JEE Main 2026: Dates, Eligibility, Application Process & Exam Pattern

The JEE Main 2026 Registration for the first session began on October 31, 2025. Students can fill out the JEE Main 2026 application form till November 27, 2025, and pay their JEE Main 2026 registration fee by 11:50 PM on the same day. The NTA has released the exam dates for Sessions 1 and 2. Students can visit the official website - jeemain.nta.nic.in, to register for the exam. The Information Bulletin is currently accessible. The Aadhaar Update Advisory has been made public.
 
JEE Main 2026 Exam dates for sessions 1 and 2 are January 21–30, 2026, and April 2–9, 2026, respectively.
 
JEE Main 2026 exam will be administered online via CBT by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The Joint Entrance Examination, or JEE (Main), is held for UG engineering admissions in B.E., B. Tech., B. Arch., and B. Plan. Additionally, it serves as an eligibility test for JEE (Advanced), which is administered annually for admission to IITs.
 
Before registering for the exam, students must be aware of the JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria. Students must pass JEE Main (Paper I) to be admitted to Engineering courses (B.E/B.Tech.), and they must pass JEE Main (Paper 2) to be admitted to Architecture & Planning courses (B. Arch/B. Plan).
 

JEE Main 2026 Notification

The JEE Main 2026 notification was released alongside the JEE Main 2026 application form on October 31, 2025. Candidates should be informed of a few revisions and adjustments that the exam authority has published for the next JEE Mains 2026 exam.
 
  • The official website for JEE Main 2026 registration is jeemain.nta.nic.in.
  • NTA JEE Main 2026 Registration for the Sessions 1 and 2 opened on October 31, 2025, and applications must be submitted by November 27, 2025.
  • JEE Main 2026 Exam dates for sessions 1 and 2 are January 21–30, 2026, and April 2–9, 2026, respectively.
  • Candidates may only choose their desired state for the JEE Main 2026 exam; they are not permitted to choose their preferred city.
  • For both the January and April sessions, NTA will administer the JEE Main 2026 exam in a computer-based format.
  • This year, NTA has made it clear that no calculator will be allowed in the exam hall. Test-takers must practice manual calculation and strengthen their speed and accuracy without relying on any digital tools.
  • During registration, NTA will automatically enter a candidate's name, date of birth, and address using their Aadhaar/Digilocker details. Students will save time and make fewer mistakes because they won't have to type everything by hand.
  • To make sure that the dates of the CBSE board exam and JEE Main do not coincide, students will need to include their Class 11 CBSE registration number in the application form starting with the JEE Main 2026 session.
 
The JEE Main 2026 Notification was revised 2 days after the release due to a typo error. NTA later explained the typographic error. This exam does not allow the use of an on-screen calculator.
 

JEE Main 2026 Exam Overview

 
Name
JEE Main 2026 Exam
Full form
Joint Entrance Examination – Main
Organising Authority
NTA (National Testing Agency)
Level of Exam
National Level Exam
Number of Sessions
2 sessions – January & April
JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates
21 January to 30 January 2026
Offered Courses
B.Tech/ B.E/ B. Arch/ B. Plan
No of Papers
Paper 1 (B.Tech/ B.E)
Paper 2 (B. Arch/ B. Plan)
Exam mode
CBT mode
Application mode
Online mode
 

JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates

 
Check out the section below for comprehensive information regarding the JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates:
 
Events
JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates (Announced)
Session 1 (January session)
Session 2 (April session)
Release of notification
31st October 2025
JEE Main 2026 Application Form Release
October 31, 2025
1st week of February 2026
Last date to apply
November 27,2025 (9 pm)
1st week of March 2026
Last date to pay JEE Main 2026 Registration Fee
Till November 27, 2025 (11.50 pm)
1st week of March 2026
Application Correction facility
1st – 2nd week of December 2025
1st – 2nd week of March 2026
Application Correction Window
1st – 2nd week of December 2025
1st – 2nd week of March 2026
Advance city intimation slip availability
1st week of January 2026
3rd week of March 2026
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Release
3rd week of January 2026
(3-4 days before exam date)
3 days before the exam date
JEE Main 2026 exam dates
Between 21st and 30th January 2026
April 02 - 09, 2026
Provisional JEE Main 2026 Answer Key
January/ February 2026
April 2026
Final JEE Main 2026 Answer Key
1st week of February 2026
2nd week of April 2026
JEE Main 2026 Result announcement
By February 12, 2026
By April 20, 2026
JEE Main 2026 Counselling begins
May/ June 2026
 

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Learn everything there is to know about JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria & Admission Process in the section below:
 
Qualifying Exam: Only candidates who passed the 12th grade or its equivalent in 2024 or 2025 or who took the 12th grade in 2026 are qualified for JEE Main 2026.
 
