removal of optional questions in Section B; candidates must now attempt all 5 Numerical Value Questions per subject. The exam is conducted in online CBT mode, except for the Drawing section of Paper 2A.
| Section | Number of Questions per Section | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | 75 Questions (20 MCQs + 5 NVQs per subject) | 3 Hours |
| Paper 2A (B.Arch) | 77 Questions (Maths: 25, Aptitude: 50, Drawing: 2) | 3 Hours |
| Paper 2B (B.Plan) | 100 Questions (Maths: 25, Aptitude: 50, Planning: 25) | 3 Hours |
JEE Main 2026 Marking Scheme
The marking scheme for JEE Main 2026 includes negative marking for both MCQs and Numerical Value Questions. The details are as follows:
- +4 Marks for every correct answer.
- -1 Mark deducted for every incorrect answer (MCQs and Numerical).
- 0 Marks for unattempted or marked for review questions.
- Drawing Test (Paper 2A) is evaluated out of 100 marks.
JEE Main 2026 Syllabus
The NTA has not released the JEE Main 2026 Syllabus PDF yet, but it is expected to follow the revised syllabus from the previous year. The syllabus is based on NCERT Class 11 and 12 topics. Below is the subject-wise list of topics covered in the exam.
Section 1: Domain-Specific Subject
The other section of the JEE Main 2026 Exam is the Domain-Specific Subject. The candidates will be allowed to choose up to 5 subjects as per the university. The breakdown of the Section 1 Syllabus is as follows:
← Scroll horizontally to view full syllabus →
JEE Main 2026 Preparations
JEE Mains is one of the toughest exams, requiring a thorough preparation strategy. To qualify and score well, aspirants must be dedicated and determined. Every year, over ten lakh candidates appear for the exam. Below are some expert-recommended preparation tips.
- Understand the Syllabus and Pattern: knowing the exam format and the extensive Class 11 & 12 syllabus for Physics, Chemistry, and Math is critical.
- Refer to Previous Year Papers: PYQs are an excellent source to understand the difficulty level and subject-wise weightage.
- Prepare a Study Schedule: Stick to a routine. Set aside at least 2-3 hours for each subject daily, plus one hour for revision.
- Regular Study: Consistency is key. Since the syllabus is vast, daily study is required to cover all chapters effectively.
- Focus on NCERT Textbooks: NCERTs serve as the foundation. Build a solid base of concepts and theories from them before consulting other books.
- Choose Best Reference Books: Use standard reference books to cover topics from beginner to expert levels.
- Revision is Crucial: Without regular revision, it is difficult to recollect concepts during the exam.
- Solve Mock Tests: Practice chapter-specific mocks after finishing topics and full-length mock exams after completing the syllabus.
JEE Main 2026 Recommended Books
The candidate may refer to the listed books for their preparation:
| Book Name | Author |
|---|---|
| Concepts of Physics (Vol 1 & 2) | H.C. Verma |
| Fundamentals of Physics | Halliday, Resnick & Walker |
| Problems in General Physics | I.E. Irodov |
| NCERT Textbooks (Class 11 & 12) | NCERT |
| Physical Chemistry | O.P. Tandon / P. Bahadur |
| Organic Chemistry | Morrison & Boyd |
| Concise Inorganic Chemistry | J.D. Lee |
| Objective Mathematics | R.D. Sharma |
| Plane Trigonometry & Coordinate Geometry | S.L. Loney |
| Higher Algebra | Hall & Knight |
| Problems in Calculus of One Variable | I.A. Maron |
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card
The NTA has released the JEE Main 2026 Admit Card for Session 1 exams scheduled on January 28 and 29, 2026. Previously, admit cards for exams from January 21-24 were released on January 17. Candidates must download their hall ticket from the official website using their Application Number and Date of Birth. It is a mandatory document to be carried to the exam centre along with a valid ID proof.
How to Download JEE Main 2026 Admit Card
The candidate can access the JEE Main 2026 Admit Card by following the steps mentioned below:
- Visit the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Click on the link 'JEE (Main) 2026 : Download Admit Card' on the homepage.
- Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth (or Password).
- Enter the Security Pin (Captcha) shown on the screen.
- Click 'Submit' and your admit card will be displayed.
- Download and take a printout (preferably color on A4 paper) for future reference.
Details Mentioned & Documents to Carry
The following details will be present on the JEE Main 2026 Admit Card:
- Details on Card: Candidate Name, Roll No, Exam Centre Address, Date, Shift Timing, and Reporting Time.
- Documents to Carry: Printed Admit Card, One Passport size photograph (same as uploaded in application), and a Valid Original Photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID).
- Self-Declaration: Fill the self-declaration (undertaking) regarding COVID-19/health status downloaded with the admit card.
- Prohibited Items: Electronic devices, heavy jewelry, and bags are strictly not allowed.
In case of any discrepancy in the candidate's particulars or photograph on the Admit Card, approach the NTA Help Line (011-40759000) between 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. immediately. In such cases, candidates may appear in the exam with the already downloaded Admit Card, and NTA will take action later.
