JEE Advanced Overview
IIT Roorkee will conduct the JEE Advanced exam on 17 May 2026. The registration will begin on 23 April 2026 at 10 am on their official website, jeeadv.ac.in.
- As per last year’s data, 1,87,223 candidates registered for the exam, but there were only 18,188 seats available across 23 IITs, showing the tough competition.
- Candidates who qualify for JEE Main and meet the eligibility criteria related to age limit, no. of attempts, and Class 12 examination are eligible to appear for the exam.
- As per trends, the exam pattern varies section-wise, as multi-correct questions have partial marking, whereas numerical answers have no negative marking.
What is JEE Advanced?
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced is a national-level entrance examination conducted for students seeking admission to IITs in India.
- The exam will be conducted in two mandatory papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2 on the same day in 2 shifts.
- Both papers will be conducted in CBT mode, consisting of 17 questions in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics respectively.
- After qualifying for this exam, admission to undergraduate programs in engineering and science at Top IITs, and also other institutes like IISc, IIPE, IIST, RGIPT, etc.
Last year, among 2,50,000 JEE Main qualified candidates, only approx. 75% registered for the exam, and 54,378 candidates qualified for admission, among whom only 18,188 actual allotted seats were available at 23 IITs through JoSAA.
- The Joint Implementation Committee (JIC) sets a minimum qualifying mark to ensure they have roughly three candidates per seat.
- This happens because many top rankers may drop out of counselling to join other top non-IITs (like IISc, IIST, and IISERs) or top NITs or less preferred IITs based on their preference and availability.
JEE Advanced 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Governing Body | IIT Council |
| Exam Level | National Entrance Test |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Papers | Paper 1 and Paper 2 |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Medium | English & Hindi |
| Exam Date | 17 May 2026 |
| Registration Dates | 23 April 2026, 10 am to 02 May 2026 |
| Eligibility | Top 2,50,000 JEE Main 2026 qualifiers |
| No. of Attempts allowed | 2 attempts (consecutive years) |
| Total Questions | 102 questions (51 questions in each paper) |
| Expected Seat Intake | 18,200 across 23 IITs |
| Information Brochure | PDF Link (English) |
| Official Website | jeeadv.ac.in |
Important Dates
| Date (Timeline) | Event |
| 6 April 2026, 10am | Online Registration Start Date (Foreign National and OCI/PIO (F) Candidates) |
| 23 April 2026, 10am | Online Registration Start Date (for JEE Main 2026 Qualified Candidates) |
| 2 May 2026 | Registration End Date |
| 4 May 2026 | Last date for Fee Payment |
| 11 May 2026, 10am - 17 May 2026, 2:30pm | Admit Card Dates |
| 16th May 2026 | Choosing of scribe by PwD candidates |
| 17 May 2026 | JEE Advanced Exam Date |
| Paper 1: 9 am-12 pmPaper 2: 2:30pm - 5:30pm | Paper Timing Slots |
JEE Advanced 2026 Registration
The JEE Advanced 2026 Registration Process will start on 23rd April 2026, after the JEE Mains Results are declared. The registration portal will close by 2nd May 2026.
JEE Advanced 2026 Registration Fees
The JEE Advanced Registration Fee is similar to the previous year. The fee structure is expected to differ according to the candidate’s category, gender, and nationality.
JEE Advanced Registration Trends
In recent years (2023 to 2025), the gap between registered and appeared is typically approx. 4,000 to 9,000, indicating high turnout ratios.
- Registrations rose steadily from around 1,50,000-1,70,000 (2017 to 2022) to around 1,80,000-1,90,000 in 2023 to 2025.
- From the years 2023 to 2025, the number of candidates who appeared for the exam was approximately around 1,80,000 candidates.
| Year | Registered Candidates | Appeared Candidates |
| 2017 | 171,814 | 159,540 |
| 2018 | 165,656 | 155,158 |
| 2019 | 174,432 | 161,319 |
| 2020 | 160,838 | 150,838 |
| 2021 | 151,193 | 141,699 |
| 2022 | 160,038 | 155,538 |
| 2023 | 189,744 | 180,372 |
| 2024 | 186,584 | 180,200 |
| 2025 | 187,223 | 180,422 |
JEE Advanced FAQs
1. Who is eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026?
Candidates must be among the top performers in JEE Main 2026, meet the age criteria, and have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Eligibility rules also depend on the number of attempts and category-specific requirements.
2. How many candidates will qualify for JEE Advanced 2026 from JEE Main?
Approximately 2.5 lakh top JEE Main candidates across all categories are expected to qualify for JEE Advanced 2026, as per past trends and IIT admission policies.
3. What is the exam pattern for JEE Advanced 2026?
JEE Advanced consists of two compulsory papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2), each testing Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The paper includes a mix of multiple-choice questions, numerical answer types, and match-the-following, with negative marking in some sections.