Age Restrictions: There is no minimum age requirement to apply. Students must, however, meet the age requirements set forth by the college or university where they are applying.
 
Attempt Limit: There isn't a set attempt limit.
 
Nationality: Both foreign applicants and Indian natives may apply. To take the JEE Main 2026 exam, international candidates must receive the required scores as specified by AIU.
 
State Code of Eligibility: After passing their 12th grade, applicants must select the state code of eligibility.
 
  • Furthermore, it is independent of the location of origin or place of residence.
  • Foreign nationals who pass their qualifying exam must select their state code of eligibility based on the permanent address listed on their passport.
 
Qualifications for Institute Admission: Students must pass their 12th grade with a specific set of topics to be admitted to many prestigious universities, such as IIITs, NITs, and CFTIs. -
 
  • Completed 12th grade with a degree in physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, biotechnology, and technical vocational topics (for B.Tech/B.E.).
  • Passed the 12th grade with the required disciplines of mathematics, chemistry, and physics (for a B. Arch).
  • Completed the 12th grade with mathematics as a required subject (for a B. Plan).
 
Qualifying Scores (Through CSAB): Students must have finished the 12th grade with 75% (65% for ST/SC) or be in the top 20th percentile to be admitted through CSAB counselling.
 

JEE Main 2026 Application Form: Important Information

 
See the section below for information about the JEE Main 2026 Application form:
 
  • The JEE Main 2026 registration for the first session began on October 31, 2025.
  • The entire application process will be carried out in online mode. Forms submitted in any other way are not accepted.
  • Students can choose to sign up for one or both sessions. The form will be available in both Hindi and English.
  • Fill out the application details carefully, as there is no way to request changes once the form has been submitted.
  • Only one application should be submitted by one student; more than one will not be accepted. Those who submit more than one form may face severe consequences.
  • The application process consists of the following steps: online registration, application filling, uploading scanned photographs, payment of the application fee, confirmation, and form printing.
  • Students do not need to mail, fax, email, or personally deliver any documents or confirmation pages to the authority after submitting their application.
 

New Aadhaar/Digilocker Verification Mandatory for Registration

New verification guidelines for the JEE Main 2026 registration procedure have been implemented by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates must now use DigiLocker or Aadhaar to confirm their identification. This action will assist in confirming the candidate's information and lowering application mistakes.
 
Students applying for JEE Main 2026 must use their Aadhaar Number or DigiLocker account to confirm their identification during the identity details stage, per the updated criteria. Those who decide not to utilize Aadhaar must upload a scanned copy of a legitimate form of identification, such as a passport, PAN card, or voter ID, according to the information booklet.
 
However, at the present time, the JEE Mains registration does not offer this feature. Digilocker and Aadhaar are the only two documents that the system accepts.
 
Candidate information, including name, date of birth, and photo, can be automatically verified by connecting Aadhaar or DigiLocker. Additionally, it lessens mistakes that frequently result in application denials or inconsistencies while processing admission cards and results.
 
Before applying, students are also urged to update their Aadhaar information, which includes their name, address, gender, and most current photo. DigiLocker eliminates the need for manual uploads by enabling candidates to retrieve validated papers, such as their birth certificate or Class 10 mark sheet.
 

No ID Details Correction Facility

The NTA has made it quite clear that after the application is submitted, there won't be a window for Aadhaar or identification facts to be corrected. As a result, before submitting their final work, students must verify all of their personal information.
 

Important Takeaways for Candidates:

 
  • Registration for JEE Main 2026 now requires Aadhaar or DigiLocker authentication.
  • Details will be checked using DigiLocker and Aadhaar.
  • Candidates should make sure their Aadhaar photo and information are up to date and correct.
 

JEE Main 2026 Registration Fee

You can pay the JEE Main 2026 registration fee online using a credit card, debit card, UPI, or net banking. The fee is not refundable. Candidates are responsible for paying any applicable processing or GST fees.
 
