The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the JEE Main 2026 examination dates. This computer-based test (CBT) will be conducted in two sessions, both in India and abroad, for admission to undergraduate engineering programs.The first session is scheduled to be held from January 21, 2026, to January 30, 2026, while the second session will take place from April 1, 2026, to April 10, 2026.
Students who have completed 10+2 (or equivalent) from recognized boards and wish to pursue B.E. or B.Tech programs at premier engineering institutions such as IITs, NITs, and CFTIs are eligible to appear in Session 1. On the other hand, Session 2 is primarily for candidates aspiring to build their careers in B.Arch or B.Planning.
This structure allows students to choose their preferred session based on their academic preparation and career goals. Candidates who secure valid scores in the examination will be eligible for admission to the top engineering institutions across the country, including state government and participating universities.
|
Event |
Session 1 (Jan 2026) |
Session 2 (Apr 2026) |
|
Online application begins |
October 2025 (expected) |
Last week of January/February 2026 (expected) |
|
Exam dates |
January 21 – 30, 2026 |
April 1 – 10, 2026 |
|
Registration closes / last date to apply |
November/December 2025 (approx.) |
February/March 2026 (approx.) |
|
Admit card release |
Few days before exam |
Few days before exam |
|
Display of Final Answer Key |
February 2026 |
April 2026 |
|
Result Announcement |
February 2026 |
April 2026 |
|
Counselling Process |
July/August 2026 |
July/August 2026 |
Note: All applicants are required to possess an updated Aadhaar card containing accurate details — including full name, father’s name, phone number, and address. During registration, the JEE Main application portal will fetch candidate details directly from the UIDAI database, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and convenience in the application process.
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JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Registration, and Latest Updates
JEE Main is one of the most prestigious and competitive entrance examinations for admission to undergraduate (UG) engineering programmes in India. The exam serves as the primary gateway to the nation’s top engineering institutes such as the IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded and state-level universities. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year, JEE Main has evolved into a symbol of academic excellence, analytical aptitude, and problem-solving ability.
- The latest updates from the NTA revolve around the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 and Session 2 exam dates. Here’s a detailed overview:
- To assess the academic readiness of engineering aspirants for UG courses, the NTA has scheduled Session 1 of JEE Main 2026 from 21 January 2026 to 30 January 2026.
The Session 2 exams, which also include admission tests for B.Arch and B.Planning, will be conducted from 1 April 2026 to 10 April 2026. - To help students become familiar with the registration process, NTA has launched a demo registration portal available at demo.nta.nic.in.
The official registration for JEE Main 2026 is expected to begin in the fourth week of October 2025. Early registration is highly recommended for both sessions to ensure convenience and avoid last-minute technical issues. - The mode of examination for both Session 1 and Session 2 Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) will be online (Computer-Based Test). For Paper 2A (B.Arch), the exam will be conducted in online mode for the first part and pen-and-paper mode for the drawing test. Paper 2B (B.Planning) will be entirely online.
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JEE Mains Registration Date 2026
Early registration is the key to securing a convenient examination centre near your location and the same applies to JEE Main 2026. With over 10 lakh applicants appearing for the exam across India, getting an exam centre of your choice can sometimes be challenging. Therefore, it’s strongly recommended to register early through the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in.
The registration process for JEE Main 2026 is expected to begin in the first week of November 2025. Candidates will be required to fill out the online application form using their personal and academic details.
To complete the registration process, follow these steps carefully:
- Visit the official website of JEE Main — jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Click on “New Candidate Registration.”
- Select “Proceed to Apply Online.”
- Create an account by entering your personal details along with your Aadhaar Card or Passport Number.
- Enter your educational qualifications and academic information as required.
- Read the exam instructions carefully and select your preferred exam session, paper, and language of the question paper.
- Upload the necessary documents (as per the given specifications).
- Pay the application fee online through credit/debit card, net banking, or UPI.
- After successful submission, a confirmation page will appear on the screen.
- Download and print the confirmation page for your records and future reference.
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JEE Main 2026 Fee - Categorieswise Fee
|
Category |
Gender |
Centres in India (₹) |
Outside India (₹) |
Single Paper |
Both Papers |
|
General / EWS / OBC-NCL |
Male |
₹ 1,000 |
₹ 5,000 |
Yes |
₹ 2,000 (India) / ₹ 10,000 (Abroad) |
|
General / EWS / OBC-NCL |
Female |
₹ 800 |
₹ 4,000 |
Yes |
₹ 1,600 (India) / ₹ 8,000 (Abroad) |
|
SC / ST / PwD / PwBD |
Any / Female |
₹ 500 |
₹ 2,500 (or ₹ 2,500-3,000 abroad) |
Yes |
₹ 1,000 (India) / ₹ 5,000 (Abroad) |
|
Third Gender |
Any |
₹ 500 |
₹ 2,500 (or ₹ 3,000 abroad) |
Yes |
₹ 1,000 (India) / ₹ 5,000 (Abroad) |
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JEE Main 2026 Admit Card Release Date & Download Link
The admit card for JEE Main 2026 is expected to be released a few days before the examination date. Once it is available, candidates will be able to download it from the official JEE Main website — jeemain.nta.nic.in.
