NEELGYAN EXAM GUIDE
JEE Main Exam Guide
Joint Entrance Examination (Main)
2026 examination cycle · National Testing Agency (NTA)
Written and source-checked by NeelGyan Team · Last verified 2 August 2026
Checked against the official sources linked below
Current cycle
2026
Current stage
Results published
Conducting body
National Testing Agency
Papers
Paper 1, Paper 2A and Paper 2B
Mode
Computer-based, except B.Arch drawing
Admission route
Score/rank → counselling → seat allotment
2026 cycle tracker
- Session 121–30 Jan
- Session 22–9 Apr
- Paper 1 resultPublished
- Paper 2 resultPublished
- CounsellingSee authority scheduleYou are here
On This Page
Exam Resources
Conducting body
National Testing Agency (NTA)
Student level
Undergraduate admission
About JEE Main
What is JEE Main?
Joint Entrance Examination Main, or JEE Main, is conducted by the National Testing Agency for admission routes that include undergraduate engineering, architecture and planning programmes. Paper 1 is for B.E. and B.Tech, Paper 2A is for B.Arch and Paper 2B is for B.Planning.
JEE Main Paper 1 also determines eligibility for JEE Advanced, subject to the current top-candidate and other eligibility conditions. Admission is not automatic after a score or rank: candidates must separately use JoSAA, CSAB, state or institute counselling as applicable.
The 2026 Session 1 and Session 2 examinations are over and NTA has published the Session 2 Paper 1 and Paper 2 results. This yearless guide separates stable exam information from cycle-specific updates; candidates should always use the current NTA bulletin and the relevant counselling authority as final sources.
Latest JEE Main Updates
Verified updates, newest first
JEE Main Highlights
Key verified exam details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joint Entrance Examination Main |
| Common name | JEE Main |
| Conducting body | National Testing Agency |
| Paper 1 purpose | B.E./B.Tech and JEE Advanced eligibility route |
| Paper 2A purpose | B.Arch |
| Paper 2B purpose | B.Planning |
| Languages | 13 languages in the 2026 bulletin |
| Current status | 2026 results published |
JEE Main 2026 Important Dates
Official notification and exam timeline
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 examination began | Completed | |
| Session 2 examination began | Completed | |
| Session 2 Paper 1 score card | Published | |
| Session 2 Paper 2A/2B score card | Published |
Date note: The Session 1 window ran through 30 January. The Session 2 window ran through 9 April.
JEE Main Application Process and Fees
Official application route and fee details
The JEE Main 2026 application windows are closed. A later-cycle applicant should create or use the account requested by the live NTA portal, complete identity and academic fields, select the appropriate paper and cities, upload compliant documents and pay only through the official route.
Choose Paper 1, Paper 2A, Paper 2B or an allowed combination according to the programme you intend to pursue. A Paper 1 score does not replace the B.Arch or B.Planning paper required for those admission routes.
Retain the confirmation page and application number. Correction facilities are limited to the fields and dates stated by NTA; do not assume every entry can be edited later.
| Category | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| General | ₹1,000 | ₹800 |
| Gen-EWS / OBC-NCL | ₹900 | ₹800 |
| SC / ST / PwD / PwBD | ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Third gender | ₹500 | ₹500 |
- The table is for a single paper in one session at an India centre. Combined-paper and outside-India fees differ.
- For a multiple-paper combination at an India centre, the 2026 bulletin lists ₹2,000 for General/Gen-EWS/OBC-NCL male candidates, ₹1,600 for female candidates in those categories, and ₹1,000 for SC/ST/PwD/PwBD and third-gender candidates.
- Payment-gateway charges may apply. Always recheck the current bulletin before payment.
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria
Qualification, age and other requirements
Qualifying examination year
2024, 2025 or appearing 2026
- For JEE Main 2026, candidates who first passed Class XII or an equivalent examination in 2024 or 2025, or were appearing in 2026, could apply.
- A candidate who first passed before 2024 was not eligible for the 2026 examination under this rule.
- The year of first passing, not an improvement attempt alone, controls this condition.
Age to take JEE Main
No NTA age limit
- The JEE Main 2026 bulletin did not set an age limit for appearing in the examination.
- An admitting institute may apply its own age or year-of-passing conditions.
- Candidates should verify the institute and counselling brochure before making preferences.
Subject and admission conditions
Programme-specific
- B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch and B.Planning admission routes have different subject combinations and institute rules.
- The NTA score does not waive Class XII subject, percentage, category-document or domicile requirements applied by an admitting authority.
- Use the JoSAA, CSAB, state or institute brochure that actually governs the seat.
JEE Advanced route
Top 2,50,000 in Paper 1
- The JEE Advanced 2026 route considered the top 2,50,000 successful candidates in JEE Main Paper 1, subject to category distribution and all other advanced-exam conditions.
- JEE Main Paper 2 performance is not the qualifying route for JEE Advanced.
- Candidates must register separately on the JEE Advanced portal.
JEE Main Exam Pattern and Selection Process
Stages, papers and qualifying rules
- ExaminationPaper 1 and/or Paper 2A/2B
- Score and rankNTA result under the current bulletin
- CounsellingJoSAA, CSAB, state or institute route
- AdmissionAllotment, documents, fee and institute reporting
JEE Main Paper 1 Pattern
| Subject | MCQ | Numerical | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| Physics | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| Chemistry | 20 | 5 | 100 |
| Total | 60 | 15 | 300 |
- All 75 questions are compulsory and the duration is three hours.
