JEE Main 2026 - Exam Date, Eligibility, Registration, Preparation Tips, Previous Year Papers

JEE Main 2026 is one of the most anticipated engineering entrance exams for students aiming to secure admission in top IITs, NITs, and other reputed engineering colleges across India. Every year, lakhs of students appear for this highly competitive exam, making preparation and strategy crucial for success. JEE Main 2026 will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), and candidates must stay updated on important dates, eligibility criteria, syllabus, and exam patterns to perform well. The JEE Main 2026 syllabus covers Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics of Class 11 and 12 levels. For Physics, topics include Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Thermodynamics, Optics, and Modern Physics. Chemistry focuses on Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry, while Mathematics includes Calculus, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, and Trigonometry. Understanding the syllabus in detail is essential for effective preparation for JEE Main 2026. Registration for JEE Main 2026 usually opens a few months before the exam. Students need to submit personal and academic details, upload required documents, and pay the application fee online. Choosing the correct exam center and carefully filling the application form are vital steps in the registration process.

The JEE Main 2026 exam pattern includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical questions, and the exam is conducted in a computer-based format. Each paper tests conceptual understanding, problem-solving ability, and time management skills. Practicing previous year papers and mock tests can significantly improve accuracy and speed, boosting the chances of scoring high in JEE Main 2026. Qualifying JEE Main 2026 is the first step towards appearing for JEE Advanced 2026, which opens doors to IITs. Additionally, good scores in JEE Main 2026 can secure admission to NITs, IIITs, and other top engineering institutes. Students must focus on regular study schedules, conceptual clarity, and strategic revision to achieve success in this competitive exam. For students aiming to crack JEE Main 2026, staying updated with the latest notifications, following a disciplined study plan, and practicing extensively are key strategies. With proper guidance, time management, and hard work, aspirants can achieve their dream of getting admission to prestigious engineering colleges through JEE Main 2026.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Date

JEE Main 2026 exam date will be announced in November 2026. JEE Mains 2026 exam will be conducted in two sessions: Session 1 is scheduled for the last week of January 2026, and Session 2 will take place in the first week of April 2026. Below is the tentative schedule for the JEE Main exam dates in 2026.

JEE Main 2026- Important dates

Event Session 1 (January 2026) Session 2 (April 2026)
Registration Period October 2025 onwards Last week of January 2026 onwards
Examination Dates January 21 – 30, 2026 April 1 – 10, 2026
Admit Card Release January 2026 March 2026
Result Declaration February 2026 April 2026

Note: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that the JEE Main 2026 will be conducted in two sessions: the first from January 21 to 30, 2026, and the second from April 1 to 10, 2026. Registration for the January session will commence in October 2025, while the April session registration will begin in the last week of January 2026. For more details, please refer to the official NTA notice. 

Also Read: List of Entrance Exam 2026

JEE Main 2026 Important Details

Particulars

Details

JEE Main 2026 official website

jeemain.nta.ac.in

JEE Main 2026 exam date

Session 1- January Between 21 - 30 January 2026

Session 2- April

Start of JEE Main 2026 Registration

Session 1- Oct

Session 2- February

JEE Main Application Fee 2026

INR 1000- Unreserved

INR 800- Gen-EWS and OBC-NCL

INR 500- SC, ST and PwD

INR 800- Female candidates of all categories

JEE Main Helpline Number

Email- jeemain@nta.ac.in

Phone- 011-40759000

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Candidates eligible for the JEE Main 2026 exam must have passed the Class 12 board exams in 2022 or 2023, or be appearing in 2026. They must meet the JEE Main 2026 eligibility criteria of their chosen institute. Eligibility includes:

  • Final year of 10+2 examination.
  • Intermediate or two-year Pre-University examination by a recognized Board/University.
  • Joint Service Wing of the National Defence Academy with a two-year course.
  • Passed 10+2 by the National Institute of Open Schooling with a minimum of five subjects.
  • 3-year diploma holders.
  • NIOS students appearing for 10+2 should select their state for eligibility.

JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026

Details of the subject-wise number of questions are mention below.

Paper 1 (BE/BTech)

Subject

Section A

Section B

Total Marks

Math

20

10

100

Physics

20

10

100

Chemistry

20

10

100

Total

60

30

300

Paper 2A (BArch)

Subject

Section A

Section B

Marks

Math

20

10

100

General Aptitude

50

NA

200

Drawing

2

NA

100

Total

72

10

400

Paper 2B (BPlan)

Subject

Section A

Section B

Marks

Math

20

10

100

General Aptitude

50

NA

200

Planning

25

NA

100

Total

95

10

400

JEE Main Syllabus 2026

The syllabus for the NTA JEE Mains exam is aligned with the class 11 and 12. For JEE Main Paper 1 (BE/BTech), students can prepare using their class 11 and 12 NCERT/state board textbooks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

Similarly, the drawing syllabus for Paper 2A (BArch) and the Planning syllabus for Paper 2B (BPlan) follow the class 11 and 12 textbooks for the respective subjects.

The NTA will release the official JEE Mains 2026 syllabus with the notification/information brochure in November. Candidates can refer to the previous year's JEE Mains syllabus for exam preparation. Any changes to the JEE Main 2026 syllabus will be updated accordingly.

Paper 1 (BE/BTech)

Physics

Chemistry

Mathematics

Physics and Measurement

Kinematics

Laws of Motion

Work, Energy, and Power

Rotational Motion

Gravitation

Properties of Solids and Liquids

Thermodynamics

Kinetic Theory of Gases

Oscillation and Waves

Electrostatics

Current Electricity

Magnetic Effect of Current and Magnetism

Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current

Electromagnetic Waves

Optics

Dual Nature of Matter and Radiation

Atoms and Nuclei

Electronic Devices

Physical Chemistry

  • Some Basic Concepts in Chemistry
  • Atomic Structure
  • Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
  • Chemical Thermodynamics
  • Solutions
  • Equilibrium
  • Redox Reactions and Electrochemistry
  • Chemical Kinetics

Inorganic Chemistry

  • Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties
  • p-block elements
  • d- and f-block elements
  • Coordination Compounds

Organic Chemistry

  • Purification and Characterization of Organic Compounds
  • Some Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Organic Compounds containing Halogen
  • Organic Compounds containing Oxygen
  • Organic Compounds containing Nitrogen
  • Biomolecules
  • Principles Related to Practical Chemistry

 

Sets, Relations, and Functions

Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

Matrices and Determinants

Permutation and Combination

Binomial Theorem and its Simple Applications

Sequence and Series

Limit, Continuity and Differentiability

Integral Calculus

Differential Equations

Co-ordinate Geometry

Three Dimensional Geometry

Vector Algebra

Statistics and Probability

Trigonometry

Paper 2A (BArch)

Mathematics

General Aptitude

Drawing

  • Sets, Relations and Functions
  • Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations
  • Matrices and Determinants, Permutations and Combinations
  • Mathematical Inductions Binomial Theorem and its Simple Applications
  • Sequence and Series
  • Limits, Continuity and Differentiability
  • Integral Calculus
  • Differential Equations
  • Coordinate Geometry
  • Three-dimensional Geometry
  • Vector Algebra
  • Statistics and Probability
  • Trigonometry
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Awareness of persons, Buildings, and Materials: Objects, Texture related to Architecture and Build-envirounmentVisusalising three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings. Visualizing. Different sides of three-dimensional objects. Analytical Reasoning Mental Ability (Visual. Numerical and Verbal) 
  • Three-dimensional- perception: Understanding and appreciation of scale and proportions of objects, building forms and elements, colour texture harmony and contrast Design and drawing of geometrical or abstract shapes and patterns in pencil. Transformation of forms both 2D and 3D union, subtraction rotation, development of surfaces and volumes, Generation of Plan, elevations and 3D views of objects, Creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional compositions using given shapes and forms. 

