JEE MAIN Exam Overview
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the latest advisory and instructions for JEE Main 2026 Session 1. The Session 1 exam will begin from January 21, 2026 and will be conducted in two shifts each day. Candidates must download the JEE Main 2026 admit card from the official website jeemain.nta.nic.in using their application number and password.
As per the latest update, the January 23 exam in West Bengal has been postponed due to Saraswati Puja. This year, NTA has also increased the number of JEE Main exam centres. Candidates are advised to verify their details and complete document updates early to avoid last-minute issues.
The JEE Main 2026 syllabus and exam pattern have been released with the official notification. JEE Main is an online entrance exam for admission to B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning courses.
JEE Main 2026 City Intimation Slip and Exam Dates
NTA released the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 city intimation slip on January 8, 2026 at jeemain.nta.nic.in. Candidates can log in to check their allotted exam city and exam date. The city slip is released before the admit card and does not show the exam centre address or full shift reporting details.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Schedule and Timing
| Date of Exam | Paper | Shift Timing |
| January 21, 22, 23, 24 & 28, 2026 | Paper 1 (B.E. / B.Tech) | Shift 1: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Shift 2: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| January 29, 2026 | Paper 2A (B.Arch) Paper 2B (B.Planning) Paper 2A & 2B | Single Shift: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
Note: Session 2 is scheduled from April 1 to April 10, 2026.
Latest Updates on JEE Main 2026
- NTA has released the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 city intimation slip on jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam starts from January 21, 2026.
- Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) will be held on Jan 21, 22, 23, 24 and 28, 2026.
- Paper 2 (B.Arch/B.Planning) is scheduled on January 29, 2026.
- The admit card is released separately and includes exam centre address, shift timing and reporting time.
- NTA has introduced Aadhaar-based verification. Candidates should update Aadhaar / UDID / category documents if required.
- The information bulletin is available, and exam dates may change as per NTA updates.
What is JEE Mains 2026?
JEE Mains 2026 is a national-level entrance examination organised by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for candidates seeking admission to undergraduate programs in engineering and architecture. The JEE Main 2026 exam will primarily be conducted in a computer-based format, except for the Drawing section of Paper 2, which will be administered in a pen-and-paper format. The exam comprises two distinct papers:
- Paper 1: This paper is designed for admission to BE/BTech courses and includes questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics based on the Class 11 and 12 curriculum.
- Paper 2: This paper caters to admissions in BArch and BPlan courses. It is further divided into two parts: Paper 2A, which focuses on BArch and includes Mathematics, an Aptitude Test, and Drawing; and Paper 2B, which is designed for BPlan and contains Mathematics, an Aptitude Test, along with planning-related questions.
JEE Main 2026 Highlights
The JEE Mains 2026 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), will be held in two sessions - one in January and another in April 2026.
Here’s a quick overview of the important details, including application dates, exam schedule, and paper structure.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National Level |
| Exam Frequency | Twice a year (Session 1 & Session 2) |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT)(Drawing section of B.Arch is Pen & Paper) |
| Application Start Date | October 31, 2025 |
| Application End Date | November 27, 2025 (till 11:50 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | November 27, 2025 |
| Exam City Intimation Slip | January 08, 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 4–7 days before the exam |
| Exam Dates – Session 1 | January 21, 22, 23, 24, 28 & 29, 2026 |
| Exam Dates – Session 2 | April 2 & April 9, 2026 |
| Result Declaration – Session 1 | February 12, 2026 |
| Result Declaration – Session 2 | April 20, 2026 |
| Courses/Papers Offered | B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Planning |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours(3.5 Hours for B.Arch & B.Planning) |
| Total Marks | B.E./B.Tech – 300B.Arch – 400B.Planning – 400 |
| Total Questions | B.E./B.Tech – 75B.Arch – 77B.Planning – 100 |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answer-1 for incorrect answerNo penalty for unattempted/non-MCQs |
| Medium of Exam | English, Hindi, Urdu & Regional Languages |
| Purpose of Exam | Admission to B.Tech, B.E., B.Arch & B.Planning coursesQualifying exam for JEE Advanced |
| Official Website | https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/ |
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria- Who Can Apply?
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official JEE Mains 2026 eligibility criteria for students planning to appear in the exam. Before filling the application form, candidates must go through the detailed eligibility conditions, such as educational qualification, age limit, number of attempts, and required subjects.
Below are The Key Requirements for JEE Main 2026
- Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens. Foreign Nationals, NRIs, PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin), and OCIs (Overseas Citizens of India) are also eligible to apply.
