JEE Main 2026
Joint Entrance Examination Main
JEE Main Overview
JEE Main is the national-level entrance examination for admission to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs, and other government-funded engineering institutions across India. It also serves as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which grants entry to the prestigious IITs. Conducted by NTA, it is taken by over 12 lakh students in two sessions each year.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must have passed Class 12 (or equivalent) with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or any Technical Vocational Subject. The minimum aggregate required is 75% for General/OBC or top 20 percentile in respective board exams. For SC/ST candidates, the minimum is 65%. Candidates can attempt JEE Main for 3 consecutive years from the year of passing Class 12.
JEE Main Exam Pattern
Mode
Computer Based Test (CBT - Online)
Duration
3 hours
Total Marks
300
Total Questions
90
Marking Scheme
+4 for each correct MCQ answer, -1 for each incorrect MCQ answer. Numerical value questions carry +4 for correct and 0 for incorrect (no negative marking). Each section has 20 MCQs (all compulsory) and 10 numerical questions (attempt any 5).
Exam Sections
JEE Main Syllabus 2026
Complete subject-wise syllabus for JEE Main 2026 examination.
Physics
- Mechanics: Laws of Motion, Work-Energy-Power, Rotational Motion
- Electrostatics and Capacitors
- Current Electricity and Electromagnetic Induction
- Optics: Wave Optics and Ray Optics
- Modern Physics: Photoelectric Effect, Atoms, and Nuclei
- Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory
- Waves and Oscillations
Chemistry
- Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding
- Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, and Electrochemistry
- Organic Chemistry: Reaction Mechanisms and Named Reactions
- s-Block, p-Block, d-Block, and f-Block Elements
- Solutions, Surface Chemistry, and Chemical Kinetics
- Aldehydes, Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, and Amines
Mathematics
- Algebra: Complex Numbers, Matrices, Determinants, Sequences
- Calculus: Limits, Continuity, Differentiation, Integration
- Coordinate Geometry: Straight Lines, Circles, Conics
- Trigonometry: Functions, Equations, Inverse Trigonometric Functions
- Vectors and Three-Dimensional Geometry
- Probability and Statistics
- Differential Equations and Applications of Derivatives
JEE Main Important Dates 2026
Stay updated with all the key dates for JEE Main 2026.
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Registration Opens
completed1 November 2025
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 Exam Dates
completed22 January 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Registration Opens
ongoing10 February 2026
JEE Main 2026 Session 2 Exam Dates
upcoming5 April 2026
JEE Main Previous Year Papers
Download previous year question papers with solutions to boost your preparation.
JEE Main 2025 January Session All Shifts
Year: 2025
JEE Main 2024 Session 1 & 2 Papers with Solutions
Year: 2024
JEE Main 2023 All Sessions with Detailed Solutions
Year: 2023
How to Prepare for JEE Main
Expert preparation strategy and tips from toppers to help you ace JEE Main 2026.
Preparation Strategy
- 1
Build a rock-solid foundation in Mathematics, as it is the most scoring and differentiating section. Focus on Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, and Algebra, which together make up 60-70% of the Maths section.
- 2
Practice numerical value type questions extensively since they carry no negative marking. These are scoring opportunities where you can attempt freely without risk.
- 3
Take both Session 1 and Session 2 to maximize your chances. The best score from either session is considered, so you essentially get two opportunities to perform your best.
- 4
Create formula sheets for Physics and Chemistry and revise them daily. Quick recall of formulas during the exam saves valuable time and reduces calculation errors.
- 5
Solve at least 20 previous year papers and analyze the trend of questions from each chapter. JEE Main often repeats concepts and question styles across years.
Topper Tips
“I treated JEE Main as a sprint, not a marathon. The 3-hour exam requires sharp time management: spend no more than 50-55 minutes per section and move on even if a question is unsolved.”
“Focus on accuracy over attempts. I aimed to attempt 60-65 questions with 90%+ accuracy rather than rushing through all 75. This strategy consistently gave me 250+ scores.”
“Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry are the easiest marks in the paper. I could finish the Chemistry section in 40 minutes, leaving extra time for tough Maths problems.”
“Use the marking feature in the online exam interface wisely. Mark questions you want to revisit and only come back if you have time. Do not break your flow for a single difficult question.”
Frequently Asked Questions about JEE Main
Get answers to the most commonly asked questions about JEE Main 2026.
How many sessions does JEE Main have in a year?
JEE Main is conducted in two sessions per year, typically in January and April. Candidates can appear in one or both sessions. If a candidate appears in both, the better of the two NTA scores is considered for ranking. This gives students two opportunities to perform their best without any penalty.
What is the difference between JEE Main and JEE Advanced?
JEE Main is the first stage exam for admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs. JEE Advanced is the second stage exam exclusively for admission to IITs. Only the top 2,50,000 rank holders in JEE Main qualify to appear for JEE Advanced. JEE Advanced is generally considered more difficult with a different exam pattern and requires deeper conceptual understanding.
Can I appear for JEE Main after taking a drop year?
Yes, you can appear for JEE Main for up to 3 consecutive years from the year of passing Class 12. For example, if you passed Class 12 in 2025, you can attempt JEE Main in 2025, 2026, and 2027. There is no age limit for JEE Main, but the 3-attempt window is strictly enforced.
What percentile is needed for NIT admission?
For top NITs like NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, and NIT Surathkal, you typically need 98+ percentile for popular branches like CSE. For other NITs, 95+ percentile is competitive for CS and IT branches. For other branches like Mechanical or Civil, 90+ percentile can secure admission at decent NITs. Category candidates benefit from lower cutoffs.
Is there any change in JEE Main 2026 exam pattern?
As of the latest notification, the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern remains the same as previous years. Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) has 90 questions across Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with a total of 300 marks. Each section has 20 MCQs and 10 numerical value questions (attempt any 5). Always check the official NTA website for the most current information.
How is the JEE Main percentile score calculated?
JEE Main uses a normalization process to calculate percentile scores since the exam is conducted across multiple days and shifts. The NTA percentile score indicates the percentage of candidates who scored equal to or below you. A percentile of 99 means you scored better than 99% of all candidates. The formula is: Percentile = (1 - Rank / Total Candidates) x 100.