The following lists the JEE Main 2026 registration fee for both Indian and foreign centres, broken down by category and paper:
 
Papers
Category
Application Fee
Exam Centres in India
Exam Centres Outside India
B.E./ B.Tech
or
B. Arch
or
B. Planning
General
Boys – Rs. 1000
Girls – Rs. 800
Boys – Rs. 5000
Girls – Rs. 4000
Gen-EWS/ OBC-NCL candidates
Boys – Rs. 900
Girls – Rs. 800
Boys – Rs. 4500
Girls – Rs. 4000
SC/ ST/ PwD
Boys – Rs. 500
Girls – Rs. 500
Boys – Rs. 2500
Girls – Rs. 2500
Third Gender
Rs. 500
Rs. 3000
B.E./ B.Tech & B. Arch
or
B.E./ B.Tech & B. Planning
or
B.E./ B.Tech, B. Arch &
B. Planning
or
B. Arch & B. Planning
Gen/ Gen-EWS/ OBC-NCL candidates
Boys – Rs. 2000
Girls – Rs. 1600
Boys – Rs. 10000
Girls – Rs. 8000
SC/ ST/ PwD/ Transgender candidates
Boys – Rs. 1000
Girls – Rs. 1000
Boys – Rs. 5000
Girls – Rs. 5000
Third Gender
Rs. 1000
Rs. 5000
 

How to fill out the JEE Main 2026 application form?

Candidates should review the instructions below to fill out the JEE Main 2026 application form:
 
  • Go to the website jeemain.nta.nic.in.
  • Select the "JEE Main 2026: Click Here to Register & Login" option.
  • Instructions for filling out the application will now appear on the screen. Examine the information and application guidelines carefully.
  • Register with other information and a legitimate ID. The application number and password for the login will now be generated.
  • Add more information about yourself, your credentials, your communication style, your preferred exam city, etc.
  • Now upload the scanned copies of the category certificate, signature, and photo in the size and format specified.
  • Go to the following stage and use the available online payment options to pay the JEE Main 2026 registration fee.
  • Before submitting the form, make sure all the information is correct. Once the form is submitted, it cannot be changed.
  • Students must download, save, and print the JEE Main 2026 application form for future use.
 

JEE Main 2026 Application Form Documents Required

The following is a list of documents needed for JEE Main 2026 Registration : 
 
  • Valid ID proof
  • Category certificate (if applicable)
  • Candidate’s Photograph
  • Candidate’s Signature
  • Qualification details/ Certificate, etc.
 

JEE Main 2026 Application Form Correction Window

A few days after the registration process is over, the JEE Main 2026 application form correction procedure opens. By logging in, students can change the editable details online. Corrections by mail, fax, or hand will not be accepted.
 
JEE Main Correction 2026 can be completed between the first and second weeks of December 2025 for the January session and between the first and second weeks of March 2026 for the April session. Candidates will only be able to edit the form once. Changes will be allowed only for the following details:
 
  • Personal Details
  • Academic Details
  • Exam Preferences
  • Category and PwD Status
  • Signature
  • Paper Selection
 
Things not allowed to change
 
  • Mobile Number
  • Email Address
  • Permanent Address
  • Present/Correspondence Address
  • Emergency Contact Details
  • Photograph
  • Candidate Name, Father Name, or Mother Name (you can change only one of these, and only for new applicants for Session 2)
 

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern

 
See the section below for information on the JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern:
 
  • Exam Mode: CBT will be used for JEE Main 2026 Papers 1 and 2. On the other hand, the Paper 2 (Architecture) drawing test will be conducted offline using pen and paper.
  • Total Number of Papers: Paper 1 will be held for B.E. and B.Tech. Paper 2A for B. Arch and Paper 2B for B. Plan will be held.
  • Paper Language Options: Thirteen languages—English, Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Punjabi, Odia, Telugu, Tamil, and Urdu—will be used for the paper.
  • Question Type: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are used in this paper.
  • Time: Three hours will be set out for Papers 1 and 2A and 2B. The combined time for Papers 2A and 2B is three hours and thirty minutes. For the one-hour exam, PWD candidates are granted an extra twenty minutes.
  • Marking: Four points will be given for each right answer. For each wrong answer, one mark will be subtracted.
 
Examine the distribution of questions by paper in the table below:
 

Paper 1 (B.E/ B.Tech):

 
Subjects
Section-wise Questions
Marks
Section A
Section B
Physics
20
5
100
Chemistry
20
5
100
Mathematics
20
5
100
Total
75
300
 

Paper 2A (B. Arch):

Subjects
Section-wise Questions
Marks
Part 1: Mathematics
20 (Section A) & 5(Section B)
100
Part 2: Aptitude Test
50
200
Part 3: Drawing Test
02
100
Total
77
400
 

Paper 2B (B. Plan):

Subjects
Section-wise Questions
Marks
Part 1: Mathematics
20 (Section A) & 5 (Section B)
100
Part 2: Aptitude Test
50
200
Part 3: Planning
25
100
Total
100
400
 

JEE Main 2026 Syllabus

This page provides information regarding the JEE Main 2026 syllabus. It will resemble the 11th and 12th grade curriculum.
 