4. When will JEE Advanced 2026 be conducted?
JEE Advanced 2026 is expected to be held in May or June 2026, shortly after the declaration of JEE Main 2026 results. The official date will be announced by the organizing IIT.
5. Why is JEE Advanced important for engineering aspirants?
JEE Advanced is the gateway to IITs and other top engineering institutes in India. A good rank can secure admission into prestigious IIT programs, offering excellent academic exposure, placements, and global career opportunities.
JEE Advanced 2026 Exam Pattern
The JEE Advanced 2026 Exam will be held in an online CBT Mode, having 2 compulsory exams: Paper 1 and Paper 2, each of 3 hours.
The JEE Advanced Exam will test Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics by using different types of questions, including MCQs, MSQs, and NAT Questions.
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 1
Paper 1 will be conducted on 17 May 2026 and timings are 9am to 12pm
- Paper 1 will test the conceptual clarity along with accuracy for Mixed MCQs, NATs, and Matching Questions.
- There will be partial marking for Multiple correct MCQs, and NAT Questions will not have any negative marking.
Paper 1 Pattern (subject-wise)
| Section | Type of Questions | No. of Questions | Marking Scheme | Total Marks |
| 1 | Single Correct MCQs | 4 | +3 for correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted | 12 |
| 2 | Multiple Correct MCQs | 3 | +4 (all correct), +3 (3 out of 4 correct), +2 (2 correct), +1 (1 correct), 0 (none), -2 (others) | 12 |
| 3 | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 6 | +4 for correct, no negative marking | 24 |
| 4 | Matrix Match | 4 (2) | +4 for fully correct, -1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted | 12 |
| Total | 17 | 60 |
Therefore, JEE Advanced 2026 total marks for paper 1 are
Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics = 60 + 60 + 60 = 180 Marks
JEE Advanced 2026 Paper 2
Paper 2 will be conducted on 17 May 2026 and timings are 2:30pm to 5:30pm
- The JEE Advanced Paper 2 is expected to be more lengthy, including objective-type and numerical solving skills with complex NATs.
- There are more Numerical Answer Questions with an advantage in solving questions.
Paper 2 Pattern (subject-wise)
| Section | Type of Questions | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
| 1 | Single Correct MCQs | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | Multiple Correct MCQs | 3 | 12 |
| 3 | Numerical Answer Type (NAT) | 6 | 24 |
| 4 | Paragraphs | 4 (2) | 12 |
| Total | 17 | 60 |
Therefore, JEE Advanced 2026 total marks for paper 2 are
Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics = 60 + 60 + 60 = 180 Marks
JEE Advanced 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus of JEE Advanced 2026 exam is divided into Class 11 and 12 topics in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
- The questions are not direct or memory-based; instead, they test how well students understand concepts and apply them to solve problems step by step.
- Strong basics and regular practice are more important than memorizing formulas.
Expected High-weightage topics for 2026
| Subject | High-Weightage Topics | Approximate Weightage |
| Physics | Mechanics, Electrodynamics (Electricity & Magnetism), Modern Physics, Optics, Thermodynamics | 35–40% (Mechanics & Electrodynamics combined ≈ 50–60%) |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry: Reaction Mechanisms, Aldehydes & KetonesPhysical Chemistry: Thermodynamics, Chemical EquilibriumInorganic Chemistry: Coordination Compounds, p-Block Elements | 30–35% per branch (Organic often carries the highest weight) |
| Mathematics | Calculus (Differential & Integral), Algebra (Complex Numbers, Matrices), Coordinate Geometry, Vectors & 3D Geometry | 35–40% (Calculus & Algebra combined ≈ 60%) |
JEE Advanced Eligibility
This year, the JEE Advanced will be conducted on May 17, 2026 in 2 papers by IIT Roorkee.
- Candidates who completed Class XII in 2025 or 2026 are eligible, but those who attempted the exam first in 2024 or earlier are not permitted to appear in JEE Advanced 2026, regardless of subjects taken.
- The JEE Advanced exam is conducted by one of the seven zonal coordinating IITs under JAB for admission to Bachelor, Integrated Master, and Dual Degree programs in all IITs.
JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility for Indian Nationals
To qualify for JEE Advanced 2026, Indian candidates must meet all the required criteria as per nationality and reservation criteria.
Performance in JEE Main 2026
Candidates should be among the top 2,50,000 successful candidates (including all categories) in the B.E./B.Tech. paper of JEE Main 2026.
- The percentages of various categories of candidates to be shortlisted are: 10% for GEN-EWS, 27% for OBC-NCL, 15% for SC, 7.5% for ST, and the remaining 40.5% is OPEN for all.
- OCI/PIO (I) candidates are not eligible for the benefits of any kind of reservation (e.g., GEN-EWS, OBC-NCL, SC, ST) except for OPEN-PwD.
- Within each of these five categories, 5% horizontal reservation is available for PwD candidates.
