The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 is a gateway for aspiring engineers to secure admission into top institutes like NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions, as well as qualifying for JEE Advanced for IITs. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), JEE Main 2026 will be held in two sessions: Session 1 in January 2026 and Session 2 in April 2026, following the pattern of previous years.
While official dates are expected to be released in the last week of October 2025 on the NTA website (jeemain.nta.ac.in), tentative schedules point to registrations starting in November 2025 for Session 1.The exam pattern follows the revised structure introduced in 2025. Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) will include 75 questions in total 25 from each subject (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) combining MCQs and numerical questions, and will be worth 300 marks. All Section B (numerical) questions are now mandatory, with no optional questions. (+4 for right answer, –1 for wrong MCQ). Eligibility requires passing Class 12 in 2024, 2025, or appearing in 2026, with no age limit but a maximum of three attempts. As competition intensifies with over 10 lakh expected applicants, early preparation is key.
This comprehensive guide covers the expected schedule, exam pattern, eligibility, syllabus highlights, and tips for success, based on NTA’s latest updates as of August 2025. At VVT Coaching in Chennai, we’ve empowered thousands of students to achieve top ranks through our AI-driven app for custom mocks, expert faculty-led sessions, and personalized strategies, boasting a 96.6% success rate in JEE Main 2025. Whether you’re targeting AIR 1 or a safe NIT seat, our insights will help you navigate JEE Main 2026 effectively.
The NTA typically announces the official JEE Main 2026 notification in October 2025, with exams in January and April to allow multiple attempts. Based on past trends (e.g., JEE Main 2025 Session 1: January 24-31, Session 2: April 4-12), here’s the anticipated timeline:
Event | Session 1 (January 2026) | Session 2 (April 2026) |
Notification Release | October 2025 (Last Week) | October 2025 (Last Week) |
Online Registration Starts | November 2025 (First Week) | February 2026 (First Week) |
Registration Ends | December 2025 (First Week) | March 2026 (First Week) |
Admit Card Release | January 2026 (Second Week) | April 2026 (First Week) |
Exam Dates | January 20-31, 2026 (Expected) | April 1-15, 2026 (Expected) |
Answer Key Release | February 2026 (First Week) | April 2026 (Last Week) |
Result Declaration | February 2026 (Second Week) | May 2026 (First Week) |
These dates are tentative; monitor jeemain.nta.ac.in for confirmations. Multiple sessions allow score improvement, with the best score considered for ranking.
The exam pattern for JEE Main 2026 is expected to remain consistent, with two papers: Paper 1 for B.E./B.Tech and Paper 2 for B.Arch/B.Planning. Key details include:
Parameter | Paper 1 (B.E./B.Tech) | Paper 2A (B.Arch) | Paper 2B (B.Planning) |
Mode | Online (CBT) | Online (Math/Aptitude) + Offline (Drawing) | Online (CBT) |
Duration | 3 Hours | 3 Hours | 3 Hours |
Subjects | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics | Mathematics, Aptitude, Drawing | Mathematics, Aptitude, Planning |
Total Questions | 90 (75 to attempt) | 82 (77 to attempt) | 105 (100 to attempt) |
Marks | 300 | 400 | 400 |
Question Types | MCQs + Numerical Value | MCQs + Numerical + Drawing | MCQs + Numerical + Planning-based |
Marking Scheme | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQ, 0 for unanswered | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQ, variable for Drawing | +4 for correct, -1 for wrong MCQ |
Negative marking applies only to MCQs; numerical questions have no penalty for wrong answers. The exam is in 13 languages, with shifts to accommodate candidates.
Eligibility ensures fairness; key requirements as per NTA guidelines:
No changes expected for 2026; verify on nta.ac.in.
The syllabus aligns with NCERT Class 11-12, covering core topics. High-weightage areas:
Full syllabus available on NTA site; focus on NCERT for 70-80% questions.
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Q: When is JEE Main 2026 Session 1?
A: Expected January 20-31, 2026.
Q: What is JEE Main 2026 eligibility?
A: Class 12 in 2024-2026, 75% marks for General.
Q: JEE Main 2026 pattern changes?
A: No; 90 questions, 300 marks for Paper 1.
Q: Registration starts for JEE 2026?
A: November 2025 for Session 1.