Examine the JEE Main 2026 syllabus by paper and subject in the table below:
 

For B.E/ B.Tech (Paper 1):

Physics
 
  • Laws of Motion
  • Kinematics
  • Gravitation Work
  • Energy & Power
  • Rotational Motion
  • Thermodynamics
  • Physics & Measurement
  • Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism
  • Properties of Solids & Liquids
  • Dual Nature of Matter & Radiation
  • Optics
  • Electrostatics
  • Current Electricity
  • Electromagnetic Waves
  • Electronic Devices
  • Atoms & Nuclei.
 
Chemistry
 
  • Physical Chemistry – chemical thermodynamics, equilibrium, Atomic structure, chemical kinetics, states of matter, some basic concepts in chemistry, etc.
  • Organic Chemistry – chemistry in everyday life, Purification & characterisation of organic compounds, Organic compounds containing nitrogen, organic compounds containing halogens, some basic principles of organic chemistry, etc.
  • Inorganic Chemistry – classifications of elements & periodicity in properties, Block elements (alkali & alkaline earth metals), Hydrogen, environmental chemistry, block element group 13 to group 18 elements, d & f block elements, etc.
 
Mathematics
 
  • Sets
  • Complex Numbers & Sequences & Series
  • Relations & Functions
  • Matrices & Determinants
  • Integral Calculus
  • Permutations & Combinations
  • Three-Dimensional Geometry
  • Differential Equations
  • Limits
  • Continuity & Differentiability
  • Vector Algebra
  • Trigonometry.

For B. Arch (Paper 2A):

Mathematics
Aptitude test
Drawing test
Part I: The topics in Part 1 of Paper 2A will contain questions from the Mathematics subject. The topics are similar to the ones as mentioned above in Paper 1 of Mathematics.
Part II: An aptitude test will be conducted in this part. Questions will be asked from topics -Awareness of person, places, texture & objects related to architecture & building, visualising 3D objects from 2D drawings, buildings &materials, analytical reasoning, etc.
Part III: In the drawing test, candidates are asked to sketch scenes & activities from memory of urban scape (festivals, market, public space, street scenes, monuments, recreational spaces, etc). Rural life & landscape (riverfronts, Jungle, Gardens, trees, Plants, etc.).
This part is conducted on drawing sheet and students are advised to bring pencils, a geometry box, crasets, pencils, crayons, etc.
 

For B. Plan (Paper 2B):

Mathematics
Aptitude test
Drawing test
Part I: Topics in Part 1 of Paper 2B will contain questions from the Mathematics subject. The topics are like the ones mentioned above in Papers 1 & 2A of Mathematics.
Part II: An aptitude test will be conducted in this part. Questions will be asked from topics – Awareness of person, texture & objects related to architecture & building, places, visualizing 3D objects from 2D drawings, analytical reasoning, buildings &materials, etc.
Part III: This part will contain questions related to various topics of planning. The part will cover various questions from topics – General Awareness, Social sciences & Thinking.
 

JEE Main 2026 Admit Card

For applicants taking the test, the JEE Main 2026 Admit Card is a crucial document. It verifies the candidate's identity and acts as official authorization to enter the exam room. Important information like the exam date, time, and location is usually included on the JEE Main 2026 admit card. The admission cards will only be made available online. Candidates can get it from the official website.
 
The JEE Main 2026 admit card for sessions 1 and 2 is expected to be released in the third week of January 2026, and 3 days before the exam, respectively.
 

How to download the JEE Main 2026 Admit Card?

  • Visit jeemain.nta.nic.in, the official JEE Main website.
  • On the homepage, select the "JEE Main 2026 admit card" or "Admit Card Download" link.
  • Choose to use your application number, birthdate, or password to log in.
  • In the designated fields, enter your application number, birthdate, and password.
  • To access your account, click the "Sign In" button.
  • The screen will show your JEE Main 2026 admit card. Print a copy of it after downloading it.
  • On exam day, don't forget to bring a valid photo ID and the printed admit card.
 

JEE Main 2026 Answer Key

 
Candidates can use the preliminary JEE Main 2026 Answer Key to evaluate how well they performed on the test. It makes the evaluation process transparent and enables candidates to compare their answers with the key that has been made public. Additionally, candidates may object to the written exam's provisional answer key.
 
Once all the objections are resolved, the NTA will release the final answer key a few days later. The JEE Main 2026 result will be based on this final answer key.
 

JEE Main 2026 Result

Following the exam, the JEE Main 2026 result will be posted on the official website. The JEE Main 2026 result will be announced for each step of the selection process. Candidates can visit the official website to view the results. For updates on the announcement of the results and additional instructions, it is crucial to frequently visit the official website.
 

