JEE Main 2026 Exam Date, Application Form, Fees, Eligibility (Session 1 and 2)

Quick Summary 

•        Session 1 application window: 31 Oct 2025 to 27 Nov 2025 (till 9:00 PM). Fee payment till 27 Nov 2025 (11:50 PM).

•        Session 1 exam window: 21 Jan 2026 to 30 Jan 2026.

•        Session 2 exam window: 02 Apr 2026 to 09 Apr 2026.

•        Session 2 application window (as per Session 2 public notice): 01 Feb 2026 to 25 Feb 2026 (till 9:00 PM). Fee payment till 25 Feb 2026 (11:50 PM).

•        Eligibility: no age limit. Class 12 passed in 2024 or 2025, or appearing in 2026.

What is JEE Main 2026?

JEE (Main) is the national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to B.E./B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning programs. It is also used as the qualifying route for JEE (Advanced) for IIT admissions. In 2026, the exam is planned in two sessions (January and April). You can appear in one session or both. If you appear in both, your best NTA score is considered for ranking.

Official Websites to Use

•        JEE Main official portal: https://jeemain.nta.nic.in/

•        NTA main website: https://nta.ac.in/

JEE Main 2026 Important Dates (Session 1 and Session 2)

JEE Main 2026 Eligibility 

1) Age Criteria

There is no age limit for appearing in JEE (Main) 2026. However, the institute you apply to may have its own age criteria.

2) Year of Passing (Class 12 / Equivalent)

•        Eligible: Passed Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2024 or 2025.

•        Eligible: Appearing for Class 12 (or equivalent) in 2026.

•        Not eligible: Passed Class 12 in 2023 or earlier.

3) State of Eligibility

Your state code of eligibility depends on the state from where you passed Class 12 (or equivalent), not your permanent address.

Papers in JEE Main 2026 and Mode of Exam

•        Paper 1: B.E./B.Tech - Computer Based Test (CBT).

•        Paper 2A: B.Arch - Mathematics and Aptitude in CBT, Drawing test in pen-and-paper (offline) on A4 sheet.

•        Paper 2B: B.Planning - Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning based questions in CBT.

JEE Main 2026 Languages

As per the official bulletin, JEE Main 2026 is planned in 13 languages: English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Language availability depends on the exam centre state.

JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern (Paper 1, Paper 2A, Paper 2B)

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

•        Subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry.

•        Each subject has Section A (MCQ) and Section B (Numerical value).

•        Total questions: 75. Total marks: 300.

•        Negative marking applies to both Section A and Section B.

Paper 2A (B.Arch) Pattern

•        Part I: Mathematics - 20 MCQ (Section A) + 5 Numerical (Section B) = 100 marks.

•        Part II: Aptitude test - 50 questions = 200 marks.

•        Part III: Drawing test - 2 questions = 100 marks (offline).

•        Total: 77 questions, 400 marks.

Paper 2B (B.Planning) Pattern

•        Part I: Mathematics - 20 MCQ (Section A) + 5 Numerical (Section B) = 100 marks.

•        Part II: Aptitude test - 50 questions = 200 marks.

•        Part III: Planning based questions - 25 questions = 100 marks.

•        Total: 100 questions, 400 marks.

Marking Scheme

•        MCQ: +4 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer, 0 for unanswered.

•        Numerical value: +4 for correct answer, -1 for incorrect answer, 0 for unanswered.

•        Drawing test (Paper 2A): evaluated out of 100 marks.

Exam Duration and Shift Timing

•        Paper 1, Paper 2A, Paper 2B: 3 hours for non-PwD candidates (4 hours if eligible for scribe).

•        Paper 2A + Paper 2B (both): 3 hours 30 minutes for non-PwD candidates.

•        Shift timings in bulletin: 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM (for 3 hour papers).

How to Fill JEE Main 2026 Application Form (Step-by-Step)

1.      Go to the official portal and click on JEE Main 2026 Registration.

2.      Complete registration and note your application number and password (this application number can be used for both sessions).

3.      Login and fill personal details, paper selection (Paper 1 / Paper 2A / Paper 2B), and exam city choices.

4.      Upload required documents: live photograph, scanned photo, signature, Class 10 marksheet/certificate, and PwD certificate (if applicable).

