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color:var(--jm-blue-800,#0b2f6b); list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center; } .jm-faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none;} .jm-faq summary::after{ content:"+"; font-size:20px; color:var(--jm-blue-600); margin-left:12px; } .jm-faq details[open] summary::after{content:"–";} .jm-faq p{margin:10px 0 0;font-size:14.5px;color:#333;} /* CTA STRIP */ .jm-cta{ background:var(--jm-blue-900); border-radius:var(--jm-radius); padding:30px; text-align:center; color:#fff; margin:40px 0; } .jm-cta h3{margin:0 0 8px;font-size:20px;} .jm-cta p{color:#dbe6ff;margin:0 0 16px;font-size:14.5px;} .jm-cta a{ display:inline-block; background:var(--jm-blue-500); color:#fff; padding:11px 24px; border-radius:8px; font-weight:600; } .jm-cta a:hover{background:var(--jm-blue-600);text-decoration:none;} .jm-note{font-size:13px;color:var(--jm-grey);font-style:italic;} 2026 Admissions Guide JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Eligibility, Syllabus & Complete Preparation Guide

A single, up-to-date reference covering everything a JEE Main aspirant needs — exam schedule, eligibility rules, syllabus, exam pattern, application process, admit card, cut-off trends, and counselling — organised in one place so you can plan your preparation with confidence.

Start Reading Overview Key Dates Eligibility Syllabus Exam Pattern Application Admit Card Preparation Tips Cut-off Counselling FAQs Latest Update — Session 2, 2026

• The Session 2 result has been declared, and candidates can retrieve their scorecards using their application number and password.
• The scorecard reflects the normalised percentile, All India Rank, and JEE Advanced qualification status; the top 2.5 lakh rank holders become eligible for JEE Advanced.
• Session 2 admit cards were issued in phases beginning March 29, 2026, starting with the earliest exam dates.
• The city intimation slip, released on March 21, 2026, is not valid for exam-day entry and is separate from the admit card.
• Session 2 (Paper 1) was held on April 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8, 2026; Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) was held on April 7, 2026.

What Is JEE Main 2026?

The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) 2026 is a national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency for admission into undergraduate engineering and architecture programmes across India. With the exception of the drawing component of Paper 2, the exam is delivered entirely in computer-based format.

The examination is structured into two distinct papers:

• Paper 1 — for admission into B.E./B.Tech programmes, testing Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics based on the Class 11 and 12 curriculum.
• Paper 2 — for admission into B.Arch and B.Planning programmes, split into Paper 2A (Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing) and Paper 2B (Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning).

JEE Main 2026 at a Glance ParticularsDetails Conducting bodyNational Testing Agency (NTA) Exam levelNational FrequencyTwice a year (January and April sessions) Exam modeComputer-based test; drawing section of B.Arch is pen-and-paper Session 1 application windowOctober 31 – November 27, 2025 Session 2 application windowFebruary 1 – February 25, 2026 (reopened March 12–13, 2026) Session 1 exam datesJanuary 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 & 29, 2026 Session 2 exam datesApril 2, 4, 5, 6 & 8, 2026 (Paper 1); April 7, 2026 (Paper 2) Session 1 resultFebruary 16, 2026 Session 2 resultApril 20, 2026 (declared) Papers offeredB.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Planning Duration3 hours (3.5 hours for combined B.Arch + B.Planning) Total marksB.E./B.Tech: 300 | B.Arch & B.Planning: 400 Marking scheme+4 for each correct answer, −1 for each incorrect answer, no penalty for unattempted or numerical-value questions Medium of examEnglish, Hindi, Urdu, and regional languages Eligibility Criteria

Before beginning the application process, candidates should confirm they meet the following conditions:

1Nationality

Open to Indian citizens; NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, and foreign nationals may also apply.

2Academic Qualification

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

3Age Limit

No upper age limit is prescribed by NTA; individual institutes may apply their own criteria.

4Number of Attempts

Candidates may appear for three consecutive years following their Class 12 pass-out year.