How to download the JEE Main 2026 Result?

  • Go to jeemain.nta.nic.in, the official JEE Main website.
  • On the homepage, find and click the "JEE Main 2026 Result" or a similar link.
  • Your application number and password (or date of birth) will be required.
  • To see your result, click the "Submit" button.
  • The screen will show your scorecard.
  • Take a printout of the result after downloading it for your records.
 

JEE Main 2026 Cut-off

 
A few days following the exam, the JEE Main 2026 Cut Off will be made public online. The candidates chosen for the next round of selection are determined by the cut-off scores. The exam's difficulty level, the number of open positions, and the candidates' overall performance all have an impact on the cut-off scores. For a better understanding, candidates should review the JEE Main 2025 Cut-Off.
 

JEE Main 2026 Counselling

 
JEE Main 2026 Counselling will start in July 2026, following the announcement of the JEE Main 2026 result for both sessions. The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) administers the online counseling procedure, which allows eligible applicants to register, select institutions and courses, and receive seats according to their ranks.
 
After a seat is assigned, candidates must finish the registration and choice forms before reporting to the designated institute for document verification and fee payment.
 
  • Registration and Choice-Filling
  • Mock Seat Allocation
  • Seat Allocation
  • Seat Acceptance
  • Fee Payment
  • Document Verification
  • Reporting to the Institute
  • Spot Counselling
  • Special Rounds (CSAB)
 

Top Books for JEE Main in 2026

Students can refer to our comprehensive, in-depth post about JEE Main 2026 preparation books if they are unsure about what to study and which books to consult. All of the subject-specific books that our experts strongly recommend are included here.
 
These books will also offer strategies for droppers and assist students who are unsure about how to study for JEE Main 2026 starting in class 11.
 
Physics
 
  • Foundation: NCERT textbooks.
  • Conceptual Clarity and Problem Solving: HC Verma's Concepts of Physics or DC Pandey's Understanding Physics.
  • Advanced Problems: I.E., Irodov's Problems in General Physics.
 
Chemistry
 
  • Foundation: NCERT textbooks.
  • Organic Chemistry: OP Tandon's Organic Chemistry or Morrison & Boyd for advanced concepts.
  • Physical Chemistry: Narendra Awasthi for JEE.
  • Inorganic Chemistry: Focus on NCERT for memorization.
 
Mathematics
 
  • Foundation: NCERT textbooks.
  • Basic Concepts and Problem Solving: RD Sharma's Objective Mathematics.
  • Comprehensive Preparation: Cengage or Arihant Mathematics books for advanced topics and a larger problem set.
  • Specific Topics: S.L. Loney's books on Trigonometry and Coordinate Geometry or Amit M. Agarwal's books on Calculus.
 

Preparation Advice for JEE Main 2026 Exam

Here are some pointers and strategies to use when getting ready for the test:
 
  • Start by looking over the complete JEE Main 2026 syllabus.
  • To understand the question paper strategy, go through the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern.
  • Create a study plan that allots time for each topic and revision.
  • After finishing a chapter, complete a sample test broken down per chapter.
  • Review the most difficult section of the syllabus regularly.
  • Maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular exercise to stay in shape and reduce stress.
  • Attempt to complete as many of the previous year's questions as you can.
 

FAQs for JEE Mains 2026 Exam

 
Q1. When will the JEE Main 2026 application form be available?
The JEE Main 2026 application form for both sessions 1 and 2 was made available on October 31, 2025.
 
Q2. I would like to know if the JEE Main 2026 exam will be held annually.
No, the JEE Main exam is held twice a year during sessions one and two.
 
Q3. Will I be able to apply for the JEE Main 2026 exam, as I will be in class 12 in 2026?
Yes, candidates who appear in the 12th grade are also qualified to take the test.
 
Q4. Will I be able to enroll for JEE Main 2026 if I turn 26 in 2026?
Yes, there is no upper age limit for taking the test.
 
Q5. Is JEE Main 2026 going to be an online or offline exam?
Online CBT will be used to administer the tests.
 
Q6. When will the JEE Main 2026 exam be held?
For session 1, the exams will take place from January 21 to January 30, 2026, and for session 2, they will take place from April 2 to April 9, 2026.
 
Q7. Is it possible that the JEE Main exam and CUET will be combined in 2026?
So far, NTA has not made any such announcements.
 
Q8. Will I be able to apply for the JEE Main 2026 exam if I fall under the OCI category?
Candidates who are OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) are eligible to apply for the exam.