JEE Main 2026 — What You Need to Know
JEE Main 2026 is the primary gateway for engineering admissions in India. The exam is held in two sessions — Session 1 in January 2026 and Session 2 in April 2026. Approximately 12–14 lakh students appear each year. The best of two sessions' NTA scores is used for merit ranking. The top 2.5 lakh qualified candidates are eligible to sit for JEE Advanced 2026 for IIT admissions.
JEE Main 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Session 1 (Expected) | Session 2 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Notification Release | October 2025 | February 2026 |
| Registration Start Date | October 2025 | February 2026 |
| Registration Last Date | November 2025 | March 2026 |
| Admit Card Download | December 2025 | March 2026 |
| Exam Date | Jan 22–30, 2026 | Apr 2026 |
| Answer Key Release | Feb 2026 | Apr 2026 |
| Result Declaration | Feb 2026 | Apr 2026 |
| JEE Advanced Eligibility | After Session 2 — May 2026 | |
⚠️
Note: Dates are tentative based on previous years' patterns. Always check the official NTA JEE Main website for confirmed dates.
JEE Main 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Must have passed Class 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics
- Must have secured at least 75% marks in Class 12 (65% for SC/ST)
- Students appearing in Class 12 in 2026 can also apply
- Diploma holders are not eligible for JEE Main Paper 1
Age Limit
There is no age limit for JEE Main 2026 as per the latest NTA guidelines. However, each IIT/NIT may have individual age criteria for admission.
Number of Attempts
Candidates can appear in JEE Main any number of times. There is no restriction on total lifetime attempts for JEE Main. However, JEE Advanced allows only 2 attempts in consecutive years.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern
| Subject | Section A (MCQ) | Section B (Numerical) | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 20 questions × 4 marks | 5 questions × 4 marks (attempt any 5 of 10) | 100 |
| Chemistry | 20 questions × 4 marks | 5 questions × 4 marks (attempt any 5 of 10) | 100 |
| Mathematics | 20 questions × 4 marks | 5 questions × 4 marks (attempt any 5 of 10) | 100 |
| Total | 60 MCQs | 15 Numerical | 300 |
- Marking Scheme MCQ: +4 for correct, −1 for incorrect, 0 for unattempted
- Marking Scheme Numerical: +4 for correct, no negative marking
- Duration: 3 hours (3 hours 20 minutes for PwD candidates)
- Language: English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Bengali, Assamese, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Punjabi
- Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT) only
JEE Main 2026 Syllabus
JEE Main 2026 syllabus is based on Class 11 and 12 NCERT curriculum. Key topics per subject:
⚗️ Chemistry
- Atomic Structure
- Chemical Bonding
- Equilibrium
- Thermodynamics
- Organic Chemistry (GOC, Reaction Mechanisms)
- Coordination Compounds
- Electrochemistry
- Polymers & Biomolecules
⚡ Physics
- Mechanics (Laws of Motion, Energy)
- Electrostatics & Current Electricity
- Magnetic Effects & EMI
- Waves & Optics
- Modern Physics
- Semiconductor Devices
- Heat & Thermodynamics
- Rotational Motion
📐 Mathematics
- Algebra (Complex Numbers, Matrices)
- Calculus (Limits, Derivatives, Integrals)
- Coordinate Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Probability & Statistics
- 3D Geometry & Vectors
- Differential Equations
- Permutations & Combinations
JEE Main Marks vs Percentile 2025
The NTA percentile score is calculated based on the relative performance of all candidates. Here is an approximate marks vs percentile for JEE Main 2025:
| Marks (out of 300) | Expected Percentile | Expected Rank Range | Suitable Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| 270–300 | 99.99+ | 1 – 100 | Top IITs (IIT Bombay CSE, IIT Delhi CSE) |
| 250–270 | 99.9 – 99.99 | 100 – 1,000 | IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras (top branches) |
| 220–250 | 99 – 99.9 | 1,000 – 12,000 | IITs (all), NIT Trichy CSE, NIT Warangal |
| 200–220 | 97 – 99 | 12,000 – 40,000 | Top NITs, NIT Trichy, NIT Calicut |
| 170–200 | 93 – 97 | 40,000 – 1,00,000 | NITs (mid-tier), IIITs, BITS Goa/Hyd (via BITSAT) |
| 140–170 | 85 – 93 | 1L – 2.5L | State NITs, IIITs, Good private colleges |
| 100–140 | 70 – 85 | 2.5L – 5L | State engineering colleges, private institutions |
| Below 100 | Below 70 | 5L+ | Private colleges, consider state CET exams |
*Marks are approximate and vary by session difficulty. Percentile depends on the performance of all 12L+ candidates.
