JEE Main 2026 Complete Guide: Eligibility, Registration, Syllabus, Exam Pattern & More

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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