The National Testing Agency (NTA) confirmed that registration for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2026 will open in October 2025 . The entrance exam will follow its bi-annual schedule, with Session 1 held in January 2026 and Session 2 in April 2026 .
NTA activated the official JEE Main 2026 website, jeemain.nta.nic.in, on September 29, 2025. This website will serve as the central hub for all exam-related communications and processes.
Key Dates for JEE Main 2026
The NTA released a tentative schedule for the JEE Main 2026 examination:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| JEE Main 2026 First Notification | September 29, 2025 |
| JEE Main 2026 Application Form Availability | October 2025 |
| JEE Main Session 1 Exam Date | January 2026 |
| JEE Main Session 2 Exam Date | April 2026 |
Mandatory Document Preparation
Authorities issued an advisory urging all candidates to update and renew necessary documents. These include Aadhaar Card, Caste Certificate, and the Unique Disability ID (UDID) card for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) candidates. Errors or discrepancies in these documents may lead to application rejection.
JEE Main Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet specific requirements to apply for JEE Main 2026:
- Applicants must be Indian citizens. Foreign Nationals, NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs are also eligible.
- Candidates must be appearing for or have completed Class 12 or an equivalent examination.
- There is no age limit for appearing in the exam.
- No minimum marks are required in Class 12 to appear for JEE Main. However, a minimum of 75% marks in Class 12 is required for admission to NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs.
- Candidates can attempt JEE Main for three consecutive years from their Class 12 passing year, allowing for a total of six attempts (twice per year).
For B.E/B.Tech (Paper 1), applicants must have passed their qualifying exam with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. They must also have one of the following subjects: Chemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, or a Technical Vocational subject.
Application Process for JEE Main 2026
The application process involves four main steps, all conducted through the official website, jeemain.nta.nic.in:
- Registration: Visit the website, click on the ‘JEE Main 2026 Application Form’ link, and complete the basic registration to generate login credentials.
- Form Filling: Re-login using the application number and password. Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and communication address.
- Document Upload: Upload scanned copies of required documents according to specified dimensions and size guidelines.
- Fee Payment: Pay the application fee online using UPI, Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
Candidates can apply for both Session 1 and Session 2 simultaneously during the initial registration period. Submitting multiple application forms will result in rejection.
Documents Required for Registration
- Aadhar Card
- Class 10th mark sheet
- Scanned photograph of the examinee
- Scanned signature of the candidate
- Income certificate (if applicable)
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- UDID card (for PwD candidates)
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The official JEE Main 2026 exam pattern and detailed syllabus will be released with the information brochure. Based on the previous year, the exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT).
| Particulars | Details (Previous Year) |
|---|---|
| Number of Sessions | 2 (January and April) |
| Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| Total Questions | 75 (25 per subject: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) |
| Numerical Questions | 5 compulsory questions per subject |
| Marking Scheme | +4 for correct answers, -1 for incorrect answers |
| Exam Duration (Paper 1 & 2) | 3 hours |
A panel led by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi is reviewing the difficulty levels of JEE Main and NEET UG. This review aims to align tests more closely with school curricula and potentially reduce reliance on coaching centers. Changes to the syllabus or exam pattern are not expected to be major, as NTA implemented significant updates last year. However, candidates should refer to the official notification for the definitive syllabus.
The JEE Main question paper will be available in 13 languages, including English and Hindi. Candidates can practice official JEE Main mock tests on the NTA’s website, nta.ac.in, without login credentials.
JEE Advanced Eligibility
The top 2,50,000 rank holders in JEE Main become eligible to apply for the JEE Advanced exam, which is the gateway to admission into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).