As lakhs of aspirants gear up for the engineering entrance season, this JEE Main 2026 Guide brings every important detail together , from eligibility rules to admit card updates. Since the National Testing Agency (NTA) will soon release the official brochure, this guide helps you stay ahead with all essential information based on the latest trends and verified past-year criteria.
What are the Latest Announcements – JEE Main 2026 Session 1 & Session 2
- JEE Main 2026 Application Process Begins:
Recently , NTA has started the online application process for JEE Main 2026 Session 1.
Hence, the last date for application is November 27, 2025 (up to 9 PM). Before submitting the form, candidates should carefully review the application details to avoid common mistakes in JEE Main registration 2026 that may lead to rejection or correction issues later. - JEE Main 2026 Exam Dates OUT:
Moreover, NTA has also released the tentative exam dates , which is Session 1: January 21–30, 2026
Session 2: April 01–10, 2026 - JEE Main 2026 Registration Demo Link LIVE:
Additionally , NTA has activated the demo registration link on demo.nta.nic.in. - JEE Main 2026 Application Form :
The authority has also declared that they will release the application form by 15th October 2025. Candidates must also follow the official JEE Main 2026 photo verification guidelines while uploading photographs and signatures to avoid form rejection. - NTA Advisory Issued:
NTA has issued an important advisory for aspirants before registration. JEE Main 2026 will be conducted in two sessions – January 2026 & April 2026.
What are the JEE Main 2026 Important Dates
Here are the important events and their tentative dates for the JEE Main 2026 examination:
JEE Main 2026 Important Dates – Session 1 & Session 2
| Events | Session 1 Dates | Session 2 Dates |
| Online Submission of Application Forms | 31 October 2025 | February 2026 |
| Application form correction window | November 2025 | Last week of January 2026 |
| Display of the Admit card | 3 days before the actual date of the examination | 3 days before the actual date of the examination |
| Exam Date | Between 21 and 30 January 2026 | Between 01 and 10 April 2026 |
| Display of Provisional Answer Key with OMR & Responses | February 2026 | April 2026 |
| Display of Final Answer Key | February 2026 | April 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Cut-off, Scorecard) | by 12 February 2026 | April 2026 |
| Counselling Process | July/August 2026 | July/August 2026 |
What is the JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria Highlights
The data below summarizes the expected details, and this JEE Main 2026 Guide ensures you don’t skip any condition.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Age Limit | No age limit; however, the age criteria of the respective institute must be met |
| Qualifying Exam | Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board |
| Year of Passing | 2023, 2024, or appeared in 2025 |
| Number of Attempts | Maximum 3 consecutive years (starting from the year of passing Class 12) |
| Subjects Required | Physics and math are compulsory for JEE Main Paper 1 (B.Tech), Physics, Chemistry, and Maths compulsory for JEE Main Paper 2A (BArch), Maths compulsory for JEE Main Paper 2B (B.Plan) |
| Minimum Marks Required | As per institute-specific admission requirements (for NITs, IIITs, CFTIs) |
| Nationality | Indian nationals / NRIs / PIOs / OCIs / Foreign nationals |
| Percentage of Marks | Minimum 75% in class 12 or top 20 percentile |
| State Code of Eligibility | Based on the location of qualifying exam (Class 12) |
What is the Minimum Marks Required in Class 12 for JEE Main 2026
If we want to complete the JEE Main 2026 Guide , we cannot ignore the marks. So , here are the expected minimum marks:
| Eligibility Parameter | Eligibility Condition |
| Exam Eligibility | No minimum marks required to appear for JEE Main 2026 |
| Admission to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs (General Category) | Minimum 75% marks in Class 12 OR be in the top 20 percentile of the respective board |
| Admission to NITs, IIITs, CFTIs (SC/ST Category) | Minimum 65% marks in Class 12 OR be in the top 20 percentile of the respective board |
| Applicable For | Admission to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs through JEE Main |
What is the JEE Main 2026 Eligibility for NIOS & Open School Students
Many of the candidates are from open schooling seek clarification, so , this JEE Main 2026 Guide provides your exact eligibility:
| Criteria | Details |
| Eligibility | Students from NIOS or any open school are eligible for JEE Main |
| Minimum Subjects Required | Must have passed with at least five subjects |
| Compulsory Subjects | For B.Tech: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics For BArch/BPlan: As per course-specific requirements |
| Board Recognition | NIOS must be recognized by MHRD/AIU |
| State Code of Eligibility | Based on the location of the study centre of the NIOS/open school |
| Validity of Qualification | Must be equivalent to Class 12 and accepted by NTA |
| Restrictions (if any) | Not eligible if passed with fewer than 5 subjects |
Foreign Nationals Eligibility – JEE Main 2026
This JEE Main 2026 Guide also confirms that NRIs, OCIs, PIOs, and foreign nationals are eligible if:
- Firstly , they have to hold a Class 12-equivalent qualification recognized by AIU.