5Minimum Marks

No minimum Class 12 percentage is required simply to sit the exam.

6Board Requirement

The qualifying exam must be from a recognised Central or State Board.

Note on the 75% rule: this threshold does not apply to appearing for JEE Main itself, but admission into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs requires candidates to secure at least 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST candidates), or rank among the top 20 percentile of their respective board.

Syllabus Overview

The syllabus for all papers draws from the Class 11 and 12 NCERT curriculum. A subject-wise summary is given below.

Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) SubjectCore Topics MathematicsSets, relations and functions, complex numbers, quadratic equations, matrices, determinants, binomial theorem, calculus, trigonometry, vector algebra, probability, coordinate geometry PhysicsKinematics, laws of motion, work-energy-power, thermodynamics, current electricity, magnetism, optics, modern physics, electronic devices ChemistryAtomic structure, thermodynamics, chemical bonding, equilibrium, redox reactions, p-block and d-block elements, organic compounds, biomolecules, chemistry in everyday life Paper 2A (B.Arch) SubjectCore Topics MathematicsSame coverage as Paper 1 General Aptitude3D visualisation, analytical reasoning, architectural awareness, colour and texture, geometric shapes, design composition DrawingSketching from memory, urban and rural landscapes, geometric pattern creation, perspective drawing Paper 2B (B.Planning) SubjectCore Topics MathematicsSame coverage as Paper 1 General AptitudeSpatial visualisation, analytical reasoning, 3D perception, numerical and verbal reasoning PlanningGeneral awareness, social science, geography, urbanisation, development issues, map reading, graph interpretation, quantitative reasoning Exam Pattern ParticularsPaper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)Paper 2A (B.Arch)Paper 2B (B.Planning) ModeComputer-basedComputer-based, except DrawingComputer-based SubjectsPhysics, Chemistry, MathematicsMathematics, Aptitude, DrawingMathematics, Aptitude, Planning Total questions75 (25 per subject)77100 Question type20 MCQ + 5 numerical-value per subjectMathematics 25, Aptitude 50, Drawing 2Mathematics 25, Aptitude 50, Planning 25 Duration3 hours3 hours3 hours Total marks300400400 Marking scheme+4 for correct, −1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted

Paper 2B is also offered in 13 language options, including English, Hindi, Gujarati, and ten regional languages.

Application Process

The application form is released in two phases corresponding to Session 1 and Session 2. For Session 2, candidates who already registered for Session 1 can proceed using their existing login credentials, while new applicants must complete fresh registration.

Application Fee CategoryFee General category₹1,000 OBC / Female candidates₹800 SC / ST / PwD candidates₹500 Documents Required

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Scanned signature
• Class 10 mark sheet or certificate
• Category or PwD certificate, where applicable

Application Timeline EventDate Session 1 application opensOctober 31, 2025 Session 1 application closesNovember 27, 2025 (11:50 PM) Session 2 application opensFebruary 1, 2026 (reopened March 12–13, 2026) Session 2 application closesFebruary 25, 2026 (reopened March 12–13, 2026) Session 1 exam windowJanuary 21 – 29, 2026 Session 2 exam windowApril 2 – 9, 2026 Admit Card & Exam City Slip

Admit cards are released separately for each session, generally after the exam city intimation slip. For Session 2, the admit card was issued in phases — first for the April 2 and April 4 exam dates, followed by the remaining dates closer to their respective exams.

The admit card includes the candidate’s name, roll number, exam date and time, centre address, paper details, and exam-day instructions. Candidates should verify all details immediately after download.

What to Carry to the Exam Centre

• A printed, preferably coloured, copy of the admit card
• One valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, or Voter ID)
• A passport-size photograph matching the one used during registration

Downloading the Admit Card

• Visit the official NTA JEE Main portal
• Select the admit card link for the relevant session
• Log in using your application number and password or date of birth
• Download and print the admit card ahead of the exam date

The city intimation slip is issued before the admit card and confirms only the allotted exam city — it cannot be used for entry at the centre.