The admit card is a mandatory document that candidates must carry to the examination centre. It contains important details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, exam date, shift timing, exam centre address, and important instructions.
Follow the steps below to download your JEE Main 2026 admit card:
- Visit the official website — jeemain.nta.nic.in.
- Click on the link titled “JEE Main Admit Card Download.”
- Log in using your application number, password, and security pin.
- Once logged in, download your admit card and check all details carefully.
- Print multiple copies of the admit card for safekeeping and future reference.
If you find any discrepancy or error in your admit card (such as incorrect name, photo, or exam details), you should immediately contact the NTA helpline for correction.
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JEE Main Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
The JEE Main exam pattern always comes clear and practical. The exam pattern consists of mainly three subjects including physics, Chemistry & Mathematics. While hard work is essential, it is strategic preparation that truly makes the difference. A clear understanding of the exam pattern and marking scheme helps students plan their study schedule more effectively and perform confidently during the test.
To help you get a complete understanding of the JEE Main 2026 exam pattern and marking scheme, we’ve outlined the subject-wise structure, question types, and mark distribution below.
|
Paper |
Subject / Section |
Type of Questions |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Correct Answer |
Marks Deducted for Wrong Answer |
|
Paper-1 (B.E./B.Tech.)
|
Physics – Section A (MCQ)
Physics – Section B (Numerical Answer Type)
Chemistry – Section A (MCQ)
Chemistry – Section B (Numerical Answer Type)
Mathematics – Section A (MCQ)
Mathematics – Section B (Numerical Answer Type)
|
MCQ
NAT
MCQ
NAT
MCQ
NAT
|
20
5
20
5
20
5 |
4
4
4
4
4
4 |
-1
0
-1
0
-1
0 |
|
|
Total (Paper-1) |
|
75 questions
|
---- |
Maximum 300 marks |
|
Paper-2A (B.Arch.) |
Mathematics – Part I (MCQ) |
MCQ
|
20
|
4
|
–1
|
|
|
Mathematics – Part I (Numerical Answer) |
NAT
|
5
|
4
|
0
|
|
|
Aptitude Test – Part II (MCQ) |
MCQ
|
50
|
4
|
–1
|
|
|
Drawing Test – Part III (Drawing) |
Drawing task
|
2 questions
|
–
|
-- |
|
|
Total (Paper-2A) |
|
-- |
-- |
Maximum 300 marks |
|
Paper-2B (B.Planning) |
Mathematics – Part I (MCQ)
|
MCQ
|
20
|
4
|
-1 |
|
|
Mathematics – Part I (Numerical Answer) |
NAT
|
10
|
4
|
0
|
|
|
Aptitude Test – Part II (MCQ) |
MCQ
|
50
|
4 |
-1 |
|
|
Planning Test – Part III (MCQ) |
MCQ
|
25
|
4 |
-1 |
|
|
Total (Paper-2B) |
|
- |
- |
Maximum 400 marks
|
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JEE Main 2026 Result Date and Counselling Schedule
Students who successfully qualify for JEE Main 2026 will then proceed to participate in the counselling and admission process. Since counselling plays a crucial role in determining admission to top engineering institutes, the Government of India has placed this process under the supervision of JoSAA (Joint Seat Allocation Authority).
JoSAA, which operates under the Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD), ensures that the seat allocation and admission process is conducted with transparency, fairness, and efficiency. Through this centralized system, eligible candidates can secure admission to participating institutions, including IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
Below are the tentative dates for the JEE Main 2026 result declaration and JoSAA counselling process.
|
Event |
Tentative Date |
Notes |
|
Session 1 Result Declaration |
2nd week of February 2026 |
After completion of Jan session exams. |
|
Session 2 Result Declaration & Final AIR (All India Rank) |
4th week of April 2026 /Early May 2026 |
After the April session exams finish. |
|
JoSAA Counselling – Registration & Choice Filling Begins |
June 2026 |
For admission into NITs/IIITs/GFTIs. |
|
JoSAA – Mock Seat Allotment 1 |
June 2026 |
Candidates get a preview of seat allotment. |
|
JoSAA – Mock Seat Allotment 2 & Locking of Choices |
June 2026 |
Final locking of preferences before actual rounds. |
|
JoSAA Round 1 Seat Allotment |
June 2026 |
First allotment of seats |
|
JoSAA Subsequent Rounds (Round 2, Round 3, |
June–July 2026 |
Additional rounds for seat allotment and reporting. |
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