JEE Main 2026

Joint Entrance Examination (Main)

About JEE Main 2026

JEE Main is India's premier national-level engineering entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning programs offered by NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other participating institutions. It also serves as the qualifying examination for JEE Advanced, which is required for admission to the IITs. JEE Main is conducted twice a year, providing candidates multiple opportunities to improve their scores. (JEE Counselling 2026)

Key Highlights

• National-level engineering entrance examination.
• Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
• Gateway to NITs, IIITs, GFTIs, and other prestigious engineering institutes.
• Qualifying examination for JEE Advanced.
• Conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
• Held in two sessions (January and April).
• Scores accepted by numerous engineering institutions across India.
• One of the largest entrance examinations in the country. 

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Must have passed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
• Candidates appearing in Class 12 examination in 2026 are also eligible.
• No age limit for appearing in JEE Main.
• Candidates can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years from the year of passing Class 12.
• Indian Nationals, NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and Foreign Nationals can apply as per NTA guidelines.

Educational Qualification

Exam Pattern

Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech)

Subject-wise Distribution

JEE Main 2026 Syllabus

The syllabus is based on Class 11 and Class 12 NCERT curriculum prescribed by NTA.

Physics

Chemistry

Mathematics

Additional Mathematics Topics

Important Dates (Tentative)

Official Exam Schedule

• Session 1: January 21 – 30, 2026
• Session 2: April 1 – 10, 2026

Counselling Process

Admissions through JEE Main are conducted via the Joint Seat Allocation Authority 

Counselling Authorities

• Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA)
• Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB)

Counselling Procedure

• Online Registration
• Choice Filling & Locking
• Mock Seat Allotment
• Seat Allotment
• Document Verification
• Fee Payment
• Reporting to Allotted Institute

Institutes Participating Through JEE Main

• National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
• Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
• Government Funded Technical Institutions (GFTIs)
• State Engineering Colleges
• Private Participating Institutions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many times is JEE Main conducted in a year?

JEE Main is conducted twice every year, usually in January and April sessions. 

2. Is JEE Main mandatory for admission to IITs?

Yes. Candidates must first qualify JEE Main to become eligible for JEE Advanced, which is required for admission to IITs. 

3. What is the total mark of JEE Main B.Tech Paper?

The B.E./B.Tech paper carries a total of 300 marks. 

4. Can students appear in both sessions of JEE Main?

Yes. Candidates can appear in one or both sessions, and the best score is considered for ranking purposes. 

5. What percentile is generally required for admission to top NITs?

For top NITs and highly sought-after branches, candidates generally require 98–99+ percentile, though cutoffs vary every year based on category, branch, and institute.

Official Website

JEE Main Official Portal

• JEE Main Official Website
• National Testing Agency (NTA)
• NTA Official Website