- Both MCQ and numerical-value questions carry +4 for a correct answer and −1 for an incorrect answer; an unanswered question receives zero.
JEE Main Paper 2A Pattern
| Part | Questions | Marks | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 100 | Computer-based |
| Aptitude Test | 50 | 200 | Computer-based |
| Drawing Test | 2 | 100 | Offline on drawing sheet |
| Total | 77 | 400 | Mixed mode |
- The usual duration is three hours. Candidates taking both 2A and 2B together receive three hours thirty minutes.
JEE Main Paper 2B Pattern
| Part | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 100 |
| Aptitude Test | 50 | 200 |
| Planning-based questions | 25 | 100 |
| Total | 100 | 400 |
- The paper is computer-based and the usual duration is three hours.
JEE Main Syllabus Overview
Subjects and stages in the official syllabus
- Paper 1 covers Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry at the level and topic scope published in the current NTA syllabus.
- Paper 2A combines Mathematics and aptitude with a drawing test that assesses sketching, proportion, perspective, composition and visualisation skills described by NTA.
- Paper 2B combines Mathematics and aptitude with planning-based questions. Use the official syllabus PDF rather than a coaching list because topic wording can change.
Mathematics
Algebra, calculus, coordinate geometry, vectors, probability, statistics and other officially listed units.
Physics
Mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, modern physics and experimental skills in the official Paper 1 syllabus.
Chemistry
Physical, inorganic and organic chemistry topics specified by NTA for Paper 1.
Architecture and planning
Aptitude plus the drawing component for Paper 2A or planning-based component for Paper 2B.
JEE Main 2026 Result
Session 2 Paper 1 and Paper 2 results are published
Current status: NTA has published the 2026 Session 2 Paper 1 and Paper 2A/2B results.
Download or view the result only through the official NTA route. Check the identifying details, total NTA score, subject scores, category details and rank information shown for the relevant paper.
A result does not itself allot a seat. Candidates must complete the registration, choice, document and fee steps of the relevant counselling or institute.
JEE Main Cut-off and Admission Thresholds
Qualifying cut-off and institute closing ranks answer different questions
Current status: Use the official result for JEE Advanced qualification status and the relevant counselling authority for seat-allotment opening and closing ranks.
The JEE Main threshold used for JEE Advanced eligibility is not an NIT, IIIT or GFTI admission cut-off. Institute admission depends on programme, category, quota, rank, choices and counselling round.
Do not present one percentile as a guaranteed college. Use current official opening and closing ranks after the counselling authority publishes them.
JEE Main Preparation Strategy
A syllabus-first preparation route
- Confirm the target paper before studying; Paper 1, Paper 2A and Paper 2B do not share an identical syllabus or test mode.
- Build the concept base from the official syllabus and standard school texts, then map every weak topic to a timed practice plan.
- Attempt official NTA papers or recorded question sets under the three-hour limit and analyse errors by concept, calculation and question selection.
- Practise numerical-entry questions as carefully as MCQs because the current pattern applies negative marking to both.
- For B.Arch, practise the physical drawing component with the same materials and time constraints permitted by the bulletin.
- Track counselling documents and institute eligibility alongside score preparation; a rank cannot repair a missing subject or category document.
JEE Main Books and Study Material
- Use the official NTA bulletin, syllabus and official question-paper resources as the source-of-truth set.
- Use NCERT Class XI and XII Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics to repair concepts before adding one problem source per subject.
- For B.Arch and B.Planning, choose practice material that follows the current NTA aptitude, drawing or planning syllabus rather than a generic design-entrance syllabus.
JEE Main Previous Question Papers
Official question-paper resources
Official papers reveal the actual balance of concepts, calculations and time pressure. Use the exact paper—Paper 1, Paper 2A or Paper 2B—that matches the intended programme.
After each timed attempt, classify every wrong, guessed and skipped question before choosing the next revision block.
JEE Main Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of JEE Main 2026?
The Session 1 and Session 2 examinations are over, and NTA has published the Session 2 Paper 1 and Paper 2A/2B results. Candidates should now follow the applicable counselling or institute schedule.
Is JEE Main held twice a year?
The 2026 cycle had two sessions. Candidates should not assume the same calendar for a later cycle until NTA issues its bulletin.
Which JEE Main paper is for B.Tech?
Paper 1 is the B.E./B.Tech paper and is also the JEE Main route used for JEE Advanced eligibility, subject to all advanced-exam conditions.
What is the difference between Paper 2A and Paper 2B?
Paper 2A is for B.Arch and includes an offline drawing test. Paper 2B is for B.Planning and includes computer-based planning questions.
Is there negative marking in JEE Main numerical questions?
Yes. In the 2026 pattern, an incorrect numerical-value answer loses one mark, while a correct answer receives four marks and a blank answer receives zero.
Which session score is used if I take both?
For candidates appearing in both sessions, the best total NTA score is considered for ranking under the 2026 bulletin; subject scores are not mixed between sessions to create a new total.
Does qualifying JEE Main guarantee an NIT seat?
No. Admission depends on rank, eligibility, category and quota rules, choices, available seats and counselling rounds.
Can JEE Main Paper 2 qualify me for JEE Advanced?
No. The JEE Advanced qualifying route is through JEE Main Paper 1, subject to the top-candidate and other eligibility conditions.
Official Information and Sources
Primary notice and authority links
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Verify Before You Apply
Eligibility, dates, fees, vacancies, pattern and status can change. Read the latest notice on the official authority’s website before applying. NeelGyan does not collect application fees or guarantee admission or selection.