- Educational Qualification: Students who have passed or are appearing in Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024, 2025, or 2026 are eligible.
- Age Limit: There is no age limit for appearing in the JEE Main 2026 exam. However, candidates must satisfy the age criteria of the institute they seek admission.
- Number of Attempts: Candidates can appear in JEE Main for three consecutive years from the year they pass Class 12.
- Minimum Marks: There is no minimum percentage requirement in Class 12 to appear for JEE Main.
- Exam Boards: The qualifying examination must be from a recognised Central or State Board (CBSE, ICSE, NIOS, or State Boards).
- JEE Main 75% Marks Rule: The 75% marks rule is not applicable for appearing in the JEE Main exam. However, to secure admission into NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, candidates must score at least:
- 75% marks in Class 12 (for the General category) or
- 65% marks (for SC/ST category)
JEE Main 2026 Paper 1 Syllabus (B.E./B.Tech)
| Subject | Key Topics Covered |
| Mathematics | Sets, Relations, Functions, Complex Numbers, Quadratic Equations, Matrices, Determinants, Binomial Theorem, Calculus, Trigonometry, Vector Algebra, Probability, Coordinate Geometry |
| Physics | Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy & Power, Thermodynamics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics, Electronic Devices |
| Chemistry | Atomic Structure, Thermodynamics, Chemical Bonding, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, p-block & d-block Elements, Organic Compounds, Biomolecules, Chemistry in Everyday Life |
JEE Main 2026 Paper 2A Syllabus (B.Arch)
| Subject | Key Topics Covered |
| Mathematics | Same as Paper 1 Mathematics syllabus |
| General Aptitude | 3D Visualization, Analytical Reasoning, Architectural Awareness, Colour & Texture, Geometric Shapes, Design Composition |
| Drawing | Sketching from Memory, Urban & Rural Landscapes, Geometric Patterns, Perspective Drawing |
JEE Main 2026 Paper 2B Syllabus (B.Planning)
| Subject | Key Topics Covered |
| Mathematics | Same as Paper 1 Mathematics syllabus |
| General Aptitude | Spatial Visualization, Analytical Reasoning, 3D Perception, Numerical & Verbal Reasoning |
| Planning | General Awareness, Social Science, Geography, Urbanization, Development Issues, Map Reading, Graph Interpretation, Quantitative Reasoning |
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern Overview
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the updated JEE Main 2026 exam pattern for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), Paper 2A (B.Arch), and Paper 2B (B.Planning).
The exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, with a total duration of 3 hours for each paper.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern - Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Total Questions | 75 (25 per subject) |
| Question Type | 20 MCQs + 5 Numerical Value Questions (per subject) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| Total Marks | 300 |
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern - Paper 2A (B.Arch)
| ParticularsDetails | |
| Mode of Exam | Online (CBT), Drawing section offline |
| Subjects | Mathematics, General Aptitude, Drawing |
| Total Questions | 77 |
| Subject-Wise Distribution | Mathematics – 25 (20 MCQ + 5 NAV) General Aptitude – 50 Drawing – 2 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct |
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern - Paper 2B (B.Planning)
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Subjects | Mathematics, General Aptitude, Planning |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Subject-Wise Distribution | Mathematics – 25 (20 MCQ + 5 NAV) General Aptitude – 50 Planning – 25 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct |
JEE Main 2026 Cutoff – Category-Wise Qualifying Percentile & Previous Year Trends
The JEE Main cutoff 2026 will be announced along with the Session 2 results in April 2026.
It is the minimum percentile candidates must score to qualify for JEE Advanced. Cutoff scores vary each year and across categories.
| Category | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| General | 93.10 | 93.23 | 90.77 | 88.41 |
| OBC-NCL | 80.38 | 79.67 | 75.62 | 67.00 |
| SC | 79.43 | 60.09 | 73.61 | 43.08 |
| ST | 61.15 | 46.69 | 51.97 | 26.77 |
| Gen-EWS | 47.90 | 81.32 | 37.23 | 63.11 |
| PwD | 0.0079 | 0.0018 | 0.0013 | 0.0031 |
Conclusion
The JEE Main 2026 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is one of India’s most important engineering entrance tests, offering admission to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and eligibility for JEE Advanced. With Session 1 scheduled from January 21 to 30, 2026 and Session 2 from April 1 to 10, 2026, candidates should complete registration before November 27, 2025, and prepare strategically.
Understanding the syllabus, exam pattern, and cutoff trends, practising previous-year papers, and following a disciplined study plan will significantly improve performance. Stay updated through Vedantu for the latest information, expert guidance, and free JEE Main 2026 resources to help you achieve your engineering goals.