Sketching of scenes and activities from memory of urbanscape (public space, market, festivals, street scenes, monuments, recreational spaces, etc), landscape (riverfronts. Jungle. Gardens, trees. Plants, etc.) and rural life. 

Paper 2B (BPlan)

Mathematics

General Aptitude

Planning

Sets, Relations and Functions

Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

Matrices and Determinants, Permutations and Combinations

Mathematical Inductions Binomial Theorem and its Simple Applications

Sequence and Series

Limits, Continuity and Differentiability

Integral Calculus

Differential Equations

Coordinate Geometry

Three-dimensional Geometry

Vector Algebra

Statistics and Probability

Trigonometry

Mathematical Reasoning

Awareness of persons, Buildings, and Materials: Objects, Texture related to Architecture and Build-envirounmentVisusalising three-dimensional objects from two-dimensional drawings. Visualizing. Different sides of three-dimensional objects. Analytical Reasoning Mental Ability (Visual. Numerical and Verbal) 

Three-dimensional- perception: Understanding and appreciation of scale and proportions of objects, building forms and elements, colour texture harmony and contrast Design and drawing of geometrical or abstract shapes and patterns in pencil. Transformation of forms both 2D and 3D union, subtraction rotation, development of surfaces and volumes, Generation of Plan, elevations and 3D views of objects, Creating two-dimensional and three-dimensional compositions using given shapes and forms. 
General Awareness: General knowledge questions and knowledge about prominent cities, development issues, government programs, etc.
Social Science: The idea of nationalism, nationalism in India, pre-modern world, 19th-century global economy, colonialism, and colonial cities, industrialization, resources, and development, types of resources, agriculture, water, mineral resources, industries, national economy; Human Settlements
Power-sharing, federalism, political parties, democracy, the constitution of India
Economic development- economic sectors, globalization, the concept of development, poverty; Population structure, social exclusion, and inequality, urbanization, rural development, colonial cities, 
Thinking Skills: Comprehension (unseen passage); map reading skills, scale, distance, direction, area, etc.; critical reasoning; understanding of charts, graphs, and tables; basic concepts of statistics and quantitative reasoning. 

JEE Main Application Form 2026

The JEE Main 2026 application form will be available in November 2026. The application process includes registration, form filling, document uploading, and fee payment. Follow these steps to apply for NTA JEE Main 2026:

  • Registration: Complete the JEE Main 2026 registration form by providing accurate information. Ensure there are no mistakes, as corrections will not be accepted.
  • Filling the Form: After registration, fill out the application form with personal information, educational qualifications, exam application, and city preference.
  • Upload Photograph: Upload your photo, signature, address proof, category certificate, and PwD certificate.
  • Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online via credit card, debit card, net banking, or UPI. Print the JEE Main online confirmation page for your records.

JEE Mains 2026 Admit Card

NTA JEE Main 2026 Admit card will be available 3 days before the exam date. The download link for the JEE 2026 hall ticket will be provided on the official website, jeemain.nta.ac.in. Candidates will need their application number and date of birth to download the IIT JEE Main 2026 admit card.

How to Prepare for JEE Main 2026

One of the most crucial points for JEE Mains aspirants is determining how to begin their preparation. The simplest approach is:

  1. Understand the JEE Mains syllabus and the topics that need to be studied.
  2. Review the previous year JEE Main question papers to assess the difficulty level.
  3. Evaluate your current level of preparation by solving a JEE Main mock test.

Following these steps will help students in their preparation level and estimate the time required to be exam-ready.