5.      Pay the fee online via card, net banking, or UPI. Download the confirmation page after successful payment.

6.      If you are applying for Session 2 after Session 1, login with the same application number and pay the Session 2 fee during the Session 2 window.

Document Upload Guidelines (As per NTA Bulletin)

•        Photograph: JPG/JPEG, 10 kb to 200 kb, color, 80% face visible, no mask, white background.

•        Signature: JPG/JPEG, 10 kb to 100 kb.

•        Class 10 certificate/marksheet: PDF, 50 kb to 300 kb.

•        Identity proof (if not using Aadhaar/DigiLocker): JPG/JPEG, 10 kb to 200 kb.

•        Disability/UDID certificate (if applicable): PDF, 50 kb to 300 kb.

JEE Main 2026 Application Fee 

Fee depends on the paper(s) selected and whether your centre is in India or outside India.

City Intimation Slip and Admit Card

NTA releases a City Intimation Slip before the admit card to help you plan travel. Admit card is usually released around 3-4 days before the exam date. Always download from the official portal only.

What to Carry on Exam Day

•        Printed admit card on A4 sheet.

•        One passport size photo (same as uploaded) for attendance sheet.

•        One original valid photo ID (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID/PAN/School ID etc).

•        Transparent ball point pen.

•        PwD certificate and scribe-related documents (if applicable).

Answer Key, Challenges and Final Key

After the exam, NTA displays the question paper and provisional answer key. Candidates can challenge the key within the notified window by paying the prescribed fee per question. After considering challenges, NTA releases the final answer key and then declares results.

Result, NTA Score and Ranking

•        Result is published as NTA score (percentile) for each subject and overall.

•        If you appear in both sessions, your best NTA score is used for merit list and ranking.

•        Session 1 result is tentatively by 12 Feb 2026. Session 2 result is tentatively by 20 Apr 2026.

Admission After JEE Main 2026: What Happens Next?

JEE Main score is used for admissions to NITs, IIITs, and other participating institutions through JoSAA counselling. CSAB special rounds may happen for vacant seats after JoSAA rounds. Many state and private college counselling processes also accept JEE Main score. If your goal is IIT admission, you must qualify JEE (Advanced) after JEE Main.

Related Counselling Guides on CollegesInfo.org

•        JoSAA Counselling 2026 guide

•        CSAB Special Round 2026 guide

•        KCET Counselling 2026 guide

•        COMEDK Counselling 2026 guide

Fast Preparation Plan for JEE Main (8 Practical Tips)

•        Start with NCERT basics for Chemistry and key theory points for Physics.

•        Focus on high-weight topics first, then move to medium topics.

•        Solve previous year questions and take at least 2 full mocks every week near exam.

•        Track errors: wrong concept, silly mistake, time management, or guesswork.

•        Build formula sheets for Physics and Maths. Revise every weekend.

•        For Numerical section, practice fast calculations and approximation.

•        For Paper 2A, practice drawing daily and keep a portfolio of sketches.

•        Sleep well in the last 10 days and keep your exam day plan ready.

FAQs - JEE Main 2026

When is JEE Main 2026 Session 1 exam?

As per the NTA bulletin, Session 1 exam window is between 21 January 2026 and 30 January 2026.

When is JEE Main 2026 Session 2 exam?

As per the NTA bulletin, Session 2 exam window is between 02 April 2026 and 09 April 2026.

What is the Session 2 application last date?

As per the Session 2 public notice, applications are accepted till 25 February 2026 (up to 9:00 PM) and fee payment till 11:50 PM.

Is there any age limit for JEE Main 2026?

No. The bulletin states there is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2026.

Which Class 12 pass-out years are eligible?

Passed in 2024 or 2025, or appearing in 2026. Passed in 2023 or earlier is not eligible.

Can I apply only for Session 2?

Yes. NTA allows applying only for Session 2 when the Session 2 form is active.

If I write both sessions, which score is used?

Your best NTA score across sessions is considered for ranking.

Is there negative marking in Numerical questions?

Yes. The bulletin mentions negative marking for both MCQ and Numerical sections.

What documents are needed during application?

Live photograph, scanned photo, signature, Class 10 certificate/marksheet, and PwD certificate if applicable.

Which counselling uses JEE Main score?

JoSAA uses it for NITs, IIITs, and other participating institutes, and CSAB rounds may be conducted for vacant seats.