The following table shows the order to be followed while choosing the top 2,50,000 candidates in various categories based on the performance in the B.E./B.Tech. paper of JEE Main 2026:
| Category | Top JEE Main Candidates Eligible for JEE Advanced 2026 | Maximum Allowed |
| OPEN | 96,187 | 1,01,250 |
| OPEN–PwD | 5,063 | 1,01,250 |
| GEN–EWS | 23,750 | 25,000 |
| GEN–EWS–PwD | 1,250 | 25,000 |
| OBC–NCL | 64,125 | 67,500 |
| OBC–NCL–PwD | 3,375 | 67,500 |
| SC | 35,625 | 37,500 |
| SC–PwD | 1,875 | 37,500 |
| ST | 17,812 | 18,750 |
| ST–PwD | 937 | 18,750 |
Age Limit
Candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 2001. Five years of age relaxation is given to SC, ST, and PwD candidates, i.e., these candidates should have been born on or after October 1, 1996.
Number of Attempts
A candidate can attempt JEE Advanced a maximum of two times in two consecutive years.
Appearance in Class 12 (or equivalent) Examination
A candidate should have appeared for the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination for the first time in either 2025 or 2026 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
- Candidates who had appeared in the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination for the first time in 2024 or earlier are NOT eligible to appear in JEE Advanced 2026.
- However, if the examination Board of Class 12 (or equivalent) declared the results for the academic year 2023-24 on or after June 18, 2024, then the candidates of that Board who appeared for their Class 12 (or equivalent) examination in 2024 are also eligible to appear in JEE Advanced 2026, provided they meet all the other eligibility criteria.
- In case the examination Board of Class 12 (or equivalent) declared the results for the academic year 2023-24 before June 18, 2024 but the result of a particular candidate was withheld for whatever reason, then the candidate will not be eligible to appear in JEE Advanced 2026.
Prior Admission to IITs
A candidate should NOT have been admitted to an IIT under any academic program that is listed in the JoSAA Business Rules of 2026, irrespective of whether or not the candidate continued in the program OR accepted an IIT seat by reporting online at a reporting centre in the past.
- Candidates whose admission to IITs was cancelled after joining any IIT are also NOT eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026.
- Candidates who have been admitted to a preparatory course in any of the IITs for the first time in 2026 can appear in JEE Advanced 2026.
- The candidates who were allocated a seat in an IIT through JoSAA 2026 but did not report online at any reporting centre OR, withdrew before the last round of seat allotment OR had their seat cancelled before the last round of seat allotment for IITs, are eligible to appear for JEE Advanced 2026.
JEE Advanced 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Nationals
Candidates falling under the following categories will be considered as Foreign Nationals for JEE Advanced:
- Non-citizens of India (by birth or naturalized)
- Non-OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) and Non-PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) category
- Candidates whose parents are not citizens of India and do not come under the OCI/PIO category at the time ofJEE Advanced 2026 Registration.
Seats for Foreign Nationals
- Seats allotted to foreign nationals are supernumerary with a cap of 10% of the total number of seats in every course.
Reservation for Foreign Nationals
- Foreign nationals are outside the ambit of reservation of seats under the OBC-NCL, GEN-EWS, SC, ST and PwD (Persons with Disability) categories as mandated by the Government of India.
Eligibility
These candidates are not required to writeJEE Main and may register for JEE Advanced 2026 directly, subject to fulfillment of other eligibility criteria.
- Age limit: Students should have been born on or after October 01, 2001.
- Number of attempts: A maximum of two times in two consecutive years.
- Appearance in Class 12: A student should have appeared for the Class 12 (or equivalent) examination for the first time in either 2025 or 2026.
Performance in Class 12 or Equivalent Examination
The candidate should satisfy at least one of the following two criteria for admission to IITs:
- Must have secured at least 75% aggregate marks in the Class 12 (or equivalent) Board examination.
- Must be within the top 20th percentile of successful candidates in their respective class 12 (or equivalent) board examination.
The marks scored in the following five subjects will be considered for calculating the aggregate marks and the cut-off marks for fulfilling the top 20 percentile criterion:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- A language (if the candidate has taken more than one language, then the language with the higher marks will be considered)
- Any subject other than the above four (the subject with the highest marks will be considered).
Cut-Off Marks for Top 20 Percentile
- The cutoff marks for the top 20th percentile are calculated based on Class 12 marks.
- The top 20 percentile cutoff for the academic year 2025-26 will be considered for students passing class 12 in 2026.
- Similarly, the top 20 percentile cutoff for the academic year 2024-25 will be considered for students passing class 12 in 2025.
- In case the board does not provide information about the cutoff for the top 20th percentile, candidates will have to produce a certificate from the board.
Documents Required for Registration
- Birth certificate for age proof
- Class XII marksheet/certificate for 75% cutoff (if available at the time of registration)
- Identity proof
- Citizenship certificate/Passport
- Testimonial (if required)
Foreign Centres for JEE Advanced 2026
Foreign centres where JEE Advanced is held are as follows.
- Abu Dhabi (UAE)
- Kathmandu (Nepal)