JEE Main 2026 Answer Key
The NTA is expected to release the Provisional Answer Key for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 in the first week of February 2026 (likely between Feb 1-5). Along with the key, candidates will be able to access their individual Recorded Response Sheets. The Final Answer Key, which is used for result calculation, is tentatively scheduled for release by February 12, 2026.
How to Download Answer Key & Response Sheet
The candidate can check the JEE Main 2026 Answer Key by following the steps mentioned below:
- Visit the official website: jeemain.nta.ac.in.
- Click on the link 'JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 Answer Key Challenge'.
- Log in using your Application Number and Date of Birth/Password.
- Click on 'View Question Paper' to see your recorded responses.
- Click on 'View/Challenge Answer Key' to see the correct options ID.
- Download both documents to compare and calculate your probable score.
Objection Window & Fees
The candidate is required to make a payment of the fee of ₹ 200 per question (Non-Refundable Processing Fee) to object to the answer key. The candidate can object or challenge the JEE Main 2026 Provisional Answer Key by following the instructions below:
- Login to the candidate dashboard as mentioned above.
- Select the Question ID you wish to challenge.
- Select the option ID you claim to be correct.
- Upload supporting documents/proof in PDF format (Mandatory).
- Pay the processing fee of ₹ 200 per question via Debit/Credit Card or Net Banking.
- Submit your claim. Challenges without fee payment will not be accepted.
JEE Main 2026 Results
The NTA will declare the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 results tentatively in the second week of February 2026 (around Feb 12). For Session 2, the results are expected in the third week of April 2026. The result is released as a Scorecard containing the NTA percentile scores for Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, along with the aggregate score.
How to Check JEE Main 2026 Result Online?
The candidates will be able to unlock and download their JEE Main 2026 Results by following the steps mentioned below:
- Visit the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Click on the link 'JEE (Main) 2026 Session 1 Score Card' on the homepage.
- Enter your Application Number and Date of Birth.
- Enter the Security Pin (Captcha) displayed on the screen.
- Click 'Submit' and your scorecard will appear.
- Download and take a printout for the counselling process.
Details Mentioned on Scorecard
The scorecard is the valid proof of your performance. It includes:
- Candidate's Name, Application Number, and Roll Number.
- Subject-wise NTA Scores (Physics, Chemistry, Maths).
- Total NTA Score (Aggregate Percentile).
- All India Rank (AIR) and Category Rank (Released with Session 2 results).
- Cutoff NTA Score for JEE Advanced 2026 qualification (Released with Session 2 results).
JEE Main 2026 Cutoff
The JEE Main Cutoff determines two things: eligibility to appear for JEE Advanced and admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. The Qualifying Cutoff (Percentile) is released by NTA after Session 2 results. The Admission Cutoff (Opening & Closing Ranks) is released by JoSAA during counselling. Below is the expected cutoff data based on 2025 trends.
JEE Main 2025 Qualifying & Admission Cutoff Trends
| College | Programme | Category | Cutoff Rank | Cutoff Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying for JEE Advanced | All B.Tech Courses | General | Top 2.5 Lakh | 93.10 Percentile |
| Qualifying for JEE Advanced | All B.Tech Courses | OBC-NCL | Category Rank | 79.43 Percentile |
| Qualifying for JEE Advanced | All B.Tech Courses | SC | Category Rank | 61.15 Percentile |
| NIT Trichy | Computer Science (CSE) | General | 1,100 - 4,660 | 99.6+ Percentile |
| NIT Warangal | Computer Science (CSE) | General | 1,290 - 2,970 | 99.7+ Percentile |
| NIT Surathkal | Electronics (ECE) | General | 6,400 - 8,130 | 99.3+ Percentile |
| IIIT Hyderabad | Computer Science (CSE) | General | 840 - 3,100 | 99.9+ Percentile |
| IIIT Allahabad | IT (Information Tech) | General | 4,800 - 5,600 | 99.5+ Percentile |
| DTU (Delhi) | Computer Science (CSE) | General (Delhi) | 6,000 - 12,000 | 99.0+ Percentile |
JEE Main 2026 Counselling
The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) will conduct the counselling process for admissions into IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other GFTIs starting in June 2026. Candidates who qualify JEE Main 2026 are eligible to participate. The process involves registration, choice filling, seat allotment across multiple rounds, and document verification. Vacant seats after JoSAA rounds will be filled through CSAB Special Rounds.
JoSAA 2026 Counselling Process Steps
The entire counselling procedure consists of the following key stages:
- Registration: Log in to josaa.nic.in using your JEE Main Application Number.
- Choice Filling & Locking: Select preferred colleges and branches in order of priority and lock them before the deadline.
- Seat Allotment: Seats are allocated based on All India Rank (AIR), category, and choices filled.
- Seat Acceptance Fee: Pay the fee online to confirm the allotted seat.
- Document Verification: Upload scanned documents for online verification by the institute.
- Reporting: Physically report to the allotted institute for final admission formalities.