JEE Main 2025 Qualifying Cutoff
The minimum JEE Main qualifying percentile to be eligible for JEE Advanced 2025:
| Category | Qualifying Percentile | Approx. Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR) | 88.4+ percentile | ~150+ marks |
| OBC-NCL | 67.0+ percentile | ~105+ marks |
| SC | 46.7+ percentile | ~72+ marks |
| ST | 34.5+ percentile | ~50+ marks |
| General-PwD | 0.11+ percentile | Any positive score |
NIT Cutoff (JEE Main Rank) 2024
| NIT | Branch | Opening Rank (Gen) | Closing Rank (Gen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIT Trichy | CSE | 612 | 1,842 |
| NIT Warangal | CSE | 1,250 | 2,960 |
| NIT Surathkal | CSE | 1,980 | 3,820 |
| NIT Calicut | CSE | 2,840 | 5,120 |
| NIT Rourkela | CSE | 3,100 | 6,420 |
| IIIT Hyderabad | CSE | 428 | 980 |
| IIIT Allahabad | CSE | 1,840 | 3,250 |
How to Apply for JEE Main 2026
- Visit the official website: jeemain.nta.nic.in
- Click on "New Registration" and create your account
- Fill in personal, academic, and contact details
- Upload required documents (photo, signature, Class 10 certificate)
- Select exam cities (up to 4 preferences)
- Pay the application fee online
- Submit and save the confirmation number
JEE Main 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Paper 1 (1 Session) | Paper 1 (Both Sessions) |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (Male) | ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 |
| General / OBC (Female) | ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| SC / ST / PwD (Male) | ₹500 | ₹1,000 |
| SC / ST / PwD (Female) | ₹500 | ₹1,000 |
JEE Main 2026 Preparation Strategy
Study Timeline
- 12 months before: Complete Class 11 syllabus (NCERT + Reference books)
- 8 months before: Complete Class 12 syllabus, start problem solving
- 4 months before: Revision, mock tests, PYQs (Previous Year Questions)
- 1 month before: Daily mock tests, weak area strengthening, revision notes
- Last week: Revision only, no new topics, good sleep and health
Best Books for JEE Main 2026
Physics
- HC Verma — Concepts of Physics
- DC Pandey — Arihant Series
- NCERT Physics (Class 11 & 12)
Chemistry
- NCERT Chemistry (most important)
- OP Tandon — Physical Chemistry
- Morrison Boyd — Organic Chemistry
Mathematics
- RD Sharma — Class 11 & 12
- Cengage Maths Series
- Arihant PYQ Chapterwise
JEE Main 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the JEE Main 2026 registration last date?+
JEE Main 2026 Session 1 registration is expected to open in October 2025 and the last date to apply will likely be in November 2025. Session 2 registration opens in February 2026. Always confirm on the official NTA website (jeemain.nta.nic.in) as dates are announced officially.
How many marks are needed for 99 percentile in JEE Main?+
To score 99 percentile in JEE Main, you typically need to score 220–240 marks out of 300. This varies session to session based on paper difficulty. In easier sessions, you may need 240+ for 99 percentile. In tough sessions, 210+ may suffice for 99 percentile.
Can I get NIT admission without JEE Advanced?+
Yes. NIT admissions are through JEE Main only — JEE Advanced is not needed for NITs. JEE Main NTA score and all-India rank is used for NIT, IIIT, and CFTI admissions through JoSAA counselling. JEE Advanced is required only for IIT admissions.
Is there negative marking in JEE Main numerical questions?+
No negative marking for Section B (Numerical Value Questions). For Section A (MCQs), there is −1 mark for each wrong answer. So attempt all numerical questions but be careful with MCQs. Unattempted MCQs get 0 marks (no penalty).
What documents are required for JEE Main 2026 registration?+
Required documents: Aadhaar card (or other ID), Class 10 pass certificate, Class 12 marksheet/admit card, passport-size photograph (white background, face visible), signature scan, category certificate (OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD if applicable), PwD certificate if applicable, and bank account details for fee payment.