Preparation Strategy Know the syllabus deeply

Study the exam pattern closely and prioritise high-weightage topics first.

Build a study schedule

Allocate consistent time across all three subjects and stick to the plan.

Practice relentlessly

Work through mock tests and previous years’ papers under timed conditions.

Prioritise concepts

Understand the underlying principles rather than memorising formulas.

Anchor to NCERT

Treat NCERT textbooks as your primary resource, supplemented by trusted references.

Revise on a cycle

Schedule regular revision to strengthen long-term retention.

Protect your wellbeing

Maintain proper sleep, nutrition, and short breaks during study sessions.

Study collaboratively

Join peer groups to discuss difficult concepts and learn different approaches.

Cut-off Trends

The qualifying percentile for JEE Advanced eligibility is announced alongside the Session 2 result and varies by category and year. Recent trends are shown below.

Category2025202420232022 General93.1093.2390.7788.41 OBC-NCL80.3879.6775.6267.00 SC79.4360.0973.6143.08 ST61.1546.6951.9726.77 Gen-EWS47.9081.3237.2363.11

There is no pass/fail threshold for JEE Main itself. Admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs is based on All India Rank; the cut-off percentile determines JEE Advanced eligibility only.

Counselling & Seat Allotment

The Joint Seat Allocation Authority conducts centralised counselling for admission into 23 IITs, 31 NITs, IIEST Shibpur, 26 IIITs, and 38 GFTIs, open only to candidates who qualify in JEE Main or JEE Advanced.

1Registration

Log in to the counselling portal using your JEE Main or JEE Advanced credentials.

2Choice Filling

Select and rank your preferred institutes and courses.

3Seat Allotment

Seats are allocated based on rank, availability, and your stated preferences.

4Confirmation

Pay the acceptance fee, upload documents, and confirm via Freeze, Float, or Slide.

Recommended Study Resources SubjectRecommended Titles PhysicsConcepts of Physics (Part I & II), Problems in General Physics, Physics for JEE (Main & Advanced) ChemistryConcise Inorganic Chemistry, Numerical Chemistry, Modern Approach to Chemical Calculations, Organic Chemistry MathematicsHigher Algebra, Differential Calculus, Problems in Calculus of One Variable, Objective Mathematics for JEE Stay Ahead of Every JEE Main Update

Bookmark this page for the latest exam dates, admit card releases, and result announcements.

View Key Dates Frequently Asked Questions When is the JEE Main 2026 exam conducted?

Session 2 (Paper 1) is held on April 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8, 2026, while Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) is held on April 7, 2026.

What is the application fee?

₹1,000 for General category candidates, ₹800 for OBC/Female candidates, and ₹500 for SC/ST/PwD candidates.

Who is eligible to apply?

Candidates who passed or are appearing in Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible, with no upper age limit, for up to three consecutive attempts after passing Class 12.

Does the 75% marks rule apply to JEE Main?

No — it is not required to sit the exam. It applies only to admission into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, where candidates need 75% in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST) or a top-20-percentile board rank.

What is the syllabus for each paper?

Paper 1 covers Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics; Paper 2A covers Mathematics, Aptitude, and Drawing; Paper 2B covers Mathematics, Aptitude, and Planning — all based on the Class 11–12 NCERT curriculum.

When was the admit card released?

The Session 2 admit card was released on March 29, 2026, initially for the April 2 and April 4 exam dates, with subsequent dates released in phases.

When is the result declared?

The Session 1 result was declared on February 16, 2026, and the Session 2 result was declared on April 20, 2026.

What is the expected cut-off for 2026?

Based on recent trends: roughly 93 percentile for General, 80 for OBC-NCL, 60–70 for SC, and 45–55 for ST, though the official figure is confirmed only after results are declared.

How is the JEE Main rank calculated?

Ranks are derived from normalised NTA percentile scores, which account for variation in difficulty across different exam shifts.

Which institutes accept JEE Main scores?

Scores are accepted by 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, 38 GFTIs, and numerous state and private engineering colleges nationwide.