Here are some essential instructions for JEE Main aspirants shared by JEE preparation experts from coaching institutes:

  1. Create a daily timetable and allocate at least 3-4 hours exclusively for JEE preparation.
  2. Cover the entire JEE Mains 2026 syllabus and ensure no topic is left out.
  3. Use NCERT textbooks to clear basic concepts for all subjects.
  4. Practice application-based numerical questions.
  5. Solve previous year question papers.
  6. Take JEE Main mock tests regularly.

JEE Main Result 2026

NTA will declare the JEE Main 2026 result within a week after the exams conclude. The results will be available online on the official website jeemain.nta.ac.in. NTA will release separate scorecards for each session. For candidates appearing in both sessions, the best scores from the two will be considered for calculating the final result and All India Rank.

Frequently Asked Questions

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the official exam schedule for JEE Main 2026. The first session is scheduled from January 21 to 30, 2026, and the second session will be held from April 1 to 10, 2026. Registration for the January session is expected to open in October 2025, while the April session registration is anticipated to begin in late January 2026. This schedule allows candidates to choose the session that best fits their preparation timeline. 

Candidates can appear for JEE Main up to six times over three consecutive years. This means that students who have passed or are appearing for Class 12 within the last three years are eligible to apply. The NTA will conduct JEE Main 2026 in two sessions, and candidates can choose to appear in one or both sessions. The best score out of the attempts will be considered for merit list preparation. 

The eligibility criteria for JEE Main 2026 include:

  • Age Limit: There is no specific age limit for JEE Main 2026. However, candidates must have passed their Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2024 or 2025.

  • Qualifying Examination: Candidates must have passed the Class 12 examination or equivalent from a recognized board.

  • Subject Combination: Candidates should have taken Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational Subject in Class 12.

  • Number of Attempts: As mentioned earlier, candidates can appear for JEE Main up to six times over three consecutive years. 

The application process for JEE Main 2026 will be conducted online through the official NTA website. Candidates need to:

  • Register Online: Create a new account using a valid email address and mobile number.

  • Fill Application Form: Provide personal, academic, and contact details.

  • Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of passport-sized photograph, signature, and other required documents.

  • Pay Application Fee: Pay the prescribed application fee using online payment methods.

  • Submit Application: Review all details and submit the application form.

It is advisable to keep all necessary documents ready before starting the application process to avoid any last-minute issues.

Yes, the Aadhaar card is mandatory for JEE Main 2026 registration. Candidates are required to provide their Aadhaar number during the application process. In case of discrepancies or unavailability of Aadhaar, candidates can use other valid government-issued identity proofs, such as passport, voter ID, or ration card. It is important to ensure that the details provided match those on the identity proof to avoid any issues during the examination. 

JEE Main 2026 will consist of two papers:

  • Paper 1: For B.E./B.Tech aspirants, conducted in a Computer Based Test (CBT) mode.

  • Paper 2: For B.Arch and B.Planning aspirants, comprising two parts: Part I (Mathematics) in CBT mode and Part II (Drawing) in Pen and Paper mode.

Each paper will have multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and numerical value-based questions. The marking scheme includes positive marks for correct answers and negative marks for incorrect answers. The exact number of questions and distribution of marks will be detailed in the official information brochure released by NTA. 

Yes, candidates can choose to appear for one or both sessions of JEE Main 2026. The sessions are independent, and candidates have the flexibility to select the session that aligns with their preparation. The best score from the sessions will be considered for merit list preparation. This provides an opportunity for candidates to improve their scores by attempting both sessions. 

Candidates should ensure that the following documents are ready before starting the JEE Main 2026 registration process:

  • Scanned Photograph: Recent passport-sized photograph with white background.

  • Scanned Signature: Signature in running handwriting.

  • Class 12 Marksheet: For candidates appearing in or passed Class 12.

  • Valid ID Proof: Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, or other government-issued identity proof.

  • Category Certificate: If applicable, for candidates belonging to reserved categories.

  • PwD Certificate: For candidates with disabilities, if applicable.

It is crucial to ensure that all documents are in the prescribed format and size as specified by NTA to avoid any issues during the application process.