Key Information at a Glance
- Two Sessions: JEE Main 2026 will be held in January (Session 1) and April (Session 2).
- Application Start: Session 1 applications are expected to begin in October 2025.
- Crucial Documents: NTA has advised students to update their Aadhaar Card and Category Certificates before applying.
- Exam Mode: Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) is a fully online Computer-Based Test (CBT).
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is the gateway to India's top engineering colleges, including NITs and IIITs. With over 10 lakh students appearing every year, it's one of the most competitive exams in the world. Acing it requires strategy, dedication, and the right information. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to start your journey and conquer JEE Main 2026.
What is the JEE Main Exam?
JEE Main is a national-level computer-based entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It serves two primary purposes:
- It is the direct admission test for undergraduate engineering programs (B.E./B.Tech) at prestigious institutions like National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs).
- It is the eligibility test for the JEE (Advanced), which is the final hurdle for admission into the iconic Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
JEE Main 2026 Important Dates (Tentative)
The NTA conducts the exam in two sessions to give students two opportunities to score their best. Here are the expected dates based on the official 2026 schedule announcements:
| Event | Session 1 (Jan 2026) | Session 2 (Apr 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Online Application Form Opens | October 2025 | February 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | November 2025 | February 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 3 days before exam | 3 days before exam |
| JEE Main 2026 Exam Date | January 2026 | April 2026 |
| Answer Key & Responses | February 2026 | April 2026 |
| Result Declaration (NTA Score) | February 2026 | April 2026 |
| Counselling Process (JoSAA) | July / August 2026 | |
Critical NTA Advisory: Update Your Documents Now!
To ensure a smooth application process, the NTA has issued an important advisory for all JEE Main 2026 aspirants. Preparing these documents now can save you from last-minute stress and potential application rejection.
"To streamline the process for JEE (Main) 2026, all eligible aspirants are advised to ensure that the following documents are updated well in advance... to avoid any discrepancies, grievances or rejection at a later stage."
Your Document Checklist:
- Aadhaar Card: Verify that your Name, Date of Birth (must match your Class 10th certificate), Photograph, Address, and Father's Name are correct and updated.
- Category Certificate: If you belong to EWS, SC, ST, or OBC-NCL categories, ensure your certificate is valid for the relevant financial year and issued by the competent authority.
- UDID Card: For Persons with Disabilities (PwD), the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card must be valid and renewed if necessary.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
Understanding the exam pattern is your first step towards building a winning strategy. For Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech), the structure is designed to test your depth of knowledge and problem-solving speed.
| Subject | Section | Questions | Marks per Question | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | Section A (MCQ) | 20 | +4 | -1 |
| Section B (Numerical) | 10 (Attempt any 5) | +4 | -1 | |
| Chemistry | Section A (MCQ) | 20 | +4 | -1 |
| Section B (Numerical) | 10 (Attempt any 5) | +4 | -1 | |
| Mathematics | Section A (MCQ) | 20 | +4 | -1 |
| Section B (Numerical) | 10 (Attempt any 5) | +4 | -1 | |
| Total | 90 Questions (Attempt 75) | Total 300 Marks | ||
Key Details of the Exam Pattern:
- Exam Duration: 3 hours for regular candidates and 4 hours for PwD candidates.
- Question Type: Section A consists of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), while Section B has questions where the answer is a numerical value that you must enter.
- Choice in Section B: You get an internal choice in Section B, where you only need to attempt 5 out of the 10 questions in each subject.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You can attempt the JEE Main 2026 exam in both sessions: Session 1 in January and Session 2 in April. The best of your two scores will be considered for the final ranking.
Yes, as per the latest NTA guidelines, both Section A and Section B have negative marking. An incorrect answer in either section will result in a deduction of 1 mark.
To be eligible, a candidate must have passed their Class 12 (or equivalent) examination. For admission to NITs/IIITs/CFTIs, candidates must have secured at least 75% marks in their Class 12 board exams (65% for SC/ST candidates) or be in the top 20 percentile of their respective boards.
NCERT books are the absolute foundation for JEE Main preparation, especially for Chemistry. However, for a top rank, you must supplement your studies with advanced reference books and, most importantly, solve a large number of mock tests and previous year question papers to build speed and accuracy.