The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) is one of the largest and most important engineering entrance exams in India. Every year, around 10 to 12 lakh students appear for this exam to secure a seat in top engineering colleges. JEE Main is the gateway to prestigious institutions such as NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs, and it also serves as the qualifying exam for JEE Advanced, which is required for admission into the IITs. Many reputed private universities also accept JEE Main scores, which makes it a crucial exam for engineering aspirants.
To be eligible for JEE Main, students must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 with subjects like Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry/Biology/ Biotechnology/Technical Vocational subject. There is no age limit, and students can attempt the exam up to three consecutive years. The exam is held twice a year, giving students two chances to improve their scores.
Highlights of JEE Main Exam
JEE Main is a national-level exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Students can check out a quick highlight of the JEE Main Exam in the table shown below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) |
| Conducting Body | National Testing Agency (NTA) |
| Exam Level | National-level engineering & architecture entrance exam |
| Frequency | Twice a year (January & April sessions) |
| Total Candidates Appearing | Around 10–12 lakh students every year |
| Courses Offered Through Exam | B.Tech, B.E, B.Arch, B.Planning |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test), except for the drawing test in B.Arch |
| Eligibility | Class 12 passed/appearing with PCM + one optional science/vocational subject |
| Age Limit | No age limit |
| Attempts Allowed | 3 consecutive years (2 attempts each year) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Sections | Paper 1: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| Official Website | jeemain.nta.ac.in |
Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main
Understanding the Eligibility Criteria for JEE Main is important for every student planning to appear for the exam. These rules help students know whether they meet the basic conditions required to register and sit for the test. The National Testing Agency (NTA) keeps the criteria based on educational qualification, year of passing, age limit, number of attempts, and minimum marks. Below are the key requirements students must follow before applying:
- Educational Qualification: Students must have passed or be appearing in Class 12 (10+2) from a recognised board. They must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. One optional subject is required from: Chemistry / Biology / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational subject.
- Year of Passing: Candidates who passed Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or are appearing in 2026 are eligible.
- Age Limit: No age limit for appearing in JEE Main.
- Number of Attempts: Students can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years, with two attempts each year.
- Minimum Marks: There is no minimum percentage requirement for JEE Main, but certain colleges may ask for 75% marks or top 20 percentile for admission.
- Eligibility for B.Arch / B.Planning: Arch requires Mathematics in Class 12. And for B.Planning requires Mathematics as a compulsory subject.
How to Apply for JEE Main?
Applying for JEE Main is a fully online process, and students can complete it easily through the official NTA website. It is important to follow each step carefully to avoid mistakes, as the information submitted will be used during the exam and admission process. Before starting, students should keep their documents ready and check the eligibility criteria. The application window is usually open twice a year for the January and April sessions.
- Visit the official website: nta.ac.in
- Click on “JEE Main Registration / New Candidate Registration”
- Candidates must register by entering their name, mobile number, email ID, and creating a password
- Fill out the online application form with personal, academic, and contact details
- Upload scanned documents:
- Passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Class 12 documents (if required)
- Pay the application fee online using a debit card, a credit card, UPI, or net banking. The fee for the year 2026 is as follows:
- Boys (General/OBC): INR 1,000 per session
- Girls / SC / ST / PwD: INR 800 per session
- SC/ST/PwD/Transgender: INR 500 per session
- Download the confirmation page after successful submission
- Keep the confirmation page and payment receipt safe for future use
Exam Pattern of JEE Main
The JEE Main 2026 exam pattern has been updated, and optional questions in Section B have been removed. The exam now consists of three different papers, each designed for specific courses: Paper 1 for B.Tech, Paper 2A for B.Arch, and Paper 2B for B.Planning. The table below gives a clear comparison of all three papers to help students understand the structure easily.
| Particulars | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | Paper 2A (B.Arch) | Paper 2B (B.Planning) |
| Mode of Exam | Online (CBT) | Online (CBT), the drawing section | Online (CBT) |
| Subjects Covered | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Mathematics, General Aptitude, Drawing | Mathematics, General Aptitude, Planning |
| Type of Questions | MCQ + Numerical Value (NAV) | MCQ + NAV + Drawing | MCQ + NAV (Maths), MCQ (GA & Planning) |
| Total Number of Questions | 75 | 77 | 100 |
| Subject-wise Questions | Physics: 20 MCQ + 5 NAV
Chemistry: 20 MCQ + 5 NAV Maths: 20 MCQ + 5 NAV |
Maths: 20 MCQ + 5 NAV
General Aptitude: 50 MCQ Drawing: 2 questions |
Maths: 20 MCQ + 5 NAV
General Aptitude: 50 MCQ Planning: 25 MCQ |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect | +4 for correct, -1 for incorrect |
| Language of Paper | 13 languages | 13 languages | 13 languages |
Syllabus of JEE Main
The JEE Main 2026 syllabus is based on NCERT Class 11 and 12 topics, and it has been revised recently by the NTA. The subjects vary for each paper depending on the course B.Tech, B.Arch, and B.Planning. Below are syllabus tables in a gist to help students quickly understand what they need to study for each paper.