JEE MAIN Exam FAQs
1. Is the JEE Main 2026 syllabus the same as Class 11 and Class 12 CBSE syllabus?
Yes, the JEE Main syllabus is based mainly on NCERT Class 11 and Class 12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with focus on conceptual understanding and problem-solving.
2. Has there been any change in the JEE Main 2026 syllabus?
As of now, no major changes have been officially announced. However, candidates should always check NTA’s official website for the latest updates.
3. Which subjects are included in JEE Main Paper 1?
JEE Main Paper 1 includes Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics, with equal importance given to all three subjects in the exam.
4. Are all chapters equally important for JEE Main preparation?
No, some chapters have higher weightage, such as Calculus, Electrostatics, Magnetism, Organic Chemistry, and Modern Physics, but students should aim to cover the entire syllabus for best results.
5. What is the best way to prepare using the JEE Main syllabus?
The best approach is to study NCERT thoroughly, practice previous year question papers, focus on high-weightage topics, and revise regularly using mock tests and formula sheets.
JEE Main Syllabus shows how Class 11 and 12 topics connect, which chapters carry more weightage, and where your strengths and weaknesses lie. The JEE Main Syllabus is like getting a roadmap before starting a long, unpredictable journey of JEE Mains. NTA has released the official JEE Main Syllabus for January and April 2026 online at jeemain.nta.nic.in. The JEE Main 2026 syllabus includes concepts from Classes 11 and 12 in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. NTA has not made any changes to the JEE 2026 syllabus. So you can follow the previous year's JEE Main syllabus for preparation.
- JEE syllabus for Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) consists of Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry topics from the Class 11 and 12 NCERT.
- JEE Main exam syllabus of Paper 2A for Architecture (BArch) includes topics of Mathematics, General Aptitude, and Drawing
- Paper 2B (BPlan) of the JEE Main syllabus includes Mathematics, General Aptitude, and Planning topics.
One student once shared that the JEE Main syllabus felt like a “mirror” — it showed what I knew, what I didn’t, and how much I had grown by the time the mock tests rolled in. Another said, “The more I read the syllabus, the less lost I felt.” It is expected that nearly 17 lakh students will appear for JEE Mains in 2026. With the increase in the number of students, the JEE Main cut-off is also expected to increase from last year.
Where can I download the JEE Main Syllabus 2026 PDF?
You can download the JEE Main syllabus PDF from the official website. You can use the links below for JEE Main Syllabus 2026 PDF download for Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, B.Arch and B.Planning.
| Subject | JEE Main 2026 Syllabus PDF |
| Physics | Download PDF |
| Chemistry | Download PDF |
| Mathematics | Download PDF |
| B.Arch | Download PDF |
| B.Planning | Download PDF |
What are the changes in JEE Main Syllabus 2026?
NTA has not made any changes for JEE Mains 2026 syllabus. A few changes were made in the syllabus in 2024 by removing several topics from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The deleted topics from the JEE Mains syllabus are
- Mathematics: Mathematical Induction and Mathematical Reasoning units have been removed.
- Physics: In Physics, the Communication Device unit has been removed from the syllabus.
- Chemistry: Surface Chemistry, States of Matter, General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Metals, s-block elements, Hydrogen, Environmental Chemistry, Alcohol, Phenol, and Ether, and Polymers chapters have been removed.
