JEE Main 2026: Complete Guide to Exam Dates, Registration & Application Process
Quick Summary: The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main for admission to undergraduate engineering programs (B.E./B.Tech), architecture (B.Arch), and planning (B.Planning) courses at prestigious institutions including IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other government-funded technical institutes across India. JEE Main 2026 will be held in two sessions: Session 1 from January 21-30, 2026, and Session 2 from April 1-10, 2026.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates
The National Testing Agency has officially announced the examination schedule for JEE Main 2026, which will be conducted in two separate sessions to provide candidates with multiple opportunities to secure the best possible rank for admission to premier engineering institutions.
| Event | Session 1 (January) | Session 2 (April) |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Dates | January 21-30, 2026 | April 1-10, 2026 |
| Registration Start Date | October 31, 2025 | February 2026 (Expected) |
| Registration Last Date | November 27, 2025 (9:00 PM) | March 2026 (Expected) |
| Application Fee Payment | Till November 27, 2025 (11:50 PM) | Same as registration end date |
| Correction Window | December 1-5, 2025 | 1st Week of March 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | Mid-January 2026 | Late March 2026 |
| Result Declaration | February 2026 | April 2026 |
JEE Main Registration Process
The JEE Main application process is conducted entirely online through the official NTA website. Candidates must complete the registration, fill in personal and academic details, upload required documents, and pay the application fee to successfully submit their JEE Main 2026 application form.
How to Register for JEE Main 2026
Go to the official NTA JEE Main portal at jeemain.nta.nic.in and click on the "JEE Main 2026 Registration" link.
New candidates must register by providing basic details including name, email address, mobile number, and creating a password. Verify your email and mobile number through OTP.
Log in using your credentials and complete the application form with personal details, academic qualifications, exam center preferences, and choose your paper type (B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Planning, or combination).
Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph, signature, Class 10 certificate (for date of birth proof), and category certificate (if applicable). Ensure all documents meet the specified size and format requirements.
Complete the payment of the application fee through online modes including Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Keep the transaction receipt for future reference.
Review all entered information carefully, submit the application form, and download the confirmation page. Take multiple printouts for your records.
JEE Main Registration Fee
The application fee structure for JEE Main 2026 varies based on the candidate's gender, category, and the number of papers they wish to appear for. The fee must be paid online through the designated payment gateway.
| Category | Paper 1 OR Paper 2 | Paper 1 AND Paper 2 |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC-NCL (Male) | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 |
| General / OBC-NCL (Female) | ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD / Transgender | ₹500 | ₹1,000 |
| Foreign Candidates | ₹5,000 | ₹10,000 |
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria
To appear for JEE Main 2026, candidates must satisfy the eligibility criteria set by the National Testing Agency regarding educational qualifications, age limit, subject requirements, and number of attempts.
Academic Qualification
- For B.E./B.Tech: Candidates must have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects, along with one of Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or Technical Vocational subject.
- For B.Arch: Candidates must have passed Class 12 with Mathematics as a compulsory subject, along with 50% aggregate marks in any five subjects.
- For B.Planning: Candidates must have passed Class 12 with Mathematics as a compulsory subject, along with 50% aggregate marks in any five subjects.
- Passing Year: Only candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 are eligible. Those who passed in 2023 or earlier are NOT eligible.
Age Limit
There is no upper age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2026 as per NTA guidelines. Candidates of any age can apply provided they meet other eligibility criteria. However, individual institutions (IITs, NITs, IIITs) may have specific age requirements for admission.
Number of Attempts
- Candidates can attempt JEE Main a maximum of 6 times over 3 consecutive years after passing Class 12.
- Since JEE Main is conducted twice every year (January and April sessions), you have two opportunities annually.
- Both session scores are valid for admissions; the higher score is considered for counselling.
Nationality Requirements
- Indian Nationals
- NRI / PIO / OCI cardholders
- Foreign Nationals (separate fee structure applicable)
JEE Main Exam Pattern
JEE Main 2026 will be conducted as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) in multiple shifts across different days. Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation and time management during the examination.
Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech
| Subject | Total Questions | Compulsory Questions | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 30 (20 MCQ + 10 Numerical) | 25 (Any 20 + Any 5) | 100 |
| Chemistry | 30 (20 MCQ + 10 Numerical) | 25 (Any 20 + Any 5) | 100 |
| Mathematics | 30 (20 MCQ + 10 Numerical) | 25 (Any 20 + Any 5) | 100 |
| Total | 90 | 75 | 300 |
Duration: 3 hours (180 minutes)
Exam Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Language Options: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu
Marking Scheme
- For MCQs: +4 marks for correct answer, -1 mark for incorrect answer, 0 for unattempted
- For Numerical Questions: +4 marks for correct answer, 0 for incorrect or unattempted (No negative marking)
Total Score Calculation:
\( \text{Total Score} = (\text{Correct MCQs} \times 4) - (\text{Incorrect MCQs} \times 1) + (\text{Correct Numerical} \times 4) \)
Paper 2A: B.Arch
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 (Compulsory) | 80 |
| Aptitude Test | 50 (Compulsory) | 200 |
| Drawing Test | 2 (Compulsory) | 100 |
| Total | 72 | 400 |
Duration: 3 hours (Mathematics & Aptitude - CBT, Drawing Test - pen and paper)
Paper 2B: B.Planning
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 (Compulsory) | 80 |
| Aptitude Test | 50 (Compulsory) | 200 |
| Planning Test | 25 (Compulsory) | 100 |
| Total | 95 | 400 |
Duration: 3 hours (Computer-Based Test)
JEE Main Syllabus Overview
The JEE Main syllabus is based on the Class 11 and Class 12 curriculum prescribed by CBSE and various state boards. The detailed topic-wise syllabus helps candidates prepare systematically for the examination.
Physics Important Topics
- Current Electricity and Electromagnetic Induction
- Electrostatics and Gravitation
- Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory of Gases
- Waves, Sound, and Optics
- Rotational Dynamics and Mechanics
- Modern Physics (Atoms, Nuclei, Semiconductors)
- Magnetism and Magnetic Effects
Chemistry Important Topics
- Chemical Bonding and Coordination Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry (Carbonyl Compounds, Aromatic Compounds, Biomolecules)
- Electrochemistry and Redox Reactions
- Thermodynamics and Chemical Equilibrium
- Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
- Mole Concept and Stoichiometry
- Chemical Kinetics and Surface Chemistry
Mathematics Important Topics
- Calculus (Differentiation, Integration, Differential Equations)
- Coordinate Geometry (Circle, Parabola, Ellipse, Hyperbola)
- Algebra (Quadratic Equations, Complex Numbers, Matrices, Determinants)
- Trigonometry and Inverse Trigonometric Functions
- Vectors and 3D Geometry
- Probability and Statistics
- Sequences and Series
Documents Required for Registration
Candidates must keep the following documents ready in scanned format before starting the JEE Main 2026 online application process:
- Photograph: Recent passport-size color photograph (10-200 KB, JPG/JPEG format)
- Signature: Scanned signature on white paper (4-30 KB, JPG/JPEG format)
- Class 10 Certificate: For date of birth verification (50-300 KB, PDF format)
- Class 12 Marksheet: For qualification proof (50-300 KB, PDF format)
- Category Certificate: SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS certificate issued by competent authority (if applicable)
- PwD Certificate: Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar Card: For identity verification
- Valid Email ID and Mobile Number: For communication and OTP verification
JEE Main Counselling Process
After the declaration of JEE Main results, qualified candidates must participate in counselling conducted by JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority) for admission to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs. The counselling process involves multiple rounds of registration, choice filling, seat allotment, and acceptance.
JoSAA Counselling Steps
- Registration: Register on the official JoSAA website using JEE Main application number and other credentials
- Choice Filling: Select and arrange colleges and branches in order of preference
- Choice Locking: Finalize and lock your choices before the deadline
- Seat Allotment: Seats are allocated based on rank, preferences, and availability
- Seat Acceptance: Accept the allotted seat and pay the seat acceptance fee
- Document Verification: Upload required documents for verification
- Reporting to Institute: Report to the allotted institute physically with original documents
Official Resources
Always refer to official sources for authentic and updated information regarding JEE Main 2026. Below are the verified official links:
NTA JEE Main Official Website JoSAA Counselling Portal National Testing Agency (NTA)Frequently Asked Questions
Preparation Tips for Success
- Start Early: Begin your preparation at least 12-18 months before the exam date
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly review the complete JEE Main syllabus and weightage of each topic
- Practice Regularly: Solve previous year question papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy
- Focus on Concepts: Build strong conceptual understanding rather than rote learning formulas
- Time Management: Practice solving questions within time limits to manage the 3-hour exam effectively
- Analyze Performance: Review your mistakes and weak areas after each mock test and work on improvements
- Stay Updated: Regularly check the official NTA website for updates, notifications, and announcements
- Health and Well-being: Maintain a balanced routine with adequate sleep, nutrition, and breaks