JEE Main Syllabus: Paper 1 (BTech)
Paper 1 covers the complete Class 11 & 12 PCM syllabus. Questions focus heavily on conceptual understanding, numerical ability, and problem-solving.
| Subject | Syllabus |
| Mathematics | Sets & Relations, Complex Numbers, Matrices, Permutations, Binomial Theorem, Sequences & Series, Limits, Calculus, Differential Equations, Coordinate Geometry, 3D Geometry, Vectors, Statistics, Probability, Trigonometry |
| Physics | Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work & Energy, Rotational Motion, Gravitation, Thermodynamics, Waves, Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics, Semiconductors |
| Chemistry | Basic Concepts, Atomic Structure, Bonding, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Solutions, Organic Chemistry basics, Functional Groups, Biomolecules, Electrochemistry, Kinetics, Periodic Table, d & f-block, Everyday Chemistry |
JEE Main Syllabus: Paper 2A (BArch)
Paper 2A tests creativity, imagination, drawing skills, and spatial understanding, along with mathematical knowledge.
| Subject | Syllabus |
| Mathematics | Functions, Complex Numbers, Matrices, Calculus, Coordinate Geometry, 3D Geometry, Vectors, Probability, Trigonometry |
| General Aptitude | 3D visualisation, mental ability, analytical reasoning, architectural awareness, interpretation of objects, pattern appreciation, proportions, scale, textures, and building forms |
| Drawing | Sketching from memory, drawing objects, scenes, buildings, landscapes, composition, 2D & 3D drawing, transformation of shapes |
JEE Main Syllabus: Paper 2B (BPlanning)
Paper 2B focuses on planning-related concepts, general awareness, interpretation skills, and map-based reasoning, along with mathematics.
| Subject | Syllabus |
| Mathematics | Functions, Complex Numbers, Matrices, Calculus, Differential Equations, Trigonometry, Probability, Mathematical Reasoning, Geometry |
| General Aptitude | Spatial visualisation, architectural awareness, analytical reasoning, map reading, interpreting shapes & forms, 3D perception |
| Planning | General awareness, urban & rural development, economy, resources, population, geography basics, politics, globalisation, planning concepts, comprehension, charts & graphs
|
Preparation Tips for JEE Main
Here are a few preparation tips that students can follow when they are planning to take the JEE Main exam:
- Know the syllabus well: Before starting, students must go through the JEE Main syllabus and mark the important chapters. This helps them study with clarity and avoid wasting time on unnecessary topics.
- Focus more on NCERT basics: Many questions, especially in Chemistry, come directly from NCERT. Candidates must ensure that their Class 11 and 12 concepts are strong.
- Solve previous year papers: Practising older JEE papers helps students understand the exam pattern, question types, and difficulty level. It also boosts confidence.
- Give mock tests regularly: Take timed mock tests to improve speed, accuracy, and time management. Analyse the mistakes after every test.
- Make short notes for revision: Write down formulas, key concepts, and important exceptions in a notebook. These notes help a lot during last-minute revision.
- Stay consistent and avoid long breaks: Study a little every day instead of studying a lot only once in a while. Consistency is the key to scoring well in JEE Main.
Marks vs Rank in JEE Main
Understanding how marks translate into ranks helps candidates estimate their performance and plan their college options. Since the JEE Main exam is highly competitive, even a small change in marks can shift the rank by thousands. The table below gives an expected Exam Cutoff for JEE Main:
| Marks Range (out of 300) | Expected Rank Range |
| 294 – 300 | 1 – 10 |
| 288 – 293 | 11 – 20 |
| 280 – 287 | 21 – 44 |
| 270 – 279 | 45 – 107 |
| 252 – 269 | 108 – 522 |
| 231 – 249 | 523 – 1,385 |
| 215 – 230 | 1,386 – 2,798 |
| 202 – 214 | 2,799 – 4,666 |
| 190 – 201 | 4,667 – 6,664 |
| 175 – 189 | 6,665 – 10,746 |
| 161 – 174 | 10,747 – 16,163 |
| 149 – 160 | 16,164 – 21,145 |
| 132 – 148 | 21,146 – 32,826 |
| 120 – 131 | 32,827 – 43,174 |
| Below 120 | Above 43,175
|
Colleges Accepting JEE Main Scores
Many national, state, and private colleges accept JEE Main scores. Some of them include NIT Trichy, NIT Warangal, Delhi Technological University (DTU), Anna University, IIIT Allahabad, and many more. Check out the top 15 colleges that accept the JEE Main scores for BTech and BArch or BPlan programs:
| College Name |
| NIT Tiruchirappalli (NIT Trichy) |
| NIT Rourkela |
| NIT Karnataka, Surathkal (NITK) |
| NIT Warangal |
| NIT Calicut |
| Delhi Technological University (DTU) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) |
| Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) University |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Coimbatore) |
| Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology |
| Anna University |
| IIIT Allahabad |
| Amity University, Noida |
| UPES, Dehradun |
Final Thoughts
Preparing for JEE Main can feel challenging at first, but with the right strategy and approach, students may find it easier to handle. The exam allows students to take admission into one of the best colleges or universities in India. If candidates stay focused and consistent, follow the syllabus, and keep practising, they can achieve a good score. JEE Main is not about studying hard, but studying smart. Hence, students should stay confident and believe in their journey.
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