JEE Main 2026 – Complete Guide to Joint Entrance Examination
The JEE Main 2026 is one of the most important national-level engineering entrance exams in India. Officially known as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main), this exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to top engineering institutions such as NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, and also serves as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced.
What is JEE Main 2026?
- JEE Main is a national-level entrance exam for undergraduate engineering and architecture courses
- Conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Gateway to:
- BTech / BE
- BArch
- BPlan
- Qualifying Joint Entrance Examination candidates become eligible for JEE Advanced 2026
JEE Main 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Courses Offered | BTech, BE, BArch, BPlan |
| Exam Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) |
| Sessions | Two (January & April) |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.nic.in |
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Session 1 | Session 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release | November 2025 | February 2026 |
| Application Start | November 2025 | February 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | December 2025 | March 2026 |
| Admit Card | January 2026 | April 2026 |
| Exam Date | January 2026 | April 2026 |
| Result Declaration | February 2026 | May 2026 |
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Must have passed Class 12 or equivalent in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026
- Mandatory subjects:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- One of: Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational subject
Age Limit
- No age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2026
Number of Attempts
- Maximum 3 consecutive years
- Two attempts per year
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern
Paper-wise Structure
| Paper | Course | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | BTech / BE | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Paper 2A | BArch | Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing |
| Paper 2B | BPlan | Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning |
JEE Main 2026 Marking Scheme (Paper 1)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 25 | 100 |
| Chemistry | 25 | 100 |
| Mathematics | 25 | 100 |
| Total | 75 | 300 |
- +4 for correct answer
- −1 for incorrect answer
- No negative marking for numerical value questions
JEE Main 2026 Syllabus
Physics
- Laws of Motion
- Work, Energy & Power
- Electrostatics
- Current Electricity
- Magnetic Effects
- Optics
- Modern Physics
Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry (Mole Concept, Thermodynamics)
- Organic Chemistry (Hydrocarbons, Alcohols, Polymers)
- Inorganic Chemistry (Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding)
Mathematics
- Algebra
- Calculus
- Coordinate Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Statistics & Probability
JEE Main 2026 Application Process
Step-by-Step Process
- Visit official JEE Main website
- Complete online registration
- Fill personal & academic details
- Upload scanned documents
- Pay application fee
- Download confirmation page
JEE Main 2026 Application Fee (Expected)
| Category | Single Paper | Both Papers |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹1000 | ₹2000 |
| SC / ST / PwD | ₹500 | ₹1000 |
2026 Admit Card
- Available online only
- Contains:
- Exam date & shift
- Exam center details
- Candidate information
- Mandatory to carry:
- Admit card
- Valid photo ID proof
JEE Main 2026 Result & Rank
- Result declared in percentile format
- Best score of two sessions considered
- Based on:
- Normalization method
- Overall performance
- Top 2.5 lakh candidates qualify for JEE Advanced
JEE Main 2026 Cut-Off (Expected)
| Category | Cut-Off Percentile |
|---|---|
| General | 88 – 92 |
| OBC-NCL | 70 – 75 |
| SC | 50 – 55 |
| ST | 40 – 45 |
| EWS | 75 – 80 |
Top Colleges Accepting JEE Main Score
- National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
- Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
- Government Funded Technical Institutions (GFTIs)
- Central Universities
- State Engineering Colleges
JEE Main 2026 Preparation Tips
- Understand JEE Main exam pattern thoroughly
- Focus on NCERT textbooks
- Practice previous year question papers
- Attempt mock tests regularly
- Improve speed & accuracy
- Revise formulas and concepts daily
Why JEE Main 2026 is Important
- Gateway to India’s top engineering colleges
- National-level standardized assessment
- Fair and transparent exam process
- Multiple attempts improve score chances
- Accepted by over 1,500 institutions
FAQs – JEE Main 2026
Q1. What is JEE Main 2026?
JEE Main 2026 is a national-level Joint Entrance Examination conducted for admission to undergraduate engineering and architecture programs.
Q2. Who conducts JEE Main?
The exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Q3. Can I appear for both sessions of JEE Main 2026?
Yes, candidates can appear in both January and April sessions.
Q4. Is JEE Main compulsory for JEE Advanced?
Yes, qualifying JEE Main is mandatory to appear for JEE Advanced.
Conclusion
The JEE Main 2026 is a crucial milestone for engineering aspirants aiming to enter prestigious institutions through the Joint Entrance Examination. With proper planning, consistent practice, and smart preparation, students can secure a high rank and open doors to top engineering colleges in India.