The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the official information bulletin for JEE Main 2026, confirming the examination schedule, eligibility conditions, and application process for both sessions. The Joint Entrance Examination (Main) remains the qualifying test for admission to NITs, IIITs, and other centrally funded technical institutions, and also serves as the eligibility criterion for JEE Advanced 2026.
JEE Main 2026 Registration Dates
According to the released bulletin, the registration process for Session 1 began on October 31, 2025, and will continue till November 27, 2025 (up to 9:00 PM). The last date for fee payment is November 27, 2025 (up to 11:50 PM). The Session 1 examination will be held between January 21 and January 30, 2026, while Session 2 will take place from April 1 to April 15, 2026.
JEE Main 2026 Exam Pattern
The examination will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode for all papers. Paper 1 will be held for B.E./B.Tech courses, while Paper 2A and 2B will be for B.Arch and B.Planning, respectively. Each subject in Paper 1 — Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics — will consist of two sections:
- Section A: 20 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Section B: 10 Numerical Questions (any five to be attempted)
Every correct answer will carry four marks, and one mark will be deducted for each incorrect response. No marks will be deducted for unanswered questions.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria remain consistent with the previous year. Students who have passed Class 12 or equivalent examination in 2024 or 2025, or are appearing in 2026, are eligible to apply. Candidates must have studied Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects along with Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or Technical Vocational subjects. There is no age limit for appearing in JEE Main 2026; however, candidates must satisfy the age requirements of the institute they are seeking admission to.
Application Fee
The application fee varies according to category and gender. The payment must be made online through Debit/Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