JEE Main 2026 Syllabus – Class 11 (Physics, Chemistry, Maths)
| Physics | Chemistry | Mathematics |
| Units and Measurements | Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry | Sets |
| Motion in a Straight Line | Structure of an Atom | Relations and Functions |
| Motion in a Plane | Classification of Elements & Periodicity | Trigonometric Functions |
| Laws of Motion | Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure | Complex Numbers & Quadratic Equations |
| Work, Energy and Power | States of Matter | Linear Inequalities |
| System of Particles & Rotational Motion | Thermodynamics | Permutations & Combinations |
| Gravitation | Equilibrium | Binomial Theorem |
| Mechanical Properties of Solids | Redox Reactions | Sequences and Series |
| Mechanical Properties of Fluids | Hydrogen | Straight Lines |
| Thermal Properties of Matter | S-Block Elements | Conic Sections |
| Thermodynamics | P-Block Elements | Probability |
| Kinetic Theory | Hydrocarbons | Statistics |
| Oscillations | Organic Chemistry – Basic Principles | Limits & Derivatives |
| Waves | Environmental Chemistry | 3D Geometry (Intro) |
JEE Main 2026 Syllabus – Class 11 (Physics, Chemistry, Maths)
| Physics | Chemistry | Mathematics |
| Electric Charges and Fields | Solid State | Relations and Functions |
| Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance | Solutions | Inverse Trigonometric Functions |
| Current Electricity | Electrochemistry | Matrices |
| Moving Charges and Magnetism | Chemical Kinetics | Determinants |
| Magnetism and Matter | D and F Block Elements | Continuity and Differentiability |
| Electromagnetic Induction | Coordination Compounds | Applications of Derivatives |
| Alternating Current | Surface Chemistry | Integrals |
| Electromagnetic Waves | Haloalkanes and Haloarenes | Applications of Integrals |
| Ray Optics and Optical Instruments | Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers | Differential Equations |
| Wave Optics | Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids | Vector Algebra |
| Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter | Amines | Three-Dimensional Geometry |
| Atoms | Biomolecules | Linear Programming |
| Nuclei | Polymers | Probability |
| Semiconductor Electronics | Chemistry in Everyday Life | — |
| — | General Principles of Metallurgy | — |
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria
JEE Main eligibility criteria are divided into two categories, including criteria for appearing for the JEE Main Examination and JEE Main admission criteria. NTA has prescribed the JEE Main eligibility criteria in the JEE Main information bulletin on the official website at jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- To appear for JEE Main 2026, you only need to fulfil qualifying examination criteria and year appearance in qualifying examination criteria.
- To get admission based on JEE Main scores, you must fulfil criteria like subject combination, and minimum marks requirement.
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | General Category | SC / ST / PwD Category |
| Age Limit | No age restriction | No age restriction |
| Minimum Subjects | 5 subjects (PCM + 1 Language + 1 Optional) | Same as General |
| Minimum Aggregate Marks | ≥ 75% in Class 12 (Top 5 subjects) | ≥ 65% in Class 12 |
| Top 20 Percentile Rule | Must be in Top 20 percentile of Board | Same as General |
| Number of Attempts | 3 consecutive years after Class 12 result | Same as General |
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility and Qualification
JEE Main eligibility and qualification criteria include age criteria, qualifying examination, year of appearance in the qualifying examination, and state of eligibility.
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Age Criteria
To appear for JEE Main 2026, there is no age restriction prescribed by NTA on the official website. If you have passed the class 12th examination in 2024 or 2025 or are appearing for the class 12 examination in 2026, you are eligible to appear for JEE Main 2026.
After qualifying the JEE Main 2026, you may be required to fulfil the JEE Main age requirement prescribed by instituition to which you are desirous of taking admission.
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria 2026: Qualifying Examination
Aspirants must have completed class 12th or equivalent from any recognized board or institute to be eligible to appear for JEE Main 2026. You can check the list of qualifying examinations required to appear for JEE Main 2026 in the table below.
JEE Main 2026 - List of Accepted Qualifying Examinations
| S. No. | Qualifying Examination | Conducted / Recognized By |
| 1 | Class 10+2 Examination | Any recognized Central / State Board (CBSE, CISCE, etc.) |
| 2 | Intermediate / Two-Year Pre-University Examination | Recognized Board / University |
| 3 | Final Examination of Two-Year Joint Services Wing Course | National Defence Academy |
| 4 | Senior Secondary School Examination (Minimum 5 Subjects) | National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) |
| 5 | Public School / Board / University Examination (India or Abroad) | Association of Indian Universities (AIU) |
| 6 | 3-Year Diploma Course | AICTE / State Board of Technical Education |
| 7 | General Certificate of Education (GCE) – Advanced (A) Level | London / Cambridge / Sri Lanka Examination Boards |
| 8 | High School Certificate / International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma | Cambridge University / International Baccalaureate Office, Geneva |
| 9 | Class 10+2 Examination | Board of Open Schooling and Skill Education (BOSSE), Sikkim |
JEE Main Qualifying Examination Criteria: Year of Appearance
Aspirants who cleared class 12th in 2024 or 2025 are eligible to appear for JEE Main exam 2026.
- Students appearing for the Class 12th or equivalent examination in 2026 are also eligible to appear for the JEE Main 2026 examination.
- Candidates who have passed class 12th in 2023 or before are not eligible to appear for JEE Main 2026.
Note:
- Class 12 passing year means the year in which the result is released and the candidate is declared “Pass” for the first time in that particular year.
- If a candidate has cleared class 12th with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in 2023 and has passed class 12th with Mathematics in 2024, then 2023 will be considered as the year of their class 12 passing.
- If you are appearing in class 12th in 2026, you must mention your Roll Number/ Registration Number/ Enrollment Number, etc., in the relevant fields while filling out the JEE Main application form 2026.