Welcome to your ultimate guide for JEE Main 2026!
If you are an engineering aspirant in India, the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is likely the most critical event on your calendar. Whether you are aiming for the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), IIITs, or using this as a stepping stone for JEE Advanced, staying updated is key.
Based on the latest notifications from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and expert analysis, here is a complete breakdown of what to expect for the upcoming session.
1. About the Exam
JEE Main is a national-level computer-based test (CBT) conducted by the NTA. It serves two primary purposes:
- Admission: It is the gateway to undergraduate engineering programs (B.E./B.Tech) at NITs, IIITs, and other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs), as well as Architecture and Planning courses.
- Qualifying Test: It acts as the eligibility test for JEE Advanced, which is required for admission to the prestigious IITs.
The exam is conducted in two sessions (typically January and April), giving students two opportunities to secure their best score.
2. Important Dates for JEE Main 2026
Status Update (Nov 2025): Registration for Session 1 is currently LIVE.
The NTA has released the schedule for the 2026 cycle. Below are the critical dates you need to mark on your calendar.
| Event | Session 1 (January) | Session 2 (April) |
| Online Application Dates | 31 Oct 2025 – 27 Nov 2025 | February 2026 (Tentative) |
| Correction Window | 01 Dec – 02 Dec 2025 | Late January 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | 3 days before exam | 3 days before exam |
| Exam Dates | 21 Jan – 30 Jan 2026 | 01 Apr – 10 Apr 2026 |
| Result Declaration | By 12 Feb 2026 | April 2026 |
3. JEE Main Exam Pattern 2026
Understanding the pattern is crucial for your strategy. The exam is divided into different papers based on the course you are applying for.
Paper 1: B.E. / B.Tech
- Mode: Computer Based Test (Online)
- Duration: 3 Hours
- Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
| Section | Question Type | Number of Questions | Marking Scheme |
| Section A | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) | 20 per subject | +4 for Correct, -1 for Incorrect |
| Section B | Numerical Answer Type | 5 per subject (Questions vary) | +4 for Correct, -1 for Incorrect |
| Total | 75 Questions (300 Marks) |
Paper 2: B.Arch & B.Planning
- Paper 2A (B.Arch): Mathematics (Part I), Aptitude (Part II), and Drawing Test (Part III – Pen & Paper mode).
- Paper 2B (B.Planning): Mathematics (Part I), Aptitude (Part II), and Planning Based Questions (Part III).
4. Cutoff Trends (Reference for Targets)
The “cutoff” for JEE Main usually refers to the minimum percentile required to qualify for JEE Advanced. While the 2026 cutoffs will only be declared after the results, looking at the last few years gives you a realistic target.
Qualifying Percentile Trends (Last 6 Years):
| Category | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 |
| General | 93.10 | 93.23 | 90.77 | 87.89 |
| EWS | 80.38 | 81.32 | 75.62 | 66.22 |
| OBC-NCL | 79.43 | 79.67 | 73.61 | 68.02 |
| SC | 61.15 | 46.69 | 51.97 | 46.88 |
| ST | 47.90 | 60.09 | 37.23 | 34.67 |
Insight: The competition has been increasing, with the General category cutoff stabilizing above the 93rd percentile in recent years.
5. Latest Official Updates
According to recent notices on the official website:
- Aadhaar Update: Ensure your Aadhaar card details are updated to match your school records to avoid registration hurdles.
- Virtual Calculator: The NTA has issued clarifications regarding the use of virtual calculators (generally prohibited for Paper 1, but specific rules apply to different papers/platforms).
Useful Links
- Official NTA JEE Main Site: jeemain.nta.nic.in