- Second , they should meet the same percentage and subject rules as Indian students.
- Third , they must select State Code based on their Indian permanent address.
Qualifying Examinations Accepted for JEE Main 2026
Your JEE Main 2026 Guide lists all recognized boards and exams:
- Class 12 from any recognised board
- 2-year Pre-University exam
- NIOS Senior Secondary with 5 subjects
- GCE A-Level (London/Cambridge/Sri Lanka)
- IB Diploma
- NDA Joint Services Wing exam
- Equivalent exams recognised by AIU
Moreover, unrecognized boards will not be accepted.
What is the JEE Main 2026 Age Limit
This JEE Main 2026 Guide confirms:
- Firstly , there is no age limit for the exam.
- Secondly , you must meet the age criteria of the institutes during admissions.
- Lastly , you can attempt it in three consecutive years after passing Class 12.
Eligibility Based on Year of Passing
Expected eligibility as per this JEE Main 2026 Guide:
- Eligible years: 2023, 2024, 2025 (appearing)
- Not eligible: 2022 or earlier
State Code of Eligibility – Full List
The eligibility conditions for JEE Main 2026, including the State Code of Eligibility, will be officially released soon. Until then, candidates can refer to the previous year’s guidelines to understand how the state code system works.
States & Codes
| State | Code | State | Code |
| Andhra Pradesh | AP | Maharashtra | MR |
| Arunachal Pradesh | AL | Manipur | MN |
| Assam | AM | Meghalaya | MG |
| Bihar | BR | Mizoram | MZ |
| Chhattisgarh | CG | Nagaland | NL |
| Delhi/New Delhi | DL | Odisha | OR |
| Goa | GO | Punjab | PB |
| Gujarat | GJ | Rajasthan | RJ |
| Haryana | HR | Sikkim | SM |
| Himachal Pradesh | HP | Tamil Nadu | TN |
| Jammu & Kashmir | JK | Telangana | TL |
| Jharkhand | JH | Tripura | TA |
| Karnataka | KK | Uttar Pradesh | UP |
| Kerala | KL | Uttarakhand | UK |
| Madhya Pradesh | MP | West Bengal | WB |
Hence , the following data provides the Union Territories and their official Codes for candidates’ reference.
| Union Territory | Code |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | AN |
| Chandigarh | CH |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli | DN |
| Daman & Diu | DD |
| Lakshadweep | LD |
| Puducherry | PO |
Additionally, for admissions to NITs, IIITs, and other CFTIs, the applicants should fulfill eligibility criteria with reference to their State Code of Eligibility. Nevertheless, this requirement does not hold good in the case of admission to IITs.
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility for Admissions (NITs, IIITs, CFTIs)
This JEE Main 2026 Guide highlights the exact requirement:
- For General , 75% marks is needed
- For ST / SC , 65% marks are needed.
- OR Top 20 percentile
Subject Combinations for JEE Main 2026
| Course | Subjects Required |
| B.Tech/B.E | Physics, Mathematics, and 1 subject from Chemistry/Biology/Biotechnology/Technical |
| B.Arch | PCM compulsory |
| B. Planning | Mathematics compulsory |
What is the JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria for Droppers
This JEE Main 2026 Guide confirms that:
- No age limit applies.
- Class 12 passing years must be 2024, 2025, or 2026.
- Only three consecutive attempts were allowed.
- Five subjects in Class 12 are mandatory.
Students appearing for the first time can strengthen their fundamentals through a structured JEE Main 2026 fresher course designed for concept clarity and exam-oriented preparation.
JEE Main 2026 Reservation Criteria
Here is the reservation criteria for JEE Main 2026 :
| Category | Reservation Percentage |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 15% |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | 7.5% |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL) | 27% |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 10% |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwD) | 5% (within each category |
JEE Main 2026 Syllabus – Subject-Wise Overview
This JEE Main 2026 Guide also explains the expected syllabus. So , here is the syllabus :
Paper 1 (B.Tech)
| Subject | Key Topics |
| Physics | Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism, Optics, Modern Physics |
| Chemistry | Physical, Organic, Inorganic Chemistry; Solutions; Chemical Kinetics |
| Mathematics | Algebra, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, Trigonometry, Probability |
Paper 2A (B.Arch)
It covers mathematics, aptitude, and drawing.