JEE Main 2026 Participating Universities
The JEE Main 2026 score is accepted by over 1,500 institutions across India. These include Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs) like NITs and IIITs, which participate in JoSAA Counselling, as well as various State Government and Private Universities that use JEE Main ranks for their own admission processes.
National Institutes of Technology (NITs) Participating in JEE Main 2026
The following list of national institutes of technology (nits) will accept JEE Main 2026 for admission to various courses:
| College Name | College Name |
|---|---|
| NIT Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) | NIT Karnataka, Surathkal |
| NIT Rourkela | NIT Warangal |
| NIT Calicut | Visvesvaraya NIT Nagpur |
| Malaviya NIT Jaipur | MNNIT Allahabad |
| NIT Durgapur | NIT Silchar |
| NIT Kurukshetra | NIT Jalandhar |
| NIT Hamirpur | NIT Raipur |
| NIT Agartala |
Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) Participating in JEE Main 2026
The following list of indian institutes of information technology (iiits) will accept JEE Main 2026 for admission to various courses:
| College Name | College Name |
|---|---|
| IIIT Hyderabad | IIIT Bangalore |
| IIIT Allahabad | ABV-IIITM Gwalior |
| PDPM-IIITDM Jabalpur | IIIT Delhi |
| IIIT Lucknow | IIIT Guwahati |
| IIIT Vadodara | IIIT Kota |
| IIIT Sri City | IIIT Pune |
| IIIT Nagpur | IIIT Ranchi |
| IIIT Dharwad |
Govt. Funded Technical Institutes (GFTIs) Participating in JEE Main 2026
The following list of govt. funded technical institutes (gftis) will accept JEE Main 2026 for admission to various courses:
| College Name | College Name |
|---|---|
| BIT Mesra, Ranchi | PEC Chandigarh |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi | University of Hyderabad |
| Assam University, Silchar | IIEST Shibpur |
| School of Planning & Architecture (SPA), Delhi | SPA Bhopal |
| SPA Vijayawada | Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar |
| Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai | NIFFT Ranchi |
State Government Universities Participating in JEE Main 2026
The following list of state government universities will accept JEE Main 2026 for admission to various courses:
| College Name | College Name |
|---|---|
| Delhi Technological University (DTU) | Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), Delhi |
| Jadavpur University, Kolkata | COEP Technological University, Pune |
| VJTI Mumbai | Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), Kanpur |
| Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT), Gorakhpur | IGDTUW Delhi (Women only) |
| YMCA Faridabad | IES IPS Academy, Indore |
Private Universities Accepting JEE Main Participating in JEE Main 2026
The following list of private universities accepting jee main will accept JEE Main 2026 for admission to various courses:
| College Name | College Name |
|---|---|
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala | Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Amity University (Noida, Gurgaon, etc.) |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU) | Shiv Nadar University |
| UPES Dehradun | Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) |
| Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) | Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT), Noida |
| Graphic Era University |
JEE Main 2026 FAQs
What is the official website for JEE Main 2026?
The official website for JEE Main 2026 is jeemain.nta.ac.in. All official notifications, admit cards, and results are published here.
Is the 75% criteria applicable for JEE Main 2026?
Yes, candidates must secure at least 75% marks in their Class 12 board exams (or be in the top 20 percentile) to be eligible for admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. However, there is no minimum percentage required just to appear for the JEE Main entrance exam.
Is there negative marking in JEE Main 2026?
Yes, there is negative marking for both Section A (MCQs) and Section B (Numerical Value Questions). +4 marks are awarded for every correct answer, and -1 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.
Can I appear for both Session 1 and Session 2?
Yes, candidates can appear for either one or both sessions. If a candidate appears in both, the best of the two NTA scores will be considered for the final merit list and ranking.
When will the JEE Main 2026 Session 2 exam be conducted?
The JEE Main 2026 Session 2 exam is scheduled to take place from April 2 to April 9, 2026.
How many attempts are allowed for JEE Main?
Candidates can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years starting from the year they pass Class 12. Since the exam is held twice a year, this effectively gives a candidate up to 6 opportunities.
What documents do I need to carry to the exam centre?
You must carry a printed copy of your Admit Card, a Self-Declaration form (undertaking), a valid original Photo ID (like Aadhaar Card), and one passport-size photograph same as the one uploaded in the application form.
JEE Main 2026 Latest Updates
| Event | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 Admit Card (Jan 28 & 29 Exams) | Released on Jan 24, 2026 | Live Now |
| Session 2 Registration Start Date | First Week of Feb 2026 | Upcoming |
| Session 1 Answer Key Release Date | February 1-5, 2026 | Tentative |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Result | February 12, 2026 | Expected |
JEE Main 2026 Past Events
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Exam Shift 1 & 2 | January 24, 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Jan 21-23 Exams | January 21-23, 2026 |
| Session 1 Admit Card (Jan 21-24 Exams) | Released on Jan 17, 2026 |
| Session 1 City Intimation Slip | January 08, 2026 |
| JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Registration Window | Oct 28 - Nov 22, 2025 |