JEE Main

The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is a national-level engineering entrance examination conducted for admission to India’s most prestigious engineering institutions. The examination is divided into two stages: JEE (Main) and JEE (Advanced).

• Since 2019, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has been the conducting body for JEE Main.
• The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) regulates and manages the centralized admission process for 23 IITs, 31 NITs, 26 IIITs, and 33 other Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs/GFTIs) based on candidates’ ranks in JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
• Students who enroll in an IIT are not eligible to appear for JEE Advanced again. However, this restriction does not apply to admissions in NITs, IIITs, IISERs, RGIPT, IIPE, and IIST.
• Several institutions not covered under JoSAA also accept JEE Advanced scores for admission, including the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs), Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

JEE Main 2026 – Examination Overview

JEE Main is a computer-based test (CBT) and serves as the primary gateway for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. Additionally, many private universities and state-level institutions accept JEE Main scores for admission to B.E. and B.Tech programs. JEE Main is also the qualifying examination for JEE Advanced, which is mandatory for admission to IITs.

JEE Main 2026 is conducted in two sessions:

• Session 1 (January): Concluded
• Session 2 (April): Registration ongoing – Exam scheduled from 2 April to 9 April 2026

The examination is offered in 23 cities outside India across 21 countries, in addition to centres across India.

JEE Main 2026 – Papers

JEE Main comprises two papers:

• Paper 1: For B.E. / B.Tech programs (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics).
• Paper 2A: For B.Arch programs (Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Drawing Test).
• Paper 2B: For B.Plan programs (Mathematics, Aptitude Test, Planning).

Examination Mode

• Paper 1: Fully computer-based test (CBT).
• Paper 2A: CBT for Mathematics and Aptitude; Drawing Test is offline (pen and paper on A4 sheet).
• Paper 2B: Fully computer-based test (CBT).

Exam Duration

• Paper 1: 3 hours (4 hours for PwD candidates).
• Paper 2A and 2B: 3 hours 30 minutes (4 hours for PwD candidates).

Question Types

• Paper 1 and Paper 2B: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Numerical Value Questions.
• Paper 2A: MCQs, Numerical Questions, and Drawing Aptitude Test (offline).

Medium of Examination

JEE Main 2026 is conducted in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

JEE Main 2026 – Scoring and Ranking

• NTA Scores (Percentile): Results are declared as percentile scores based on the candidate’s performance across all subjects.
• Rank Calculation: Final All-India Ranks (AIR) are calculated after Session 2 by normalizing scores across both sessions.
• Result Declaration: Results are published exclusively on the official NTA JEE Main website. No offline or postal results are sent.
• Scorecard: Candidates must download their scorecards from the official website. No physical rank cards are issued.
• Counselling: JEE Main scores and ranks are used by JoSAA for centralized counselling and by JEE Advanced for eligibility determination.

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria – Summary

Candidates must fulfill the eligibility criteria prescribed by NTA to appear for JEE Main 2026. Key highlights:

• Age Limit: No upper age limit.
• Year of Appearance: Candidates who passed Class XII in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026 are eligible.
• Minimum Percentage: No minimum percentage required to appear for JEE Main. However, individual institutes may prescribe their own percentage criteria for admission.
• Number of Attempts: Candidates can appear for JEE Main for three consecutive years starting from the year of first appearance in Class XII.
• Mandatory Subjects:
  • Paper 1: Physics, Mathematics, and one of Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical Vocational Subject.
  • Paper 2A: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics.
  • Paper 2B: Mathematics.

JEE Main 2026 Application Process

The application process for JEE Main 2026 is conducted online through the official NTA website. Candidates must:

1. Register with valid name, mobile number, and email ID.
2. Fill personal, academic, and communication details.
3. Select exam centre preferences (up to 4 centres).
4. Upload scanned photograph, signature, and Class X mark sheet.
5. Pay application fee online (Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, UPI).
6. Download and print the confirmation page.

Documents required: Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, Passport, Voter ID, PAN, Bank Passbook, School ID), Class X and XII mark sheets, category certificate (if applicable), scanned photograph and signature, and payment details.

JEE Main 2026 Admit Card

Admit cards are released on the official NTA website. Candidates must download the admit card using their application number and date of birth. The admit card contains:

• Candidate’s name, roll number, photograph, and signature.
• Exam date, time, and centre address.
• Paper-specific instructions.

Mandatory: Candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid original photo ID to the examination centre. No entry is permitted without these documents.

JEE Main 2026 – Opportunities for NRI / PIO / OCI / Foreign National Candidates

The Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, allows NRI, PIO, OCI, and Foreign National candidates to seek admission to premier engineering institutions in India. This scheme is commonly referred to as the ‘NRI Quota’.

DASA Scheme – Admission Priorities:

1. Priority 1: Admission to IITs (through JEE Advanced, with separate criteria).
2. Priority 2: Admission to NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs.
3. Priority 3: Admission to State Engineering Colleges.

CIWG (Children of Indian Workers in Gulf) Scheme: A special category under DASA exclusively for NRI students from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. This scheme offers additional benefits and reserved seats.

JEE Main 2026 – Exam Centres Outside India

NTA conducts JEE Main 2026 at 23 exam centres across 21 countries outside India, making it convenient for overseas candidates to appear for the examination without travelling to India. The full list of international centres is available on the official JEE Main website and on the ALLEN Overseas exam centres page.

Candidates can select up to four preferred exam centres during the application process. Once the advance city intimation slip is released, centre changes are not permitted.

JEE Main 2026 Preparation Tips – Overview

Successful preparation for JEE Main requires:

• Conceptual clarity: Build strong fundamentals in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
• Consistent practice: Solve numerical problems and previous years’ question papers.
• Quality study material: Refer to NCERT textbooks and standard reference books.
• Mock tests: Take regular mock tests to simulate exam conditions and improve time management.
• Daily revision: Revise regularly to retain concepts and formulas.
• Expert guidance: Learn from experienced mentors who provide strategic tips and shortcuts.

Click here for expert-curated subject-wise preparation strategies from ALLEN Overseas.

JEE Main 2026 Results

NTA will declare JEE Main 2026 results on the official website. Candidates must log in to their portal using application number and password to:

• View their subject-wise scores and percentile.
• Download the official scorecard.
• Check category-wise All India Rank (AIR) after Session 2.

No physical scorecards or rank cards are dispatched by post.

Post-Examination: JoSAA Counselling and Admission

Qualified candidates participate in JoSAA counselling for seat allocation to IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. The counselling process involves:

• Online registration and choice filling.
• Multiple rounds of seat allocation based on rank, category, and preferences.
• Document verification and fee payment.
• Reporting to the allotted institute.

This page is updated for JEE Main 2026. All information is based on official NTA notifications and is subject to change. Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official JEE Main website for the latest updates.