Paper 2B (B. Planning)
It includes math, aptitude, and planning-based MCQs.
Deleted Topics for JEE Main 2026
| Topic | Status |
| P Block Elements | Deleted |
| Solid State | Deleted |
| Trigonometric Equations | Deleted or Reduced |
| Some Complex Organic Reactions | Reduced |
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern (Paper 1 – B.Tech/B.E.)
| Particulars | BTech/BE |
| Mode of Examination | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| JEE Main exam duration | For Non-PwD/PwBDCandidates—03 03 hours (180 minutes) For PwD /PwBDCandidates (who areeligible for scribe)—04 hours |
| Language of Examination | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu` |
| Type of Questions | Objective Type—Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Questions for which the answer is a numerical value, with equal weightage to Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry |
| Number of sections and subjects | 3 (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) |
| JEE Main Total Questions | 75 (25 each from Physics, Chemistry, Maths) |
| JEE Main Total Marks | 300 (100 per subject) |
| Question Type | Section A—MCQs (Multiple-Choice Questions) Section B—Numerical Value Questions |
| Questions per Subject | Section A- 20 Section B- 5 |
| JEE Main Marking Scheme | Each question carries 4 marks |
| JEE Main Negative Marking | There will be negative marking for incorrect answers in Sections A and B. |
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern (Paper 2 – B.Arch & B.Plan)
| Particulars | Details |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-based examination, except for the Drawing section in B.Arch (Pen & Paper-based mode) |
| Language | English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu |
| Exam Duration | For Non-PwD/PwBDCandidates—03 03 hours (180 minutes) For PwD /PwBDCandidates (who areeligible for scribe)—04 hours |
| No. of Sections | B.Arch (Paper 2A):• Part 1 – Mathematics• Part 2 – Aptitude test• Part 3 – Drawing test B.Plan (Paper 2B):• Mathematics• Aptitude test• Planning test (MCQs) |
| Type of Questions | B.Arch:• Mathematics: MCQs and Questions for which the answer is a numerical value• Aptitude: Multiple-choice questions(Objective Type)• Drawing: Drawing aptitude B. Planning:• Mathematics: MCQs and Questions for which the answer is a numerical value• Aptitude: MCQs (Objective Type)• Planning: MCQs (Objective Type) |
| JEE Mains Total Questions | • B.Arch: 77 QuestionsPart I: Mathematics-20 (Section A) and 05 (Section B)Part II: Aptitude test- 50Part III: Drawing Test-02• B.Plan: 100 QuestionsPart I: Mathematics—20 (Section A) and 05 (Section B)Part-II: Aptitude Test-50Part-III: Planning- 25 |
| Total Marks | Paper 2A: 400 MarksPaper 2B: 400 Marks |
| JEE Mains Marking Scheme | • MCQs: +4 marks for a right answer, -1 mark for a wrong one.• Numerical value answers: +4 marks for a correct answer, -1 mark for a wrong answer.• Drawing Test: There are 2 questions, and both are checked out of 100 marks. |
JEE Main 2026 Admit Card
As the exam approaches, the admit card will be released after the city intimation slip. This JEE Main 2026 Guide advises checking the official website regularly because the admit card contains essential details such as exam centre address, reporting time, exam instructions, and ID requirements.
Conclusion
This JEE Main 2026 Guide brings every eligibility rule, syllabus detail, reservation policy, and exam pattern into a single, clear, human-written resource. As the NTA prepares to release the official brochure, staying updated with verified information becomes the most effective way to plan your preparation and avoid mistakes during registration. With the right information and timely updates, you can move confidently towards securing your JEE Main 2026 admit card and appearing successfully for the exam.
For trusted information, expert guidance, and the latest JEE Main 2026 updates, students can regularly visit SPM & Lalans Coaching.
FAQs
Is there a 75% criterion for JEE Mains 2026?
Yes, the 75% criterion applies for admissions to NITs, IIITs, and CFTIs.
Who is eligible for JEE Advanced 2025?
Candidates who meet the cut-off ranks in JEE Main and fulfill the eligibility norms are eligible.
Will NTA conduct JEE 2026?
Yes, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct JEE 2026.
Is the 75% criterion removed?
No, the 75% criterion is not removed and still applies for admissions.
Will the 75% criterion consider PCM only?
No, it applies to total marks or placement in the top 20th percentile, not PCM marks alone.
Who can apply for JEE Main 2026?
Anyone meeting the qualification, subject requirements, and year-of-passing rules can apply.
